It's been a big twelve months for Gold Coast shaper Gary McNeil. The one time production manager at Nev and JS has struck out on his own. Unencumbered with the politics of business he now concentrates on the business of design creating the best surfcraft he can for test pilot Dave Rastovich and anyone else who waltzes through his factory door.

The swell wasn't the best direction for the point on Monday - 'twas a touch too south so breaking off the reef a bit. Still, it was double overhead, offshore all day, and the locals knew where to sit for those that hit just right.

Fifty years after the 1964 World Titles at Manly, which attracted 400,000 television viewers, professional surfing has repeatedly failed to reach the heights its adherents believe it deserves. The Sage of Noosa, Phil Jarratt, strokes his chin and ruminates on a not-so-modern quandary.

South Coast groms Russell Bierke and Sean Mawson go wave for wave at a slabbing left near home. Put together nicely by Max Zappas.

"My first real experience with SurfAid was nearly 10 years ago after the Boxing Day tsunami in December 2004. It was one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life."