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)

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Bob the Bobsled's Performance

The Mex recently received a request from Giles in England for a bit more information on the performance of Bob the 7' McTavish Bobsled.  Giles wrote:

Hello Mex – just read your blog and especially the bit about “Bob” the sled…………….I am 50 next year and keen though average surfer………..still do the odd trip, however I feel the need to get myself a new board and have been considering a sled for some time – I have in mind a 6’8” – I am a 75kg runt.

Just wondered if you had anymore comments about the boards than are on the blog – be glad to have your views.

Pip, pip from an autumnal England

Gilo

 

 

The Mex has asked that we share his response for the benefit of mankind and all the Oldfartsurfers who have been itching to know the answer to the ultimate question:

Hey Giles,

Nice to hear from sunny England.

I got the inspiration to check out McTavish boards after reading his book. I figured he’d been around for a couple more years than me and would know what an oldfart would like to ride. I was originally thinking of getting the Carver but sent them an email for advice. I was 53 and 83kg and was finding my 6’6” Webber Afterburner a bit difficult to catch waves on but it really went if I could only get to my feet. Basically I wanted the difficult combination of catchability and manoeuvrability. The McTavish guys suggested the 7’ or 7’1” Bobsled.

(The inspiration for Bob was the 6'6" twin fin Mex had made in 1978)

I’m pretty pleased with Bob’s performance. He catches waves like a board a foot longer. I think this is a combination of the volume for floatation and the concave under the nose. The manoeuvrability seems to come from the double flyers and swallow tail combined with a nice kick in the tail. I’d never surfed a quad before I think the quad fin set up also gives it a nice loose feel.

I find Bob has heaps of speed which seems to come from the concaves and width and ability to stay high in the wave. There is about a 3” wide bevel under the rail, which, when combined with the quad fins allows me to hang really high in the wave and tap into the potential energy in the steep part of the wave. The fins hold the tail high and the bevel allows the rest of the board to slide down a little so that it doesn’t catch a rail and flip up over the top.

(Bob's nose channel and bevels)

Bob is very forgiving when I don’t place my feet perfectly in the right spot on takeoff and the size and volume allow me an extra second to do a quick shuffle to get them into position.

(Bob's rear end, another gratuitous fin shot)

The obvious downside compared to a smaller board is the ability to duck dive, however, it can be done – just make sure you put your hands a bit further forward to get the nose down and put your toes on the tail and drive it under. I spent a week in Margaret River on a hired 6’10” very thin gun in June and really noticed how much easier it was to duck dive.

A work colleague has just bought an 8’ Bobsled, it arrived during the week, and he can’t wait to get it in the water. He’s kicked the missus out of bed and is sleeping with it until it is christened. It will be interesting to see how manoeuvrable the longer board is.

The Dude has a 6’6” Firewire Dominator which he loves. He reckons it also has catchability and manoeuvrability.   Unfortunately the glass delaminated recently so The Dude now calls it the Delaminator.

I reckon 6’ 8” Bobsled would probably be ideal for you if you weigh 75Kg. 

Hope this helps, I might put these words on the blog for others to read.

Cheers,

Mex

PS: Bob’s all ready with his fins removed and packed in bubble wrap to fly to Port Macquarie in the morning for a week’s R and R.

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OFSC Easter Classic 2011 - Rockhead

The Old Fart Surf Co. Easter Classic 2011 was blessed with a rare appearance from the grandfather of oldfartsurfers, OFSC No. 42, Rockhead.  "I heard there was an oldfartsurfers rumble goin' on, a bit like the Wild Hogs, so I pulled out the 9' Stevens gun and snared meself a few little point runners" said the Rock.

(Rockhead glides his 9' Stevens gun into the zippy inside section)

"What I really liked was having a chat to the Mex paddling out on his 9'6" McTavish SUP while I cruised passed on the zippy little inside section"  said Rockhead.  "I think I learned him well in all of those secret training sessions, now I know it was all leading up to the OFSC Easter Classic"

(Rockhead has a chat to the Mex as he cruises past)

Rockhead has now purchased a brand new Xcel XXL Drylock to keep his bones warm in the winter months.  "I took Rock for a secret SUP session a couple of weeks ago and he wore the new suit, he kept on diving in the drink to cool down, the air temp was about 12C and the water was about the same" said Mex.

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OFSC Easter Classic 2011 - Mexican & Sammy the 9'6" McTavish SUP

Inspired by The Surgeon's (OFSC No. 68) cutting performance at first light, Old Farts Surf Co. Head Honcho, The Mexican, was next in the water at the Old Farts Surf Co. 2011 Easter Classic. 

(Mex & Sammy enter the water)

"I was so inspired by The Surgeons surf vehicle I finally came out of the closet with my new surf vehicle, Sammy the SUP" said the Mex.  "Sammy's a 9'6" McTavish and a cousin of Bob the Bobsled, my 7' McTavish Bobsled."

(Mex paddles Sammy into a fat one footer)

According to the Mex, Sammy was born just before last Christmas as an early Santa delivery after the price of McTavish SUP's were dropped by $500. 

(Mex gives Sammy a boost with the paddle)

"I've been in secret training with assistance from Rockhead, who borrows his son's 11' SUP." revealed Mex.  "If Bruce Irons can ride a pink 10'1" gun at Cloudbreak, then I can ride a 9'6" McTavish SUP" said Mex before anyone dared say anything untoward.

According the Rouge, who was sitting on the rocks making a photographic record of the session, "The waves were just perfect for the SUP, Mex really did choose the right equipment."

(Mex & Sammy disappear down the point toward the distant Mountain)

"There were a small crew out on the take off spot jockeying for position and generally only getting short rides, however, Mex sat, no, stood inside another 50m and picked up all the waves he wanted." recounted Rouge.  "Once caught, they had a nice little zippy section over the inside sand bank and Mex had Sammy spinning down the point for 200 m or more"

(Mex maneuvers Sammy over a small one as he paddles back out)

"We were pretty happy that there was a solid SW swell bending into the bay and no wind." said Mex.  "Taking off into the wind on Sammy in is not easy due to the wind resistance of my body, and on shore wind makes for a really bumpy ride"

(Mex paddles Sammy into a wave)

The Mex recons that Sammy really proved he could handle a fat 1' long point break.  "In fact I think it is Sammy's wave of choice" he said.

(Mex waves to Rouge on the rocks)

"It was a lot of fun paddling back out and chatting to the Surgeon" said Mex.  "I also had a chat to Rockhead when he made a rare appearance later in the morning."

(Mex chats to Rouge on the rocks as he cruises past)

"One of the great things about riding Sammy is that I can give a few paddles to get through the fat sections" said Mex, "a bit like whipping a horse"

(Mex & Sammy head back out at dawn break)

(Mex & Sammy cruising as the morning sun glistens)

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OFSC Easter Classic 2011 - The Surgeon

Oldfartsurfer No. 68 is known as The Surgeon because of the precision with which he cuts through the ocean on his big ski.

(The Surgeon slics into a wave out wide)

Known for his goal setting prowess, the Surgeon, was determined to be first participant in the water at first light for the fantaastic Old Farts Surf Co. Easter Classic 2011.  "I have to be in the water first" said the Surgeon, "otherwise I feel like and underachiever".

(The Surgeon continues slicing without affecting the inside surfer)

"We allow all surf vehicles in our events" said OFSC Head Honcho, the Mexican, "it aligns with our various credos such as 'not giving a rats what you ride as long as you ride it' and 'any day you surf is a good day'".

(The Surgeon slices on down the point as the Mex enters with the water)

According to the Surgeon "I  use a big racing ski which allows me to catch any wave I want way out wide and stay out there away from anyone I may have dropped in on."

(The surgeon cuts a fine line past the Mex)

The Surgeon was soon joined by The Mexican on his 9'6" McTavish stand up paddleboard.  "It was such a lovely morning and I thought if he can ride something different so can I" said the Mex.

(The Mex chats to The Surgeon as he slices past)

The Surgeon is currently in hard training to represent the Old Farts Surf Co. in the Coolangatta Gold ironman competition.  "My goal is to finish, preferrably not last" puffed the surgeon to reporters at a recent training session.
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Spot's Air at the Quicksilver Pro in Coolangatta

Spot (Original Oldfartsurfer No. 6) has become an accomplished olfartsurfphotographer.  His early works presented youthful artistic passion through a lens of travel photojournalism.  More recently his work has been influenced by the spontaneity and freedom of expression of the great surfphotojournalists such as the Mexican, Stu Gibson and the late Peter Crawford.

 

These two photos taken at the recent Quicksilver Pro in at Snapper Rocks show the quality and professionalism of Spot's work. According to Spot "the secret to these photos was superior positioning on the rocks".  "I outmaneuvered the Mexican (Original Oldfartsurfer No. 4) who could only get back of head shots" spot went on and on.  "In the end The Mex gave up and handed me his trusty Canon EOS 500D"

Spot reckons the money shot is the air by the white singlet during the Expression Session.  However, the Oldfartsurfer reckons the one red singleted Kelly Slater slotted in a sandy barrel wasn't too bad.  Having just won his 10th World Title the great man went on to win this event, the first of the new year.

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Taming the Wild Wind

Anticipating that the swell would swing south and maintain its size and that the wind would ease off and swing south, the Mex (Original Oldfartsurfer No. 4) and the Dude (Original Oldfartsurfer No. 12) planned a dawn attack on the local point.  The previous day's mission had been foiled by high winds and high tide and the big swell had been somewhat wasted.

(Mex & The Dude bound out along the rocks as a bomb pours 'round the point)

First light revealed a smaller swell and winds that were measuring up to 60 knots; so much for the forecasts.  Already rubbered up for the occasion our pair of oldfartsurfers paddled out regardless, repeating the oldfartsurfers maxim 'any day you paddle out is a good day' to each other to strengthen their resolve.  "The waves were small and would have been flawless if it hadn't been for the wind"  said Mex.  "There was almost as much swell coming back along the point from the wind, it was crazy" added the Dude.

(Mex and  The Dude launch through the keyhole as a big gust hits)

Being experienced oldfartsurfers the boys soon developed techniques to deal with the wind.  "Firstly, we only caught waves between gusts" said the Mex, "when the wind dropped to about 40 knots"  "The other trick was not to do a bottom turn because when the wind got under your rail it just lifted you off the back of the wave" Mex continued.  "In the end I just rode the barrel prone and relied on my belly to cushion the blow of all the speed humps created by the howling offshore."

(60 knots rips the top off this wave)

The Dude, handled the conditions perfectly.  He got his Dominator into the slot and bouncing over the speed bumps.  "Unfortunately these bumps may have been the cause of a little buckle" said the Dude.  "I didn't notice anything until a couple of weeks later when the bottom layer of glass delaminated while I was riding some clean 3' waves" lamented the Dude, devastated by the loss of his Firewire Dominator.

After a short while the wind became a blinding blizzard and it was impossible to catch and ride anything.  The boys retired to the Oldfartsurfcafe'(*) for fresh coffee and pancakes with real Canadian maple syrup in honour of Moose (Original Oldfartsurfer No. 5),  who waslast seen looking for waves in the north west passage.

(The Mex uses his belly to cushion the bumps between the gusts)

"I was happy to forgo the traditional gingernut snaps in favour of the pancakes" said the Dude, "it was hard to thaw out the blizzard ice frost bite on my cheeks and I don't think the gingernuts would have quite done the job."

(The Dude Dominates the bumps)

"It has all been in the name of good research, said the Mex, " you can never know everything about the surf, so we'll keep researching"

(*Special Note: those lucky oldfartsurfers who have the 2011 Old Farts Surf Co. calender will see this months picture of Moose, Spot, The Dude and The Other Dude enjoying coffee and gingernuts in the Oldfarsurfcafe')

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