11th January: We just crawled into Forster. The next day I took the van to a mechanic where he says I not only have a manifold problem but a 'serious mainfold problem.'

Tim Bonython and the road life of a modern surfing showman.

Martyn Worthington is Australia's best known surfboard artist. He has produced countless images for thousands of surfers over several decades and is still going strong.

Martyn and Blindboy sat on the steps in the Clear Surfboard factory on Sydney's Northern Beaches and reminisced.

Slade Prestwich and Dane Reynolds put on a show in one of the most entertaining heats of the day with both surfers advancing in first and second place respectively.

In 3-4 foot waves at their home break and with the dunes stacked full of supporters, North Narrabeen sent their loudest warning yet to every club in Australia, declaring they’ll be hunting down their sixth national title come March.

The ASP will announce its new-look commentary team for 2014 this week, keeping people guessing right up to show time. But fans of the good old Aussie accent better brace themselves for disappointment.