Where did you surf today ?

[Beanpole]

Yep, it was about $20. Then it went up to $50. Then it kept going up. At one stage they issued everyone with a swipe card and you had to print out a ticket. That was a complete Fcuk up as well as being a pain in the arse. They ended up scrapping that and went back to stickers.
A business pass costs over a grand.

[buddy]

How hard is it for them to just have your rego in the system over a sticker?

Even Byron does that.

[Beanpole]

When they introduced the card system first time I used it I got out of the surf and the rangers were at the car. I asked what was up and they said look at the ticket that’s been printed out and put on the dash. They had got the rego wrong. Letters were out of sequence. Had to go back and get a new card……but it wouldn’t work. This went on about four times all up. The machine wouldn’t read it. Last time someone said maybe they need to get someone to reprogram the machines at the beach.

They canned the system not long after that. I just blutaked the card on the dash. Rangers said there were that many screwups it was crazy.

[jimmy]

I forgot how tough life was in Bondi. I actually used to love the place. I took this photo after a late lunch on Xmas day 2003 or 2004.

[buddy]

Pretty quiet day there, Jimmy.

[jimmy]

Yep was Xmas day. Can you imagine the circus now? To be fair it was pretty busy earlier in the day. But it used to be like that quite often and in the surf too. I’d watch it and there’d be 25 or so at the south end. And then it’d clear out and I’d go for a paddle. Often just after the tide change.

[Beanpole]

Yeah, I don’t really see that much difference crowd wise on a hot day from 20 years ago. Definitely more around on any given day though. Funny thing with the Eastern Suburbs is underneath it all there’s still bits of the old place that remain hidden. One example is the fishing club up at Ben Buckler. All these new mansions have been built up there and the owners are furious there’s a boat ramp for tinnies right under their balconies. Boat launches before dawn.

Hard to believe there used to still be hard core locals. Last blue on the beach I saw was at South Bondi. Two locals going at it on the sand after an altercation in the water.

[Over55yrs]

Not sure of the size but a bit lumpy and straight for where I was (smaller and better on Monday)

[Beanpole]

Best day of the week at Bondi. Caught heaps of waves. Hardly any wind and lining up better than average north of the pavilion

[Hatchnam]

Some nice 3-4 ft peaks about earlier. South winds now up though

[buddy]

Had extended lunch and surfed OTW at Dbah.
Perfect fun little wedges 3-4 foot.
Never surfed Dbah before. Less power than north wall’s at Bal and Iluka at the same size. Well today at least.
Moderate crowd. Couldn’t believe it was all kooks out and actually easy to get waves.
Caught 4 set waves and bailed. Job done.

[swvic]

Good one. I only surfed it once in 1982. Similar conditions. A few really good surfers among a Bondi of kooks. Was easy to score waves by paddling the beach and actively chasing down peaks. Couldn't believe how many people had no idea. Expected different these days

[steve shearer]

Not always like that.

Can be a million QS style surfers out there on any given day.

[buddy]

Yeh, I’ve seen the videos.
Was surprised at yesterday.
I’ve only ever surfed the super bank side and always notice heaps of great surfers.

[Beanpole]

Funny. I forget some people haven’t surfed up there much.

[steve shearer]

I've had some really fun surfs at D-bah and I've had some absolute nightmares.

A pre-paddle head count is required nowadays.

[Drailed]

I've had some really fun surfs and I've had some absolute nightmares.

Ditto.

[Beanpole]

Got a couple of pearlers this morning. Tide ate the bank up after that though.