I don't know about you, but surfing makes such a huge difference to my mental health.
Being near, in, or on the water makes noticeable difference to me.
Thanks to work and life, it's now been 2 months since my last surf - a big change from at least 2 surfs a week.
I think I've only been fishing twice in that time too.
While life and work changes leave me feeling overwhelmed at times, this used to be rectified by a quick surf before work. Lack of surfing/fishing seems to be exacerbating this feeling of being overwhelmed.
Now, this isn't a pity party for me. Not by a long shot. I'm my own worst enemy, with taking on too much. And I know it.

I'm just reaching out to see how everyone is doing.
This longboarding forum is essentially non-active, these days.
Is this because the members are just not surfing as much anymore, or just not posting? Nothing to post about? Surely, someone can ask about fins?
When was the last thread about a group road-trip? - while never involved, there was always so much enthusiasm.

How are you doing? RU OK (2 weeks ahead of RU OK day)? I hope you are.

The forum is quiet because there are a so many other platforms to communicate on.

I've been in the same boat as Mac, but after a bit of back surgery last year, I changed the way I do things in the mornings.

When daylight savings changed back to normal time. I reset my alarm to 5.50am, instead of 7.20 am. It meant in reality I was only getting up half an hour earlier (Yes, when the summer came around it was a trial to get up early, but I won eventually)

I think the main fun with surfing isn't actually the surfing. Well, it's not for me. Sure, I love to carve a good wave, even an average wave, but it's the few blokes you surf with that's gold. So, my morning routine is now to check out two breaks. If there's surf, go in. If there's no surf, I do 20 laps of the local pool both walking and swimming. The crew at the pool, and the beach are all friendly, encouraging and regardless of whether you get out on your board or not, you get a great deal of social interaction. It took months before I got to know some of the names, but now it's a challenge to get to work on time with all the chatter.

Now, a few of us go away for a week surfing. Some of us now play golf on a Friday and we have a surfer's Christmas drink at mine about three weeks before Christmas.

Say G'Day to the people you see on the shore, have a chat. It's amazing how much it helps the doldrums.

There's a few of us old seabeeze guys who have a instagram group called Woopi crew and friends, AI G , Scotty, Lance or Fishers his name was, Vanders rarely posts now days, Lacey and a couple of other guys. Sounds awesome MR

Just one icy cold glass of beer?

Congrats on getting back in the water! and rediscovering that stoke!
I got out in the water last Sunday (Fathers Day), with my 7 yr old son, my 20 yr old daughter and her Pommie boyfriend - on Body boards! Most fun surf I've had all year. The Pommie boyfriend literally had no idea what body boarding/boogie boarding was. And once he caught his first wave, couldn't get him out of the water.
I bought myself a new body board late last year, to body board with my 7 yr old (as part of nippers) - absolutely love boogie boarding with him - and we're talking just bombing the shorebreak.
Oh, and in May (?) we got to spend a week in Waikiki. A tropical low pushed large messy surf in, which hampered the longboarding, and by the end of the trip, my focus was hanging out with my son down at Walls - he was just having so much fun, getting smashed by the shorey, pushed up the beach, and then riding the water as it sucked back out. I loved it.

Oh, and I actually went surfing yesterday! Sat wide, so only caught some shoulder rides. And going into work with some sand in my socks and salt on my face entirely changed my day.

You're right, it's all about just finding ways to keep the froth.

Hi team, a good post to shake the cobwebs off the keyboard and I'm sorry a few of you a struggling with your surfing Mojo.Do you remember in Point Break when the little grommet says 'Surfing's the source, can change your life. Swear to God' ?

That always resonated with me and whenever I get into a funk, that still lifts me out quick smart.
I got jaded by the whole 'your the board guy, can I get some advice' and have spent more time on a SUP Foil over the past 3 years, but given the injuries I've suffered doing it, am back riding my SUP quiver and feeling like a grommet again.

Sold most of my longboards / surfboards (aside from a couple of faves) and give zero you know what's about people's thoughts on SUP and do what makes me feel happy, free and involved.

Do we want to organise a few days at Woopi ? I'm up for it if some of the others are.

Stay stoked fellow breezers

Macaha said..
How we all doing guys ? Damned are you driving from Brisbane to the GC daily? How long is your drive? I've been doing some work for Qantas driving from Miami to Brisbane Airport to Byron and back it's a journey

Yep - daily.
Indeed, in summer it's 6x week with Nippers on Sunday. 7x, if I go for a surf on Saturday.

The drive? How long is a piece of string?
Before the population boom, it was pretty much 45-50 min door-to-door. Now, generally 60 min to work (although, hasn't been too bad for the last few weeks, for some reason), but 70-90 min home.... And a fair chunk of that is Smith Street.
Traffic is now getting to the point where this year, I'm regularly getting traffic when I leave early enough to go for a surf.
That said, we are quite literally in the middle of tarting the house up to sell and move down the coast - that'll be a game changer for my mental health... I hope.

Yesterday arvo, I was all set for a Noosa run this morning (one of my fave things to do) - and by 'run', I mean drive up for a surf. My body is not built for running. Then decided, it was going to be too much to catch up on work, and had to 'force' myself to head down to Burleigh for a surf. Of course, there was an accident, so traffic sucked, and I got there just as the Northerly started to kick in.
Still, getting that 'surf' in before work, even if it was more of a short float in the water, really changed my day.

And I had a chat with a couple of the locals, both pre and post-surf.
This thread has really helped me to make a more concerted effort to surf - and to engage with the locals.

If the timing is right, I'm up for a crashing a trip to Woopi - but you're not allowed to laugh at how poorly I surf!

Well I am NOT OK. Thanks for asking.

Stuck in Townsville, for over 10 years and only managed to go on a surf ONCE in that time when a cyclone swell hit up near here back in 2018. My son from WA was fortunately here with me and we both went for a surf, but it lasted one day and that was it. It was fantastic though. Nothing - nada ever since.

Kite surfing is my only relief being on the ocean, but I'd swear nothing beats a speedy run down the face of a wave at Bells back when I was there in the early 2000s and 90s. God I miss Torquay the most and Cosey Corner around the corner from Point Danger. Point Impossos even better! Mwaahhh stop it!!

I love those breaks. I grew up surfing them since I was in my 20s. Now I just reminisce seeing guys catching long waves on logs that I once owned too. Sold them all sadly. Anyone seen an old Gill surfboard - blue and red?

I am telling you guys - the power of the pussy is dangerous!! It can lead you astray and suddenly you're on another planet even!

Catch a nice wave for me fellas... especially if you're in Byron or Noosa. Those are places I want to retire in. Even fighting for a wave at Snapper is a good day compared to the slop up here.

Cheers
Lofty

NorthernKitesAUS said..
Well I am NOT OK. Thanks for asking.

Stuck in Townsville, for over 10 years and only managed to go on a surf ONCE in that time when a cyclone swell hit up near here back in 2018. My son from WA was fortunately here with me and we both went for a surf, but it lasted one day and that was it. It was fantastic though. Nothing - nada ever since.

Kite surfing is my only relief being on the ocean, but I'd swear nothing beats a speedy run down the face of a wave at Bells back when I was there in the early 2000s and 90s. God I miss Torquay the most and Cosey Corner around the corner from Point Danger. Point Impossos even better! Mwaahhh stop it!!

I love those breaks. I grew up surfing them since I was in my 20s. Now I just reminisce seeing guys catching long waves on logs that I once owned too. Sold them all sadly. Anyone seen an old Gill surfboard - blue and red?

I am telling you guys - the power of the pussy is dangerous!! It can lead you astray and suddenly you're on another planet even!

Catch a nice wave for me fellas... especially if you're in Byron or Noosa. Those are places I want to retire in. Even fighting for a wave at Snapper is a good day compared to the slop up here.

Cheers
Lofty

Lofty now that's a seabreeze legends name. Hope your well mate and trust me the older you get the harder it is the get a wave at Noosa Byron snapper, I'm starting to sound like a grumpy old frustrated longboarder I think I am

Paddled out more whales than waves not a bad thing

surfanimal said..
Hi team, a good post to shake the cobwebs off the keyboard and I'm sorry a few of you a struggling with your surfing Mojo.Do you remember in Point Break when the little grommet says 'Surfing's the source, can change your life. Swear to God' ?

That always resonated with me and whenever I get into a funk, that still lifts me out quick smart.
I got jaded by the whole 'your the board guy, can I get some advice' and have spent more time on a SUP Foil over the past 3 years, but given the injuries I've suffered doing it, am back riding my SUP quiver and feeling like a grommet again.

Sold most of my longboards / surfboards (aside from a couple of faves) and give zero you know what's about people's thoughts on SUP and do what makes me feel happy, free and involved.

Do we want to organise a few days at Woopi ? I'm up for it if some of the others are.

Stay stoked fellow breezers

Nothing i like more than getting to our spot SA and seeing you (and Troy) out on the SUPs staked out on the / our break!

I know if i am surfing with you guys i am going to be watching you guys slide in early to the bombs and silently wishing i had my Style again to get in even earlier :) ...but we all get our share and move away from the turkey's if they show up.

I know you dont care what anyone thinks, i have seen it from the front row, there is agro everywhere and nothing like the wider Bate Bay locals and blow-ins to thicken the soup...we get out there early and often and get our share, have a chat and some harmless banter in between sets and then move on....rinse-n-repeat every day if i can make it! generally most dudes and dudette's out there are friendly with a smile and a chat....lets see what summer brings up

Lenny

Macaha said..
Wow just read some of the above posts. SA your the man surfing every day yep I see your posts and yep jealous as, you have owned the most awesome boards I've ever seen and you know I like a quality board . Nozza it's great to see you posting again and stoked your back on track and the new van is awesome. Damned I take my hat off that's some serious miles your doing but try 3rd Ave Burleigh it's a great bank has been for a year now. You should join Burleigh Longboard Club great bunch of guys I'm no hope of winning a Comp there some superstars in that club. I've still got three yes three brand new boards that haven't been ridden I'm over the crowds over the wankers who have invaded the place with no respect shown at all so I too find myself looking and saying no thanks and head home

2nd - 3rd ave is where I normally surf. The 3rd ave bank has been the best option in the last 12 months, for sure. But it comes with the additional crowd, so I'll typically be closer down to 2nd.... and then there's the parking issues with the building construction and current beach access limitations with the boardwalk revamp.. so I might end up anywhere along that stretch.
Nonetheless, if I'm in the water for about an hour, and score one half-decent ride, I hit the beach a happy man.

I'm also losing some of my excess weight, over 10 kgs so far (thanks Ozempic!). So excited to see how that helps my surfing. That said, there seems to be some loss of lean muscle mass too, so need to make more of an effort to exercise to lift that too.
The weight loss is also helping with the mental state too, so double win?

And only 3 new, unridden boards? You slowing down these days? Are they all McTs or is there another Tak or two in that batch? Did we ever get a decent report on your Tak Prince?

Sounds like my own,recent journey,because I live in mat central,with several very good riders of all ages I thought ,I can do that no problems.WRONG,it is so difficult!,I have actually given up at least 4 times.much. To the amusement of other Matt riders,if you want it that bad,you just gotta hang in there ,everyone of them have been encouraging,and are happy to help but. Most of us have to go through the process , how ever approaching 72,my body with injuries,is not handling something different,so I'm not sure if I want to go through the process,,enter body boarding,seems to be better for my injuries,but early days,just trying to stay in the water

How's everyone going?
I'm so so

Greeney said..
Love seeing your name pop up in the forum, Nozza. So many good memories re your island trips, shed experiments, van life stuff, road trips, skateboards, PSH obsession, Sunovas, etc, etc. Good on you.
I'm good right now, but I'm the heaviest I've been and I have lost the habit of going to the sea and jumping in.
Going to do Dry February (yes, the shortest month) with an aim to losing at least 5kg and with an aim to getting in or on the water in some way every day. And if the conditions preclude it, then i have to do a proper, long fricken walk.
In fact I've put off getting my sh!t together for so long, I'm starting Monday. Let's gooooo!!

Good stuff Greeny. I'm going through family home sale, marriage break up and bussiness stresses.
I'm managing to walk the dog on the beach every day, but that's about it.
I've got a new van, and unridden boards, but am failing to re visit my best times where I took 100 photos a day of what I was up to.
Looking forward to spending more time at the Island, calming down, and getting back in or on the water.

Day 5 of the health kick and my wife is tired of me wandering the house at 5pm, desperate for a beer, quoting the only bit of Hamlet I know: "How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable, seem to me all the uses of this world!"
We usually do a 3km walk in the arvos. I upped mine to around 6km with a couple of big hills and have already developed the groin rash from hell. Now sitting here swathed in nappy-rash cream and drooling over all the booze ads that pop up on social media. A big man baby.

Nozza! Sorry to hear that you are in the midst of a difficult time. As I've mentioned on a few occasions, your posts have brought a lot of joy and interest to this forum. But hey, a van and a dog and a house near the sea... sounds like a good launch pad for the next phase. Hopefully you still have a couple of good Helmy-style mates to chat with. If not, reach out. (Easy to say hard to do). Not sure what happened to my mates. You ignore people for a few years and suddenly they stop calling. How rude.

Damned67! Great thread this, and another great post from you. Master of reinvention! Poster boy for the rest of us.

Great to see Al G's car thread drop down to fourth place where it belongs.

Now I better get back to my important Monkey Butt research.
www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/monkey-butt.63650/#google_vignette