Thank the Laird for long range forecasts! Just as Tim Bonython was winding up his trip to Teahupoo, with shots in the can of Russell Bierke, Jack Robbo, and Kipp Caddy, a bruise appeared in the sea below New Zealand. Just a slight disclouration on the WAMs at first, but enough to warrant a call to Swellnet HQ. "What's the forecast, fellas?"

The reply was just what he wanted to hear: Friday would be big and perfect. So Tim unpacked, poured himself a banana dacquari and waited.

Come Friday and the forecast was spot on - 12 -15 foot sets under offshore-crosshore easterly winds. Surfers flew in from Australia, Hawaii, America, they drove from Papeete, and a few of them simply walked from their homes in the village.

For the most part it sat around the upper threshold of paddling, with the odd tow-only set wiping the line up clean and putting the fear of God into those that scraped over them.

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