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New vids uploaded.

2010-01-02T18:12:00.000+11:00

Check out the new vids plus helmet cam videos on FTS...

Check out the new FTS MAG.

2010-01-02T18:08:00.004+11:00

Ive changed the format of the shots on follow the swell to a magazine format, there are a few issues up online now. Check them out @ the following URL. http://www.followtheswell.com/imageset.html

FTS HAS MOVED TO A NEW SITE!

2009-10-07T17:36:00.008+11:00

Follow The Swell has been expanded into a new website with a magazine format where you can turn (literaly flick) through the pages online. Ive also got a new HD camera,
So the videos are much clearer. Anyway Check it out @ Follow The Swell.

Groper Territory

2009-08-14T13:30:00.003+10:00

The same session from below Shot from the channel.

Ben Sawyer.

Wazza.

Ben Sawyer.

Local.

Sam Aylet.

Perfect Island.

2009-08-14T12:50:00.002+10:00

Some Nice waves hit the reef as the tide hit its peak.

Brayden Mawson.

Terrapai Richmond.

Adam "Wingnut" Smith.

Adam "Wingnut" Smith.

Ben Sawyer.

Brayden Mawson.

Ben Sawyer.

Dry Ledge Staircase.

2009-08-13T16:29:00.002+10:00

The same session from below but shot from the channel.

Cane Cox.

Jose Marquina (Smashed his tail bone on this one).

Brayden Mawson.

Ban Sawyer.

Kane Baker.

Cane Cox.

Des Govender (Emerald Owner).

Alex Leon.

Jared Houston.

Ben Sawyer.

Brayden Mawson.

Sam Strachan.

Alex Bunting.

Andrew Hoffman?

No Takers...

Ben Sawyer.

Jones Russel.

Nick Ormerod.

Glen Sullivan.

Glen Sullivan.

Cane Cox.

Glen Sullivan.

More East Madness.

2009-08-12T22:34:00.006+10:00

The crowds were thick today as the wind and tide held things together a bit better and the swell had more period and consistancy.
Alot of big names in the water today going hard infront of the hefty camera crew.

Dean Castle.

Alex Leon.

Alex Leon.

Cane Cox.

Jones Russel.

Kane Baker.

Ben Sawyer.

John Showell.

Brad Gilles.

Kane Baker.

Ben Sawyer.

John Showell.

Dwayne Tippins.

Brad Gilles.

Kane Cox.

John Showell.

Cane Cox.

Dean Castle.

Wazza.

Chad Jackson.

Ben Sawyer.

John Showell.

Kane Baker.

Secret Spot...

Des Govender (EMERALD SURF CITY owner).

Cane Cox.

Cane Cox.

Good Night.

Sucky Slabs.

2009-08-11T22:39:00.004+10:00

Same Session as Below but from the water...

Jarred Houston.

Rosco.

Beast From The East.

2009-08-11T16:41:00.004+10:00

Finally the predicted swell showed it ugly head in the form of some mutant pieces of ocean erupting onto the semi exposed ledge with enough fury to break bones.

Glen Sullivan.

Rosco.

Rosco.

Rosco.

Alex Leon.

Three Days South.

2009-08-10T17:35:00.004+10:00

Three days on trekking the coast, looking for a swell that never really hit.

Tors.

Marty.

Tors.

Tors.

Tors.

Tors.

Marty.

Low Tide Island.

2009-08-04T14:09:00.003+10:00

Some fun waves the day after the second round of the S.I.C. Plus some empties from a few days before at a remote reef.

Tors.

Charly Chapelet.

Charly Chapelet.

Charly Chapelet.

Tors.

Tors.

Grommet about to get owned.

Central Shuffle.

2009-08-03T20:25:00.003+10:00

A long drive later and we were met with an inconsistent swell and not enough tide on the reefs that where clean enough in the lumpy swell. We decided to wait for the tide thinking that this fickle bitch of a coast might actually deliver all day offshores like the previous days on other streches further away. The wind changed just as the tide began to make the right do its thing.

The wind then proceeded to change about 6 times in the next two hours, that made driving around to each protected corner (at opposite ends of the coast), only to see the wind change just as we checked each spot all the more frustrating!

No surfing that day!

Winter Blues.

2009-07-26T18:11:00.008+10:00

Not much has been happening in the tail end of winter. So chasing the open streches of coast looking for small waves has been the only escape.

Chief.

Bubba JR.

Tors.

Charly Chapelet.

Tors.

Tors.

Tors.

Charly Chapelet.

Charly Chapelet.

Charly Chapelet.

Sneaky Barrels In A Forbidden Place.

2009-07-21T15:20:00.004+10:00

After having a quick suss around with the binoculars looking for some salty solice, We took a last ditch effort to catch a rarely surfed reef fairly empty and solid for the small waves that were on offer.

Charly was on fire with some of the most technical, fast and flawless ARS's that were followed by fast forward spins on instant at landing. This guys lands most his airs, No matter what they are with a forward spin. He shreds!

Tors.

Tors.

Tors.

Charly Chapelet.

Suck Rock, Shark Island.

2009-07-21T14:20:00.005+10:00

Smae session from Suck from the land, Pus a few from the arvo at the Island when the S.I.C. Was suppossed to run it 2nd round for 2009.

Charly Chapelet.

Charly Chapelet.

Amaury Lavernhe.

Amaury Lavernhe.

The crew, Laura, Charly, Dee, Marty and Matt.

Doug Showell.

Tors.

Doug Showell.

Tors.

French Journalist.

Marty.

Marty.

Josh Pollard.

Josh Pollard.

Tors.

Doc.

Chiefy.

South Suck Session.

2009-07-21T13:35:00.005+10:00

The International transplants wanted some local love bowls, So Amaury Lavernhe, Charly Chapelet and a few of their travelling mates plus me and Marty, and locals Phil and Shaun Pyne hit up a local launch ramp.

Marty.

Shaun Pyne.

Biding Time.

2009-07-16T17:09:00.004+10:00

Made the drive down to the camp site late at night to meet Charly and Laura. We woke to find small mushy waves and a howling onshore that got stronger over the entire day. The swell only rose about a foot, and we spent a frustrating day sitting around doing nothing. I could have driven a few hundred K's to some where surfable but i couldnt be bothered.

We checked the local haunts a few time with no love. We then decided to call it quits and head to the camp site. About 5 minutes before dark the swell started to pulse and grew about 3 feet on the beach infront of the camp. The wind went light offshore and made hopes for the next day much higher.

We woke to find the swell had picked up nicely and a stiff west offshore wind was grooming the solid lines of swell.

Some different angles on the previous session, Plus some shots from another reef.

Charly Chapelet.

Charly Chapelet.

Tom Robinson.

Tom Robinson.

Charly Chapelet.

A beach near by.

The Crew, Dee, Charly and Laura.

Death Ledge.

2009-07-14T15:23:00.006+10:00

After Sleeping in the car for 2 nights and hiking to the middle of nowhere for the 2nd time that day, we finally scored a session that will always stand out in my mind.

The 13 second period swell was unloading on almost dry reef with the sound of several trains smashing together. With only a few photogs in the channel on the 2nd session, and a whole load on the 3rd, it was on for the crew who made the trek, Including Winny, Dallas Singer, Toby and Ben Player, Tom Rob, PLC, Amaury Lavernhe, Charly Chapelet and a whole load of others.

Ben Player.

Tow In.

Charly Chapelet.

Charly Chapelet.

Tow In.

Kootz.

Dave Winchester.

Tom Robinson.

Kootz.

Charly Chapelet.

Charly Chapelet.

Another Empty Session.

2009-07-08T21:04:00.003+10:00

A few shots from the channel inbetween waves at an empty ledge.

Amaury Lavernhe.

Amaury Lavernhe.

Charly Chapelet.

Charly Chapelet.

Charly Chapelet.

Charly and Amaury observe a hollow one on the peak.

Barrels To Air Bowls.

2009-07-08T18:57:00.006+10:00

After Surfing at a pumping reef ledge with the like of Pierre Louise Costes, Morgs, Tom Robinson and a meduim sized crew, We arrived at the car park after hiking through the bush to find a distressed French couple asking what type of spider had bitten the woman.

I take them to the local hospital and after a check up and a bit of chating, I realise that its Charly Chapelet and his Girl friend Laura. I offered them a place to crash and shower, and after a feed we head home for a snooze before driving a few hundred K's to surf another ledge.

We shared it with one local and Amaury Lavernhe. All really cool people to hang with and awesome surfers to boot.

The sky always tells a story, KNOW your clouds.

Morgan Brown.

Pierre Louise Costes.

Pierre Louise Costes.

Morgan Brown.

Pierre Louise Costes.

Morgan Brown.

Tom Robinson.

Charly Chapelet.

Last Minute Score.

2009-07-08T17:12:00.004+10:00

Got the call to head to a certain spot about 9AM. Was in the car about to head to the local. Turned around and packed the car up for a stint in the bush.

Empty pumping waves greeted my eyes as i bolted over the hill after driving for close to 5 hours.

Tors.

Tors.

Tors.

Tors.

Marty.

Tors.

Crossed up.

2009-07-02T19:52:00.003+10:00

Not much on the horizon, so i made the most of the small crossed over swells in the water. was Almost first out, but Baguette beat me to it, followed by Beevor, Deano, Chief and a few groms.

The Only Option.

2009-07-01T11:31:00.003+10:00

With a weird swell running past everywhere but Shark Island (which was maxing out on second reef and crossing over alot), the only place holding the swell with shape was empty besides two local guys.

Square Slabbing Left.

2009-06-24T20:03:00.002+10:00

Three bodyboarders, and two bodysurfers lucked into an slow session on a solid ledge with many spectators.

Hectic Ledges

2009-06-24T18:30:00.002+10:00

The swell direction was not conducive to the local reefs except for one.
A few crew braved the cooling water to pick off the odd set that doing its thing.

Different direction.

2009-06-24T16:40:00.002+10:00

Got onto the local haunts early to find the swell direction lacking, so we headed the same direction the swell was heading and found the wind chewing out the swell.

Had tio settle for the cleanest corner we could find, along with half of the coast's surfers and the local board riders comp.

The next day offered the same conditions, but smaller. Same wind though, soft glassy offshore one place, 10 kilometres away totally onshore breeze.

Clean Heaving Surge.

2009-06-17T17:42:00.003+10:00

The tide was trying its best to deliver the goods, but just as it hit the right mark, the wind took out most of the sets with a solid sideshore breeze.

South Meets East.

2009-06-17T17:25:00.003+10:00

Ballard, Wingnut, Sully, Brayden, Jimmy, Jason Finlay and a few other crew snagged a small window of decent tide and wind.

South Swell Hustle Video.

2009-06-15T14:25:00.000+10:00

Channel dweller.

2009-06-13T20:32:00.003+10:00

After observing flies (Crew) on shit (inconsistent swell) i suited up and sat in the channel with the lens till the crowd thinned a bit, then i plucked off a few small ones.

South Swell Hustle.

2009-06-13T20:17:00.002+10:00

An accute swell direction and inconsistent sets made for an all out hustle for a decent wave but a few solid ones did eventuate.

The Waiting Game Video.

2009-06-13T17:19:00.001+10:00

James Kates and Jason Finlay tearing up a reef in NSW.

The Waiting Game.

2009-06-11T22:01:00.002+10:00

Spent the first part of the day trawling around hoping to see an increase in the swell. The wind was good all day and found some spots with potential for epic waves.
I went back to the spot i checked first to find Mattick filming James Kates and Jason Finlay. Those guys where ripping the place up, really friendly too.

The next day the swell was in full swing, but the wind and tide didnt take to the direction and ended up blowing it. 400Km's and no surf...

Down The Road Video.

2009-06-07T11:47:00.001+10:00

Down The Road

2009-06-06T17:30:00.002+10:00

We hit the road before dawn to catch the tide in full effect.
No one around except the 2 guys we saw on the trail out there.
There wasnt much else happening around town so considering we got some nice fun little barrels.

A Cliff with a View

2009-05-13T18:54:00.002+10:00

Some nice solid swell rolled into the bay and met the reef with some soft all day off shore winds.

Thick Unforgiving Slabs.

2009-05-13T17:57:00.002+10:00

The ledge was rearing its ugly head as the likes of Toby Player, Ben Player, Rissole, Wazza, Jimmy, phil, Sam Aylet, Terapai Richmond and a few other crew tore the bag out of some hectic, yet perfect slabs of Tasman ocean.

Southern Exposure Video.

2009-05-13T17:30:00.001+10:00

Southern Exposure from Follow The Swell on Vimeo.

From The Channel.

2009-05-10T11:06:00.002+10:00

A few shots and sequences from the channel at a two different spots on the same day.

Southern Exposure

2009-05-09T23:00:00.002+10:00

A few options presented us with clean waves with no crowds and consistent sets.

Clean and fun.

2009-05-04T18:54:00.004+10:00

Another set of fun waves from the burbs. Anyone would have though that school holidays were back in town with the amount of crew in the water.

Still On a Roll.

2009-04-28T21:57:00.004+10:00

A new south swell filled in under the remains of the epic east swell of April.
There was a few sizey waves at the open reefs. Some of the more closed spots still had some small waves.

The Swell Of The Year

2009-04-28T14:26:00.004+10:00

I think the title and the footage say it all...

Swell Of The Year. from Follow The Swell on Vimeo.

Swell Of The Year.

2009-04-27T16:52:00.008+10:00

The swell of the year met the coast this week with pulsing sets which made for some sketchy clean up sets on some of the more exposed reef. There was so much action going down it was hard to know where to point the camera!

A few crew showed up there, including BP Novy and Winchester to name a few. Spent three days chasing waves and scored some more as the swell gradually tapered off.

After The Storm.

2009-04-22T16:54:00.002+10:00

A few nice hollow, glassy waves and just a few out as the tide made everything come together.

After The Storm. from Follow The Swell on Vimeo.

Square.

2009-04-21T11:49:00.001+10:00

Some decent swell hit with nice winds and minimal crowds.

Square. from Follow The Swell on Vimeo.

The Crowds Thin.

2009-04-16T16:43:00.003+10:00

After the schoolies attacked everything that moved a few days previous, they were nowhere to be seen when the swell grew and crossed over with a smaller less directional swell that sorted the serious guys from the frothers.

Teahupo'o's Twin.

2009-04-16T16:24:00.005+10:00

The crossed over swell directioned made for some nasty slabs of water erupting on a very shallow ledge with a small tide doing its best to hold the rouge sets. Many peole left with reef rash. You wouldnt have known it was school holidays today!

School holidays suck...

2009-04-14T15:06:00.003+10:00

School holidays are bad for frothing grommets ruining an otherwise semi decent session. A few shots from a crowded ledge captured by Dee.

Island.

2009-04-14T14:56:00.004+10:00

The swell finally picked up above half a foot, and the tide was quickly swallowing what little swell there was, but a few decent waves reared up on the ledge.

Wedge.

2009-04-07T16:32:00.003+10:00

Some good wedges were forming off the rocks even with a howling onshore blasting everthing nearby, some nice barrels and bowls where shredded by the local guys.

Park Life.

2009-04-02T16:55:00.003+11:00

Had to make the trip to the city to drop Dee off to work, went and had a look around a few parks and found some "cleanish" options.

The Circus

2009-04-01T19:40:00.005+11:00

The Circus Came to town. The word must have got around, That the ledge was pumping the day before, but it was a mess with undersized tide, and oversized swell...

The Circus. from Follow The Swell on Vimeo.

East by Northeast

2009-03-31T19:50:00.006+11:00

Some decent Sized swell came to town and lit up a rarely surfed ledge.

Hollow. from Follow The Swell on Vimeo.

A Few From The Road.

2009-03-29T13:47:00.003+11:00

Some rideble swell finally rolled through after several days of lake like conditions.

Dry Ledge Isolation.

2009-03-29T12:46:00.009+11:00

After the long walk through the bush, got to the coast and we were greeted with a light onshore. The waves were still holding ok on the ledge, and the falling tide had scared off the crowd.

The last 3 guys out there all got out limping up the ledge in pain while i was suiting up, leaving the line up empty. 3 more suited up and joined me a while later. The good ones where rare, so I got a few, then shot from the channel.

Dry Ledge Isolation. from Follow The Swell on Vimeo.

Another Quick Session.

2009-03-26T18:49:00.013+11:00

The guys came past mine and picked up Dee and I Early, But our chosen death ledge had already been demolished by the wind, so we hit up a nearby reef.

A Sheltered Corner

2009-03-21T23:23:00.003+11:00

A vid from a few weeks ago. The swell was traveling in the same direction as the wind so the protected spots were the only places to get a wave.