Splinter Group Trials Milk Available Swells

The Old Farts Surf Co. World Championship Splinter Group held held its first trials over the weekend, milking swells from the east and south for maximum exposure.   Conditions were pumping but notable absence was The Young Dude for both the east and south coast swells.  According to The Dude  "the Young Dude is seccumbing to wine and wenches" and he had no excuse for missing the east swell on the first day of the trials. The second day perhaps was more forgivable as he hosted an AFL grand final BBQ where he and eight mates filled a recycling wheely bin with empty stubbies, and to his credit managed to go out wenching all night afterwards.  "He's a chip off the old block" said The Dude proudly.

http://www.oldfartsurf.com.au/page/surf_stuff_for_old_farts.html

(Weapons of Choice for the Splinter Group)

The Splinter Group didn't miss the Young Dude and hasty arrangements were made to add first substitute, The Other Dude, to the trials.  Although he didn't have the requisite Old Farts Surf Co. Hollow Timber Surfboard, special rule changes were negotiated to allow him to ride a 1975 triple stinger single fin that the Other Dude had faithfully restored with car bog.  "It was my proudest moment", claimed the Other Dude, "to be allowed to participate in the Splinter Group Trials with my trusty spear".

(A solid slab on the outside reef)

While the old farts chewed the fat on an inside reef and entertained a a bus load of Korean tourists by going headfirst over the falls onto the reef just like Bogey and Hepburn in The African Queen, a bunch of brave boogers hit the outside reef.  The lads on foam thought they would be thrown coins by the tourists, but their prone posture made it impossible for them to be noticed in the distance through the rain.

(The brave boogers went unnoticed on the outside reef)

(The Other Dude's tripple stinger single fin)

(Some dudes down the beach)

The weather cut up big time from the south for the second day of the trials and the fat was chewed at the mystical points in the early morning by The Dude and the Mexican.  The Dude's desire to win had overcome his valour and the absence of the Other Dude was due to The Dude letting his tyres down so he couldn't make the event.  But karma prevailed and The Dude was disqualified for not riding the requisite hollow wooden surfboard, even though he took the bombs and chewed the fat with both contestants and non contestants.  The Mex declared it "was the best session ever" on his hollow timber 6'8" hollow timber surfboard which was, ironically, made by The Dude.

Rouge's Red Bluff Story

(Red Bluff pushing 8'plus and no one out)

The legend has it that Rouge left his Proctors Road home without telling his mum he was going. He's not quite sure what year but it was some time around 1977 give or take a year. He had a scholarship to do a maths degree which he abandoned. Perhaps he just set off on a big adventure or perhaps he wanted to "find" himself, but all we know is that he travelled around Australia for about 5 years in various jobs, spent a night in the can and was in a band in WA that tried to move to Sydney for a big break but only half the band members made the trip across the continent. Eventually he settled down and finished that maths degree, married a wonderful lady and had two great kids. He now works for a bank in Sydney.

(Mark and dog, They lived in a cave at the Bluff)

The other day Rouge sent through this great set of old photos from his journey of discovery along with a with a few words of explanation.(A shot from the Mount)

This is Rouge's "history flashback" from a time when he was working at a mine somewhere in the West Australian desert.

"Winter, 1981 at the Red Bluff, north of Carnavon in W.A.

At the end of each night shift, we'd get a 4 day break. Nearest surf was 10 hours away. Mark Moore & I headed down to the Bluff for an unforgettable time. Photos say it all…this day was a classic, woke up early to find a crisp 4’ swell had arrived. Not more than 3 or 4 surfers camping so mostly had it to myself. Early morning session went down well. Quick bite to eat then back out. Swell obviously rising, now pushing 5’ - 6’. I owned a 7’ rounded pin Tern that I pulled out from time to time, and this day certainly called for it. Surfed my ring out. A few 8’ sets came through. Finally got out of the water exhausted after paddling into a few 8’ plus set. No one out now. Just a few guys sitting on the point watching the sets roll in."

( Mark Moore, shagin' wagin' and guitar)

(Afternoon monster and no one out)
(Above and below came with the caption "Classic Rouge, notice stance esp. left arm, possibly confirming previous Marrawah pictorial" - refer article Old Feud Still Unresolved"of 4 April 09)
(Unknown goofy)

Now. as the Legend has it, after leaving without saying goodbye, Rouge didn't contact his mum for several years. One day he rolled up to his old Proctors Road home, maybe expecting some fanfare for the return of the prodigal son, but all his mum could say was "you bastard".(Early morning Red Bluff)

Althought they live in separate states, Rouge and his mum are are in regular contact, and the kids love their nan.

Spring is in the Air

(Unknown dude slips along a crisp blue left)

There is something about a crisp offshore and the first sunny day of spring that has a bit of warmth to it. The water is still cold and you still need a bit of rubber for comfort but you know there is no hurry to beat the sea breeze.

(Spring sessions site)

Unlike last week we didn't have the Young Dude's Sister to ping the Sap Brothers Splinter Group so photos were taken after the session. Apparently she was under the weather after attempting to consume The Dudes collection of Grange and Hill of Grace before he returns from business in the Basque counry teeing up the Splinter Group World Tour event. The Sap Bros. put in some good training chewing the fat waiting for set waves and graciously letting the locals take them all.

(Unknown oldfartsurfer slides into a blue one, did he make it?)

Sap Brothers Mix it with The Pros as Splinter Group Makes its Presence Felt

(The Mexican almost lands a tripple air reverse)

The phone call came through from The Young Dude about 9:30 am, parents away he'd had an all night bender at home and was a bit late off the mark. "Hey Mex the coast is on, lets take mum's car for a spin". Half an hour later, the sound of squeeling tyres at the bottom of the street and The Young dude does donuts in the VW as he waits for the Mex to grab his gear.

( The Mex trims the 6'8" hollow timber rounded pin to perfection)

In the back seat is The Yound Dude's Sister (aka the Dude's Daughter), encouraging her brother to fang it harder. "Its only mum's new car and it needs a good hard drive to wear it in" she said as the Mex managed to throw the gear through an open door and grab hold of a roof rack as the Young Dude goes sideways on two wheels.

(The Mexican's 6'8" hollow timber craft trims like an excocet missile)

The Young Dude's 6'6" rounded pin is almost identical to the Mexican's 6'8" making them sap brothers, a unique team within the Splinter Group of world surfing. What the Mex gives away in height to The Young Dude he makes up with an extra couple of inches. Together they mentally dominated the lineup which included some stickered pros. (This pro secretly wants to join the splinter group and his sponsors are rumoured to be in negotiation with the Old Farts Surf Co. to sponsor some of the events. The pro let slip to the Mex in the lineup "I'd rather sit around on a fat peak chewing the fat with the old farts than surf Shippies")

(The Mex pulls off a fat one)
The trip to the coast took 30 min instesad of the usual 60 min. The Young Dude's sister giggled with joy as she clasped her hands over her brothers eyes while he drove the VW at 160 kph and the Mex, still outside hanging on to the roof rack, stuck his foot through the drivers window to steer the car.
(The Mex and a fat one)

The Young Dude Sister proved a deft hand with the camera and has already been appointed official Old Fart Surf Co. photographer by appointment HH (that's the Head Honcho for those of you not up with this blog).

(Beats towing into shippies any day)

The journey home was much more sedate as the Sap Brothers had satiated themselves on fat waves and the pies at the bakery weighed heavily in their gut. A bit of fun was had running a few speed cameras, the carefree crew didn't have a care in the world "mum'll get the fine" said the Young Dude with a devilish grin while his sister gave the cops the sign. "You two are a modern day Bonnie and Clyde" quipped the Mex before falling asleep. (Can't stand up with yer hands over yer head in this one)

(Mex lands a rodeo flip)

(Mex lines up his next ariel)

(Mex recovers from a massive re-entry)

(the Yound Dude sneaks out the back)

(The Yound Dude slidin' the splinter)

(The Yound Dude Powers through the pack of pros)

(The Young Dude lands a tripple air reverse)

(The Yound Dude lines up his next move)

(The Young Dude sinks the tail sap to get back to the juice)

(The Young Dude slotted)

(The Mex Slotted)

("The Mexican" surfcraft on autopilot)

(The Mex floating "The Mexican")