Gallery: NSW's Worst Good Wave
Gallery: NSW's Worst Good Wave
If you've come for spitting barrels or below sea level slabs, you're in the wrong place. The wave may have been considered high performance when it was first discovered in the late-50s, yet evolving board design has largely left it behind and these days the hifi crew give will drive right by the highway turn off.
Nevertheless, what the wave lacks in power and speed it makes up for in length of ride and the number of waves available in each session.
It goes under numerous gently mocking monikers such as 'NSW’s worst, good wave' due to the mostly soft, easily accessible peelers that roll down the crescent-shaped bay. On a small day you’ll find a lineup of surfers who’s ages span five decades, watched on by the peanut gallery, sitting on the benches or parked along the foreshore, creating a scene of its own.
Add in a large easterly swell with a lengthening period and the wave takes on a different face. Still relatively soft when compared to other spots at the same size, the setup becomes akin to a 400m long wave pool. Savvy riders will find the double-up growers, throwing out a variety of sections to attack all the way down the line.
There’s also the novelty of the run-around, much deserved after getting one to the beach.
It’s been over a month of non-stop swell across the East Coast, climaxing at the start of this week before slowly tailing away over the following days. The days are shortening and the air is cooling, so will it be the last episode of easterly swell for a while?
Hopefully not, but regardless, enjoy the accompanying photos, taken between sessions at one of the country’s funnest, natural wave pools.
Torren Martyn drawing smooth lines
Comments
OMG Wow !!!
Nice photos, Craig.
“easily accessible peelers that roll down the crescent-shaped bay.”
To be a bit pedantic, the crescent shaped bay is actually the one over the back of the point with the hill of the top of the point along the golf course and up to the next cliff.
Eg
Aghh I see. Thanks LD.
Remember to hurry folks, if you get here soon you will be able to pretend you're a local and claim the place has been wrecked by all the blow ins (current forecasts expect this place will be past the point of no return in July).
It's particularly important to let everyone know you came here to get away from Byron, while simultaneously lacking the self awareness to realise that you are bringing with you everything that is bad about Byron.
Leashless utopia.
Don't forget to be as miserable as you can to everyone so they know you're a local and you resent them visiting this place they have been going to for the last 30 years.
Ah, I have had so much fun at the joint over the years, don’t care if it’s not hifi. On a fish, mid length or longer it’s a hoot,.Where I am from, you don’t get any “run-around options “, just long paddles back out. Great perspective from up high on the golf course Craig, lovely shots.
Already cooked !
How about a shiny new tunnel from Sydney stright to the car park
sounds like an underground secret spot. can't think of any crescent shaped bays with good mal waves on the mid north coast
Sell it.
I was surprised how quiet this stretch of coast was when I visited - this spot excluded of course - and I've got that deep panic in my belly whenever a Byron/Sydney transplant with millions of bucks decides they are going to make it their home for a little while.
Well these photos are just going to hurry it's demise. Already cashed up people and those thinking about bringing the worst of theirs to here. Simple..when you visit..don't destroy what you came to enjoy and show some respect.
It’s already very we known, these pics may make a difference for a few weeks, especially in this swell, actually what am I doing, better pack the car…
…. an expansive adjacent subdivision is currently selling the dream.
**
109 new homes, it appears.
https://www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/Your-Council/Council-news-public-notices/...
… sadly, that’s just the beginning.
Pffft, rookie numbers. 20,000 strong slum down the other end here.
https://www.sunshinecoastnews.com.au/2023/04/27/government-unlocks-a-fur...
nice photos craig
Nice perspectives Craig, thanks for sharing
How much for that house in the photo?, I think I’ll move there.
I got hung up on the first photo.
I know jack shit about geology but I often stare at headlands like Crescent and wonder about the geological events that formed them, the forces it takes to push the earth up and send it full tilt like that.
That crescent shaped bay looks like it had a fairly violent past.
oh and don't forget about the men in grey, wasn't long ago Joe got attacked there
Ahh man... The horror of this place when it's a soft 2ft -3ft with a take off spot that is 10m wide at the top and a wave that is impossible to fall off on. Stick a 100 longboarders in the lineup and my advice... Only visit if you can book in a quick follow visit to a psychologist. If you surf a short board it will make you develop a servere hatred of longboarders..... Hence the need to see a psychologist.
Still looks idyllic! It's been 40 years since calling in to this beautiful part of the world on an east coast surfari all the way from south oz with Philthy and Billy. From memory I think we were in the Datto 500 wagon too, either that or an HQ sedan. Memory somewhat hazy due to the ahem.. good times of the day. But still remember riding a couple of little 3' peelers for what seemed like ages, just a handful of crew out, crystal clear water. I'd love to go back for old times sake on another roadie and I'm sure I will but I suspect I'd be blown away, and not in a good sense! Or maybe not? Hopefully the vibes in the water are still chilled even if it's a tad crowded at times (most times). Scenery and water quality should be about the same at least! PS if make it back over peeps need not to worry about my wave count (of possibly 1) having a great impact!
How long did it take you to photoshop all the surfers out of photos?
Cut and paste all the comments from the article "everyone everywhere all at once"
Well gave away surfing this place 20yrs ago when I visited on a shortboard & didn't get a wave to myself. Moved on a bit further up the coast to a very similar sand bottom point break which back then was still relatively uncrowded, unfortunately it has gone the same way with SUP's longboarders & learners now the dominant crew. Still manage to score some uncrowded gems at the lesser known breaks now & then during the week before the weekend warriors arrive on masse!
Still love going down there and spending hours on end out near surge just waiting my turn for the growers that go all the way , do a walk around and enjoy the serenity . But it's definitely been taken over by the van life phenomena , hopefully it doesn't get too out of hand
Dunno if its an unspoken rule... but can I ask where this controversial break is? Love to explore it even if its a habitat of longboarders and SUP riders...
Charity transposed and embarrassed for blowjob.
Hint: its the place literally everyone from Newcastle goes for a holiday at the same time (that isn't Bali).
As the commentary shows it's quite the decisive wave but if you've got the right board and attitude it's a hell of a lot of fun.
How come there are no photo essays of Sandon?
Yeh love Sand On (i think that's why it was named that)ever since was a grommy and only wave good in certain winds within a train ride from home...But sure is a technical wave with some rippingly talented locals too.
A lot harder to surf and get to know each section than it seems from the carpark.
Saw a place there for rent in 2007-2008 sometime for $120 a week near the point too.
Bargain.
Probably triple or quad triple that now.
Rolled through there as tourists recently and saw our first FOAT (Fcuk off all tourists) bumper sticker
Really nice pics there Craig. Looks like Torryn is about to be dropped in on...
Thanks VJ. And nah that lady is just paddling over the shoulder.
Highlight for that trip wasn't the point, but somewhere else on that coast or the ones leading up to it, and half hour to 45mins of absolute tubing perfection as the tide turned, just the 2 of us out, memorable.
What’s the best tide for this joint? Gonna be cruising through next week
Wozza still there?
Wozza passed a way 2-3-4 years ago.Lots of grief for the little fellah.
FOAT - LOL
We're all part of the same hypocrisy (as Michael Corleone famously said)
Yeah I was wondering if the newsagent in our little town sold the sticker lmao