bakesy said..

Hey Mav welcome aboard, we are a pretty secretive bunch over here so that app kind of pisses me off. It all stems from a history of being ignored by the east coast for a hundred or so years and being left alone to do our thing. We developed a healthy distrust of outsiders and only shared things between ourselves. Recently we found vast deposits of minerals and energy, the whole east coast workforce and much of Britain's and South Africa's white population moved here with SUP's and Longboards stacked high on their SUV's. I hope this goes some way to explain Smicko's view and perhaps justifies PP's less than hospitable reply. Feel free to visit any time, just book a return flight and don't surf near seal colonies (which are everywhere)

mr baker will kindly show you his local spot, even though the take off zone is about as wide as my kitchen table.

Ctngoodvibes said..

bakesy said..

Hey Mav welcome aboard, we are a pretty secretive bunch over here so that app kind of pisses me off. It all stems from a history of being ignored by the east coast for a hundred or so years and being left alone to do our thing. We developed a healthy distrust of outsiders and only shared things between ourselves. Recently we found vast deposits of minerals and energy, the whole east coast workforce and much of Britain's and South Africa's white population moved here with SUP's and Longboards stacked high on their SUV's. I hope this goes some way to explain Smicko's view and perhaps justifies PP's less than hospitable reply. Feel free to visit any time, just book a return flight and don't surf near seal colonies (which are everywhere)

mr baker will kindly show you his local spot, even though the take off zone is about as wide as my kitchen table.

My uncle was part of the discovery of mineral deposits in WA in the 1940's and 50's, so it's hardly a new phenomenon. What you are seeing is a world wide trend of increasing exploitation linked with exploding population, and finally some infrastructure. Being insular does not mean you are isolated. You just haven't caught up with reality yet. It's happened here to, so don't think I am just having a go at you. Without the rutile mining of the 60's our NSW mid/north coast would still be relatively unknown.

The issue that things like this app or a thread devoted to spots brings up is whether this technology is aiding or hampering your lifetsyle. Our mineral boom is massive and unprecedented in Oz history if you measure it in terms of $$$$ and increase in population. The FIFO roster has increased numbers in the surf and combine it with technology and you have an impact on those of us that live in known surf locations. Since moving from Perth I very rarely travel to other destinations and would most certainly not use an app to inform me of where it might be pumping, however I might post a pic in the surf report thread. Take Smicko's vid he posted, some clues as to location but really it would take some detective work and a leap of faith to just head off and find it. For those of us that have surfed those waves have a think about how you found them, especially anyone who was there in the 70's early 80's, no apps or internet to make it easy.

Gotta agree with Legion, every video that is posted on here blatantly makes it easy to find these spots.

The other month I found a video on youtube showing a 'secret' spot north of Perth that was absolutely firing. I didn't recognise the spot but there was enough shots showing the coastal layout that it took me no more than 20 minutes to find the exact location via the sat photos on google. The spot is likely well known to many, but it wasn't known to me...and if I don't know it, I'm sure there are plenty of others who don't also...but posting a video and having access to google maps just makes it all too easy.

I know my hands certainly are not clean as I've posted several videos and photos but I've limited what I've posted to only showing places that are well known and are on a live webcam. More recently at one spot, after a few days of very photogenic waves, I chose not to post anything up...not that I would imagine a single scoobyshot is going to result in the hoards of weekend warriors and FIFO converging on a single sandbank....I could be so lucky if my 'work' had such a large audience


Also gotta agree with Legion's earlier comment regarding mobile phone surf reports. I despise it. I get up and do the dawn patrol and long drives to find a good spot to surf. I deserve the waves I get. I won't call up even my best mates to tell them if there are good waves. I also have a rule that I wont take other people in my car with me when going on for a search (except the girl) as there is nothing worse than finding your own little bank to see a carload of insta-crowd douchebags rock up and crowd you out.

Regardless, it's only going to get worse, especially with the growing number of hacks getting on SUPs. I figured my best defense against increasing crowds is to work on my paddling strength and technique and getting myself use to deep take offs and rail drops to increase my chances of stealing a wave. The crowds are inevitable unless you can go for a long drive or you will sit in gnarly heaving storm conditions, trying to maintain position just to get that one monster slab. Adapt or give up. Sink or swim.

I rarely tell anyone where I surf unless it was a one-off special and I know if they try it they'll get skunked. E.g. I can say I surfed south mole because it's a once a year proposition, and even then generally only for a few hours. I also use flexible work hours and risk disciplinary action to go when crowds are low. And I use local rights to push things at crowded times. I.e. I make (made) sacrifices to allow me to surf. If you're not willing or able to make sacrificies IMO you shouldn't expect to be spoon fed.

There are jobs and lifestyles that allow freedom ... doggie, jb, no. suba, smicko, me, Zuke, some industries I don't want to name, yes.

If I see someone on the phone in the carpark or at the beach, they deserve to be burned. Even if they and their 5 friends who rock up are respectful non-douche bags, they are obstacles and competition. I can deal with 30+ people at my local, but it's more fun with 3.

Apps suck, reports suck. I wish we only had weather forecasts/synoptic charts or knowledge gained. Luckily those two still trump online resources - for now.

You guys have no idea - people like smicko, suba and me might have a bit more desire and ability than most to explore but we're small fry compared to the sacrifices Zuke has made to gain knowledge. Time and $ over many years. If only there was an app to ensure the crowds know when it's firing at his spots ...

Time aint on my side anymore, I'm a salary man now.
Gotta book a leave day for a midweek mission now.
Other than that, just a weekend warrior trying to get wet.

Agree on the Zuke point too. Well earnt.

Lots of coastline over here Chrispy but not many waves believe it or not.

smicko said...
Lots of coastline over here Chrispy but not many waves believe it or not.

Yes, there are no waves in WA...not worth visiting.

Seriously I think it's ok to tell ya mates I mean fair dinkum they are ya mates. I'd punch my mates if they held out. That's right I don't have mates

Bit harsh

chrispy said..

Ctngoodvibes said...

smicko said...
Lots of coastline over here Chrispy but not many waves believe it or not.

Yes, there are no waves in WA...not worth visiting.

UMm I d not really believe you haha. I have an invite and a guided tour offered to me from someone I think that knows the waves over there. he did say I would be wasting my time. I might get to meet you on my travels.

These guys are telling the truth, for the amount of coast in the west there is not the amount of spots a lot of people think, there is a couple of pockets of coast that have classic waves down every road, but you aren't going to get a wave to yourself. The rest of the coast seems pretty fickle and even with local knowledge it's a slog.

So Legion, I can't even ring up the missus to tell her I'll be late.

I could tell you exactly where every wave on the video mick posted is and I live on the other side of the country.

I work extremely hard and very happy to be in this beautiful country that everyone calls the lucky country. You guys are so lucky to be able to surf every day. The fact that there is an iphone app that I can use to show me where the nearest beach is that has pumping surf - think it is just like using the internet but only saves you time and hassle. I work 65 hours per week and only have weekend to look for where best surf is. I think 99% of people use the internet to search anyway so lets just be grateful that we can work and surf and just be happy to treat each other with respect and know how special Australia is. The people out in the surf who don't treat locals with respect (like the app says we all should) don't last long anyway before someone speaks up or drops in anyway. We are so lucky that everyone can catch a nice wave and enjoy the rest of the day afterwards. Peace!

maverick69 said..

I work extremely hard and very happy to be in this beautiful country that everyone calls the lucky country. You guys are so lucky to be able to surf every day. The fact that there is an iphone app that I can use to show me where the nearest beach is that has pumping surf - think it is just like using the internet but only saves you time and hassle. I work 65 hours per week and only have weekend to look for where best surf is. I think 99% of people use the internet to search anyway so lets just be grateful that we can work and surf and just be happy to treat each other with respect and know how special Australia is. The people out in the surf who don't treat locals with respect (like the app says we all should) don't last long anyway before someone speaks up or drops in anyway. We are so lucky that everyone can catch a nice wave and enjoy the rest of the day afterwards. Peace!

Ok ill bite. I had ten minutes up my sleave and I didn't get a coffee this morning so I bought your APP

But just for the record the only spot in WA in a general is Surf Beach. That for the record is (according to your APP) 1 hour and 27 minutes drive from me Funny part I am actually only about 4 km from a beach

From what I can tell there is only about 5 beaches loaded in Australia Oh and the idea how you have to log in each time you open it seems clunky at best

I'm sorry its just crap at best ATM You need loads more work. Don't want to be nasty but if your going to use a Public forum to try sell your product then I guess public feedback is to be expected.

Anyway I've got to go, apparently Mandurah is actually pumping (1Foot). Lets hope I don't get lost

U are funny theories. I wish I could creat app. I will try to make time for a trip to wa later in the year and I will book a return trip! This is getting boring and negative now. A friend from the states told me the best way to make some friends in ur country was to join a forum. I'm sorry u take anger to my chance to talk about something I thought u might like. All the best. I will try to talk about something better and happier next interesting forum.

think he might need a wing man Mick that's not helping!