Oldfartsurfers will miss the Dunally Bakery

Over 100 homes and properties were lost in the recent Tasmanian Bushfires and some families lost all their possessions and livelihood.  Many people were lucky to escape the ferocious firestorm and communities will take many years to rebuild.

(The remains of the Dunally Bakery)

Oldfartsurfers in Tasmanian will be affected by the tragic loss of the Dunally Bakery fires.  According to Old Farts Surf Co. Head Honcho, the Mexican, "There was nothing like having a great surf session on the Tasman Peninsular and calling in at the bakery on the way home for my favorite, the steak and peppercorn pie.  Compared to the losses and hardship affecting many people this seems trivial, however, it does provide a realistic connection with the disaster".  Other bakery favorites were the french vanilla slices, giant size chocolate eclairs or the Dude's favorite, lamingtons.   The peninsular is famous for breaks such as Shipsterns bluff, Eaglehawk Neck and Roaring Beach at Nubeena.  

(Eaglehawk firing on all cylinders)

When the road to the peninsular eventually opens up to the public the Bakery will be sorely missed by the oldfartsurfers.

Please click here if you would like to donate to the red cross Tasmanian Bushfire 2013 Appeal.

Research, Research, Research & Baby Bob Breaks Two Fins

Bizarre things can happen to oldfartsurfers who wait.  The past 24 hours has seen the Old Farts Surf Co. Head Honcho, The Mexican (OFSC No. 4) extend his research into the worlds best whiskeys, train a potential oldfartsurfer in the fine art of getting stoked, the development of a new line of designer Jimmy Choo surf boots for lady oldfartsurfers and, tragically, this morning the Dude's  Baby Bob lost both starboard side fins.  This is why the Old Farts Surf Co. is more than just a company, it is a movement, rapidly growing with a passionate fan base of oldfartsurfers around the world who are still stoked on surfing.

(The Mex and Mr Whiskey undertaking heavy research) 

According to the Mexican "Considerable research has gone into choosing the Old Farts Surf Co. official whiskey.  One of the world's best whiskey producers, Heartwood Malt Whiskey, has been chosen as the official whiskey producer, however, the we still need to choose our 2012 official whiskey from their exquisite range" .  To that end the Mex has been putting considerable research with Heartwood head honcho, Tim Duckett.  "We have refined our search to two releases the sublime 'Convict Release' which comes in with a high but modest 58% alcohol or the 'convict Unchained' which comes in at a whopping 71.9% alcohol" said the Mex.  "With Tim's guidance I should be able to announce the winner soon."  

(Young oldfartsurfer looking pretty stoked)

According to the Mex "we have some pretty promising oldfartsurfers coming up, I've just witnessed the prowess of a young dude and he achieved a considerable level of being stoked, this is what oldfartsurfing is all about"  

(The new Jimmy Choo inspired Oldfartsurfboot)

The Old Farts Surf Co. is always looking for new, fashionable but practical oldfartsurfwear.  You would be pleased to know that we will look at a deal with  internationally acclaimed shoe designer Jimmy Choo, to market a replacement for the traditional surf ugg boot.  "I know oldfartsurfers love their uggies, however, we think this new boot will be heaps better" said the Mexican.  "It has a knitted  pure merino wool upper with a beachwear soul, that's right soul.  We are pretty excited about it and will let you know the release date of the yet to be named beach boot".  There are rumours that The Mex might call it the "Soul Boot"

(Two Heartwood Whiskey's to replace Baby Bob's two fins)

The Mexican reports that in an oldfartsurfsession this morning, "the Dude wiped out and landed on the Baby Bob's starboard fins, breaking both of them clean off."  "Fortunately there was no damage to the Dude or BB's underside."  reported Mex.  We think that the Dude might try and build a couple of his famous hollow timber fins to replace them.  This was only the third or fourth outing for Baby Bob so we send the Dude the sympathy of oldfartsurfers from around the world.

Fiji Episode 2 - Oldfartsurfing Research Continues

Those of you who read the first installment of oldfartsurfers Rouge (OFSC No. 45) and Mexican (OFSC No. 4) Fiji research trip might be forgiven for thinking that the Oldfartsurfer has dropped the ball on this.  The trip was in June and the first installment was in July.  The Oldfartsurfer begs your understanding as he was distracted with a big follow up research trip in search of waves and the north west passage in British Columbia and Alaska.  The Old Farts Surf Co. is relentless in its quest to find and report on the best oldfartsurfing experiences for oldfartsurfers.

(Mex numbs the tongue with Kava)

After a Kava ceremony initiation as Chief Bill of the tribe of Oldfartsurfers, The Mexican was seated on a throne wide enough to take the both bum cheeks of a 200 kg Samoan.

(Mex, aka Chief Bill, ascends the throne)

"It was a great honour to sit on the throne" said Mex, "At home I usually read a surfing mag on the throne, but there were none at hand so I had to enjoy the entertainment put on by our hosts."

(Mex helps guard the Fiji Presidents throne room)

The lack of door latches on throne rooms in Fiji and the plethora of coups meant that the boys  and support crew had to be constantly on their guard. "Bula is the word" said Rouge, "It is a friendly greeting and a way of saying everything is good.  We repaid our hosts generous hospitality by helping out with guard duties.  Mex even helped out guarding the throne room of the Chief of Chiefs, The President"

(One of our Fijian hosts guards Chief Bill's throne room)

After the massive surf of the oldfartsurfer's arrival day and the subsequent induction of Chief Bill, the oldfartsurfer's set about finding surf suitable for oldfartsurfers.  Key criteria were discussed over an evening gin and tonic but they forgot to make a record.  "I think we thought we should look for a place to surf where it is easy to paddle out, easy to catch a wave, is uncrowded, has a comfortable place for support crew to shop and have lunch whilst still affording photo opportunities"  said Mex.

(Sigatoka river mouth)

Mex and Rouge set out on their never ending research quest for oldfartsurfing waves.  The first port of call was Sigatoka where they called in to a local cafe to ask directions.  This is where they met a bloke/sheila called Mary.  "Mary was full of good ideas and, for a small deposit he/she was quite happy to set us up our own surf guide, and for a little bit extra we could get just about anything we wanted" said Rouge.  "Mex was desperate for a wave and was all for paying up but the absence of the guide made me hesitant.  We left Mary and with the help of some locals we found our way to the famous Sigatoka river mouth but it was maxing out at a messy 10' with murky brown water that wasn't particularly inviting"

(Brave Rouge paddles out alone)

"Eventually we found a break that satisfied nearly all the oldfartsurfing criteria" said Rouge.  "It was out the front of a resort called 'Hideaway', the staff were pretty friendly and they let us through the property to surf."

(a Hideaway barrel waiting for those who dare)

"I thought it looked pretty sketchy on the first day so I opted to take the role of official photographer"  said the Mex.  "It was pretty messy from the cross shore wind, it had a mean looking rip going out through the pass and it looked shallow.  I always take Clint Eastwood's advice on these occasions 'a mans gotta know his limitations'".  So brave Rouge paddled out alone.

(Rouge taking off, Hideaway)

Rouge caught a few of the smaller waves and while he was out there the resident surfers started to emerge and build their own courage.  They told Mex that they had been waiting for the high tide to put a bit of water over the reef.

(Rouge paddles over a throaty barrel)

According to the Mex "Rouge really put on a show of expert oldfartsurfing, he showed all his skill and experience taking off over coral that he developed surfing Red Bluff and Indonesia in the seventies."

As mentioned earlier, Mex and Rouge were on a mission to find the ultimate oldfartsurfing wave.    According to Mex "Hideaway ticked a lot of the boxes, it was easy to paddle out, it was uncrowded, there was shopping and a restaurant for the support crew and the outdoor cafe provided shelter from the rain and the sun while they sipped aperitifs and took photos of the boys".  The takeoff could be steep and the Mex managed to lose a bit of skin on the coral.  "Losing the skin wasn't such a worry, it grows back, but it was the damage done to Bob the Bobsled's nose that had me worried, he had to be checked into the Dude's hospice for oldfartsurfcraft for a nose job when we got him home" said the Mex.

(Bob the Bobsled's Hideaway nose job)

"The second session at Hideaway was a little more sedate" said Rouge, "the swell was smaller and cleaner, and even the rain didn't deter Mex from mixing it up out there.  There were a few other guys in the water to keep us company, all friendly.  I paddled over the channel and caught lefts to myself which was fun and the support crew managed to capture it in pixels, I was stoked".

(Hideaway right in the rain)

(Rouge goes left, Hideaway)

(Hiding away in the barrel)

(Rouge with the grin of a stoked oldfartsurfer)

After the surfing Rouge, Mex and the support crew partied hard at a Bula night.  "Much Kava was consumed, food eaten, drinks drunken and dancing done, not a bad spot for oldfartsurfers" said Mex.

(Mex, Rouge and support crew out on the Kava)

(Rouge and Mex dancing with the locals)

(The locals dancing for Rouge and Mex)

(Fiji night cap)

(Rouge Kava's it up in Bula style)

Click here to see the previous installment of the Fiji Series.
While in Fiji Rouge, Mex and support crew stayed at the Holiday Club Fiji Palms resort.
Please leave comments below for all to enjoy.
Click here to email the Oldfartsurfer.

Ultimate Oldfartsurfcraft Found

After endless research on behalf of the oldfartsurfers of the world, the Old Farts Surf Co. is pleased to announce the discovery of the ultimate oldfartsurfcraft.  "Its a jet propelled oldfartsurfcraft called the WaveJet" announced Old Farts Surf Co. Head Honcho, the Mexican (OFSC No. 4).  "It is the perfect answer for oldfartsurfers with tired old arms needing a boost to get into the waves.  It is brilliant in its design having a re-chargeable power pod that can be taken off one board and put on another.  What's more they have a whole range of oldfartsurfcraft from short boards to longboards and SUP's" said Mex.

According to the manufacturers it can run between 30 min and 75 min run time and comes in models that go either 5 mph or 10 mph.  The oldfartsurfer reckons it will negate the need for jet skis at big wave spots.
A couple of big questions need to be answered before take up of the WaveJet by the general oldfartsurfpopulation, for example;  what is the danger of being hit by a riderless rampaging board? how heavy and hard to turn are they?  The Old Farts Surf Co. is in deep negotiation with the manufacturers for a test sample to undertake more research and we promise to keep you informed.
To own one of these beauties all it takes is a cool $5k, perhaps you should negotiate a deal to get a 5 board quiver.
Click here to check out the WaveJet.
What do you think, revolutionary new surf craft or the end of soul surfing as we know it?  Post your comments below.
Click here to give the Oldfartsurfer some words of wisdom.

Is the Mexican back in form?

Commenting on a recent post on the stance of oldfartsurfer No. 5, Moose, the ever observant Rouge (OFSC No. 45), asked "I'd also like you to investigate rumours that Mex has rediscovered the spring in a recent North Clifton session, absolutely nailing several late takeoffs.  Witnessed by old fart surf buddy and sled brother Rouge.  no fotos other than zen like static stretch used prior to entering the surf zone. R".

 (Mex springs over the sand dune on a beautiful spring morning with a new zest for the ocean)

Fortunately the Oldfartsurfer managed to procure some photos taken of the Mex (OFSC No. 4 and Head Honcho of the Old Farts Surf Co.) on the day.  The spring spring in the Mex's legs is obvious as he runs across the dune for an early morning barrel.

 (Mex prays to Huey for a spring in his legs to make the late drop)

Whilst no photo of the Mex "nailing several late take offs" as described by Rouge, he did capture the Zen like surf stretch prayer to the surf god Huey.  We can only deduce from the spring in the legs, the prayer to Huey along with Rouge's unquestionable integrity that the Mex did actually nail several late take offs.

In a closing note, can anyone confirm or deny the rumour that The Dude (OFSC No. 12) has ditched the Delaminator and secured a 6'4" Bobsled called Baby Bob but has been frustrated in his attempts an initial sea trials?

Click here to go to the previous related post.

Click here to email the Oldfartsurfer and tell him what you really think.

Comments are invited by posting below.  

Goofy or Natural, the Big Question of Mysterious Moose

For those lucky enough to have a copy of the Old Farts Surf Co. 2012 Calendar you will see the November feature photo of oldfartsurfer No. 5, Moose, shown below.

Commenting on a previous post about Oldfartsurfer Moose taking a 150 ft drop, Anonymous said "left foot slightly forward. That makes you a natural foot which is funny since earlier shots of you I recall you as a goofy foot.  Or am I mistaken ....'.   Old Farts Surf Co. Head Honcho, OFSC No. 4 the Mexican said "This is a serious issue, examining the above shot it is hard to tell if Moose is goofy or natural as she appears to be walking the plank with some good old oldfartsurfing grace and poise".

OFSC No. 45, Rouge, noted "Moose is also spreading her wings in order to get some air, a move I noticed had been perfected by the Mexican last Sunday morning.  However, I can't tell if she is just in the process of lifting her right back foot in order to move forward or whether she has just lifted her forward right foot in order to move backward".
"We've researched the archives for previous photos of Moose and so far have only come up with the following photo of Moose riding a SUP" said the Mexican.  "As you can see it is inconclusive as to Moose's stance and we will have to undertake more research to settle the matter."

The Shaper - Best Film at Show

This awesome film, The Shaper, has been awarded the prize for Best Film at Show at the inaugural Old Farts Surf Co. film festival.  Old Farts Surf Co. Head Honcho, The Mexican (OFSC No. 4) said "congratulations to the judges for choosing a film that encapsulates the pure essence of oldfartsurfing."  Click on the link below and enjoy:
The link below