Gallery: Fleurieu - Big And Small

Craig Brokensha picture
Craig Brokensha (Craig)
Swellnet Dispatch

Last week we had a deeper look at the storm responsible for an extra-large groundswell across the southern states during the Christmas break.

Down in South Australia, Andy Smyth was on hand to shoot the swell from both sides of the Fleurieu Peninsula.

While not as big as the more exposed breaks across the state, both the Mid and South Coasts provided quality waves, a rarity the last few years, especially in summer.

Words and images below by Andy.

Alistair Corston picking off a beauty

Well that was one of the rarer swell events witnessed in South Australia over the last three years.

Even more unusual is that it occurred in summer with offshore winds. A 'bombing' low and swell from the Furious 50s.

Two groundswells within a week has been almost unheard of in 2022, and for it to occur in between Christmas and New Year's Day made for a smorgasbord of surfing options right across the state for surf starved wave riders.

Usually for swells like these I'd do a road trip but injury ruled that out. So I thought why not enjoy it watching friends surf while capturing the action.

Big wave reefs for the chargers, wedges for the body boarders, small wave reef peelers for everyone, ramps for the tricksters and crystal clear beachie peaks for the first day of 2023.

Even the body surfers and soft boarders were getting amongst it.

Surprisingly most spots were fairly uncrowded so there was plenty of festive season cheer to be enjoyed for all.

Joey Brayford coiled and ready to strike

Kingo going down with the ship

Michael Godejohann gone fish'n

Max Longhurst loves a left

Chris Ellis and an optimistic view

Comments

Major kong's picture
Major kong's picture
Major kong Tuesday, 3 Jan 2023 at 12:01pm

Yeeeew!!

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Tuesday, 3 Jan 2023 at 12:04pm

I‘m guessing pics 9 and 10 have something to do with each other?

Ray Shirlaw's picture
Ray Shirlaw's picture
Ray Shirlaw Tuesday, 3 Jan 2023 at 1:29pm

Thats the Fluerieu on the swell of the year? I heard most breaks on the other two peninsulas were struggling to handle that swell. What a raw deal. No wonder theres so many South Aussies over here!!

yahabo's picture
yahabo's picture
yahabo Tuesday, 3 Jan 2023 at 6:11pm

Swell of the year in one of the shittest years in history! To be honest we are all trying to talk things up over here to prevent ourselves from self-harm...

shraz's picture
shraz's picture
shraz Tuesday, 3 Jan 2023 at 8:13pm

Good pics are not shared publicly ;-)

Greebs's picture
Greebs's picture
Greebs Friday, 6 Jan 2023 at 10:25am

Yep! Just how we like it.

jasper99's picture
jasper99's picture
jasper99 Tuesday, 3 Jan 2023 at 8:54pm

Yeah it's hilarious isn't it.......1-2 ft and we are celebrating what most of australia wouldn't piss on.....

JulianB's picture
JulianB's picture
JulianB Thursday, 5 Jan 2023 at 10:20am

There were good options on SYP on that swell.

Bnkref's picture
Bnkref's picture
Bnkref Tuesday, 3 Jan 2023 at 1:49pm

Great shots Andy. Hope you’re back in the water soon.

the-u-turn's picture
the-u-turn's picture
the-u-turn Tuesday, 3 Jan 2023 at 9:27pm

Appreciated. Just dessert's for the patient South Australians.

Johnyuleanderson's picture
Johnyuleanderson's picture
Johnyuleanderson Tuesday, 3 Jan 2023 at 9:45pm

Mornington Peninsula was so good - reef breaks blazing - a Christmas miracle!

BkSouthOz's picture
BkSouthOz's picture
BkSouthOz Wednesday, 4 Jan 2023 at 7:12pm

Get well soon Whitesox. Yep, enjoyed my early morning Xmas gift to myself.

Tessa Cunningham's picture
Tessa Cunningham's picture
Tessa Cunningham Wednesday, 18 Jan 2023 at 1:15pm

boxing day delivered some fun waves, i surfed in a springsuit for the first time in years and then on 27th i surfed in boardies and a rashie for the first time in decades, the crowds were quite modest

chin's picture
chin's picture
chin Thursday, 19 Jan 2023 at 2:21pm

Were some comments removed here?

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Thursday, 19 Jan 2023 at 2:23pm

Not that I'm aware of.