Coastal Directory

Bondi kicks off Skin Cancer Action Week - 15th November 2009

2009-11-15T12:36:00.002+11:00

A mock crime scene was set up at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday to warn of the dangers of tanning.

Sunbathers at the iconic beach were greeted by 1,700 beach towels arranged on the sand, each emblazoned with a chalk outline.

The Cancer Council says every towel represents one of the 1,700 Australians who die of skin cancer every year.

A survey from the council suggests that 43 per cent of teenagers believe a tan looks healthy while one in four get burnt on a typical weekend in summer.

Seventy-one per cent of survey respondents said their friends thought "a suntan was a good thing".

More than a third of young people don't wear sunscreen in the hottest part of the day, the survey found.

A television advertising campaign will begin this week, aimed at changing the attitudes of young people.

Cancer Council CEO Ian Olver said radical measures were needed to warn of the risks of melanoma.

"More needs to be done to educate younger Australians about the dangers of getting sunburnt," Professor Olver said.

"We hope this campaign will help get the message to sink in that a tan just isn't worth the risk."

Melanoma is the second most common cancer in 15-19 year olds, and the most common cancer in people aged 20-29, the council's figures show.

Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer before the age of 70.

Skin Cancer Action Week runs from November 15 to 21. (Credit: Fairfax, Wires, Google News, AAP)

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Dave Rastovich and crew, Surfers for Cetaceans, Sea Shepherd, eco warriors and community unite - 5th November 2009

2009-11-05T12:54:00.002+11:00

David Rastovich and crew, Surfers for Cetaceans, Sea Shepherd, eco warriors and community unite - 5th November 2009

Media Man was on hand this morning to witness the exciting and historic arrival of team Transparent Sea Voyage: Dave Rastovich and Surfers for Cetaceans, who have paddled down the NSW coast on a 700km journey.

Rastovich, world class surfer and famed environmentalist, was joined on the epic adventure by JJ (photographer), Hilton Doar and Chris Del Moro (surfer and artist).

A swag of fans, supporters and media was present to welcome the team, despite the overcast weather.

Doar encouraged concerned citizens to write to local members of Parliament, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and environmental minister, Peter Carrett.

Doar said "It was amazing to share the journey with like minded people. We're all inter connected. Australian people love the whales and dolphins. The Australian Government needs to send ships and help. Sea Shepherd is keeping the pressure one as whaling and fishing vessels are frequently Australian waters illegally. People need to help".

Further news reports on Channel Nine, Network Ten and others tonight.

Statistics

700 km paddle by Dave Rastovich

Rastovich touched in at Bondi Beach shore 11.15am

36 day journey

Website

Transparent Sea Voyage

*Media Man Australia is a supporter of Sea Shepherd and numerous environmental causes

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Gaming Profiles and Reviews

2009-10-28T10:12:00.000+11:00

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Strong dollar threatens earnings wipe-out for Billabong, by Daniel Hurst - Fairfax - 28th October 2009

2009-10-28T09:34:00.000+11:00

Global surfwear brand Billabong is bracing for cuts to earnings as the rising Australian dollar erodes the value of overseas sales.

The Gold-Coast-based company told shareholders at its annual meeting yesterday its after-tax profit had dropped more than 13 per cent to $152.8 million last financial year, with the financial crisis having a big impact on US retail markets.

Billabong International, which owns surfwear, skateboarding, sunglasses and footwear brands, generates more than 80 per cent of its sales overseas. Chief executive Derek O'Neill said he believed the tide had turned in the US and the company aimed to boost its sales margins in the next three years.

The company predicts 5 per cent growth in net profit this financial year if exchange rate variability is not taken into account.

Mr O'Neill said the company's after-tax profit would drop by $500,000 for each US1¢ rise in the monthly average value of the Australian dollar above US92¢.

''I'm not unhappy about the rising Australian dollar,'' he said. ''It has a number of positive benefits. It's just when there is a massive rise in a very short period of time it affects our profits immediately.''

The group's directors put forward a freeze on executive base pay as part of its remuneration report to shareholders - a document that was rejected by 11 per cent of those who voted.

Questioned about the ''huge amount of variability'' in the company's day-to-day share price, chairman Ted Kunkel said it was affected by US retail reports and rapid appreciation of the Australian dollar.

Billabong shares fell 37¢ yesterday to $10.58. (Credit: Fairfax)

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Boost SurfSho at Bondi Beach in March 2010 - Big Air!

2009-10-25T12:34:00.002+11:00

Bondi Beach in March 2010

Sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals

Kelly Slater, Australian big-air specialists Taj Burrow and Owen Wright, and more

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Bondi Beach 40 knot winds today - 8th October 2009

2009-10-08T11:35:00.001+11:00

Bondi Beach and much of coastal New South Wales is experiencing 40 knot winds today.

Weather report follows from Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology - New South Wales

Coastal Waters Wind Warning
For all NSW coastal waters and for Sydney Closed Waters
Issued at 10:20 am EDT on Thursday 8 October 2009

Synoptic situation
A complex Low pressure system over the western Tasman Sea brings vigorous southerly airstream along NSW coast.

Gale Warning
For the Mid North coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, from Ulladulla to Smoky Cape

S winds 30/40 knots reaching 40/45 knots offshore. Seas 3 to 5 metres. Swell increasing to 2 to 3 metres, breaking dangerously close inshore for Hunter Coast.

Gale Warning
For the Far North Coast, Mid North Coast, From Smoky Cape to Point Danger

S/SW winds increasing to 25/33 knots from south during Thursday afternoon and reaching 34/40 knots offshore. Seas rising to 2 to 3 metres inshore and 3 to 4 metres offshore. Swell 1.5 to 2 metres.

Gale Warning
For the South Coast, from Ulladulla to Gabo Island

S winds 34/45 knots easing to 25/33 knots in the next 3 to 6 hours. Seas 3 to 5 metres. Swell increasing to 2 to 3 metres.

Gale Warning
For Sydney Closed Waters, For Pittwater to Port Jackson and Botany Bay

S/SW wind reaching 34/40 knots during Thursday morning and afternoon. Waters rough to very rough.

The next warning will be issued by 05 pm Thursday

Please be aware
Wind gusts can be a further 40 percent stronger than the averages given here, and maximum waves may be up to twice the height. (Credit: Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology)

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Tsunami warning for Vanuatu, Solomons, Fiji after 7.8 earthquake - 8th October 2009

2009-10-08T11:22:00.002+11:00

Two major quakes off Vanuatu

Tsunami warning for Pacific islands

A TSUNAMI warning has been issued in the Pacific after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake, which was quicky followed by a 7.3 tremor.

The first massive quake struck off the coast of Vanuatu at 9.03am (AEDT) and the second hit 330km north-west of Santo.

A third 6.2 quake was recorded at 10.13am, 10km deeper and 290km from Santo.

The tsunami warning covers New Zealand, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Nauru, PNG, Tuvalu, Fiji, New Caledonia and surrounding islands.

In Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a tsunami watch for north Queensland, but it was later lifted.

Earlier today another quake struck south-east of the Sulu archipelago of the Philippines, the US Geological Survey said.

The epicentre of the 6.7 Philippines quake was located 297km south-east of Jolo on the Sulu archipelago.

Tsunami watch for Australia

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a tsunami watch for the Great Barrier Reef offshore water areas between Yeppoon and Bowen at 8.44am (AEST).

BoM senior forecaster Geoff Doueal said the tsunami wasn't expected to make it past the Great Barrier Reef.

"The reef pretty much kills this tsunami," he said.

"So there is no real direct threat to the mainland of Queensland."

Mr Doueal said the bureau wouldn't know how big the tsunami would be - if there was one at all - until it passed the BoM's observation buoy at 9.15am (AEST).

He said the only threats were to offshore scuba divers and to the BoM's observation post on Willis Island, where the tsunami was expected to hit at 9.45am (AEST).

He said four BoM employees were the only people on Willis Island but have received "plenty of warning".

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Festival of the Winds, Bondi Beach, Sydney today

2009-09-13T11:50:00.001+10:00

Festival of the Winds is the largest annual kite festival in Australia and is celebrating its 31st anniversary.

It is running from 11am to 4pm on Sunday 13th September at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia.

Websites

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The Official Bra Boys Story: My Brothers Keeper, by Sean Doherty

2009-09-03T12:36:00.000+10:00

Book Description

Maroubra was a tough place to grow up. Ringed by a jail, a sewerage works, a rifle range and a housing commission estate, it was where the streets of Sydney met the beach. It was a place where the local boys surfed hard and partied harder. It was also a place where trouble easily found you. Adopted by Maroubra Beach at a young age, the four Abberton brothers, all born to different fathers and a mother in the clutches of heroin addiction, grew up at a time when the area was shadowed by drugs and gang violence. Raised largely by their grandmother, Sunny, Jai, Koby and Dakota found solace in the surf, and solidarity with their mates, the Bra Boys.

The official biography of the Abberton brothers follows their story from a turbulent upbringing on the sands of Maroubra to international surf stardom, and the fateful events of 5 August 2003, when Jai shot dead Maroubra underworld figure and childhood friend Tony Hines, only to be acquitted on the grounds of self-defence. The Official Bra Boys Story: My Brothers Keeper is raw, gritty, from the heart ... and everything you won′t read about in the newspapers. (Credit: HarperCollins Publishers Australia)

*Media Man Australia off the record interview conducted with Sunny Abberton

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Runners limber up for City2Surf event - 9th August 2009

2009-08-09T05:17:00.001+10:00

Up to 75,000 runners will be limbering up for Sydney's 39th City2Surf race this morning.

Heather Turland, who won the event in 1994 and 1996, is putting in a star appearance almost a decade after retiring from competitive running.

She will be joined by her 21-year-old son Cade.

Other high-calibre runners include Andrew Lloyd, winner of the City2Surf in 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1993.

Queenslander Michael Shelly, who finished just 13 seconds behind Martin Dent last year, is determined to crack the 2008 winner's 41:07 this time round.

While former world champion marathon man Robert de Castella will not be joining in, his humble brother-in-law Anthony Walsh, 49, will.

Describing himself as "not a particularly competitive runner", Mr Walsh, who lives in Melbourne, has no intention of emulating de Castella's 1981 City2Surf-winning time of 45.47.

"I'm expecting to do about 65 minutes," he said.

The Ambulance Service of NSW says runners should wear sensible clothing and footwear for the race, including a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Dehydration can be avoided by drinking plenty of water.

Symptoms such as chest pain or severe shortness of breath should not be ignored – if they occur, entrants should stop and seek medical attention.

Anyone with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, chills, a sore throat or cough, should not enter the race.

The RTA advises runners to leave their cars at home. Roads will be closed in the Sydney CBD, Darlinghurst, Kings Cross, Edgecliff, Bellevue Hill, Rose Bay, Double Bay, Vaucluse and Bondi.

The Eastern Distributor northbound off-ramp to William Street and southbound off-ramp to Palmer Street will also be closed.

The Cross City Tunnel will be closed to eastbound traffic between Harbour Street and Bayswater Road, but will remain open to westbound motorists during the event.

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Sydney shark victim's brave return to Bondi beach, by David Barrett - Herald Sun - 13th May 2009

2009-05-17T12:24:00.000+10:00

Just three months ago, Able Seaman Paul de Gelder lay in hospital fighting for his life.

His right hand had been torn off by a bull shark, and within days surgeons amputated his lower right leg.

He'd stared "eye-to-eye" with the monster shark, and cheated death.

Paddling through the waves at Sydney's North Bondi beach Tuesday, Mr de Gelder, 32, was a man determined to recover and live his life.

A keen surfer, he hit the waves with two mates for the first time since the shark attack in Sydney Harbour on February 11.

Emerging from the surf, he told the Herald Sun he felt good being back in the water.

"Mate, I've been falling off my surfboard," he said. "It was my first time back out there."

Mr de Gelder spent about 15 minutes lying on his board, swimming and catching waves. On the beach he did some push-ups and stood gazing out at the water.

"Surfing was a big part of my life before the attack," he said. "So I really wanted to get back out there again.

"I'm a beach boy now."

Mr de Gelder served in East Timor as a peacekeeper and spent four years as an army paratrooper.

He was mauled while testing the navy's counter-terrorism equipment off the RAN base at Garden Island.

In a TV interview on Sunday, Mr de Gelder said he stared "eye-to-eye" with the shark that attacked him.

"You don't even feel the teeth go in. I think the adrenaline, the panic, probably puts a numb on the pain and you don't feel it," he said.

Mr de Gelder said he was very happy to be back in the water: "It's . . . where I feel most comfortable of all, even with these big sharks around."

Mr de Gelder hopes to one day return to work as a navy clearance diver.

"It's gonna be a tough bridge to cross but you can't show weakness," he said.

"Not in my job."

Asked if he was planning more surfing, he said: "I'll be back for sure." (Credit: Herald Sun)

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Lara checks out her Bondi pad - News.com.au - 3rd April 2009

2009-04-04T13:50:00.001+11:00

It looks like Lara Bingle is one step closer to being a Bondi babe after being spotted checking out her and fiance Michael Clarke's new beachside home this week.

Looking casual in a way that only the beautiful Bingle can - dressed in thigh-high leather boots and a little black dress - she was spotted checking out the pad with another blonde, believed to be a lawyer involved in the property transaction.

The Shire girl is said to be jumping at the opportunity to move into the three-bedroom, two bathroom, sub-penthouse in the Cadigal, overlooking the famous beach in the heart of the fashionable suburb.

The purchase of the property, which is rumoured to have come with a $6 million price tag, has bypassed real estate agents with Clark buying the property from good mate and celebrity accountant Anthony Bell.

With Bell moving on this month to his new penthouse property in the Bondi, further along the beachfront, it is expected Bingle and Clark will soon move in and become permanent fixtures in the celebrity-laden area.

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Sex Appeal at GoldenTigerCasino.com with Cheeky New Slot

2009-04-04T13:42:00.001+11:00

Sex Appeal at GoldenTigerCasino.com with Cheeky New Slot

Hit the beach and the jackpot at GoldenTigerCasino!

February 19, 2009 -- With the balmy days of summer beckoning, thoughts turn to holidays and beaches at GoldenTigerCasino.com as they introduce their latest 5 reel, 25 pay-line slot machine Beach Babes.

Surfing, snorkelling and beach-balling their way through the colourful graphics are a selection of super sexy, bikini-clad redheads, blondes and brunettes - keep your icebox close at hand when the action starts to get steamy!

Eye candy may keep you glued to the screen, but it's Beach Babe's unique accent on Free Spins that really keep the pulse racing. Don't look for the usual second screen bonuses in this game; in a startling departure from conventional game design, and in response to player demand, the action here is all about Free Spins...and spins-within-spins, all accompanied by a significant Multiplier.

Slot-surfers can bet anywhere from 0.01 to 0.25, with possible returns on a maximum bet of 62.50 of 25 000.00 in the base game, and an incredible 150 000.00 achievable on Free Spins action.

With no deposit necessary, players can play for one hour on a selection of exciting casino games at Golden Tiger Casino with no financial risk, using no less than $1500 of the casino's money to make as much back as possible. Any money that the player wins after the 60 minutes free play can be taken into the casino to try and hit the huge jackpots - one of which is currently sitting at an incredible $5.4 million!

Golden Tiger Casino features more than 280 state of the art Las Vegas style online casino games, including free slots, blackjack, video poker, and roulette.

Thanks to a recent facelift, Golden Tiger Casino looks slicker than ever and now supports gaming in 14 different languages. As with all online casinos showcased by CasinoRewards.com, the parent of GoldenTigerCasino.com, multilingual toll free support is on hand around the clock, everyday of the week.

Casino Rewards/Rewards Affiliates

Established in 2000, Casino Rewards has positioned itself as a respected industry leader, operating 18 multilingual online casinos alongside an award winning affiliate program Rewards Affiliates. Each online casino features free play and sign up bonuses, over 300 video slots, table and card games and 24/7 multilingual support.

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Another shark at Bondi? Never mind that, we've got jellyfish, by Kylie Davis - The Sydney Morning Herald - 16th February 2009

2009-02-16T07:13:00.002+11:00

Surfers' reports of another shark forced the closure of Bondi Beach last night, on the same day more than 500 ocean swimmers plunged into the water at Malabar and the State Government denied it was putting lives at risk.

Three days after a shark attack at Bondi, the alarm sounded about 5.15pm yesterday.

"There was a very big brownish marine creature spotted by two local surfers who are very reliable," said a Waverley Council lifeguard, Brad Malyon. "The evacuation went really quickly once we raised the alarm. It goes to show how on edge everyone is after last week's attack."

The beach was not reopened but as many as 20 surfers went back into the water.

Hours earlier, Maroubra Beach was closed briefly as lifeguards used a dinghy to chase a shark out to sea. But jellyfish and the weather posed a bigger threat to the inaugural Malabar to Little Bay Stockland Challenge than sharks, according to the ocean swim's organiser, the Olympic legend Murray Rose.

The NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, reacted angrily to claims the Government was putting the welfare of sharks before people.

His department wrote to shark fishermen last week advising them the 60-tonne annual quota had been reached four months ahead of schedule and bans were now in place to prevent over-fishing. The letters arrived as sharks seriously injured two men - a navy diver, Paul de Gelder, at Woolloomooloo last Wednesday and a surfer, Glen Orgias, at Bondi the next night.

Mr Macdonald said the quota had been set to protect Australian shark species from exploitation by the international shark-fin industry. Although bullsharks were more visible in Sydney Harbour and along the beaches this year, there was no evidence to show that their number had increased.

"Any connection between the attacks last week in Sydney Harbour [and at Bondi Beach] and the quotas for the shark-catching industry in NSW is completely erroneous," he said. "It is a lie, it's false and it's mischievous and misleading."

He said the 60-tonne limit was set scientifically. "Ninety-five per cent of the catch are generally harmless to humans."

Mr Macdonald said: "These incidents are more related to the fact that Sydney Harbour now has much larger volumes of fish, and therefore shark, due to the ban on commercial fishing."

The Deputy Premier, Carmel Tebbutt, said the banning of commercial fishing in the harbour because of pollution had increased bait fish, which "may mean" more sharks.

"But there's no evidence that there's an increase in shark numbers in general in NSW."

The Opposition spokesman for primary industries, Duncan Gay, said the Government was putting its desire to stay onside with the Greens ahead of safety.

"Shark fishermen have been telling the State Government that shark numbers are in plague proportions and the quota needs to be overhauled," Mr Gay said.

Mr Rose said the two latest shark attacks meant it was "probably the most challenging week for an ocean swim in history".

"But the fact that it's the first time we've organised the swim, and more than 500 people have taken part - well, it's a testimony to the culture of Australia," he said.

The weather led to a last-minute rerouting of the course. It was cut to 2.2 kilometres around Malabar Bay, rather than around the heads to Little Bay, but that did not prevent the rugby legend Phil Kearns, the blind distance swimmer James Pittar, and Olympians John Konrads, Rebecca Joye and Carl Wilson from taking part.

The state's chief scientist, Steve Panella, said: "There is no reason to think we will start to get lots and lots of attacks because of the two that occurred last week."

(Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)

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Funds crisis on lifesavers costs lives at NSW coast beaches, by Steve Gee - The Daily Telegraph - 5th January 2009

2009-01-05T16:04:00.003+11:00

The lives of thousands of beachgoers are at risk because councils cannot afford to hire enough lifeguards to protect them.

Professional lifeguards said yesterday a funding crisis meant some regional councils were still operating with patrol levels unchanged in 30 years.

Councils such as Wollongong, Newcastle, Kiama, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie required at least $200,000 in annual funding to expand services adequately.

The warning follows the drowning of a 49-year-old Sydney holidaymaker at Bombo Beach, on the South Coast, on New Year's Day. The man was swimming with a female friend at the unpatrolled southern end of the beach when they got into difficulty about 3pm.

Bodyboarders rescued the couple but could not revive the man when they reached shore.

The beach is patrolled only over Christmas and New Year and while there were lifeguards at the northern end, lifesavers said the lack of patrols was symptomatic of the state's inability to match expanding coastal populations.

Australian Professional Lifeguards Association national secretary John Andrews said yesterday that while councils could apply for government grants to fund equipment and infrastructure such as towers, there were no provisions to cover wages.

Mr Andrews said at least three additional beaches in major regional centres required patrols. A lack of funding meant councils had been forced to delay expansion plans.

"A lot of councils have pencilled in expansion in future services but because of limited funding, (plans for) beaches they would love to put lifeguards on just stay on the drawing board," he said.

"It's a matter of councils trying to keep up with the patterns of use and the different kinds of activities, but the money is not there."

Mr Andrews said a combination of continued coastal development and the rise in new water sports such as sea kayaking and kite-surfing meant beachgoers were moving away from more popular beaches.

However, lack of funding meant that many of the stretches remained unpatrolled or with only minimal coverage in the peak periods. "Some of those beaches may open for six weeks now only but councils would love to open them up maybe not for the full seven months but for three months," Mr Andrews said. "A lot of people still recreate outside that time."

A spokeswoman for Sport and Recreation Minister Kevin Greene said yesterday the State Government had no plans to help councils pay for professional lifeguards.

The Department of Sport and Recreation injects $1.7 million annually into volunteer surf clubs and an additional $2 million in grants.

"Paying wages for lifeguards is a council responsibility," the spokeswoman said. (Credit: The Daily Telegraph)

Topless ban a matter for councils, says O'Farrell - 30th December 2008

2008-12-30T12:26:00.001+11:00

A proposal to ban women sunbathing topless on NSW beaches is too trivial a matter for the state's parliament to consider, Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell says.

Independent MP Reverend Fred Nile says he will introduce a private member's bill in parliament to outlaw topless women on beaches.

But Mr O'Farrell says it's not a matter for parliament.

"This is a matter for local councils to deliberate, at a time when state parliament should be focusing on roads, public transport, hospitals and education," he told AAP on Tuesday.

"It doesn't rate on the list of important matters for the parliament of NSW."

Mr Nile says high community standards need to be observed in public places.

"I'm not crusading or attacking women on the beach who are topless, I just want to clarify the law so that it's quite clear what's expected," Mr Nile told Sky News on Tuesday.

"If you keep changing the standard, people who find it offensive then can't use those public beaches."

Assistant Health Minister Jodi McKay told The Daily Telegraph banning topless sunbaking was going too far.

"We don't want to go down the slippery slope of banning activities like this. What would be next, banning breastfeeding?"

But women who breastfed in public were not flaunting their breasts, Mr Nile said.

"(They're) feeding a baby so that's a different situation altogether from topless bathing on a public beach."

Mr Nile said he had not added up the number of complaints he had received about topless sunbaking over the years, but there had been "a few".

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Sydney to Hobart yacht race

2008-12-30T11:34:00.001+11:00

The Sydney to Hobart yacht race, Australia's top yachting event, will this year see 101 boats competing, up from 82 last year. Sponsorships for most of the entries were sealed months ago despite the financial crisis, although some billionaire-owned yachts will compete without any sponsorship. Among the more prominent entries are Wot Now and Wot Yot, two boats owned by Graeme Wood, the founder of online travel service Wotif.com, and billionaire Bob Oatley's Wild Oats XI.

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Beach grog ban makes life a breeze for lifeguards, by Erik Jensen - The Sydney Morning Herald - 26th December 2008

2008-12-26T19:00:00.000+11:00

It was a Christmas tradition, weakened by a booze ban, and snubbed out by an overcast morning.

On Bondi Beach, a Waverley Council sign showed a stick figure with a martini glass and a Santa hat. He was being drowned, then arrested. "Alcohol strictly prohibited on Bondi Beach on Christmas Day," it read.

Attendance was down to about 10,000 on the beach yesterday. There were big men in small swimmers, backpackers boiled an angry red with sunburn.

In a good year, before the 2004 alcohol ban, the beach would take closer to 50,000 on Christmas Day.

"When they stopped the alcohol on the beach, so did the crowds, said Kris Yates, a lifeguard in the beach's tower. "In my opinion, if the public could drink, the beach would be packed. [But] it's a good idea. There's a lot more work when there's drink on the beach."

Road signs spread the message from the top of Bondi Road: alcohol was prohibited as far back as Blair Street.

"I was expecting more people," said Alessandro Bentivedo, one of many on the beach spending their first Christmas far away from home. "This rule about alcohol, for me it's strange. In Italy you can smoke, you can drink. I don't like it but I respect this rule."

Most people did respect the rule - or at least abided by it. Private security checked bags before their owners reached the sand. Only a handful of swimmers needed to be pulled from the long flat surf.

"I was expecting only to find a spot of sand to lay on," said Chris Hall, a British backpacker in his second week in Sydney. "It's busy, but there's quite a bit of space isn't there?".

(Credit: Fairfax)

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Safety over record for Wild Oats - The Daily Telegraph - 21st December 2008

2008-12-22T08:50:00.001+11:00

Wild Oats skipper Mark Richards has revealed that getting the 98-footer to Hobart "in one piece" is the priority over chasing a new race record and that he could deliberately put the brakes on the super maxi if conditions demand.

While early Rolex Sydney to Hobart forecasts indicate the potential for a new mark, Richards said the main goal is making it safely into port.

And if conditions dictate, Richards says he will have no qualms in slowing the boat down.

Sydney to Hobart: See our special section

"We have to get there in one piece," he said.

"We have been training our butts off preparing for the worst. I'd go into slow-down mode if we had to. We'll be sailing the boat hard but on the conservative side."

Wild Oats is chasing a fourth successive line honours victory in the 628 nautical mile race which starts on Sydney Harbour at 1pm on Boxing Day.

Richards says that while the long-range forecast for the race is indicating a fast trip south, he and his crew are reluctant to "talk up a record".

"It's still too early to tell," he said. "You just never know what can happen out there. The weather has been so crazy, it could all change."

Wild Oats has completed her race preparation and will be lifted out of the water for final checks.

Yesterday, Graeme Wood's 52-footer Wot Now claimed boasting rights ahead of the classic with his overall handicap victory over Syd Fischer's Ragamuffin in the lead-up series.

It was a deserved result for Wood and his team who have battled bad luck since the launch of the yacht earlier this year when the boat's rudder broke during the Sydney to Gold Coast race.

A second and third on the final day of racing secured Wood victory in the Rolex Trophy over Ragamuffin with Geoff Ross' Yendys third.

The Melbourne yacht Terra Firma claimed division two honours in the four-day regatta sailed off Sydney Heads, with Leslie Green's Ginger winning the passage race series.

(Credit: The Daily Telegraph)

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In the dock - The Sydney Morning Herald - 22nd November 2008

2008-11-22T07:56:00.001+11:00

PS's nautical spies report the Virgin billionaire Sir Richard Branson's catamaran, Lady Barbaretta, is still sitting in a Newcastle boatshed awaiting a refit. The Lady Barbaretta has become a "slightly painful experience" for the billionaire after the 32-metre tub was caught up in the financial troubles of the shipyard hired to undertake the work. Branson has predicted the tub will be back in the water by next March.

(Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)

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Coastal Directory

Surf's up in NSW, Australia's Top Surfing Destination - 13th October 2008

2008-10-13T11:07:00.000+11:00

The Minister for Tourism, Jodi McKay reported that, surfing was a key attraction for almost a million visitors to NSW in 2007 with more than $11 million spent on surfing lessons alone.

“Surfing is a healthy experience which is appealing to both domestic and international visitors and is also delivering an economic boost to communities right along the NSW coast,” Ms McKay said.

“Events such as the Beachley Classic in Manly this week contribute to NSW’s reputation as one of the world’s best places to surf,” she said.

Ms McKay continued that NSW was the number one destination for surf tourism in Australia.

“Around 848,000 holidaying Australians went surfing in NSW last year, which was more than any other State,” she said.

“Surfing lessons are popular with the international backpacker market and NSW received 445,000 international backpackers last year,” she said.

“More than half of all international backpackers to Australia are likely to take surfing lessons.”

Tourism NSW estimates that the states 33 accredited surf schools contribute $11.7 million to the NSW economy each year.

Ms McKay said that the state was expecting thousands of visitors to attend the Beachley Classic in Manley which began on Thursday.

The event which has been supported for the past two years by the state government, will be supported by Events NSW this year.

Events NSW CEO Geoff Parmenter said that surfing forms a natural part of an events strategy for New South Wales.

“By securing significant high profile professional and participatory surfing events and by working with Surfing NSW and Tourism NSW we can support their efforts to position NSW as the surfing capital of Australia.

“Surfing provides a unique and targeted foundation from which to build economic and brand marketing benefits for New South Wales.

“Events NSW current investment in surfing encompasses a regional and a Sydney based platform, extending from the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival in Port
Macquarie to Surfest in Newcastle and the Beachley Classic.

“Surfing is not only an Australian pastime; it’s also one of our most successful exports, seriously big business for the surf wear brands.

Ms McKay said seven-time women's world surfing champion, Layne Beachley, has worked in conjunction with Tourism NSW to promote surfing.

This has included headlining an event in Los Angeles for media and travel agents as part of G’DAY USA: Australia Week in January this year.

“NSW has spectacular beaches all along its coastline including 77 of the top 100 surf beaches in Australia,” she said.

“Visitors to NSW want to experience our unique urban beach culture that is a major part of the lifestyle in Sydney and coastal NSW.

“Surfing is part of the Australian way of life and is a great way for visitors to connect with local people and experience our culture.”

There are accredited surf schools all along the NSW coastline from Tathra to Kingscliff including iconic locations such as Bondi Beach, Manly and Byron Bay.

According to NSW surf tourism operators, Sydney is the most popular destination for international surf tourists in NSW followed by Byron Bay.

Other favourites include the North Coast surf touring route including Newcastle, Port Macquarie, the Coffs Coast and Byron Bay.

Tourism NSW promotes surfing in a wide range of marketing activities here and overseas including on our website www.visitnsw.com.

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2008-09-27T11:56:00.001+10:00

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Gold Coast

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Coastal Directory Updated

2008-09-20T10:50:00.001+10:00

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Bondi Beach

Whalers get hot reception in Chile - The Gold Coast Bully - 30th June 2008

2008-06-30T07:45:00.001+10:00

Byron Bay locals were among the many who pitched up at the International Whaling Committee meeting held in Chile.

Dave Rastovich, from the lobby group Surfers for Cetaceans, Skye Bortoli from Teens Against Whaling, Paul Watson from Sea Shepherd and Hannah Fraser and Jeff Pantakhoff all made the trip to South America to air their views.

They have all played active roles in highlighting the plight of marine mammals. They also work tirelessly to stop the slaughter of the gentle giants.

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Record crowds and celebrities from Sydney's cool scene, pack North Bondi Beach for the first ever Changing Colours Movement protest concert

2008-06-30T07:42:00.002+10:00

For Immediate Release:

Record crowds and celebrities from Sydney's cool scene, pack North Bondi Beach for the first ever Changing Colours Movement protest concert to raise money and awareness for the timely issue of whaling.

Celebrities the likes of Hugh Jackman, Gyton Grantley, Bessie Bardot, Lauren Eagle, Nicole Atherton (World Jnr. Womens suf champ) Aaron Jefferies, Leanna Walsman, and Belinda Chappel joined Australian band Mojada and special guests Waverly Mayor Ingrid Strewe, Deputy Mayor Dominic WY Kanak, CEO of Greenpeace Steve Shalhorn, And CEO of IFAW Erica to stand up and voice their opposition to the timely issue of whaling that continues to illegally take place in the protected Australian waters of the Southern Antarctic sanctuary.

Amidst the chilling winds of last Sunday's winter solstice, infront of the camera's of Australia's national media, the local community turned out and witnessed the celebrity guest speakers and an amazing ceremony from legendary Aboriginal musician Bunna Lawrie of the Mirning Tribe and iconic ARIA Award winning Aboriginal band Coloured Stone.

As Bunna performed his traditional whale songs, enlisting the help of the crowd that filled the beach to sing along, 3 humpback whales surfaced not 50 meters off the beach to come and have a listen to the community singing along with Bunna in celebration of these beautiful creatures.

Proceeds from the event were raised for pro surfer Dave Rastovich's 'Surfers for Cetaceans', and Jeff Pantukhoff's 'Whaleman' foundations. Jack Thompson, narrator of the soon to be released Julian Lennon film 'Whaledreamers' also endorsed the event and recorded a video message of support that was played on the night in his absence.

After the official activities on the beach, the event then moved into the North Bondi RSL for the concert featuring music acts including Triple J favorites Melanie Horsnell, Declan Kelly, Gin Wigmore, Budspells and Superstar Dj TARAS.

The highlight of the concert was undoubtedly the jam between Bunna Lawrie, Mojada and Waverly deputy mayor Dominic WY Kanak. The 600 strong sell out crowd felt the roof lift off the north Bondi RSL, which representatives agreed, had never seen such a big event of this stature through its doors in its 50 year history.

Mojada and Bunna head into the studio this weekend, with Producer Nial Anderson to record new material for Bunna including the remake of some of Coloured Stone's classic hits.

Band members from Mojada, who founded The Changing Colours Movement just 4 weeks ago after returning from the US with their debut record, will continue to push for their target of 1 MILLION online signatures against whaling, and plan a release over the next 2 weeks (date TBC) of a film clip for their protest song "Changing Colours" written in direct response to the whaling issue.

"After witnessing the confronting images of the slaughter of hundreds of Dolphins and whales after peaceful protesters were forced away by local fisherman in the bay of Taiji, Japan, we have had an unavoidable drive to help campaign towards the protection and conservation of these majestic ocean giants."

To organize a copy of the film clip, song or interview or further information and pictures

Please contact: The Changing Colours Movement

3/27 Curlewis st, Bondi Beach NSW 2026

+61 4 14 628 650. +612 9300 8649

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