| Babymoon Road Trip // Session 17 March 2011 By: Todd Hamilton Location: NSW Mid-North Coast Packing the car for this trip, it was hard to imagine where we could possibly fit our baby when he/she arrives in five weeks time. This trip was our last together as a couple, before we embark on the next journey in our lives and start a family. My wife kindly reminded me to pack all the toys because on the next trip they will be replaced by a pram and porta-cot etc. With the car loaded with SUPs, spear fishing gear, fishing gear, board games, tennis racquets and all the digital accessories that seem to dominate our lives, we were ready to head up the coast. First stop, a classic pointbreak, ideal for SUPing. The trip up would be one of the quietest journeys we will have for quite some time, once the baby comes. Upon arrival at the bay, we were pleasantly welcomed by ideal conditions - sunshine and light offshore winds that smoothed the faces of the three foot swell that was rolling along the outer point. I wasted no time getting out there. My chosen equipment for the session was the custom 7'10" Mango courtesy of the guys from C4 Waterman Australia.  Jumping off the rocks with the bright mango coloured SUP I was welcomed with some puzzled looks and questions - "Is that a SUP board?", "How long is that thing?", "Haven't seen one that short before!". Having politely worked myself into the line-up, I was in prime position for the next set. The Mango fitted perfectly in the pocket of the point's rolling wave. It is surprising how many turns can be achieved per wave out there. After a couple of hours of countless rides equating to a year's worth back home at my beachie, I was ready to re-fill my growling belly and enjoy a cold beer. After a day at the beach and with no kids yet in tow, the pub was selected for that afternoon's happy hour and dinner.  The next morning, after brushing the cobwebs aside from the evening at the pub it was time to indulge in some healthy living. Fresh fruit and a robust espresso was the order of the day followed by a post breakfast SUP on the glorious point. Despite the slight cross-shore chop, the session could only be described as "fun". All good things must come to an end. But when something ends, another begins. Second stop on the mid-north coast babymoon, a nice resort a bit further down the coast. Having arrived feeling very satisfied by the waves of the point, my wife's call to chill and relax by the pool at the resort was very welcomed. Beers and tapas by the poolside - does it get much better? As the storm clouds rolled across our sunset, the local pizzeria was calling. I could not ask for a better end to the weekend and start to the week than this. What will be delivered by the way of swell and winds in the morning is a mystery, or at least until the forecast is checked later in the night. Our friends arrive who are also expecting a baby soon (a double babymoon) so a few drinks and stories were shared before laying down my weary head after a big weekend of SUP.  Ahhh, the morning has arrived and so has the heat. We are welcomed by perfect late summer conditions, warm and humid with light offshore winds. First port of call, the south end of the beach out the front. We took the Mango and the Sub Vector out for a post breaky session until the tide dropped and the shallow bank exposed itself enough to eventually send us back to the pool. Being such a beautiful day, we soon decided on a scenic paddle around the point to the next bay. During this scenic trip, we were blessed with some of the clearest water to be found on the eastern seaboard. What an experience - clear skies, warm, humid weather and an abundance of marine life; dolphins and a sea turtle, just magic. We concluded the day with a cold beverage in the company of friends - a perfect finish to a day in paradise. This part of the coast is a location of many options. Awaking to a lack of swell and offshore winds, the race boards were called upon again for a morning paddle. Having set off from our beach and around to the national park, we were struck by stiff offshore winds. After deciding to head back, we noticed an increased pulse in the swell which pleasantly surprised us. Another day was spent surfing magic little wedgy swells in the southern corner. Three sessions mixed with pool sessions throughout the day and I was now feeling like a shrivelled prune! A change was now moving in and the anticipation of the new south swell was on everyone's lips - there should be some waves tomorrow! Surfing the sunset session, we could sense the swell increasing with the approaching change. What would the morning deliver? The morning arrived with a mixed and confused swell coupled with onshore winds. I guess a day shopping with the girls had to happen sooner or later, so shopping, coffee and lunch was the call. The remainder of the trip was filled with some really fun surfing sessions at different beaches in the area. The warm and humid weather mixed with all day ocean immersion was the perfect recipe for afternoon post surf drinks by the pool. The girls received extra bonus points for having fresh oysters and prawns ready for us! Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Although epic surf was not scored, we surfed two or three times most days and thoroughly enjoyed the last 'our time' we will get in a while. The next trip up the coast will be very different but I'm sure it will be just as enjoyable for other reasons. The countdown is now on! | |
