Expression Session 1 - The Mexican

The fans have been waiting for it and now at last here it is - the final installment from the Old Farts Surf Co. Expression Session 1.  Arguably, the best has been kept for last as Canadian upstart Moose has captured the elegance and aplomb that a true oldfartsurfer on an Old Farts Surf Co. hollow timber board brings to the art of surfing.

(The Mex glides like a sea eagle on his hollow timber board while resting his right elbow on the top of the wave)

This session is memorable as it is the last installment of photos from Moose who will soon return Canuckland.  "The Mex was gliding with the grace of a sea eagle but had the power and spring in his legs like a young gazelle" said Moose.  "It was a priviledge to witness the surf expressions in that session with the Mex firing" she said. 

(The Mex with a spring in his leges like a gazelle)

The Dude said "this is what oldfartsurfers do, riding waves for riding the waves sake, with grace and style and purity of purpose."  "No flashy logos around here" said The Other Dude.  "Express yourself" said Madonna.  "Art for art sake, money for god sake" said some old song.

(The Mex glides gracefully allowing the lip of the wave to caress his shoulder while he catches up with the spray of an earlier bottom turn)

Spot put on a pair of fins and overcame his fear of the men in grey suits to swim out to take some water shots.  "I thought the expression and art in thewater were informed by surreal spiritualism" said Spot when he got back to the beach.  "It certainly inspired me to take some great photos" he said.

(Spot's photo of Mex's surfing expression informed by surreal spiritualism)

When the media asked if the Old Farts Surf Co. was going to have another expressions session, Head Honcho, The Mexican said "it will happen when the spirits of the oldfartsurfers aligned with either Mars or Jupiter."  Well Hughey knows when the next age of Aquarius will be but for now we will have to be satisfied with reviewing these wonderful photos taken by Moose with water shots from Spot and the Mex .

Click here for previous articles on the Expression Session 1 series.

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Old Fart Surfers Make it in New York

When old Frank Sinatra sang about New York, "If you can make it here you can make it anywhere", he was really anticipating the arrival of the Old Farts Surf Co. in New York City.  Good old Frankie had a vision of the big apple full of oldfartsurfers, and, althought he never lived to see the day, the OFSC has finally made it.  Here is a comment left by Davis Miller, an OFSC fan from Astoria, Queens:

I like this place! I love the idea and wish there was a place like this in Astoria, Queens. I am a surfer and found a "real surfer bar" in Point Break NYC. I am kinda jealous ;0PIts filled with surfers, people who like surfers, people who like the beach and people who don't want to live close to town. I really like this place. You know what they have these real Proctor and Channel One surfboards on the wall. It's nice for coming any day of the week and eating a late brunch. The food was outstanding. The brunch and sides were prefect and tasty. It is a perfect "escape" from city living. It is probably one of the only places where you can get a nice frozen pina colada or margarita. The service was on hit. They came up and checked on us so many times and made sure everything was up to par. It gets very active and the bartenders keep everybody having a good time. The bartender was very accommodating. He was nice enough to make a drink, that wasn't on the menu, for me :0) Did I mention the bartenders are nice eye candy. It was amazing to see their “das boot” which is shaped like a boot filled with beer. Don’t get me wrong, I am not drunk…it’s an actual boot shaped beer container ready to be emptied. Try it ..You will love it!! Oh. How can I forget, they even have a wheel o' shots where you just have to spin it and have to drink whatever shot it lands on!! Now call that bar creativity at its best!!! And when I spill a tray full of shots on myself, the bartender so kindly remakes them for me? Good music, too, and the decor helped us weather an otherwise overcast and rainy day. You know that old song "Brandy"? It goes, "Brandy, you're a fine girl, what a good wife you would be. But my life, my lover, my lady is the sea." I believe Brandy works here. No reason, I just do. And that song happens to be a guilty pleasure of mine, so that's a plus in my book. You can simply waltz over to this colorful and warm establishment, enjoy some drinks with friends, and walk home. The bar is right at the center, so you can walk to either side for drinks, and the bartenders are friendly and at your service. There is a variety of seating, good music, and friendly neighborhood people to make your time more enjoyable. Not pretentious, very cozy, I think Point Break is a fabulous place to spend some time with friends.

(New Jersey 1975, OFSC had initial reservations for a Splinter Group event due life guards and Jaws)

There is some mounting pressure to hold an Old Farts Surf Co. Splinter Group World Series Surfing event in NYC in the near future.  The Dude has sussed Spain and will soon be checking Java, Thailand, Vietnam and Bali for potential spots, but OFSC Head Honcho, the Mexican has ordered the global oldfartsurfer research team to scour the Hudson for standing waves and bow waves.  "I remember surfing New Jersey in '75" said the Mex, "it was my first view of the ocean in 12 months and the day after I saw Jaws.  There were lots of fat peaks and life savers ordering us to swim within the impact zone, and not allowing us to swim 20' further out where you could actually catch a wave.  No boards allowed!".  "The OFSC had written off New York until we discoverd Point Break and Brandy, the hottest little surfie chick ."
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SUP Action from Expression Session 1

(Oldfartsufer Nic cutting loose on his trusty SUP)

Whilst Canadian upstart Moose was taking photos of the oldfartsurfers performing in Expression Session 1, Macho left the water and suggested she point the camera up the beach at Oldfartsurfer Nic who was enjoying a few waves to himself on his trusty SUP.  The resulting photo wins a Topshot award.
Click here for the previous article in the Experssion Session series.
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Rouge Discovers Lost Wave and Gets Barrelled Over Rock Ledge

(OFS#12, The Dude, chews a post surf, stem ginger biscuit, thinking he's done for the day)

("Hey, lets go find the Lost Wave" suggests OFS#45, Rouge, dunking his stem ginger biscuit in his latte')

How many of you have heard a mate yabba on about a wave they discovered a few decades ago and how good it was but you can never find it again.  After a while you say yeah yeah right and move on.  Well Oldfartsurfer Rouge (OFS#45) has been telling the Mex about this wave he discovered back in about 1975 on remote coastline at the base of 300' cliffs. 

(Exotic rockscape looking for the Lost Wave)

(Exotic sea flora looking for the Lost Wave)

According to the legend, Rouge and OFS#66, the Banjo Player (aka Agent 66), pulled up on the side of the road on a freezing wet winters day and decided to grab their boards, long johns and vests and bash through thick temperate rainforest, in steep terrain and down a cliff and by some magic found this fantastic barrelling left hand reef break and got shacked off their kaftans. 

(Rouge charges a rock ledge)

(Exotic rockpools enroute to the Lost Wave)

Those of you with a skeric of logic might ask "why did they do that?" or "which deity or primal force led them to this break?".  Well, roumour has it that it was Hughey.

(The Dude waits for Rouge's return)

(Rouge pigdogs as he traverses a step with the lip looming over him)

About five years ago Rouge and the Banjo Player tried to lure the Mex, The Dude and the Young Dude  into the bush to search for the lost wave.  Confronted by thick bush, knowing there were good waves a few minutes drive away and perhaps sensing an Ivan Milat moment or just lacking a sense of adventure the boys declined the journey.

(Rouge and The Dude looking for the Lost Wave)

(The Lost Wave is found)

Well a few weeks ago Rouge made a sojourn back to the State for an Oldfartsurfers weekend.  After a good morning surf in warm sparkling water, Rouge, The Mexican and The Dude were drinking latte's at the local cafe' and eating their own packet of traditional gingernut snaps and stem ginger biscuits which they had smuggled in.  Rouge suggested we go look for the lost wave.  It was a hot day so Rouge suggested an alternative route around the coast in the shade of the cliffs.  He promised that we would "walk for half an hour and if we didn't find it we could turn back."  With some trepidation, the boys agreed.

(The Lost Wave showing its potential in a small swell)

After 20 minutes the boys were confronted with a rock ledge that looked a bit slippery and treacherous.  Not that the boys were scared but they were carrying cameras and mobile phones, and if they slipped and ended up in the drink it would be costly.  Undeterred, Rouge took off alone, leaving the Mex and the Dude behind to send for the rescue services.  Halfway along the ledge Rouge had to stop take his shoes off and crawl carefully along the slippery ledge.  Eventually Rouge got through the ledge and he disappeared leaving Mex and the Dude to chew the fat while they waited.  After a while Rouge appeard on the cliff top above yelling for the boys to join him.   A path was found and they joined Rouge on a track along the top of the cliff though dense bush.  A sign on the track said "Private Property Keep Out" but the boys pushed on regardless even after spying a secluded house, which they crept past hoping not to disturb Ivan.

(Horizontal flora near the Lost Wave)

Eventually they came to a clearing in the bush from which they could see the ocean and the coast further to the north.  It was difficult to tell but Rouge was sure that the Lost Wave was in a further up the coast.  Back on the track for a few more minutes they came to a lookout point.  "There is is" cried Rouge bearly containing his excitement.  Mex and Dude looked, it was hard to make out but at the base of a high cliff was a rock shelf showing potential in the small swell running on the day.

(Rouge and The Dude explore access routes)

Finally the boys believed Rouge, it was a pity the Banjo Player wasn't there to share Rouge's joy and validation.  The boys backtracked, snuck past Ivan's house and found a way down to the base of the cliff to look for a way of reaching the Lost Wave.  The break should remain fairly uncroweded as it isn't accessable without a solid bush bash or long paddle around the shore.  We'll leave that for another day.

(The Rouge and OFS#4, The Mexican, looking for the Lost Wave)

After two hours, the boys got back to the car and Rouge had another bright idea, "lets go for a surf" said Rouge, he promptly pulled on boardies and vest and hit the water closely followed by The Dude in full Steamer.  What went down in the next half hour was amazing.  "The boys must have been inspired by thougthts of riding the lost wave" said the Mex, "they just tore the lips off these innocent little beachies."  More of that later so stay tuned.

(The New Wave, The Mexican reckons this spot has potential, if you were 6" tall)

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Expression Session 1 - Spot

Here is another treat from our "featured surfers ofthe Expression Session 1" series held by the Old Farts Surf Co. earlier this year.  This time our featured surfer is Spot.  He has embraced surfing with the old farts with renewed vigour, some say inspired by Canadian upstart Moose.

(Spot paddles out to express himself and watches as The Dude conducts a symphony)

The fine photgraghic eye of Moose captured the photos from the shore, while the Mexican braved the ocean and what learks therein to swim around with a pair of fins to get the up close and personal water shots of the surfers expressing themselves.

(Spot the astronaut launches in to space)

Through his surfing, Spot expressed his secret desire to become an astronaut.  "I didn't know I had the secret desire until I saw the wave face and I just thought 'what a perfect canvass to express my inner astronaut'" said the surprised Spot.  Photographer Moose said "he was a wonderful subject, so expressive and so creative"

(just like the Apollo astranauts, spot lands in the sea) 

 (Spot imitating the Mexican on the way to the launch pad)

(Spot paddles back to the launch pad)

At some stages during the expression session fans of the oldfartsurfers confused Spot with the Mexican.  The Dude said the two surfer's profiles were so similar he thought there was a doppelganger.  "the side profile of Spot and Mex is so similar, partucularly through the tummy area" said the Dude.

(Spot flys through space)

Click here to see the previous article on Macho at Expression Session 1.
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Gratuitous Fin Shots of The Craic

The story of The Craic, the fabulous four finned fat fish created by the mastersurfcraftsman, The Dude, and its successful sea trials has proved so popular we've had a request for some fin shots from Rouge (Old Fart Surfer No. 45).  Normally we would only make the special photos available to Registered Oldfartsurfers, however, we couldn't keep this from the world so here it is.  Not only have we got some gratuitous fin shots but we also have a bottom shot for those with the patience to scroll down.

Click here to read the previous related article on The Craic and its Sea Trials.

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Successful Sea Trials of The Craic Fat Four Finned Fish

You would think that The Dude, mastersurfcraftsman that he is, would have been happy with creating the original Craic, a 6'8" hollow timber three finned fish, but no, now he has created a new Craic.  The new creation, a fat 6' four finned fish made from foam and fibreglass, has been especially created to be Jetstar friendly for his forthcoming trip to Indo in June.  The Dude will be travelling with the Good Woman but they couldn't avoid the dreaded Jetstart who chop boards off at the 6' mark with no argument.

(The Dude prays to Hughey for a good wave before launching the Craic)

Being a mastersurfcraftsman, the obvious solution was to build a board himself with a little assistance from the Other Dude, who is the Old Farts Surf Co. Technical Advisor for Foam and Fibreglass.  The sea trials were carefully planned with The Mexican and the Other Dude on hand for assistance and to hear how it went while the team chewed the fat out the back.

(The Dude does a jig to make Hughey laugh)

The Dude prepared the Craic with wax and laid it on the sand while he prayed to Hughey for a good wave for the sea trials.  Then surprised the crowd gathered on the beach by doing a jig to make Hughey laugh and put him in good humour.

(The Dude gives The Craic a rub to make it feel loved)

As The Craic was placed in the water it was turned over a few times to get it used to salt water, then the Dude gave it a good rub to make it feel good.  "No point riding a board that's not happy" said the Dude.  "Its well known that all boards have personalities and you need to find out what makes them tick before you can have a good surf with them" he said.

(The Dude paddles for the first wave sent by Hughey)

"The first thing I noticed was the buouyancy" said the Dude, "it bobbed around like a cork but it made it easy to paddle".  Of course this was how the Dude intended The Craic to perform.  But the big question was yet to be answered, how would it work when the Dude caught a wave?

(The Dude takes off on the first wave)

No sooner had the Dude got out the back when his prayer was answered and Hughey sent through the wave of the day.  The Dude paddled hard and jumped to his feet, he carved a bottom turn and top turn to position himslef perfectly in the slot.

(The Dude jumps to his feet on the first wave)

"Initially it seemed a bit wobbly but I wasn't used to the fat four finner and I'm really happy with how it handled" said the Dude.

(The Dude takes the first bottom turn on the Craic)

Conditions deteriorated after the first wave and whilst the second wave was ably caught by the Other Dude it just wasn't as big and well shaped as the first one sent to The Dude by Hughey.

(The money shot, The Dude gets the Craic perfectly slotted on its first wave)

The Mexican trialed the Craic and only managed to find a couple of close outs.  "The first take off took me by surprise said the Mex, it was so fast it slipped out from under me" said the Mex.  However, he managed to make the drop and a bottom turn on a couple of waves after that.

(The Dude narrowly avoids getting barrelled on his first wave on the Craic)

(The Dude declares the sea trials a success, "hooray and thanks to Hughey")

(The Other Dude catches the next wave)

(The Other Dude gets some speed off the bottom)

The sea trials were definitely a success and The Craic is likely to be seen as a permanent fixture under the Dude's feet from now on.
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