Good looking swell ahead for Queensland and Northern NSW
South-east Queensland and Northern NSW Surf Forecast by Ben Matson (issued Monday 6th February)
Best Days: Most days should have good waves. Thursday the peak of the swell, but windy so best suited to the points. Friday morning is the pick of the week with early light winds in most areas and a slowly easing trade swell. Saturday AM also looks fun, but smaller again.
Recap: Small surf and mainly northerly winds haven’t offered a lot across most beaches, however a small trade swell was workable both Saturday and Sunday morning at SE Qld and some Far Northern NSW beaches, whilst the winds were light. Elsewhere the surf was really too small to bother with. Today we’ve seen a continuation of the northerlies and a further incremental increase in trade swell in SE Qld and Far Northern NSW, along with a fickle, distant S/SE groundswell from a polar low, that has graced south swell magnets south of Byron.
This week (Feb 7th - 10th)
After many months of persistent northerly winds and mainly small swells, we have a temporary break in the pattern.
The trades are strengthening across the Northern Tasman Sea, stretching way out into the South Pacific and although not overly strong, the length, width and duration of this fetch should ensure a decent quality trade swell event over the coming days. Additionally, this fetch is far enough offshore (and broad enough in coverage) so that there shouldn’t be a major difference in size between SE Qld and Northern NSW through to the Mid North Coast. It will certainly be a little bigger up north but the range in size between Fraser Island and Sea Rocks won't be quite as much as what we see from shorter fetches positioned inside the lower Coral Sea.
Surf size will slowly build from Tuesday onwards and is expected to reach a peak on Thursday, before tapering off from Friday. The models have slightly wound up the breadth of this fetch (since Friday's outlook) so the corresponding surf size has also increased a touch.
The Sunshine Coast should see 4-5ft surf through Thursday with good waves across the points. Expect a peak across the Gold and Tweed Coasts around 3-4ft+, with 3-4ft surf across the Mid North Coast. Obviously, surf size will be smaller prior to this (ramping up slowly through Tuesday and Wednesday).
In fact, there’s a second trough/ridge combo in the Tasman Sea - much further south - that will contribute a concurrent E/SE swell across Northern NSW into Thursday as it moves north into our swell window, probably of a similar size as the pre-existing trade swell. So there’s actually a chance for bigger sets across Northern NSW from time to time as the two swell trains combine. But I think 3-4ft is a good ball park figure for now.
The local winds are the wild card. Tuesday looks pretty good with mainly light variable winds and sea breezes, but as the southern trough moves up the coast into Wednesday, and the Coral Sea ridge firms against the coast, we’ll see E/SE winds envelop the Northern NSW coast and SE winds across SE Qld. There is a chance for early Wednesday morning to see a period of light winds - somewhere north of the advancing trough but south of the developing northern ridge - but it won’t last long (maybe between Port Macquarie and Yamba, but shrinking during the day).
Winds will ease through Thursday across the Mid North Coast and swing back to the NE, but we’ll see moderate to fresh SE winds across the Queensland coast (again, possibly a small region of light variable winds and sea breezes in Northern NSW - maybe between Coffs and Evans).
As such, protected points will be your option through the peak of this swell.
On Friday the ridge will relax and so too with local winds, so most regions should experience light SW winds in the morning before an afternoon SE breeze kicks in (NE south of Coffs). Surf size will be slowly easing but it’ll still be quite strong across the coast. Personally, I always prefer the backside of trade swell events because the wavelength has drawn out - allowing for a slightly better quality swell - and the banks have (hopefully!) settled into a nice rhythm. New swells always seem to confuse things at first, and the surf can be patchy whilst the swell trains are still sorting themselves out and the sand moves around. But that's just my own experience, yours may be different.
As such, Friday morning is the pick of the forecast period - but there’ll be very good waves at sheltered spots either side of this.
This weekend (Feb 11th - 12th)
Easing swells are expected all weekend. And it looks like northerly winds will return on Sunday so you’ll have to make the most of Saturday, where we’ll see light variable winds and sea breezes.
Size will be down from the Thursday peak; somewhere in the 3ft+ range across the Sunshine Coast and 3ft on the Gold and Tweed Coast on Saturday, with smaller 2-3ft surf across the Northern NSW coast. This should allow for a quality period of fun beach breaks and points through the morning.
Sunday is expected to see slightly smaller surf but worse, a freshening N’ly breeze. Early morning should offer a period of clean conditions under a light NW wind but it is likely to last long, especially on the Mid North Coast. So aim for a dawn paddle at the beachies.
Also worth mentioning is a small long period S’ly swell arriving across the Mid North Coast on Saturday afternoon and then the Far North Coast by Sunday morning. This will have originated from a deep (but poorly aligned) front/low combo passing south of Tasmania on Thursday, however there won’t be much size in it due to the poor alignment - so the energy will probably just glance the coast, therefore only influencing a handful of reliable south swell magnets south of Byron with inconsistent 2ft+ sets.
Next week (Feb 13th onwards)
A fairly decent frontal progression is lining up for the lower Tasman Sea around Monday (that should give us a punchy south swell for Northern NSW early-mid week), and there are some interesting developments across the Coral Sea and South Pacific that have potential for the second half of next week and beyond.
In particular, the monsoon trough is moving through the top end and will push large amounts of moisture and instability into the Coral Sea - crucial ingredients for significant swell generating weather systems in our eastern swell window. However, we will ultimately need a trigger for anything worthwhile to happen and nothing is showing up on the charts just yet. But, it certainly points towards some major developments at some point from mid-late next week onwards.
However, we also have to be careful with the long term model guidance right now because of the active monsoon pattern across the top end and possible Tropical Cyclone in the NW of West Oz. These features always throw the models a little skew, so let’s check back on Wednesday to see how they're tracking.
Comments
Combo of extended holiday season lifestyle and eating pattern compounded with no surf means I've got fat. Hopefully it's time to start paddling off the beer and bread settled around my waist.
Went for a pathetic surf today after over a week and a half out. On the back of the shithouse winter/summer we've had I am as paddle fit as that fat MP fuckwit, George Christensen.
Lennox cam.....how long has this been up ?
Fun waves today. Surfed both tides, few great sneaky low tide banks around and the wind held off thru lunch as well. Hardly anyone around either.
Just noticed that today too Udo.
Double edged sword, that one.
I like this thread so far.
It's like I'm sitting in the carpark having a beer and overhearing the conversations of the local crew.
So far, according to the pundits, its - fat : bad , beer and festive lifestyle : good , surf : generally shit, sneaky sessions and quiet banks : good , Lenny the Ox cam : very bad ( but also good ).
George Christensen isn't rating too well either. But , like the Lennox cam , its all about perspective.
well spotted fellow swellnuts,didnt notice the lennox cam either so Ben how longs it been up and how come no intro?
Maybe a bit .....uhhhh, controversial.
I'm more intrigued by the 'respect locals' disclaimer - Yamba gets one (as does the ox) but Kingscliff doesn't? Is it latitude dependant? Too close to the GC? Cabaz gets one... I'm not one for localism at all... But why some and not others?
That's fucking pretty rude, I'll be revoking my subscription!
When does the Angourie cam come online?
shocker of a wave this morning on the SC... bigger, but somehow worse :(
Pretty contentious view. Ever had suspect camera outages?
Went for a surf yesterday at my local break in anticipation of the upcoming swell. Wasn't wearing a legrope because it was small. Tried to stick a wobbly floater I would probably have normally bailed on. Front foot landed too far forward - not enough wax. Foot slipped all the way to the nose. Got lodged into a splits position a Russian gymnast would have been proud of. Fucking agony. Had to get dragged out of the water by some helpful local high teachers. Ambo had to come down into the beach to pick me up. Long story short - grade 3 hamstring tear, 6-8 weeks out of the water. So this pretty much guarantees the flat spell is over, the surf will be pumping and there will be at least 2 cyclones over the next few weeks. Think of my sacrifice as you're getting pitted and I'm doing fuck knows what sitting around the house.
Kinda served you right too, no leggies even when its small can mean serious injury to someone else
Not where I was surfing. 3 or 4 guys in the water, no swimmers.
Very flawed argument... heal up nonetheless ;)
Thanks Hego,taking one for the team,well done.
Hope you have a speedy recovery mate.
Great forecast Ben. Had fun body surf at greenmount. Best wishes hego with that hamstring.
"Lennox cam.....how long has this been up ?"
Locals I've talked to feel like they came home and found someone fucking their missus in the family bed.
Hope old mate whose house they used got a decent pay day for selling out the Point so blatantly.
Pretty average manoeuvre.
why do people get so offended by the cameras
i live 600 metres from one of the camera sites and consider myself "local" after 20 years here
i still check the camera before i ride down and have a look
i also check live wind, buoy data and surf report before i ride down
i like seeing what other places are doing (and how crowded snapper is !!) but i'm not gonna go there
look on the bright side, if it looks crowded people may choose elsewhere to drive to
i hate it more when i'm checking the surf and some dude is ringing his mates telling them how good it is !!!
move with the times people
By the way swellnet, i also like the disclaimer(people never read the small print though)
thanks for reading my opinion......
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I just wrote a big long wanky post about the Lennox camera and somehow hit delete or something. Probably deserved to lose it!
Anyway, the camera there leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I always thought Swellnet made a fuss of respecting the locals but then they go and put that up. You don't need a camera at every point break from Cooly to Lennox to show the swell size and direction. That additional camera doesn't serve anything other than to make swellnet look cool or more appealing to the average chump. It's about dollars from appeal and not a functional service. And it doesn't do anything other than increase awareness of a wave that hides in plain sight while everyone stares at Snapper and Byron. Same with the camera at Caba point.
And no I know it's not a secret spot but it's not in every joker's mind when driving down from north of the tweed either. So why remind people of it? That other website has a camera near there but at least it's far enough away that you can't get a sense of the waves at the point.
And spare me the line about respecting the locals if you travel to surf there. If you respect the locals, don't put a camera up ffs. That's just taking the piss.
What about the locals that like it? I've got one at my "local" and I think its excellent.
I think Swellnet and Ben matson are in for a fair amount of community blowback over the new cam and the way they respond will show how much of a good corporate citizen they are and how much they simply want to exploit for personal gain.
But freeride, in your surf writing, you have probably been Lennox Head's most active advocate. You have often included paeans to its glories. Why complain about a cam?
Real-time cam with the Goldy an hour away?
Lots of sane sessions with 20-30 blokes out, try double that with a few carloads of people and watch the vibe in the water self-destruct.
The bigger ethical issue is what right does a corporation like Swellnet have to stick a camera down the throat of Lennox Poiint with zero community consultation. As others have said, whats next>? Angas?
Wonder how Stu will feel about local sentiment when the cam goes in at Sandon Point.
Real-time cam with the Goldy an hour away?
Lots of sane sessions with 20-30 blokes out, try double that with a few carloads of people and watch the vibe in the water self-destruct.
The bigger ethical issue is what right does a corporation like Swellnet have to stick a camera down the throat of Lennox Poiint with zero community consultation. As others have said, whats next>? Angas?
Wonder how Stu will feel about local sentiment when the cam goes in at Sandon Point.
Did you question Swellnets lack of 'community consultation' regarding all the other cameras when you worked for them.
There were no or very few cameras when i worked for them. But I certainly put forward the idea that a camera wouldn't be welcome at Lennox and I wanted nothing to do with it.
There were no or very few cameras when i worked for them. But I certainly put forward the idea that a camera wouldn't be welcome at Lennox and I wanted nothing to do with it.
A little closer too the big crowds from the goldy, A swell forecaster from swell net has moved to the area . For a little while he posts photos of Hastings point every week .The vantage point from these shots (high on a hill) is mostly false, and portrays a wave better than it actually is . You would have to say this is attracting more interest from the hungry gold coast dweller .Whilst he doesn't mention the name of the break its not hard to figure out (if you've seen it before) .Gotta say , it used to bug me a bit. Only because its normally fairly marginal, and its harder to get a wave because it doesn't hold a crowd very well. But on its day its a gold mine! Its one of those spots that it should be left off this site because it needs to be rewarded from those who put in the effort of "the trip" or a little bit more organically informed . Just my thoughts . Lennox and most of the other spots already have cams from coastal watch, a few others probably don't . don't know if yamba ever had a cam, but i used to ring the pub for a report the day before.
Listen to the "locals" cry. Its deafening. A textbook case of "not in my backyard".
How many of you "locals" use Swellnets other cams? If so, Why?
Why is Lennox so important & so different to any other surf cam on this website?
The only reason your pissed off Freeride is that now the rest of us "non locals" will know exactly how much your bullshitting. Haha!
FFS you "locals", lighten up, no-one died, sun will rise tomorrow. You arrogant "locals" will still not share "your" waves just because the cam has been installed, so you won't miss out. Business as usual...
Wonder if the cam is on the real estate agent's house? A solid comeback after his drone expedition was culled by the "locals".....
After boasting about his country's performance during the 1975–76 pro contest season on the North Shore of Oahu, Australian surfer and future world champion Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew returned to Hawaii in late 1976 and was immediately beaten up—losing two of his front teeth—at Sunset Beach. Still a loud mouth, hahaha
Rabbits, I'm not from Lennox, hell I can't call myself a local anywhere at the moment, except maybe snapper cos I went for a swim there two weeks ago which is all it takes there.
I used to live on the sunny coast and made similar comments when they put in the kings cam and coolum cam. The coolum cam gives you a great look at the outer bays and kings gives you a nice peak at the bar. Not secret spots by any means, shit you can see em from holiday units, but for some reason they're not on the radar of so many. And I know that because I've had a fair few quiet surfs there while watching a crowd hassling for waves nearby. Those places get a crowd but not always. New cams that remind the hordes from Brisbane about some of these waves don't help.
They also don't do anything extra as far as showing conditions. Swell direction and size can be shown with a few cams at key locations (the only reason I've used em, check the main beach/surfers cam for that). Anything extra is about raising the profile of the website not adding to the core service. The Lennox cam is particularly the case. Unless the core service is an eye on every good wave in oz.
Now don't get me wrong, coastalwatch.com has a fair set (including Lennox beach, though you can't get a sense of the point), but they also don't trade on being sensitive to locals and all that crap.
More and more stuff is covered here (like the frequent photos of Hastings and other joints) and when complaints come in you sometimes see the retort of, everyone else is doing it just go check insta.
So... is there a swellnet camera at sandon? Maybe there is but I doubt it. If it's cool to put one up at Lennox then surely sandon would be the same? Your new mates wouldn't mind would they stu?
Anyway it shits me enough that it makes me lose interest in the site. A small part of what makes it a good site is the contributors talking shit here. From that they derive a small amount of revenue from all of us talking generating clicks etc. When things start to get a bit hypocritical like this I lose interest in supporting the place.
what right do corporate interests have to invade public space for their own profit against the wishes of the local community?
I completely understand what you're saying Steve and have recently felt similar angst at SN after some of the SC and over the border cams have gone in. But I do have to say I find your comments highly hypocritical given you used to post daily surf report pictures of Lennox on your own personal website not too long ago. What gave you the right to post these pics for all Gold Coast surfers to see without any community consultation?
Don, I posted pics of a generic beachbreak, not the Point, that gave a general idea of surf conditions. That benefited people living locally without ratting out the Point on a daily, let alone real-time basis. I was also accountable to the people here over that.
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Hate to say it boys but its a two edge sword,ive aways run away from progress but sooner or later theres no where to run to.Everybody looks at cams so its no different here.We are all guilty of using them and its one of the reasons we use Swellnet ...money can buy anything........but having said that it seems no where is safe from greed, even the Ox.Stayed low key for a long time but this was always going to happen so say goodbye to those uncrowded get lucky sessions cause they just became a thing of the past.Won't happen at Anga no houses high enough to mount a cam....yet.Anyway did any one protest the Byron cam or the Cabarita cam etc.....? Lennox was special,but its been bleeding for a long time now, shame really......
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for some reason looked at this thred fkn boom ha ha
my 2 bob... you surfers with tunnel vision find other sports like windsurfing(wave sailing) and kite surfing you wave starved winging grumpy old men dry your fkn eyes out and get amongst it!!! instead of bashing the keyboard….its 2017 everywhere good is packed on its day ya muppits its not 1994 anymore its fkn packed everywhere birdbrains if you only want to surf its just brain damage…waiting for the primo conditions like everyone else.
you so called locals wanna go back to trigger brothers hot line and listen to robbo for 55cents for 60 seconds pfft its 2017 boyz enjoy the tec you ungreatfull c*&%$
Definetly with pdog here.
Swellnet isn't the centre of the surfing universe.
I agree with pigdog too. I live near two cams . One 500m and the other shows a spot 2kms from me. I use them every day to make informed decisions. Love the cams... there are no more locals, there's way too many of us now. Lennox is a sick wave and anyone who's seen it working, if they're serious and want a wave... they'll make the drive. The best we can all do is try not to be w*nkers in the water. I can't believe that there are people on here complaining about detailed forecasts. Are u kidding me? People use those things to plan stuff and we should be thankful for how accurate they often are.
There are no more locals ?
You wouldn't be from Sydney or the Goldie would you ?
I wanna be there when you paddle out at 6 foot Jakes and start letting the crew know that localism is dead.
Clearly localism isn't dead. In my opinion the waves belong to everyone and yeah I don't like it when my local's packed, but I have to deal with it. It's not going to get any better. The crowds are going to grow and what I notice is that the crankier I get, the worse my surf is. Now you've got me looking for where Jakes is :)
From what I can see, manners and civility are hanging on at Lennox by the skin of its teeth - it's such a credit to the local crew that they can keep some order with something resembling a smile on their faces.
I'm new to the area and if you ask me, "aloha" still exists here.
It has ceased to exist at any quality mainland break to the north. And I mean all the way north.
The camera may well be the tipping point for crowds at Lennox that puts things totally out of whack.
Honestly, if you can't figure out what's going on by being told the swell size and direction as well as wind strength and direction, you're a kook and should probably stay home.
Love it or hate it.This is the world we live in today we have facebook instagram. people vlog there life and making money doing so. You are always on camera every where we go.
FR. no need to call Ben out personal on this.
STICK : I WILL NOT BE CLIKING ON ANY SWELLNET ADVERTISEMENT until they put it the cam DOWN. I will NOT BUY from brands advertised by Swellnet until they put it down.
NEED ESSENTIAL ? too bad, i was interested in your stuff. NOT anymore...
The PERFECT WAVES : Will not travel with you anymore if you advertise on this Lennox cam website.
CARROT: I swear I will click on 3 add a week if you put the camDOWN and may even subscribe pro.
Guys, joins me in this campaign to convince financier to put it down.
Ben, love your work, this is a special break, it would be destroyed by lazy crowd.not good for your KARMA. If Swellnet need more exposure ask for it, will help out, don't spoil lennox.
Not a local. Live in Brissie.
Patate clearly you have no idea how advertising works on the inner web.
A new camera goes in at Currumbin and no one bats an eyelid. but put one at Lennox and everyone loses their mind!!
Here's a thought. I'm from the goldy and i had no intention of looking at the lennox cam unless i would be in the area (notice i said had). but with all the angst and emotional outbursts on this thread, i just had to check it out. So who's adding fuel to who's fire??? i'm confused!
"Localism" in this context is simply greed. Yeah, we can make use of the "other" sites Lennox cam but don't worry Ox boys there is still a distance for most surfers to travel and there are plenty of days when the sands are good for plenty of waves. I cant see why SN or anyone else needs to or has to get so call "local approval" for a cam. greed - Its mine and not yours.
I really think the greed is going in the opposite direction to which you claim TB.
Ben/SN gets all the monetary benefit and the local community and travelling surfers lose the chance to surf relatively unspoiled or mostly sane Point surf.
That seems pretty clear to me.
I really think the greed is going in the opposite direction to which you claim TB.
Ben/SN gets all the monetary benefit and the local community and travelling surfers lose the chance to surf relatively unspoiled or mostly sane Point surf.
That seems pretty clear to me.
Why is it 'greed'. Simply, the 'locals' (not exactly how you are going define that) do not want other surfers. We could argue that SN could place the cam elsewhere not so exact view and then provide backup forecasting. That could apply to all cams, everywhere. But no, we the surfers want to see exactly what's live. Yes, we could say many places are spoiled due to the growth of the sport. That's another debate. You know and all that surf there know, that the Ox can handle a lot of surfers.
Why is it 'greed'.
Because the benefit accrues to Ben/SN at the expense of the local community and travelling surfers.
Is that not clear?
Sorry, its not clear. Ok, if SN benefit because they provide a wide service to a range of surf spots then yes. But then, do you say which surf spots in which location, in which view - full or down the line. Note, In this case, no one pays a cent to SN. It's free. Ok, you might say advertisers will pay more for the Ox then say an Ox view of the beach (from a competitor). Yep, most likely. So SN is providing a better view. We could say that similarly with the many other cams on all the other sites. Hmmm...let's be factual. No cams or cams of the beach would lesson the crowd at the Ox. More waves for the local. More for me, you could say.
Not sure about the 'travelling surfer' point. Hmmm...he pulls up, on a punt, a hunch, weather map read or it's just the next spot on the road. Yes, he scores or maybe not. He gets to see a great setup and the multitude of breaks or sections on the point down to the ramp. Then he sees the long beach with an array of A frames happening, magic.
I'm suggesting there is plenty for all. Sorry, but really 'localism' just means 'more for me'. Sure I love it when there is only a few locals out but bugger the crowd has increased. Frankly, I am hoping one day that in many of the 'city' locations we could adapt / modify points to make good surf spots. Maybe.
Why is it 'greed'.
Because the benefit accrues to Ben/SN at the expense of the local community and travelling surfers.
Is that not clear?
yea they never shoulda bitumen the road from ballina you could see who was coming . I could see when the old man was coming home from work at the slipway he was the only one on the road that time of the afternoon
Some interesting & diverse points of view re the Lennox cam. If the local surfing community manage to have the cam removed by following the right channels, then I'd say it's a win for the "littte guy". However if it stays it's simply put in the basket of "progress" & "modern times" IMO, like it or not. The surf forecasting/surfcam "horse" bolted along time ago.
I think the thinly veiled & some not so thinly veiled threats to Ben Matson & his family home (some in this thread & the other one) are a fucking disgrace & should be roundly condemned by all decent folk who comment on this site. A very low act regardless of what you think about the cam.
AndyM, your reference to "Aloha" no longer existing north of Lennox & the fact that it's clinging by the skin of its teeth out out at the point is an interesting observation. I would suggest that the "Aloha" north of Lennox was lost way before any surfcams were installed. I'm pretty sure overcrowding is responsible for that. The reasons for overcrowding are many & varied & sure, surfcams probably have had some effect, but exactly how to measure it would be pretty tricky IMO.
Rabs, I don't understand how the local surfing community can manage to have the cam removed by following the right channels? What laws is SN breaking by putting up a cam? If the cams on private property I would think the local surfing community would have a much better chance "liasing" with the property owner to have the cam removed.
Don, I'm not suggesting SN are breaking any laws, to the contrary, I assume what they are doing is perfectly legal. Hence why in consultation (right channels) SN, the home owner & the local community might be able to "sensibly & in a non threatening manner" come to an agreement.
"sensibly & in a non threatening manner" ? FFS you "locals", lighten up, no-one died, sun will rise tomorrow. You arrogant "locals"
"I think the thinly veiled & some not so thinly veiled threats to Ben Matson & his family home (some in this thread & the other one)" ?? Ive not read the other thread you are on about , but i can't seem to find any hostile or personal threats. Your language however is very aggressive .
Ok just read the thread you where on about, yep some people went to far on the "veiled threats". Its my opinion that they weren't veiled at all in the other thread you speak of. Not acceptable . Still think personally , your aggressive tone isn't helping. I feel that you use a form of downward communication . It feels that you want to feel better about yourself and make other people sound silly . P.S To many acronyms sound like you are trying to hard LOL
Pot calling the kettle black Hastoes. Your first response to my original post was likening me to a loud mouth who deserves to get severely bashed. Loving your passive tone, upward communication style & trying to make feel better. Haha!
Sorry I can't be who you want me to be, you know, a better communicator & on top of that not sharing your opinion. Just adding my two cents, hence why this is called a forum.
Not sure if you've noticed before but there's many regulars on this site who post all sorts of "aggressive" rants way beyond what you've highlighted of mine, however you seem to have a thing for me. Soft target? How about you take on some of the heavyweights........
I cut and copied an article written from the encyclopaedia of surfing website. My personal comment was to liken you to a loud mouth. I drew this conclusion as it was suggested you were show boating how good you are around the local people of hawaii and they dealt with the matter with aggression . Ive also seen you in action . I don't want to hurt you. I never would. I definatly condone it . I just laugh at people who use the barking mad language . . I haven't used an aggressive tone with you. People have an attachment to their local neighbours . The good ones i believe enforce a social behaviour code in and around the neighbourhood . They look after each other and share a common respect for each other, personal things and each others families . The code is based on respect. Also right and wrong, which all are based on that hawaiian or international idea of Aloha. There is obviously a line where decent morals decline to work. The unfair behaviour that I've seen from yourself and other surfers in the lineup at snapper is not welcomed in my neighbourhood . I believe that you and others have been corrupted by a plastic routine of personal greed. I will continue to teach my kids and others the gravity socially of negative actions.
To make it clear i never said you deserve to be "bashed :" The article i copied and paste , said that this is what transpired . I just said haha still a loud mouth. I apologise if you got bashed for nothing,. The encyclopaedia said you were mouthing offf , i drew the comparison that you were still a lot mouth cause you were calling locals names.
Leadership is a privilege to better the lives of others. It is not an opportunity to satisfy personal greed.
Hastoes. All good (I hope). We both live to "fight" another day. How good is Australia........
P.S. You don't actually think I'm W.R.B do you?
Next backup location to Kirra pro for them south swells.
It would be nice to hear Ben justify the cam and even better, what he would do if a majority of the surfing community here asked for the cam to be removed. Say, if the representative committee from the Lennox Head Surfing Reserve asked for it to be removed or shifted, or Le-Ba.
So far Bens management strategy for community anger seems to be to stick his head in the sand and hope it all blows over. Thats pretty weak sauce for a bloke who snuck a cam in with zero consultation and quietly presented it as a fait accompli.
Jesus, talk about melodrama
There's a bit of truth in what FR writes. Stunet is usually quick to log a pointed barb at anyone who steps out of line, and Ben is usually a calm but ever-present explanation on matters. Neither have exhibited such obvious silence in the years I've been an observer of these forums. I think the theory that it would blow over has done its dash. I work in a field where public perception and reaction is a difficult beast to pin down... this has turned into a case study in PR. I offer no advice except to say that I never walk away from a fight... even if I come out worse afterwards, lest the misinformation become a beast unto itself
Deletion of the majority of the comments in the other thread would indicate Ben's sought legal advice on this matter and running with that.
The cam will bring more people. I'm not sure how many people though. What I do know is that any surfer nearby who can put together swell size, swell direction and wind direction is probably already surfing it. I know every surfer on the Sunny Coast today that wasn't working, was at Noosa. The majority know that given the conditions its the best option... The growth in numbers makes everything unavoidable and if I was on the goldy, I'd already have Lennox in my options.
I have some experience running websites and the time and effort required to bring us swellnet makes me appreciate their effort with the articles, the detailed forecasts and the cams.
Swellnet does a good job of providing the best surf related media outlet in Australia.
Give Ben a break, he's put this whole deal together with Stu and Craig and I reckon that surfers benefit as much as they do.
I don't look at the cams personally but if you do then you're as guilty as anyone.
Im not a fan of any cam to be honest, but if there is still an A grade wave on the East coast that presents with any form of civility it might be a nice thing to do anything we can to preserve it.
Blowie, it's not a community service program, it a for as much profit as we can make organisation.
We live in a democracy folks. You have a choice, rights, and the freedom to express them.
If you don't like the Lennox Cam, don't use any of Swellnet. That way you're not giving them any benefit from your 'custom'. Ya see, it's all about eyeballs on the screen, whether free or subscriber, your visit here add to their numbers of 'viewers' and they can sell that to the advertisers as the old 'look how many people visit our website, they'll see your ad' pitch.
So, simple, folks, if ya not like it, don't come here.
Also, just so you all know, the more comments and 'discussion' about this ah, "issue" is only driving more traffic and informing more people.
i'd take a guess that a fair few of the 'local's' and other contributors on this thread have been on an interstate or overseas surf trip to one or two well known surf breaks or maybe even more (insert green mist here!) .
I put these questions out there. How did these places become well known? How did you find out about those particular spots? Was it word of mouth? Was it from you or your mates watching surf videos of remote destinations? reading old school mags like Tracks, Surfer, SW, ASL etc. etc.? Sure it was a lot less instant back in the day but it still gave you the froth yeah?
Is this cam not the same thing (albeit in a hi tech, instant gratification kind of way) that we are angry about now?
I personally haven't bought a hard copy magazine in years. I consider SN to be my online daily read. so kinda feels the same but different if you get my drift.
What i'm trying to say is that before we point our fingers at anybody or any particular businesses, we should probably have a good look at our own practices and how we may have added to overcrowding and localism.
F#@%*k I just got to say all this whinging about a Cam at the Ox and no one has mentiioned the fact we actually have some swell!!! Come on guys share the froth and Aloha
As a swell chaser, the wave is not on my radar unless its 8 foot plus (then its fair game for anyone who can get out and it won't be crowded. Anyway the locals get the best waves and last time out the kids surfed rings around me.
Is it going to affect people massively, I'm not sure. During Winston Swell morning of the peak winds blew it out. Didn't need camera to know. South of Tweed the forecast was for more wind. Had you checked the cam first thing and then bolted down you when it was on but you were then skunked by the wind. I don't know how many individual waves you will lose because of camera goes up or if someone is in Gold Coast and checks cams and does the bolt down...pretty hard to quantify. But its fair to say it will probably be more...but how much.
I am a bit with Simba on this one, but feel the pain from Steve and Don and others. I'm sure if you floated the idea of a surf cam first it would be roundly lambasted so there's no point doing that.
Had CW cams (which were all paid for by Govt money in the interests of surf lifesaving) pointed directly at the point would this be an issue????
Here's a reasonable example. There is a SLSC here North of Sydney which you can gauge the conditions for the longest point break wave on East Coast and looks directly at a secret slab but no one bats an eyelid. I think when it gets dropped in your backyard then that's when the emotions flow, as people feel connected in the SN community
I feel its a bit tough that Ben and the Swellnet team gets a massive poke in the eye when its already been done countless times before, and any talk of retribution well that's just disgraceful.
Here is an example( as mentioned elsewhere)- the Thirroul cam , up until last year showed Sandon Point in all it's glory when the swell and conditions lined up. From it's high vantage point, the view of the Point was a perfect indicator for conditions on the Coal Coast in regards to swell/wind direction, as well as whether the drive from Syd or beyond was worth it. It now only shows as far south as McCauley's .Was this view removed due to "local" pressure from the Point Boys so the Swellnet office could co-exist in the area?
I think it would have been nice to maintain a few sanctuaries from the remorseless Eye of Sauron.
But, I guess, the old Spirit of Akasha can go fuck itself.
That's a golden comment Wally.
Had great body surf at secret spot called kirra on high tide. Thank fuck there's no cam there and no one knows about it. I put on a show though cause their were spectators everywhere. The car park was full. Can't wait for the movie. Bodyrave.
"Deletion of the majority of the comments in the other thread would indicate Ben's sought legal advice on this matter and running with that."
You reckon Don? You reckon he paid top dollar for a lawyer to tell him to go into hiding on his own website?
Hako - Swellnet is a business, no doubt. But you name me a single media outlet that is more sensitive to the fine balance involved between generating content for the pleasure of you and I and presenting a blank page.
I know from very recent experience the conscientiousness that goes down behind the scenes.
And they are as close to a democracy as you'll ever find in any media outlet too .....they let us all post our whinges and complaints on their own site for christs sake.
Again, I'm no fan of the Lennox cam but credit where credit is due . Swellnet does a good job .
Storm in a tea cup girls. I just had a look at the Lennox Head camera and it's an empty line up. Obviously disproves the theory that crowds will flock there because of it so you'll need to find something else to piss and moan about now.
You're a dill or a chump, ringmaster. Would you go out in that? I refuse to look at the cam, but sitting at home on the computer, I can tell you it's onshore and the swell has dropped. So keep your pissing and moaning to yourself.
I know sarcasm is often the lowest form of wit pal but fuck me dead............I sorta guessed there'd be a rabid key board warrior ready to bite like a largemouth bass.
I live about 1800km S/W of Lennox so really couldn't give a flying fuck. My last surf around Northern NSW / Gold Coast was late 90's and it was one big clusterfuck then if there were good waves around. Must be horrendous these days.
Ox Pt is unique because it's in a regional area, it's a world famous wave and the local vibe is cool and respectful.
GC surfers visit regularly, but at least they have the nous to know when the point's working without being spoonfed by a cam. Now there's a cam, every chump will be here AND RUIN IT FOR ALL THE GOOD SURFERS.
Been surfing here since the 1970's. Do you think I look at the GC SN cam with Kirra going off with 150 surfers out and think "yeah, let's go!"? Of course not.
You gotta respect that Lennox Point is unique. The cam is simply exploitation for $$$. Please, SN, can you take it down?
You guys need to get a grip. Coastal Watch have three cams on my home turf, one wave being much more under the radar than Lennox, so why is your joint any more special? Lennox has been plenty crowded for years so nothing will change. Find something else to complain about.
tmc1981, I just finished explaining why Lennox Pt. is so unique.
No doubt you live in an ugly circus like the GC and you've grown up with the overcrowding and corresponding aggro. You think that's normal and acceptable. We don't. We live here even though there's high unemployment for us and our kids. We deliberately dodged settling on the GC to avoid the ugly ethos you have in the surf up there.
So I ask again to SN, can you please remove the cam?
"And in the naked light I saw, Ten thousand people, maybe more"- cue the crickets - or in an Oz summer that should be cicadas- the sounds of silence are deafening!
"I think it would have been nice to maintain a few sanctuaries from the remorseless Eye of Sauron.
But, I guess, the old Spirit of Akasha can go fuck itself."
Very nice Wally.
I'm with freeride on this in relation to the exploitation of 'the commons'. The ideal of the commons is something worth holding on to. Neoliberals everywhere want to sell it off at any price, and for consistency I have to go on that side. It fits better with my anarcho-syndicalist tastes.
So taking 'the commons' ideal further, that would suggest that a cam at a beach in a major city is ok. The beach is going to be crowded anyway, bloody hell, Maroubra would not be much different cam or not. But away from major population centres I'd rather the cams came down. Being an hours drive away, The ox should be off the table.
There has to be a cut-off point somewhere, the alternative is horrible. I like the idea that Lennox is off limits, not because of localism, just because you have to draw a line somewhere. That would be a good line. Community consultation should be necessary also, except for major population centres, and even then leave something to the imagination.
So that's my vote Ben and Stu, bring it down, it's caused more angst than it's worth already, and don't put one on Sandon, and don't go further down the coast either, there are goldmines further south that I would be very unhappy to see a cam put up. Draw the line, draw it here.
I'd just as soon they stopped the surf forecasts personally, I can read a weather map and writing it up for even the dullest of brains to comprehend doesn't help me a bit, but I'm not going to ask them to shut up shop.
And if the excuse to put it up is to stay competitive with other sites, well, just don't do it, set your own line. Make that your 'point of difference', as those effing PR/Brand management people love to say.
Great post, batfink.
If the cam stays and the Orcs from Mordor start pouring across the border, maybe aggro enforcers will emerge here - that'd ruin it for everyone and we'd lose our unique surfing culture forever.
So I ask again to SN, can you please remove the cam?
Good post Batfink.