Byron Bay is one of those places blessed with that all important ingredient for surf - choice. With beaches and point breaks at all different angles and aspects, you’re hard pressed not to find something surfable on any Byron Bay roadtrip. As always, we reckon local knowledge is the way to go, so we asked photographer Trent Dooley of puredrift.com to let us in on what Byron’s breaks have to offer...
Main Beach The Wreck
Belongil Beach
A quiet alternative, suitable for all levels of surfers, is Belongil Beach, about a km north of the Wreck, which can produce some good beach breaks on most swells in S-SW wind.
Aptly named after the sunken shipwreck SS Wollongbar, The Wreck sits just to the left of Main Beach car park. It turns on some very hollow and punchy waves thanks to the constant build up of sand caught up around the wreck itself. Due to its consistency and its proximity to town, it’s generally busy and works best in a solid E/SE swell and S-SW winds.
Smack bang in the centre of town, Main Beach provides an eclectic mix of people from all over the world basking in Byron’s sunshine and idealic beaches. In other words it’s packed with tourists, swimming, sun-baking, bodysurfing, snorkelling, learning and the like. However, when there is enough swell wrapping into the Bay, Main Beach can also serve up some very hollow waves which will leave the inexperienced admiring from shore.
Clarkes Beach
When The Pass is firing, Clarkes Beach can offer a less critical alternative away from the crowds. It turns on some fun waves often with only a fraction of the surfers. Tucked right into the bay, it also offers the protection from all wind directions except the northerly. When small, Clarkes can provide gentle little peelers that are great for logs and learning.
Byrkonb s Brb ea Photographer Trent Dooley
One part photos, one part accommodation and all Byron Bay, puredrift is run by couple Trent and Laura Dooley who moved to Byron Bay just over a year ago from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. “My wife Laura and I have always wanted to work together creatively,” Trent says. “And puredrift has given us the opportunity to share our love of Byron’s beautiful environment and contribute to its vibrant community.” On the website, you can book a stay, and also check out daily photos and local surf conditions. Make sure to sign up for the email list to have magical Byron Bay scenery appear in your inbox. Visit puredrift.com and join in on www.facebook.com/puredrift 82
Wategos: "Ditch the short board here, get out the log and cruise down Australia’s most easterly point. " What a way to spend a summer’s day. Photo: Trent Dooley puredrift.com
sep/oct 2011
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5/09/11 6:35 PM