Watch: Laurie Towner // Simple Things
You may have noticed the trend towards longer online clips. The era of the three-minute banger is over and filmmakers are expanding their purview, adopting different rhythms, and allowing the audience to settle in for a longer ride. It's a welcome change.
Truth be told, the crew at needESSENTIALS had been pushing that barrow for a while. A quick flick through their back catalogue shows viewing time up in the teens and twenties - that's 'War and Peace' territory as far as surf clips are concerned.
They continue the trend here with 'Simple Things', an extended clip on everybody's favourite tiler, Laurie Towner, set to backing tracks by some favourites from the fellas at needs: Mick Turner, Headland, and Kikagaku Moyo.
Produced by needESSENTIALS
Cinematography - Nathan Henshaw and Ishka Folkwell
Water Cinematography - Nathan Henshaw
Additional Cinematography - Myles Carroll
Comments
Yeah , LT rips alright .
Bit I wish this Needs wetsuits cock would stick his annual propaganda jaunt in his arse. I thought you weren’t going to advertise your shit wetties....
Laurie , if you love it just go there without the camera , mate. Take the family and do it without selling the joint out .
And the whole piece at the end about respecting the custodians ....please . You don’t give a fuck about how people want an area preserved , that’s why you’re there year after year blowing the joint up.
Fuck off and film Byron if you want to flog your wetsuits.
DONT DESTROY WHAT YOU CAME TO ENJOY
Pretty much.
Blowin, are you Aboriginal?
pipe down and enjoy the beauty of it you wankers... its 2019, if you wanna surf them waves its not too hard know where they are. I looked did some research and tracked them down way before ishka published their country. for me, I'd rather travel elsewhere for more comfort, better value and ultimately they're fucken terrifying waves. when I shit my boardies I much prefer an 5-star ensuite ass sprinkler over a wet wipe in a one man tent!
Beautiful clip love their wetsuits.
IMO - Need essentials - best wetsuits going around.
If you exclude every other wetsuit brand.
They only sell cause they’re cheap. They’d be cheaper still if he didn’t spend money blowing out joints just to promote himself as was the initial premise. Everyone wins.
That may be your experience - not mine. Couldn't be happier with their products.
And not sure if needEssentials 'blew out' this surf spot.
What would you call it when he returns there every year to flog the joint ?
You ever been there ? I’m guessing not or else you’d realise that it’s thankfully managed to dodge the worst of the salesmen.
Seems like this cock is on his own little mission to tap it till it runs dry.
Seemed like such a grand idea .....just the essentials , no advertising, no bullshit , but here we are - just more advertising pushing up the price of the product. If he can’t compete on price, he can’t compete....that’s an ironclad guarantee..
Hands up who would rather pay ten bucks less for each wettie and help preserve a surf spot ? Cause that’s what it comes down to.
To be fair...the shots of the local "men in grey suits" maybe balanced off the appeal of your great waves (perhaps)
They’re not my waves. They are for anyone who wants to just surf , relax and experience . And not sell the place in order to furnish their home theatre or upgrade their wardrobe.
That’s the spirit of the place. It’s been expressed as such in no uncertain terms by the people who surf it as often as they can. Turning up with a camera from the East coast and ignoring this known fact , whilst dribbling platitudes about respect for others is absolute hypocritical bullshit.
Blowin...you are of course fully entitled to your opinion...however may I just sit and ponder as to how you make your living. Are you absolutely certain that what you do doesn't impinge on anyone else ( including all the way back to the first people of Australia). If that's true...then it's ok for you to get on your high horse and tell everyone to F off....and you won't be hypocritical.
If it's not true and the way you live does affect others negatively...then maybe it's ok for those of us that buy Need wetsuits (in my opinion they're a decent wetsuit at about half the price of some)...and it's also ok for us to enjoy the amazing videos that Need pumps out and to dream about surfing remote WA waves perhaps.
Personally I think Need are making some of the best most inspiring surfing vids in recent times. They're interesting, inspiring, moody and very well edited. I say thanks to Need and hope you keep going.
And Blowin it's ok I'm just expressing an opinion and yes I live on the east coast and yes I rarely get to see waves like yours and yes I dream of surfing them and whenever I get to places like this I'm very careful and give respect to the locals. If you come over to Victoria I'd be happy to show you a few out of the way spots and describe the conditions required to surf them and share a few waves and wish you well.
Best cheapest wetsuit going around but until they can get their hands on some E6 neoprene they don't come close to being 'the best'. However, excellent value for money
Turn it up. If people don’t know where that is they’ve been under a rock.
Also 80-90% of people reading or viewing this would:
a) not know where one of those waves are
b) not know the conditions to get it
**c) most importantly not be able to get anywhere near surfing and making a decent wave there- Even Loz got closed out on a lot.
I get your point, I’m never into exposing places. But if you’re upset you probably need to spray platforms such as this for posting it as much as the surfer.
If this cock didn’t send his propaganda outfit year after year then the crowd would ebb and flow at a natural rate.
Claiming that his movies won’t increase the crowds is the same as claiming that his movies won’t increase sales of wetsuits. Of course they do . He knows it and that’s why he’s there despite knowing that it’ll increase crowds due to BRAND AWARENESS.
He doesn’t give a fuck ....it’s all about the dollars in his wallet.
Obviously you’ve seen him year after year, so fair enough should probably know better.
My first feeling was one of reminiscing and ‘want’ to go back there. I would be utterly disappointed if the vibe had changed there.
If this vid helped to change that then, yeah I’d not be stoked.
Tell you what- all it makes me want to do is surf Oz full stop.
Went to Indo this year and felt my time there is done, we have too many good waves and experiences here to leave! IMO this kind of surfing is ‘proper’. It’s why I surf. I envy people in remote waves like this........probably in the same way my WA friends think we score pumping straddie and snapper every week.
seems as though you have a thing for need essentials ?
Nah, tried them, felt the suit was too stiff / hard to get in/out of.
Yeah I know what you mean - but my 4/3 chest zip is in its 3rd season and still going strong, and I surf Vic and Tas :))
PS: The comment was really for 'blowin' as he seems to be blaming Needessentials for all the wrongs in the world :))
"Fun" waves? Fark off,one has had a fatality,one a near-fatal shark attack and that Right is like a young nurse...Clean,pretty&about to shove something sharp up your bottom*
Laurie wouldn't sell out a surfbreak for money. He hates sellouts, just ask WSL
The problem is any crusty salt dog knows these waves. They are waves of consequence, and the effort to score them will keep people away. I have VHS videos of these waves, so it is no blowout. What about every other WA sponno who has footage from these spots on the net. The list is as long as some of the tubes around there, way before Need or laurie's time.
Mark Warren Atlas of Australian surfing published 1991.
I see your mark warren 91' and raise you a Nat Young Surfing and Sailboarding Guide to Australia 1986
I’m guessing they both needed the cash at the time or wouldn’t have done either, subsequently regretting their actions. So I guess blowin has a point. Except that flying 6 hours, driving 10, paying a bunch of cash to sleep in dirt and pull into heavy isolated close outs doesn’t sound better than Indo - plus the nightlife is limited to watching a fire and listening to Spank Monkey
Spot on, Brainiac. Fake gatekeeping & over-the-top faux outrage as transparent as all fuck-out. Now if it was a different and better 'West', there might be real cause for alarm. But it ain't, and there isn't.
A Wizzle comp is a completely different kettle of lime-scale, but...
Let's see what happens to the G this year and into the immediate future. Fark, might have to start battling the family trucksters & blow-ins & backpackers & hit-n-run mission 'pros' & the rest of the State again!
Yeah, nah.
did any one check to see if he was wearing a leg rope?
Brainiac , I always wonder why surfers would argue against something in their own interests.
Perhaps remember the 50,000 international students who are currently surfing their way through a degree on our sunny shores , who haven’t seen your old VHS videos and were unaware and who are now inspired to visit their Snapper Rocks - style etiquette on this joint ?
Just so some gronk can shift a few more units of product.
Even VB has to keep advertising to stay relevant . Same with waves which fall off the radar.
No mate i'm not arguing, just commenting. I don't like seeing these places been further exposed either. I just feel your aggrieved call out, is a little misdirected as countless others have done clips of the same spots recently and historically. Yes we might not agree to it, but as facto mentioned if it was other unknown west gems been exposed,then there is a call for serious concerns . From what i hear the crowd and type of camper has changed a lot there already over the last 10 years. You know the west is a big coastline.
Now we mention it I've never heard of needessentials unless its LT posting his videos here.
...
Blowin , relax !
Rip bong quick are the masters of blowing Secret spots , fuck what a funny phrase, nothing is secret any more , nothing .
The only thing stopping every “ proper” wave being overrun by clown/wannabes is the effort and danger involved.
As for needs wetsuits , I can’t fault any of the 3 I own.
My mates have all been let down by “heritage” wetsuit brands this winter .the worst was a Rip.... 3/2 , the entire chest panel and shoulder panels de-laminated , he took it back after 5 surfs .the surf shop said Rip.... would ‘fix’ it .after 4 weeks he got it back and it’s still no good .
Still he should’nt complain , he only paid $ 589 for it ..
i have a 4/3 need wetsuit no worries with it.
I left the area in 85 cause it was to crowded.............
Gotta say i thought this film was really good BUT i agree with Blowin,you cant advertise an area and not expect it to get more crowded and to make out it wont have an effect on the area is bullshit.Ive seen it so many times and watched so many places go from very quiet to packed in a short space of time because some prick wants to make money from surfing and to get there ego stroked....sorry but loose lips sink surf spots......as for the needs wetsuits well i had a chest zip but found i almost had to dislocate my shoulders to get in and out of it, i ditched it.
A lot of manufacturers seem to lack shoulder room in their wetsuits these days. Made for vegan hippies. The stretchier neoprene works best for zipperless and chest zips
Just about exhausted all options. Expect a trip into the SA desert for a winter 2020 release
dont think they'd get away with that over there at the moment ryder.. last time I was there names like Torren Martyn (need essentials) and Creed McTaggart weren't at all popular in certain parts.
oh and that max longhurst kook... they want his blood
West Oz... looks sick
Looking for footage to see how a semi secret bombie breaks here on the south coast. Only footage found was blowins Parko and Laurie. Go figure.
I wonder how many breaks would still be secret if it wasn't for pros trying to make money.
Except that some of the locals at sensitive/quiet coastlines now love to post on Instagram, sometimes in real-time while the surf is still pumping.
Some people with way to much time on their hands.... Sick clip to an area that is widely known and thousands of vids have been produced, well done Laurie
You spent a bit of time there ,Raz ? Got any feelings about the joint ?
Nah mate I don't surf, I just get on here to rev people up
I’m hearing you .
That’s what I do on the synchronised swimming sites.
Area was exposed as far back as storm riders in the early 80s , really don’t think this little vid will make any difference at all. Plus the waves are that heavy there that any kook would just get annihlated anyway
The "other desert Better" than where this clip was filmed? Mate you need to go easy on those magic mushrooms. The only thing being sold here is the waves. As im watching im not thinking "Faaaark,look at those Wetsuits!! I gotta get one!! Where are they& Whens the best time of year that i can get one??"!! Its amazing that when Stormriders came out,they had nothing to sell but the film itself,and the Mystique was part of its allure: they said it was in South Australia,and even in the early 90s a mate was still convinced that it was!! Goes to show how a little bullshit can go a long way. But now a lotta truth just goes too far...
Surprised at the 'secret spot' outrage on here. Jack Robbo, Manners and plenty of other pro's from recent times have done vids featuring these waves. Don't forget plenty of Billabong vids from the 90's, Green Iguana, Sik Joy and even an invite only comp that became a video production. And Tracks, Surfing Life and any other mag has had plenty of pictures of the place.
If these video's don't exist, what content do sites like Swellnet even have to put up?
As for Needs, they aren't for me. Don't like the fit of the wetties or the material of the boardies but good on them for finding a niche in a crowded market place.
You’ve got to maintain the rage. Otherwise the dicks who think they can bolster their brand name off the back of Australia’s last few non-commercialised surf zones will just keep pissing on you and telling you it’s raining.
As for Jack Robbo and Shaun Manners , Craike fuck , even Taj , sure they’re sell out cunts , but at least they’ve EARNT the right to dirty their names. They’ve did it first for love and then they did it for money . And they fucking CHARGE. No one is talking down to a fella who wants the wave that makes you fill your nappy.
That’s why I haven’t nailed LT too hard. Sure ,I’ve made it known that I think he should film Angourie till it’s wall to wall Brazilians and the locals are struggling before he takes that show on the road. See how that feels and how easy his local mates let him off then .
Billabong have never been welcome but you’ll never see that in their film clips. Everyone is stoked when Occy strolls down for a shred when you’re there , myself included , but then there’s the reality of the click bait video which is nothing more than some bastards selling the idea of the place so they can shift their board shorts. And the crew doing the selling wouldn’t be caught dead sleeping in the dirt or swatting the flies as they swarm out of the dropshitter and try to colonise your date.
it’s the flog selling wetsuits from Byron who has zero connection with this joint. And he’s a repeat offender.He just sees it’s further exposure as a means to upgrade his big screen TV . He does not give a single fuck about the crew who hold it dear and couldn’t care less if their happy place is overrun as long as he sees an uptick in sales .
Out of curiosity, what was your view on the ABC Music doco "The Reef"
https://www.abcmusic.com.au/discography/reef
Richard Tognetti, Jon Frank, Derek Hynd, Ryan Burch etc
Honestly?
Just a self-satisfied version of the exact same sell-out mantra. Hynd never really seemed too self aware with the transparency of the entire production.
Just more self promotion at the expense of something that wasn’t his to sell.
The whole Symphony Orchestra Wank ? Best you put me in touch with the Official designator of “ High Art “ vs other forms of art . Maybe he can explain why I should be spellbound by the generally unappealing sound of a violin due to the specificallity of it being played in a wool shed .
Conclusion = Overerought dross being superimposed on an otherwise inspiring backdrop.
Did I hear correctly that the one and only Maurice cole comments in this forum under a pseudonym? If so Maurice as the first exposer of this joint along with Wayne lynch and Hoole/McCoy what are your thoughts good sir
great clip
Blowin, you're a bitter irrelevant - everyone knows these places - bloke like you with no life, just sit on this site all day waiting to regale us with your attempted witicisms should know that - my son's 18 and even he and his mates have these places marked out for next year's year off
Need Essentials creating jobs in Australia, giving Laurie the chance to go on these trips - what have you done? Nothing I'd say - a has been or more likely a never was
That's why he is a Blowin.
Australians need to learn to stand up and say “ No . I value this more than a few dollars . “ for the things they love.
The alternative is what’s known as the “ tragedy of the commons “ which has fucked over the rest of the globe. It’s the conceit that “ If I don’t do it , someone else will “ and it’s the shortest ,steepest route to fuck our nation beyond recognition.
Australians are better than that . We know that somethings are more important than a dollar . We know that somethings are IRREPLACEABLE and that once they’re fucked ,there’s no going back.
It’s up to us to chose the path where our precious places are valued higher than a dollar amount. It’s up to us to say that we value a place more than its economic reduction.
There isn’t much time or too many options left to draw a line in the sand and to make our voices heard and have our values placed at the forefront.
Hawaii has Kauai . Cameras are NOT PERMITTED. Australia still has this option, regardless of what Mark Warren did in 1986 ( Fuck you, Mark *) .
It’s never too late. There are marine parks and national parks where commercial activity is actively discouraged. Surfing is no different. The recreational surfer gains nothing when OUR breaks are promoted for private financial gain.
The Norwest has been unequivocally designated a zone for the soulful enjoyment of surfing and an environment without commercial intrusion. All private industry knows this and your failure to recognise the wishes of those who surf there is on notice.
Fuck your wetsuits, your board shorts and whatever else you’re selling. Fuck YOU.
* Loved you on Wide World of Sports
He is right about this .
I agree. There's too many commercial interests trying to carve out their own "living the dream" fantasy by selling out the experience for everyone else. Mind you, the number of people who actually get it these days seems to be drying up at a rate of knots only to be replaced by a new breed for whom insta/facey fame is king and discretion a relic of the past.
I don't begrudge film-makers or businesses trying to make a living, but there really are some serious questions to ask if your 'living" is having a negative impact on other people's enjoyment. There's got to be ways around that.
BTW, my Needs 4/3 is performing better than my Flashy after 3 winters, too. The Needs crew here in Torquay are pretty low-key, helpful.
OK, sun has gone down, few green queens around the fire and Toots on the radio.
First song: Pressure Drop.
Let's bring it down, people.
Come on , Stu, the gronks just keeping pushing and pushing till there’s pushback.
The wetsuit fuckwit started it when he keeps hitting that promo button.
Fuck off Needs.
But yeah ,I’m chilled. Probably too chilled to drive by now.
Right now you're talking to a bloke with a red, gold, and green tea cosy on his head nodding along to the backbeat.
Holy fuck .
I can’t believe you got rid of my comment whilst letting that fucktard call me a bitter irrelevant.
WTF
You let some useless cunt slag me without reply ?
No , I’m talking to a bloke who removed my right of reply -that I put a few minutes into - and left the initial comment of the fucktard provocateur.
Nothing tea cosy about that shit
Two posts got 'dissappeared', only one was yours.
Oh fuck, five minutes ago I was doing an assignment with my seven-year-old on why spring was his favourite season with cheesy clip art of flowers and smiling suns because the days are getting longer, and it was shit because I haven't used PowerPoint in 20 years, but not as shit as being called to break up an online blue between two old guys while pretending I'm listening to Toots and the fucking Maytals.
Don't know what all the fuss is Blowin, really. I had a hard cover coffee table book back in 1984 exposing all this area, in full colour beauty. 35 years ago, way before the internet etc. Very few secrets left these days.
As has been pointed out above, it's a special part of the world that plenty know about but few venture to.
Stu where’s my comment it gone too????
Thing is , Fitzroy , the crew who blew it out then deserved an uppercut.
Why should we be laundering the misdeeds of time’s past ? It was even more insulting then , a couple of pricks sending a team of pros and photographers to expose a joint so they can make some cash .
How can you respect such people ?
I was only backing blowin. He’s spot on
I get your point mate and agree with the intent. Maybe it's the delivery.
I'm having a hard time asking people to keep some of my part of the world quiet too. At times I think I'm losing the battle. I think the only thing that keeps a lid on it is it's access and fickle nature.
Brett68 - Maybe try teaching your son what integrity means ? Try and be a fucking man and show him that some things are worth more than their economic reduction. Try telling him that sacred places aren’t reserved for the fetishised culture of others and that it’s not wrong to stand up for what you believe in even though there’s dollars at stake.
Bitter irrelevant ? I was there for 5 months camping and surfing whilst you were sitting in suburbia pulling your dick , Brett68 . Why dont you sort your shit out ?
Defending some fuckwit who has overstepped a line in the sand which is painfully obvious to any who care to show respect for others . And you think the fact that he employs someone excuses his cultural arrogance ?
Try teaching your son respect for more than just the dollar FFS.
You’re going pretty hard after this needs essentials guy blowin.
Just wondering if you say the same thing to every pro with his photographer entourage that go to the same places.
Or if you email rip curl, billabong, quiky etc etc after they’ve sent team riders there?
I don’t necessarily disagree with what you’re putting across but you just seem to be targeting this bloke exceptionally hard
Gotta love a protection racket! Or sheltered workshop! And/or both!
How good is censorship?
And Stu, I'm not kidding!
I will re-subscribe!
Honest!
Good to see the internet connection is A-1 up the Bluff these days too, hey?
Goofy - Yeah , its his third year in a row. Even Billabong who seem to think that it’s designated “ their “ turf amongst the “ Big 3 “ usually leave a bit of breathing room between hits , well they did until JR fell in their lap. . Although their Brand tussles are already feeling as narcissistic , indulgent and antiquated as the 1980’s cola wars.
I’ve had words with crew making their little promo vids . It’s usually easiest to point to someone who surfs rings around them and say “ they can just enjoy the place without self-promotion , why can’t you ? “ . Bit hard when it’s Taj , Dorian , JR or Occy. Then it’s best to just shut up and enjoy the spectacle.
It’s just too much , mate. And really , ANY is too much. I’ve always felt this way. My very first post on Swellnet was along these lines.
Fact is , after the wholesale rejection of the WSL ,there is no excuses for private operators who want to sell images of this place in order to feather their own nest. It’s an unambiguous “ fuck you , I need a lap pool more than some hillbilly on the other side of the country deserves to surf without their sacred spots being put forward for mass consumption “.
Check old posts , I give it to everyone. Surfers themselves get offlighter cause they’re talented bastards whose skill deserves respect. But they know what’s going down and that as surfers they suffer as much as anyone from the relentless overrun of breaks. Particularly as they age....
BTW The thing to remember is that this exposure is put into even more stark relief by the absolute rippers , ex and current pros , world title contenders and underground legends that surf basically every single swell in those parts without needing to broadcast the fact. These waves are for everyone from world champ to gronk .....but they’re not for sale.
All fair points made blowin.
Can’t really argue with any of that.
Except the part where Occy and whoever get elist treatment.
They are just people. Just as flawed, if not more, as others.
And “selling out” is the gripe.
Should not consistency be important?
Consistency is very important in ethics.
And out the window it goes for Occy te al.
+1
Does swellnet not get special mention in your vitriol blowin?
It’s a poisoned chalice from which we sup , Solitude.
But without Swellnet there’d be no alternative thought to the imperialist urge of the dollar almighty upon the world of surfing.
Christ , even Tracks disappeared up its own arse.
Name a single other surf media outlet that allows the concept that the “ surf “industry should be restrained from their attempt to commodify every aspect of the thing we all love ?
Beach grit has a nice dig, but their hearts and genitalia are still aflame at the sight of the carrot on the end of the stick. They’ve got their appeal as anti- hero’s and that’s enough to catch my eye .
SurferSam - I remember heading south for the day in 1998 and walking over the headland at the lagoon to see the ASL On Location issue tents and thinking “WTF is this ?” . It was Maurice Cole creating hype for his brand.
The quote i remember after reading the article is RCJ saying “ Maurice said it was the last frontier of surfing and to get over here “ . I was shattered. Then they rocked up to film the bomby and I was stunned at the audacity.
It went on in a similar vein for years. Note : I’ve never met the fella.
But now ....Maurice is the man opposed to the onslaught of commercial interests which threaten to overwhelm his sacred ground down at Bells /Winki.
Great to see his impressive powers finally used for good instead of evil. Can’t salute that kind of action enough.
Go MC !
The original inhabitants had it right; "The land is the mother and we are of the land; we do not own the land rather the land owns us The land is our food, our culture, our spirit and our identity"
I liked the mass bailing at 6:33
Just watched the clip, how fucking sickeningly tubed can one fella get
Evening all, the comments have been interesting. I get what blowin is saying; around my stomping ground something has changed this year and breaks are beginning to become overwhelmed... so the mind wanders...
This place, in the clip - I see the clip and can feel the bump up the face, maybe it's the morning south easter bringing it. Paddle in blind with the strong offshore spray - sometimes it eases mid morning, sometimes it doesn't ease. The early cold gives you a shiver as the spray goes over, but it's not really cold. The water tastes saltier and you're never quite sure what the fuck else is in it with you. Morning gold on the water as the sun rises over the land - first out with your mates. The tabletops. Wild, big open skies that our family misses these days. Vast distances. Snapped and creased boards. That sort of stuff was formative and you feel it in your bones.
I've surfed a couple of waves in the clip and love the shallow rock dredging stuff tbh. Intense.
Amazing description mate. Whether you’ve been there once, 5 months or travelling pro most people would be able to relate exactly what you’ve written. Thanks for taking me back there. That’s what the clip did for me and hope I can do for myself one winter soon.
Wowee, I'm still wrapping my head around being up the NW for 5 months!
How good is the internet?!
Jeez blowin.... if you want to ‘maintain the rage’ go for it, and if u wish to insult and try and belittle people for doin their thing then keep crying like a kid who dropped their lollies. Not everyone agrees with your approach and not everyone agrees with Laurie’s... but nobody appointed you as their spokesperson.
Trying to say Aussies need to do this or that and justifying your point of view by saying you’ve always felt this way - maybe try change your feelings... You come across as a jaded bitter old fool! Whether it’s immigration, politics, economic policy, commercialism or farkn anything there is a constant angry barrage of sterile fury on your behalf. Yes we get it’s a clip that promotes something and you don’t agree with it.... so what? The level of passion you have against it is obvious, as obvious as the fact that you are fairly unhinged and got alotta time to kill. Who cares if you have surfed there, who cares if you camped for 5 months or whatever... you are obsessed with your own misery coz you can’t come to grips with the fact that things change with time and good ol memories can’t sustain your ideas of how things should or could be according to you..... that’s about it ;)
It doesn’t mean shit if your posts were and have always been along ‘these’ lines. It don’t mean shit that you are pissed about things and need to hit the keyboard to vent a bit... It’s the same self obsessed bullshit and your inability to accept things from your narrow perspective. Listen to Laurie talk, especially when he mentions family... it’s not much but the reality is it’s a farkn short clip of a fella gettin some nice waves and just coz you’re not into it... well maybe you should fuck off! You’re on another cuckoo tangent, it’s all huff and puff...
Get the fark over yourself and how you feel about things. It’s clearly not working. Talking ‘integrity’ and the like - reread some of your posts and the manner in which you attack people. It’s pretty lowball and sad... ‘you’ve always felt this way’.... well it might be time to change ;)
You know what .....you’re actually right.
I should just learn to smile and take it. Disregard any opinion I have of any worth because to go against the grain might make me unpopular. Get down on my knees , fight my gag reflex and take that uninvited load to the back of my throat because you’ve got to go along to get along.
How dare I have a belief that’s strong enough within me to be sustained over a period of years ?
I should just learn to bend over and let others fill me with THEIR perspective.
And that’ll make me happy.....?
PS Never said I didn’t love the clip or agree with LT sentiments. I just think some things are too good to betray for a dollar.
Blowin, are you Aboriginal?
Or do you speak with the authority of the Traditional Owners who land, air, and sea Country/s you are speaking about?
I ask this in all sincerity.
JackStance, what’s your angle?
This topic fascinates me.
....and nice one old gregg, summed it up
Jeez, watch yourself Jelly. The boys will disappear you!
Spot on by the way.
Imagine being up the NW for 5 months (hmmm), yet still whinge-posting here 24/7 about Chinese grandmothers, mussies, first nation malingerers, un-Australians, and whatever other right old bollocks is the corporate news of the minute.
Unless...?
Laurie Towner shredding. Those waves are very heavy -1at least-and not unknown for years, half the reason I moved from California 20 years ago. Takes commitment to get there and not much in between, unless you have a boat. I think another video of these waves won’t change anything that would happen anyway, most of the waves in NW WA sort people out. That blowin guy needs to chill
Obviously you do or have surfed this epic right Blowin ? Your very passionate)
That wave well i dont really care if never surf it again haha. Its not nice ,
even bodyboarding , its super dodgy shit)
Its about a ten out of ten for being certain death , unsurfable, razor sharp deathtrap, at the size lozza tackles it) thats seriously heavy wave
it is sketchy , dangerous , urchin infested , heavy . No doubt loz would have been a sight to witness charge it harder than most could dream of
Bleating about exposure of surf spots in 2019......Like flies arguing who owns a juicy stinking pile of shit.
I've still got my hard cover, shiny copy of 'Surfing Wild Australia'.
Excellent spot promotion Blowin. The thread might have slipped under the radar if you hadn't made such a fuss. Now I'm sharing it left, right and centre to all the Brazilians I know and encouraging WSL to hold an annual reality show there. Gotta monetise it somehow and with all this controversy it will go crazy.
I like the lateral thought process. I come here for forecasts, and general stoke and knowledge sharing. This thread has none of these things. Intent and execution are two words that come to mind...
I agree with Blowin as the place should remain as it is for as long as possible before it gets over run with people. Good thing for now is that you need to book a spot to stay so numbers are somewhat limited. Still gets busy enough when fully booked.
Another issue is that surf spots are few and very far between so the crowd can’t spread out.
Yes the waves regulate the lineup but I’ve seen plenty of learners floundering on the inside right in the line of fire getting axed but also taking out someone inside the tube. Go in bleeding and there’s another few the cliff ready to paddle out and do the same. More people makes it even more dangerous than it already is.
I doubt those who make product videos give much back to the area or the Yamaji people.
It’s guys like Blowin who make an effort to regulate the place, same as people do at all the other real surf spots around the world. It’s not like the Wolfpak in Hawaii. Simply a person with a passion for a special place. I too am passionate about this area.
The video was actually well put together with some amazing waves ridden and I didn’t see much product placement, but it is still a commercial plug. Try doing that at Cactus. Should be no different here really.
If people think this place needs more exposure, I’d be curious to hear why.
Some of you need to sign up to instagram.
Catch up to the rest of the "instafamous" surfers.
I’m old school and grew up where you just kept things to yourself. We did it so it wouldn’t get crowded and we could surf it like that forever. Things have changed. I got old and realised I won’t surf it forever and the internet. But I’m at peace with all that I had my time and surf forecasts sure are better than the old isobar weather map. It’s the next generations turn and it’s their kids that will inherit how they leave it.
When the NW was going through its overexploitation in the 90's Sarge wrote a fairly accurate anti-NW article that while a little cynical was spot on the money. The reality is you save $all year to prep your rig, cover fuel, food and pay exorbitant camping fees. Sit in the car driving for days dodging Roos, cattle and shit drivers. Maybe you'll get a foot full of urchins or a face full of coral on your first surf, trip over. More likely you'll get pissed of being constantly outpositioned by greybeards and teenage rippers who've spent that much time there they could surf it in the dark, clocking up barrel upon barrel while you sit a little further down the line hoping for just one memorable one to get you through the drive home. Or maybe you'll share in one of the Gastro plagues, they're remarkably common and go perfectly with long drop dunnies, no running water and million flies.
Beware the truth. Consider buying that boat trip to the Ments instead.
2019. The year of the finest gastro plague seen since...the last one!
Some valid points from many here on both sides.
Basic surf courtesy seems to me to be what's missing mostly.
Monday - found a quite peak every 5min coming in 100m from anyone. Went there instead of more consistent but crowd. Made the mistake of catching a decent one and 4 blokes think its cool to join in and try to dog me for the one wave every 5 min. Paddle 50m away to another little peak and 2 decide to follow.
Wed - same drill.
This morn - out alone before 5am - 5.15am 4 blokes paddle and sit right on me. Beach is 5km long and not a sole on any of the other peaks.
It's a public beach - I get it. My point is I wouldn't do it to someone else but it seems to me its now the norm. Anyway, that's my gripe but I can see why protecting spots is important - just so long as I get told where they are. I am sure we are all a little hypocritical like that.
On the Needs quality front - my experience is only very positive. I have two myself. I can afford to buy my 3 young fellas the fully taped and lined 3/2 and another 4/3 steamer for the same as one brand 3/2. They last, they are warm and I feel they are fairly comparable flex wise.
Not commenting on the exploitation front. I did watch some of those waves a million times over in the BB Challenge when it came out about 20 odd years ago. Bit of a shit storm about that back then too.
never fails to amaze and shit me to tears FrazP. Miles of beach with bank after bank and they have to paddle out and sit right next to you. I keep surfing further and further from home ...
Where they really fucked up was showing that instantly recognizable 'headland'. Shame,shame,shame
Tried a Need, it hurt my nuts.
Love those waves, nice to watch and ride.
Throw some local chargers in and I’m sure there’s be no criticisms. Remember that clip posted a few weeks ago by that Pommie fella? Nothing but positive vibes in the comments then and the exact same waves getting surfed better by guys like the Perkin brothers.
How can we get so riled up by this video when the Earth is cooking? Shouldn’t we be demanding our corporate government start enforcing stricter environmental standards? Shouldn’t this apply to the surf industry? Shouldn’t these clips be promoting healthy alternatives for all rather than enabling one man to live everyone else’s dream?
Stay selfish, peace.
Ha! I had this long arm needs springy and was a deadset nutcrusher. Not just me then....
Yep, if you live away from big city and want to surf with only a few people don't tell anyone anything. If your desperate and want to find out where the banks are, just ask the drive through attendant at the bottle-O, people always open there gob there.
If you think the surfing scene is bad for exposing, try fishing. New saying should be give a man a gopro + social media and he'll show you how much of a wanker he really is. Glory hunters and will expose at no cost just for a few free lures and shitty t-shirt that even Elton john wouldn't wear
I had a good feed of tailor off the beach one day and some cunt strolling past wanted to take shots with his I-phone./
I told him to fuck off, I didn't want them plastered all over social media.
anyhow, he must have got a few shots because it was plastered all over social media.
Haha. Bahaha
Yet last weeks clip of Russell Bierke and crew; singlehandedly over the last few years exposing the south coast, nary gets a negative whisper...
Yeah, why is that?
Blowhard's not from there? Hang on, he isn't from WA either.
Need Wetsuits could be the next Rip Curl up there in terms of popularity...
Bring a swag/tent/caravan, fresh water and a heap of Export cans and leave your video/camera equipment at home....
What a lot of hot air - the place is a million miles away - need(s)less to say there won't be a mad rush by east coasters and/or average Joe to go there just because we see LT surf the joint. Blowie, I'm usually on your side but you've blown-up for nothin' this time!
I agree with Blowin's sentiment but the reality is, very few people have the surfing skills, the time, the equipment, the cash, and a 4WD to access these waves? If you're an east coast surfer, Fiji. Tahiti, or Indo is a hell of a lot easier to get too. You can fly out in the morning and be surfing quality waves in the afternoon.
If there's increased crowds out in the NW, it's due to a casualisation of the workforce and cashed up FIFO workers with consistent time off. Those waves have been in mags for 3 decades. One more video makes fuck all difference to time poor, skill poor, cash poor surfers who don't have 4WDs.
NW WA just isn't a practical surf destination for the vast majority of surfers, no matter how many videos are shot.
Yep, I'm all for non-exposure too, but that is pretty spot on.
You’ve managed to overlook the thousands of international surfers travelling our nation at any time .
Many of whom have zero idea what this place actually offers till it’s broadcast annually on the internet in the search for wetsuit sales.
This clip is nothing short of a travelogue.
"You’ve managed to overlook the thousands of international surfers travelling our nation at any time ."
Mate. I surf a very well known break in Victoria and the number of international surfers we get is minuscule. I find it hard to believe that there would be a problem with internationals up in the desert NW. Maybe I'm wrong and the place is filled with backpackers in big 4WDs who are picking fruit or waiting tables in between surf sessions.
Yep , that’s exactly the case. Gone are the days of travelling surfers being happy to ride their soft tops at Bondi whilst sleeping in their wicked vans, now there are hundreds of French ,Italian , Spanish, Brazilian, German and every other nationality cruising remote Australia with intermediate and above surfing skills.
Now they do their two years work and have enough cash and clue to do it like Aussies used to - time rich and ready to spend the time to look around,
And they surf , dive and spearfish. It’s a different world out there now. The majority of travelling surfers are internationals and they see clips like this and make a beeline. No amount of photos or Internet forums blow out a joint like a well curated travelogue showing a good surfer making the waves look manageable and perfect.
I don’t blame them for wanting to surf the waves they’re shown on the internet, I blame the gronk who wants to send them there and crowd it out more than it is just so he can make a few dollars tying a product to the idea of the place.
It must be an entirely different world out there. We get the CT circus in town every year and when that’s packed and gone only 1 per cent of the lineup would be international surfers. They aren’t nearly as big a pain the arse as the car loads of Melbourne beginner/low intermediates who clog the line up. Hope you never go to Indo because your complaints about international surfers works both ways.
You must have missed the bit where I don’t blame the international surfers ....I blame the wetsuit gronk insisting that they journey there by making the joint look irresistible so he can shift more product. The more people watching this video, the more people will see his stupid brand name. The fact that using a surf spot as bait and the fact that it’ll impact the spot does not matter a single bit to him . The only consequence he sees is an uptick in sales . What a cock !
Three years in a row......fuck off.
One thing about the foreign surfers though....they don’t give a fuck about fishing rules or regulations. It’s like handing a shotgun to a five year old when they swim around with a speargun ....if it swims , they’ll shoot it.
The easily accessible places will be barren of life in a few years. They all imagine that they’re braving the wild oceans as they flop around in kiddies corner and shoot the last cod whether it’s protected or not.
I'm not disagreeing with you re: the ethics of taking a camera to these spots. I'm also totally against it. Never have, never will.
But they've been exposed for years. There's camps there to facilitate people staying there which have a capacity. Should we blame the camp operators first?
Video exposure...ummm...Craike, Browns, Jack Robbo et al ?
I'm fully aware of international surfers, I grew up on the Goldie and then lived in Byron for 24 years. Both places completely overrun. But in my experience its when a group of travelling surfers slowly settle and accumulate in one spot that they have the capacity to overrun a surf spot. Locals will manage and caretake local spots until the sheer numbers overwhelm then.
If a group of surfers have the commitment and endeavour to go surf the NW then I can't see it being as a result of these videos. It will come from a motivation much more in tune with traditional or ethical values - to surf and respect.
The hoards we worry about are already here, in packs of 50 out at Broken Head after their all nite doof trashing the dunes in the sacred Aboriginal birthing ground.
Bloody Emiliano and surfEXPLORE eh !
I see they still have a Facey page going..
Blowin omitted to mention that the soulful atmospheric classical music he derided in the non commercial Reef Movie inspired by wonderful travelers such as Ryan Burch and Derek Hynd as High Art wank with a prissy useless bunch of violins also included the acclaimed Didg player from WA Mark Atkins and Steve Pigram plus Clay Macdonald from a surf band playing music way way out of Mr. Blowin’s comfort zone - and also part of this high art repertoire happened to be Them Bones from Alice in Chains. But then that presupposes we know what Mr B’s tastes are. Maybe he secretly works for Billabong, Ripcurl or Quiksilver as they also are very bitter about the success of the non branded Needs Essentials.
Deeply ironic that the most neediest of the special neediest rails against a company called...wait for it...Need Essentials.
Mental.
Schoolyard bully ....please.
I question why the violin is elevated above the other styles of music , why it’s considered “ high art “ whilst Jimmy Hendrix going nuts is just good music. That’s what I was getting at.
PS Q / What’s the difference between your distaste for Christian rock and my dismissal of the bagged-tomcat sound of the violin ?
A/ The violin wasn’t mentally imprinted on the minds of a few thousand groms as the backing track to a young bloke from Cronolla ripping everywhere from the North shore to Huntington Beach.
From 35:40 .....feel the love of Jesus. Let that God-bother rock course through your veins.
Jimmy Hendrix going nuts is definitely high art.
Mmmmm, I love surfing too
Hey ,Simey.
A few years ago at the Xxxxx at theveryendofthe season after 6 months or so , our friend’s son got real crook , real quick. Local doctors said he had all kinds of necessary shit to get done down south , our mates were freaking and they were skint.
Great people , salt of the Earth , make you feel loved. sort of deal.
So we gave them enough cash to get down South , get a hotel for a few days whilst their kid got looked after , a few meals and a enough fuel to get them between appointments and let them know that if they needed anything else that we’d sort them out.
Luckily, our friends have gone from strength to strength, and they’re now living a great life together..... so, yeah , thanks for the advice to open up my heart .
Seriously. It is the true path to happiness and it doesn’t get mentioned often enough.
Open your heart !,
Another " soul pro" clip , just enjoying a surf trip rather than advertising anything or selling out surf spots....
i find the older i get the more tired i become of watching other people surf .
even though that clip displayed a high level of surfing and perfect waves . the whole package just seems a little bland or boring .
anyway better go surf some 2ft ers in the howling northerly .
Knowing lauries story maked it easier to understand whats going on
What’s going on ?
Wot's going on is more important me thinks than this debate eg at my weekly tennis match this arvo debate re climate change was once again on the agenda. Leftie shot down my scepticism with claims of a mysterious road-side weed that was the target of right-wing antagonism despite it being a ‘probable cure for melanoma’ (right-wingers wanting to kill the weed in a concerted effort to wipe-out endangered species of any kind). ALTHOUGH NO PROOF OF SUCH A WEED WAS PRODUCED, I was accused of being brain-deprived and affected by alcohol (a classic left-wing tactic, only the 'racist' tag missing). Never let the truth get in the way of a left-wing argument! The other comical claim was that The Guardian and ABC were truly independent!
For a truly independent viewpoint please watch I recommend
https://www.facebook.com/PaulineHansonAu/videos/exposed-climate-change-h...
Blowin did you comment on this @surfer clip you will have a big audience to sort out more than swellnet
I don’t blame the audience, I blame the fuckwit who disregards the vibe of a surf spot in order to turn a dollar through its exposure.
The dickhead wouldn’t dream of sending his Sponno team to Cactus ....this joint is no different.
Not that hard to understand.
Tell him to go film his next promo clip on top of Uluru if he is so determined to ignore local culture in order to advertise his shitty product.
https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-10/andrew-forrest-ningaloo-reef-l...