For the past week things have been light-on in the swell department right around Australia. We're all experiencing a bit of a wave drought and the timing is a bit odd, being the first week of winter n' all.

You've got a few choices when these conditions occur: rack up the work/partner/ family credits, go snorkeling, or boot it out of town.

Steve Arklay and mates chose the latter and hightailed it to a coast that picks up more swell than their own. It picks up so much swell that too much size is a regular problem. But when everywhere else goes flat the southern beachies go off. All photos by Steve.// STUART NETTLE