Line Up Surf Australia
Travel Reports
Mexican Crossing
(How much of a change it is surf/lifestyle wise and surf industry wise to move to qld, compared to Vic. 2,000 ?
Intro:
Being born and growing up in Victoria as a surfer is something that not many people would descend upon of there own accord.
You are faced with a summer that is predominantly plagued by onshore, south east winds, small beach break waves and an angry sun that hits like a smack in the face. Winter is what Victorian surfers pride themselves on, conditions that are quite contradictory to that of most states, with the exception of South Australia and Tasmania. Howling offshore winds, large, thick waves that roll in corduroy fashion making for many all time surfing sessions.
The ideal, and often typical Victorian winters day would see waves in the 4-6ft range rolling in from the southern ocean, groomed by a firm north west wind that is opening up a nice, long right hand point break. There would be a pack of devoted surfers onto it, very few of which would last more than 90 minutes in there 4x3, booties, and usually either a hood and/or gloves. You know almost everyone out there, and you take turns sharing the hollow set waves, on the right tide. Weekdays have the most to offer with a flexible school, university and/or work roster combined with some well read swell and wind charts, there are a lot of wide open opportunities for the devoted Victorian.
The flip side to this coin is the forever tempting, and never lonely Gold Coast. It is the other extreme to Victoria in a lot of ways, in and out of the water. While Victorian’s run little risk of skin cancer during winter, the Gold coast boasts a much more open, active lifestyle that is encouraged by 26 degrees summer water, near permanent sunshine regardless of the season and shorelines draped with a beautiful smorgasbord of women from foreign countries. These ingredients create an ideal environment to be in, and around the water each day. It encourages you to enter the water, and fuels a deep desire for surfers to ride more waves on a variety of crafts.
These are just some of the reasons that have enticed many Victorian’s to relocate beyond the boarder in search of a more tropical indulgence, often accompanied by aspirations of surfing excellence. Many of us take annual holidays to the Gold Coast, and often become a little greedy, and when we see one Victorian migrate and the seal is broken, that path becomes worn by many more.
The unfortunate, yet realistic aspect of elite level Victorian surfing is that when seeking the next level, you almost have to leave in order to follow your dreams. Victoria’s surfing scene in terms of Professional surfers, photographers and exposure is both its blessing and its downfall. Depending on the level of assistance one is able to receive in the southern state, there seems to be only so far one can take it on there own. There is no shortage of amazingly brilliant talent in all parts of Victoria that more often than not flies under the radar of the people who have the power to shape your destiny. A sad but very true reality, despite it being one of the surfing capitals in terms of the number of retail outlets growing on the Surf coast. One can’t but help but ask themselves living here; I wonder what would happen to my/his surfing if he lived on the Goldy.
By Sam
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