Where did you surf today ?

[BA]

Narra. Little, peaky NE swell. Fun enough for a Saturday.

[Cranked]

Waves have been consistently head and half to double, winds offshore and very light, crowds have gone, the sun is shining.

And I still can't surf.

[Hatchnam]

Chest high steep peaky beach break in Wollongong. Surfed the mini mal, then the twinny. Two boards I’ve not surfed in nearly a year. The twin felt like a wild rocket after coming off surfing singles and thrusters non stop for ages. Only took a couple of waves to reset and get back into it again.

[The Mighty Sunbird]

Mini mal lol

[Beerfan]

I'm not against weights, far from it. I've been doing some light stuff this year and resolved some niggling/recurring back and shoulder issues.

Ok, you and Shearer both mentioned your back issues cleared up from weight work. My back has been acutely sore over and over again the last 4 years. Im fairly strong generally but I need a major body shake up starting now.

I’m not planning on a home gym but can you guys give me a guide on what you did/do to fix those lower back-disc issues? Squats with various weights? Lifts? What should I be looking at to get started?

Can I have a mandarin after each rep or just one section?

Baimed is a physio in Wollongong. I'm sure they have one in wonoona too. They do the dragons and Hawks and on their walls they have thank you plaques from A league teams, Samoan rugby, crusty demons, supercar drivers, etc. I've seen a board of fannings up on the wall with a "thanks for looking after me" on it. They are awesome, go and see them.

I have bulging discs from playing league and since starting squats n deads I never have any back pain ever.

[Thud]

Re: back. I had cronic lower disc issues, was convinced it was from surfing and running. Ended up being from a few different chairs I sat in. Stopped that and falling asleep on the couch and I went from a cripple to no problems.

[Legion]

One legged plank, one leg one arm plank, superman, bridge.

[Hatchnam]

Then werri beach. And just now, a breakwall outer bar righthander all to myself with shoulder to head high sets. Lots of current running in the opposite direction. Had to sit wide, wait for it, then edge into the peak. Surfed the twinny again.

[Beanpole]

Went down for a late swim at about 5:45. There were a few little windblown peaks at Bronte. Would have paddled out on a foamy if I had one handy.

[The Mighty Sunbird]

Thanks beanpole. Good to know.

[Wyre]

Sent you a PM, Wyre.
I recommend sorting out the back problem with a decent diagnosis first. I'm doing exercises I know work for me, based on 20 years of advice from physios.

Thanks for the pm ‘Boo. Been trying to reply all day but the kids are like some kind of time-sucking monsters, unstoppable in their insistent needs and wants. Will get back to you!
@Thud, oh yeah I’m aware of that. My couch is the Brown Death of backs, I usually lie on the floor etc. it’s more than that, but slouching is the worst thing you can do I reckon.
Legion, I think there’s a mobility/core combo issue- although playing Bridge might be good for my mind.

Physio is just too expensive for me unfortunately. I respect it, but can’t afford it. I’ve been lucky cos my step dad is a highly respected Osteopath- when pain has been acute, he has been a godsend- but he can only do so much, especially when I can’t help myself and go surfing even when back is still sore as fcuk.

Anyway, I’m on it. This aggression won’t stand, man.

[Lucky Al]

i was out on my son's softboard in the shorebreak this morning and a local kid came running shouting "can i have a go? can i have a go!" i went oh okay here you go and a head-high set came right when he got on it and pitched him straight into the sand. it was a full-on wipeout. for a moment i was afraid he was going to get upset or scared but no he came up laughing and asking for more.

[Beanpole]

Thanks beanpole. Good to know.

Then you will also be pleased to know I paddled out into some mush at Bronte and had a thoroughly poor showing today.

[Thud]

Interesting. Please elaborate.

[Beanpole]

Started with having to remove my wetsuit once on the beach to dislodge a cockroach egg sac that had been stuck to the inside. Floundered around in the wind chop paddling against the rip on the left. Back to the right. I hate the reef at Bronte.

[marauding mullet]

Started with having to remove my wetsuit once on the beach to dislodge a cockroach egg sac that had been stuck to the inside.

No matter how many times I read this, I just cannot come to terms with it.

[Thud]

I had a huntsman in mine once. Bit me too.

[The Mighty Sunbird]

I noticed one on my board as I was about to paddle out.
I left it on the sand at the waters edge. A long walk from anywhere it would want to be.
I often wonder what happened to that huntsman.