Outakes, Rarities, and B-Sides

Reports from the Field

>Some how they found me. Half way around the world and deep undercover in the concrete jungle, those crafty Australian authorities found me!

>>They delivered their demands utilizing our own US Postal Service. I opened the unassuming letter with caution and read things like, "responsible party" "camera operated speedometers" "71 km in a 60 zone," I didn't know what the hell these cryptic Australian phrases meant, but I knew what "you owe $90" means. Whatever their true intent may have been the authorities had me under their thumb.

>>>Not wanting to risk banishment from the surfing paradise of Australia I will pay this egregious ransom. Hunkered down amongst the junkie hordes and siren's blare, it's just another piece of broken glass on the path to inevitability. The success of my mission, at all costs.

Rogue agent Morgan Maassen caught me creepin. Deep undercover in Noosa

Australia Part, Umm Whatever: Scenic

The Journey Begins and Fish are Fried

>>>>>About six hours after the Intrepid Surf Travelers landed in a muggy and grey Sydney, they were on the move again. After refueling at Roberto Machado's hip and wholesome Bondi beach cafe, Ben departed to open up his Six Ounce Board Shop in Manly. No sooner than helpings of fried egg, toast, coffee, acai and various grains went down their gullets, the Intrepid Surf Travelers were off again. With the help and immense patience of Fernando, the Travelers rented a van, settled banking issues, and made there way out of Sydney to the great unknown.

>>>>>After a harrowing six hour drive north and after passing endless dense forestlands, waterways and tributaries, the journey's midpoint of Crescent Head was found. No small feat in the blackest of signless Australian nights. The Travelers slept poorly or not at all, stomachs light with the anticipation of adventure, ears assaulted by the thundering tropical rainfall, and board bags and possessions soaked. It would be the first of many trying nights in Tarzan Van.

>>>>>Morning came and with the storm still blustering so the surf was not checked. However donuts and chicken wraps were eaten providing ample energy for the Travelers to move onwards and upwards. The legendary Gold Coast awaited, Currumbin to be exact. R. Lovelace was scheduled to join a couple of his contemporaries at a Frying of Fish, a celebration of all that is alternative surf craft riding. Well despite a few wrong turns and some questionable chicken and avocado sandwiches the weary Travelers arrived on the Gold Coast. Standing atop the bluff overlooking Snapper Rocks and Durranbah it was finally clear that they were very far away from home in a very magical place.

>>>>>With a contest on at Snapper and fun offshore peaks at D Bah surfing was a no brainer. It was the first of the trip, and the Travelers had a blast getting their sea legs back while watching/narrowly missing surf stars in the warm water. That evening the Travelers were welcomed into the home of local shaper Jesse Watson. Jesse and his wonderful wife were expecting their first child. Expecting at any moment. Needless to say it was a great environment to refuel body and mind. The positivity, excitement and joy was tangible.

>>>>>After an evening of old board oggling, spicy sausage and endless surfboard ruminating at the Fish Fry Talks it was back to the Watson home for a good nights sleep. The next morning was the exhibitive part of the Fish Fry where a plethora of diverse wave sliding tools were laid out for all to admire. It was an incredible day of surf centric discussion and interaction and an amazing beginning to the journey.

Australia: the Flora and Fauna

Larger than a mans hand and quite possibly the most sinister looking spider Ive come across, these guys made walking into a cobweb at night a pants pissing experience.




No need for alarm clocks in Australia, these colorful birds rise with the sun and they let you know it. Interesting that a specimen such as this is considered a nuisance in Australia and a expensive pet in the US.

Feeling Grey Today And Thats Okay

Wonderous World Wide Web

Thanks to millions of years of evolution in technology and our massively awesome human brains, its now possible for me to sit in the lineup at a wave on the other side of the world while the best competition surfers in the world shred faces off. Thank you internet, thank you Rip Curl, thank you Taj Burrow and most importantly, thank you mother nature for creating a paradise on earth.

Bondi Beach Skate Park

Mr. Lovelace and I pretty much stumbled upon this place during our brief stay at Bondi. Having been living the van life for sometime now, I was sans shoes or board. The place was deserted, and while it WAS a weekday morning I would have expected more than one lone pool rider. Efforts to acquire a board and shoes proved fruitless, so I will have to return someday and seek my skate redemption.

the unstoppable cj soloman

Connor Lyon is a cool calculating poker player of a surfer. Any board or no board, any wave any section anytime.

Let their be light, and tubes.

Every day has it's moments. Those rare and incomprehensible perfections in timing. All you have to do is sit back, grab rail,and enjoy the feeling man!