The Sugden Tapes - The Oldfartsurfer Interviews Aspiring Politician James Sugden

OK, we've teased you enough and now its time to get serious and finally reveal who James Sugden is.  The reality is he is a mate of the The Mexican, and while the Old Farts Surf Co. is generally apolitical, James has a good set of values and we thought we would throw our considerable political weight behind him in his bid as an independent candidate for the Tasmanian Legislative Council seat of Hobart.

 As an independent, James doesn't have the political party machinery behind him. He'll get his placards out there, he's set up web, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter sites and will be door knocking the suburbs, however, we thought that by publishing this interview it would give people an opportunity to find out more about James, his values and character.

To read the full interview click on the following link:
http://www.jamessugden.com.au/events/surferinterview.htm

Click here to see a previous related post.
Click here to tell the Oldfartsurfer what you really think.

Spot Rides Again

In transit from the tropical north to join Moose (OFSC No. 5) and his fan base in Canada, Spot (OFSC No. 6), has dropped in on The Mexican (OFSC No. 4) for some lessons on how to ride Sammy the 9'6" McTavish SUP.  "Its part of my goal of being an all round waterman" said the enthusiastic student, "plus my Canuck fan base really want to see me pushing boundaries".

(Spot makes his first tentative foray into wave SUP riding in small surf)

"Most riders try flat water to get a feel for Sammy before taking him in the surf" said Mex.  "However, Spot was pretty keen to get started so we put him in the surf from the start and he handled the small stuff pretty well for a beginner"

(Mex demonstrates timing his run for the wave)

 The  next day the swell picked up and Spot was hungry to try some big surf on Sammy.  "The Mex gave me a demonstration of how it was done first" said Spot.  "He showed how it was all about timing and positioning your run for the wave and then using your footwork on the Board so it wouldn't catch an edge or nose dive"

(Mex's footwork on the board, note the considerable weight on the back foot)

After the brief demonstration by the Mex, Spot got out there for a crack at some of the bigger waves.  "Initially Spot had a bit of trouble with his timing" said Mex, "He had a tendency to paddle too early and the waves broke on the back of his board, knocking him off"

(One of Spots early attempts, getting the timing wrong)

Regarding the student's progress, Mex commented "Once Spot started timing his run for the wave he got the opportunity to understand how footwork was needed to find the sweet spot in the face of the wave to get speed, and once you have speed the wave is your oyster"

(Spot gets his timing right and takes off on a big wave)

 "After a few nose dives and then catching the outside edge of the board I think I started to understand the finer art of SUP riding" said Spot, "I've got a couple more weeks to practice before I head to Tofino to show my Canuck fan base my extended repertoire."

(Spot using good footwork to pull off this massive bottom turn)

News from Canada is that that Spot will get a warm welcome and that officials are concerned that the associated  rise in temperature could ruin the rest of the ski season.
Click here to see a previously related story.
Click her to tell the Oldfartsurfer what you really think.

East Coast Magic Chapter 1

(This photo gives a hint to where in the world these photos were taken)

This is the second installment of the east coast magic photos taken by Ol' Pete a couple of years ago during a big east coast swell. 

These photos are taken at the first location Ol' Pete visited during the big east swell. 

Click here to see the previous installment from Ol' Pete

Click here to tell the Oldfartsurfer what you really think.

OFSC Easter Classic 2011 - Macho, his Progeny & the Oldfartsurfcaddy

(Macho purveys and grins as his progeny perform)

 "Why aren't you out here?" yelled Mex (OFSC No. 4) from the lineup as he paddled Sammy the 9'6" McTavish SUP back out for another 400m ride. "Waitin' on the oldfartsurfcaddy to arrive with the oldfartsurfingvehicles" was the response from Macho (OFSC No. 23). "and I'm havin' fun watchin' the progeny mixing it up with the big boys like Ol' Pete, Rouge & Spot."

(Little Macho paddles for set wave and Stylish Dan scratches over the top)

As Macho and Mex were speaking, Little Macho the Miniature Surf Sprog launched into a set wave. Initially it looked like he was a bit unbalanced, but then he pulled a massive 3G bottom turn that launched him down the line with speed and left footprints in the deck of he board.

(Little Macho gets to his feet)

(Little Macho leans it to a 3G bottom turn)

(Little Macho slides down the line with speed generated from his bottom turn)

"Did you see that?" yelled Macho. "Yeah, looks just like you Macho" replied Mex."You would have to look far to find a better oldfartsurfing role model than Macho" Mex commented as older Macho sprog, Stylish Dan, took off on the next wave and weaved his way down the point showing maturity of style learned from years of watching his old man in action.

(Stylish Dan, the future of oldfartsurfing)

"A lot of water under the board developing that style and these kids today pick it up so easily" said the old sage Macho to a couple of seagulls who would have preferred a couple of chips than ramblings of an olfartsurfer.  As he spoke the Oldfartsurfcaddy appeared out of the bushes and Macho's eye's lit up with a grin.  It was his turn now.

(the oldfartsurfcaddy arrives with the oldfartsurfingvehicles)

Click here for the previous story on the OFSC Easter Classic 2011.

Click here to tell the Oldfartsdurfer what you really think!!

Youngest Oldfartsurfer Ever

The oldest oldfartsurfer in recorded history is Noah, who according to Bill Cosby, famously asked God what a cubit was.  The universe now has the youngest oldfartsurfer in history, also known as Noah.  He's pretty fond of water and and number twos (just not in my pool please) and has been recognised as a child prodigy oldfartsurfer. 

(Noah is pictured here at oldfartsufer booty camp, already media savy with a big smill and a thumbs up for the camera.)

(Noah, is already a proficient surf rescue professional and practicing for his first junior iron man competition.)

Readers are advised to watch this space for the development of a future champion.

The Sugden Tapes

Forget David Frost and the Nixon Tapes.  The Oldfartsurfer and the Sugden Tapes are coming soon.
Click here for the previous related post on this subject.

Wave Hog

Ol' Pete is a true surf aficionado, known around the beaches for his white beard, white hat and marathon surf sessions.  A couple of years ago, as he was re-acquainting himself with the pleasures of oldfartsurfing, he travelled up the coast took a series of photos during some solid swells.

Hearing a rumour of the existence of a set of quality photos, the Oldfartsurfer had been nagging Ol' Pete for copies.  Finally, while chewing the fat out the back at a local beachy a couple of weeks ago, the Oldfartsurfer asked Ol' Pete "Do you reckon you could send me those photos you've bee talking about?"  "Sure" said Ol' Pete and the photos were delivered by disk to the Oldfartsurfer's sponsor's office within a couple of days. The amazing set of photos were shown to Oldfartsurfer No. 42, Rockhead, who just happens to work for the sponsor. 

Rockhead noticed a few photos of an oldfartsurfer tearing up a classic rivermouth that only breaks a few times a year.  "I know that dude" said Rock, "he's a member of the Wild Hogs".  Now Rockhead is torn between his allegiances to oldfartsurfing and the renegade Wild Hogs, who both surf and ride motorbikes built for geriatrics, but he was delighted to see the quite anonymous appearance of his Wild hog mate amongst Ol' Pete's photos. 

The Oldfartsurfer undertook to publish the photos in this blog and asked Rockhead for his Wild Hog mate's name.  "Wave Hog we call him" said Rock

Who is James Sugden?

OFSC Easter Classic 2011 - Rouge

If you've been following the series of stories on the Old Farts Surf Co. Easter Classic 2011, you might be wondering - "what about Rouge?"  Well its a good question to wonder, although if you have read the ol' Pete story, you may have noticed Rouge (OFSC No. 45) got a citation for a bit of rough play.  As you may have read, Rouge had flown in from interstate for the big event and borrowed the Mexican's battered old 7' rounded pin.  The board you will have seen him on when he last sojourned south and blew us away with his skillful oldfartsurfingprowess.

 

(Surfer with wetsuit top down and board, photo Rouge)

Although recently misrepresented by a cruel surf press, Rouge was the essence of a generous soul on the famous Easter Sunday point session of the OFSC Easter Classic.  Forgoing the opportunity to surf himself for most of the day he took on the role of official oldfartsurfphotographer so that the event could be documented for the future Old Fart Surf Co. Hall of Fame. 

(Surfer in cloths with board, photo Rouge)

Most of the photos of the OFSC Easter Classic 2011 are the result of Rouge's aesthetic eye through the lens. Fortunately, Rouge handed the camera to Spot towards the end of the session and hit the water, not on Mex's trusty battered ol' 7' rounded pin, but instead on Mex's stylin' machine, the 8'8" mal.  (The stylin' machine was last seen under the style master spot on a secret training session with Moose OFSC No. 5).  Rouge put on an soulful display of longboard surfing, even though it was the first time he had ever been on a log.  "I was so glad Spot capture that one shot of me stylin' on the log" said Rouge, "it puts me in good stead for a future OFSC Hall of Fame inclusion".  "In my mind he is already there, even though the Hall of Fame has yet to be created" said OFSC Head Honcho, The Mexican (OFSC No. 4).

(Two seagulls in the air, photo Rouge) 

(Jeremy's legs, Photo Rouge)

(Rouge stylin', photo Spot)

Spot's shot of Rouge stylin' on Mex's 8'8" mal is being considered for entry into major photographic awards.  "Never before have I been able to capture that perfect stylin' moment, but having Rouge do his thing on a perfect wave, it felt like some spirit arose from the ocean an pressed the shutter button at the perfect moment for me" said Spot.

(Dog, photo Rouge)

(Seagull on rock, photo Rouge)

Click here to read the previous story in the OFSC Easter Classic 2011 series.

Click here to tell the Oldfartsurfer what you really think.

OFSC Easter Classic 2011 - ol' Pete

He's yet to join the Old Farts Surf Co. and become an official oldfartsurfer, however, ol' Pete seems to turn up every time the boys have a session.  Always in his distinctive white hat, in true oldfartsurfer style ol' Pete reconnected with surfing a couple of years ago and now can't stay out of the water.

(ol' Pete makes his way out through the key hole)

"ol' Pete is renowned for his long sessions in the surf" said Mex, a previous colleague of ol' Pete, then known as Pete.  "Sometimes he's in the surf with us in the morning, we go home, have lunch, mow the lawn, take the missus shopping, then go back for the arvo surf and he's still in the water."

(ol' Pete, takes a high line to keep an eye out for his nemesis)

ol' Pete's passion for surfing long sessions has seen him lose a few kilograms and he is now down to his fighting weight.  Ready for a stoush and known for his hunger for waves ol' Pete has a reputation for snaking fellow oldfartsurfers, sometimes upsetting the bonhomie in the sea.

(ol' Pete peaks over the top of this wave looking for Rouge)

ol' Pete pushed his wave hogging a bit far in the Old Farts Surf Co. Easter Classic 2011 when he tried his wily old tricks on the master hassler, Rouge (OFSC No. 45).  It was reported that ol' Pete's snaking days were nearly over when he cut inside and tried to take a wave from Rouge, who had been waiting politely for his turn. 

(ol' Pete showing grace on the face)

It was reported that ol' Pete ended up on the rocks while Rouge weaved his way gracefully down the point.  However, oldfartsurfer experience tells us that history is written by the victor not the vanquished.  "Has anybody seen ol' Pete around" said Rouge when he got out of the water.

Click here to read the previous installmenet of the Old Farts Surf Co. Easter Classic 2011.

Click here to tell the Oldfartsurfer what your really think.

OFSC Easter Classic 2011 - Spot and the 6'6" Webber Afterburner

A lot can be written about the sublime stylistic surfing of the stylemaster Spot (Old Fart Surf Co. No. 6).  Showing oldfartsurfing age and finesse beyond his actual years he makes the art of wave riding something blissful to behold.

(Spot meditates in the Oldfartsurfer pre-surf pose before entering the water)

"The Old Farts Surf Co. were pleased to sponsor Spot's appearance at the Easter Classic 2011." said OFSC Head Honcho, the Mexican.  "Despite his youthful years we welcome his oldfartsurfer ethos".

"When Mex offered to let me ride his 6'6" Webber Afterburner I was sold on flying in for the Easter Classic 2011" said Spot.  "The Afterburner and I have a great working relationship that enables us to work together to express bliss on a wave" said Spot.

"The long small fat waves with occasional zippy sections enabled Spot to demonstrate a laid back grace on a wave not seen since Phil Edwards walked the plank" said Rouge, who photographed the event.  "I was going to hop in the water to join the classic surfing but was mesmerised by Spot's surfing and just stayed on shore to record the event before I surfed myself.".

The OFSC were particularly pleased to secure Spot for the event, the last opportunity before he returned to Canuckland for some early autumn sessions with Moose.

"It was a pretty classic Easter Classic", said Mex.  "We were lucky getting both Rouge and Spot to fly in from interstate for the event, then to have them combine together like this in front and behind the camera was just magic. We've included a lot of photos here so scroll down and enjoy the magic."

(Spot demonstrates classic oldfartsurfing style)

(Timeless artistry on a wave not seen since Phil Edwards walked the plank)

(Two greats of oldfartsurfing confer, Spot & Rouge had a synergy that produced magic at the OFSC Easter Classic 2011)

Click here for the previous article on the OFSC Easter Classic 2011

Click here to tell the Oldfartsurfer what you really think.