Only partly MSU

Did you hear about ourkate (champagnekate to you) surfing the surfboard of that legendary rugby league legend? What's his name..? Boof? No. Chief! Thats it!

Yep, she made friends with his son up at Crescent Head who asked for a few tips since she looked like she knew what he was doing. One thing led to another, they exchanged boards and before she knew it she was showing Chief jnr how to do it! She was riding Chief's plank!

And as these things happen, its very hard to organise a photo when you are riding Chief's big one.

So I have organised it for her. This is what I think it looked like (click it!):

(Malik Joyeux @http://photoblog.haumaru.com/index.php?showimage=72)


SM

PS. Feel free to MSU ("make shit up", thanks Ben) as I have done. I would love to see any of your thoughts/images etc on this very blog. You have the power. Use it.
:)

Welcome to the Festive Season

What a great way to ease the Christmas season in. Once again the MOB delivered a extravaganza of culinary delights that satisfied our highly refined tastes and also the bellies of those gorgeous boofy blokes! ;) Thanks to everyone, I love getting this crowd together!

Had a surf with The Grom this morning - always fun and the water was gorgeous. Hopefully she had a little snooze this arvo... that girl goes hard don't she? Surfin till she's weary to the bone. Thats the kind of dedication you get from a grommet.

I have some miscellaneous leftovers at my house. Are you missing a pair of square prescription sunnies?

See you soon.
SM

The icecream has been made.

I will try not to eat it all... promise.

SM

Some fun waves

I took off over Champagnekate's left shoulder this morning and hooted and hollered as we both caught the wave of the day! It was the perfect surf - the waves were the big friendly kind that flip you up onto your board when you wanna geddup. You know what I mean? We hardly had to try... just a few strokes and then wait for the flipyouup. :) Ya godda try it. Second corner.

If someone hadda taken a photo of us it mighta looked like this but bigger and without the wind:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/81619620@N00/312233089

Gustavo Verissimo took this one in Portugal... it was the best I could do on short notice.
SM

Champagnekate Heaven!

Old Bar Combi Festival - where too many combis are barely enough!
SM

Where were you?

I musta looked at that lookout 50 times today. First was with coffee. That was when Husband decided he and Surferboy needed to go out and put their mark on those Red Head waves. As soon as they hit the surf, 6 guys paddled out... making it quite the crowd.

That's what you get on a long weekend on the Mid North Coast I guess. Needless to say, I bided my time. I looked. I looked again, but still there were way too many men carving and sliding up and down some very magic waves. Good on them, I thought. Too big for me.

Too gnarly.

Too steep.

But I thought I'd give it a shot anyway!

Mind you, once the nor'wester whipped up and everyone else left to go and watch the AFL grandfinal I could hardly sit on my arse and do nothing..!

I paddled out downstream from my son and a couple of locals and helped myself to some screamers. (Later, Surferboy was heard to say - "First I knew she was out there was when she took off on that almighty righthander..." Husband will probabaly complain that I embelished that quote - but I only added one word...almighty,ok?!)

Anyway, you get the gist. Red Head. All day. Loving it.

SM

All in a day's surf

I'll tell you something but you have to keep it quiet, ok? Don't tell anyone but... Red Head is roolly good at the moment.

Ok, it might not be classic good but if it were classic good the whole of Hallidays Point would be there!

As it was The Grommie, Franbaby, champagnekate, and yours truly had a long and pleasant spell in the surf this morning. It was a perfect morning with nothing to do but surf... it must be holiday time! Like summer it was - but better cause the nor'easter didn't arrive!

Plenty of tourists arrived though... But at least they had the decency and respect to let the MOB have the best of it before they entered the water. They lined up sitting on the shore - a dozen or so of them, with their boards in their laps getting all sunburned and squinty until the MOB were completely and finally spent. Even The Grommie eventually got out! Then the tourists respectfully asked permission to go out and catch a few waves, and promised they wouldn't tell anyone about it. The MOB conferred, agreed that this would be acceptable and champagnekate gave them her blessing. Generous, huh?

I think that's how it went.

Remember? Sshhh...
SM

The locals

Noticed a few Redheadians making the most out of the north east swell this morning. First out there was Surferboy and his mate, and later in the morning I spied The Grom, and Pirate Jules and her boys. It was windy on land but there was a little sunny, smooth patch of water with a gentle lefthander right in the locals corner. (Now I sound like a Bra Boy! Of course foreign surfers are welcome, they just gotta know when the waves are on... They're gone now, sou'easter's up ;)

By the time i got out there it was just me and my boogie boardy mate. He wasn't a local but i let him stay anyway. It's ok to let the odd foreigner in y'know. Just as long as they dont try and overrun us.

Don't upset the locals ok?!

SM

Another day in Paradise....

I awoke to a beautiful sunny sky , the kind of morning you just want to race to the beach and hop on a board with the girls.......
Pull up at the carpark, looks small but I could feel the Surf God pulling me towards the water..
Watch the dolphins frolicking while I wait for  another surfermum or two to show...
Sun streaming down warming my bones, gotta get in that beautiful clear water.... ( do you wish you were there????)
Julie and Michelle rock up , 5 mins later we are paddling out .....ahhhhhhh the smile gets bigger......gotta love our lives.......

NEWS !!! The surf got bigger and better! The young pirate lass jumped up fast , crouched down low, and cut across the waves. She was AWESOME!!  And she did it again and again!
She caught more waves yesterday than the last 2 years.......must have been those tips she picked up surfing at Seal Rocks last weekend. I even heard her comment on a nice 2 ft wave..... NAH not big enough she said (WTF?)

Rumour has it there may soon be a webcam positioned on top of a roof in Seascape...........

Reef chicks

Sooooo jealous right now. Husband has just informed me that the surferchicks from the MOB were out surfing it up at the reef today... Damn full time work. Nothing I like more than surfing with the MOB. Was it good?
SM

One Perfect day...

Remember that childrens TV show that was on when we were kids and the hostess used to look through the hand mirror (without the mirror bit!) and say "I can see Katie, and I can see Frances, and I can see Laura..." as she recognised the kids faces?

That's what it was like in the surf this morning! Just about all the MOB was out cracking waves at Diamond on this perfect Sunday with various combinations of husbands and kids.

When the Acturv's arrived Adam paved the way for the young turtles to follow him into the water, which they did one by one - as if they had just hatched from the egg and made their way down to the ocean for the very first time! A proud Mum watched them go before she went out to crack a few waves for herself. They are officially the Turtles!

Champagnekate finally got wet for the first time since our Crowdy weekend (her head has been in netty land for a very long time!), as did Franbaby I think. The usual suspects were there - Batgirl, Grommie, Laura even made an appearance and was last seen peeling off a lefthander into the distance. Noticably absent were Bel, Jules and Annie. :( We missed you!!

SM

Romper Room! That was the name of that show!

Up close and personal

Thanks Annie for the heads up on these great pics. Emily Washbrook (networkedblogs.com/AdDCo) took this snap of a Sydney swim group getting friendly with a Southern Right Whale on Tuesday.

There are more at ">http://networkedblogs.com/AdDCo">

Worth a look.
SM

Southern Rights spotted

While on a walk this morning Husband and I spotted a couple of Southern Right Whales just behind the break at Diamond. There are at least two big ones and perhaps a little fulla as well. Of course, this must be 'Lefty' and her family from a couple of years ago (see Southern Right tag in labels), don't you think? Eldest named her Lefty cause she's a Southern Right...!

You can distinguish the Southern Rights easily enough as they have the 'V'shaped spout when they surface.

Doncha love living on the coast? Let me know when you spot them.

SM

Hanging out with Occhy

Met a former world surfing champ this morning whilst out on a family walk. Nice guy, Mark - happy to oblige a gawking family with a few snaps! Needless to say, middle child was well chuffed.

Meanwhile, we are getting waves everyday at Rainbow Bay, nice consisted MOB waves. And most of the guys and gals out there are foreigners having a novelty "surf" and making me look like a former world champ. (Thanks for the tips, Occhy! ;)

Love ya's all.
SM
(Its Mark Occhulupo - look him up!)

Oh The Delight!

Oh the Delight - I love how the universe works in my favour.. Hubby on night shift, teenage son staying in town, just dropped teenage daughter in town at a party then she is staying at her BF's.
Arrived home to find a 'special delivery' - you know - the type in a brown paper bag.... I almost squeeled with delight knowing I had the whole house to myself - no-one to feed except the dog - tick....done .. now to the book - Fifty Shades of Grey I am all yours xoxo
 Thanks SM you just made my night.........

Reflecting on Noosa

Two weeks in Noosa is just not enough of a good thing!! A destination that definately needs to be included in your travel plans. With amazing National Parks and incredible walkways that take you all the way from the hustle and bustle of Hastings Street - ritzy shopping, not for this hippy..to bush tracks out on the headlands offering uninteruppted views of surfers below. For the most part too crowded in the water when there is even a hint of swell but with many breaks on offer you can find a spot and days are not wasted.
We arrived on a long weekend with a low off the coast that encouraged massive swells and light rain - not that this was a detterent for most. The power and energy was amazing to be part of - for me spectator only but I could sit and watch this for days. The swell gradually subsided over next couple of days to bring pristine conditions, clear skies warm sunshine and waves more my size - I love my life! As the swell dropped to lake like at Noosa, the beach break at Coolum was next on the radar.
Will make our way back to Hallidays tomorrow - no rush - need to choose a spot for our next surfari. Will check out Byron again then have a look around Yamba and wherever else we may be drawn to...

Nic Point Arkwright

Ish at Little Cove

Pristine Noosa

Noosa - Lake?

See you at home xx

Celebs rub shoulders with the MOB

Seems like there has been a bit of shoulder rubbing with the MOB of late.
First Boy and Bear have the pleasure of meeting our very own Surfermum even grabbing a photo with her and Hubby. Then Layne Beachley shares a moment with Acturv at a local club but damn that flash she doesn't get to hold a memoir... While BB on a family holiday trying to grab a few waves at Noosa was feeling eyes on her. She looked sideways to see Kel - you know from Kath and Kim - gazing as if to say "hey aren't you Beachbum from the MOB??" He is not a bad surfer - for a butcher!!!     BB

Another famous face in town.

Just another Wednesday in Forster..... Who goes out on a Wednesday night???? Well inxs were playing at Club Forster , thought it might be amusing after so long.... Awesome night.!!!! But guess who I met ??? No not the farriss brothers, not Kirk pengily.... No no no .... The world champion surfer , the one and only Layne Beachly.... Had a photo taken, told her about the mob. Flash didn't go off so I have a great black photo to prove it!!!!

An ordinary Friday night at the Icecreamery

Husband and I went out for dinner on friday night and enjoyed a lovely indian meal in Forster by the lake. I had my back to the group that had come in before us but noted one girl and a bunch of young men. They were polite and quiet, the only irritation being the constant pinging of text messages coming through. Odd. For Forster.

Of course I only had eyes for my husband - and he wouldn't know an Indi pop rocker if he fell over one so didn't recognise anyone either, but he did note of the group as they left the restaurant "Do you think they are European?" They were all beards, quoiffed hair, one was bald with Buddy Holly glasses, and one a moustache.

You don't see many moustaches these days.

We left a minute later and as we strolled toward Gloria Jeans we bumped into this odd mix of young folk again. Then it hit me... moustache, daggy eighties jumper (which my eldest thinks is so hip right now)... so I said to Buddy Holly - "Hey! You're Boy and Bear!"

After we explained how our eldest was filthy on us cause she couldn't come to see Boy and Bear with us they all signed a serviette for her. Cute huh? I was the coolest mum on facebook that night! ;)


Anyway, Dave, Jake, and the boys all politely shook hands, introduced themselves, looked us in the eye (Dave's are blue and I got that cheeky grin personally addressed to me. Just sayin.) and then ate their icecreams. Yes, icecreams. That's what young, smartly dressed Indi bands do you know. Right before their gig they head out for a sugar hit at the icecreamery!

There's some proud mums out there I think.



Needless to say they were awesome on stage. We loved them and hope to see them again sometime. We will probably have to sneak Molly in though... If we think our lives are worth livin.

Incidentally, the girl and the rest of the gang in the restaurant were one of the support bands - Tin Sparrow, and Jungle Giants. Not bad. You heard it here first.

Now. Sunshine, westerly wind, smooth water. Lets go surfing girls.

SM

What I did on the long weekend.

I have two words for you ladies.

Christian Grey.

My dealer met me at Blackhead Rd turnoff and we made the transaction. She had made the deal at Big W and, without raising suspicion managed to pass through the checkout with 3 copies of the sought after material for her cohorts.

I palmed her some cash and after she looked right and left to make sure no-one was watching, she passed me the parcel. "I got it cheaper than I thought", she said with a wink and gave me some change. Then she was off under the cover of Friday night dusk to deliver her booty and settle down to a weekend of Christian Grey.

If you are still not with me, then I know you have been living under a rock and I will put aside book 1 with your name on it for when I am finished (soon!).

Some time soon we should sit down and have a long discussion about the lack of romance in everyday life. And the solution! Christian Grey. Google it.

And reply to me. Are you reading it already? If not, get it at Big W. Cheapest thrill you'll get in a while ;)

SM P.S. Can't say much more. It's a family blog.
P.S.S. It's just a tree, that photo above.

Okay, okay. I'm talking about the latest in mummy porn - 50 Shades of Grey. Read it.

You know what they say - when you love someone you start to look like them!!

Was only a matter of time!!!

At last... the photo

Now my last post makes sense huh?... Don't answer that. SM Still on my iPhone. Sigh, no paragraph recognition... technology ain't what it used to be.

They are onto us

Did anyone notice that we were on the front page of 'Travel' the other week? I nearly spluttered on my Sunday morning coffee when I saw Champagnekate with a smokin gun on the cover!

I can see why they wrote the article - holidays with the MOB really are fun. Ok, there might be some underground activity going (like in any true MOB!).

It doesn't take long before the illicit substances come out and discrete deals are done. Jules trades in a special kind of commodity, one she will only bring out once darkness settles, wine is drunk and the MOB has reacquainted themselves with established rules of behaviour.

"This stuffs pretty heavy", I heard her say to an unsuspecting Fran. "We all need to look out for one another when we do this. Once you start, you can't stop." A hushed tone descended then and the MOB looked on in awe as Jules unwrapped the contraband.

"It's worth heaps on the black market". She said. "My contact had to order this months ago, and even then it was dodgy to get through customs." Nods went round the table. Someone slugged back some wine. "So, she said. "Whose gonna go first?"

Nine pairs of eyes looked widely on as one brave surfermum picked up the dark, gooey substance, placed it on her tongue and waited for it to melt. Moments later she looked up and smiled.

"Delicious", she said. "Annie's brownies sure are good after a day in the surf!"

SM
(can you tell I have time to spare whilst watching my daughter do her swim squad session?!! And I'm on the iphone!)

Thanks SM for your kind words?? Its always a pleasure sharing the waves with you. I didn't drop in on you too much..... Did I? Hmm a grom needs to learn those surf rules a bit better then.Grom had a wonderful time at Crowdy too. Some of my favorite things were... the Crowdy bay prawn lunch on Friday, definitely agree with SM, on surfing Friday knowing we had the whole w/eleft to score waves, Diamond Head was definitely a highlight for those die-hards amongst us,( and those on the beach filming,laughing relaxing was such a pleasure to watch) and SM's ice- cream I'm still salivating over. The best part by far, was the bunch of licorice allsorts,that made my weekend, a magic and memorable experience. Thanks girls,love you all.. The Grommie

(I knew this photo would come in handy Grommie! SM)

Crowdy 2012

What a ripper of a weekend! Once again The MOB picked a fantastic location, jagged perfect weather and picked one of the only places that could be surfed in such a big southerly swell! Friday arv saw the MOB gather out past the break at Crowdy gap. Surfing into the sunset is never better than with the knowledge of a weekend ahead with The MOB!

In the corner at Crowdy was nice the next morning but the real magic was Diamond Head on Saturday afternoon - I loved it! Only wish my arms hadn't packed it in and I would've stayed out there longer.

Thanks to all the surfermums who make it so much fun. And special thanks to Champagnekate who always provides an excellent soundtrack to our girls weekends.

Memories? Mine are: the story about hanging nappies on the clothesline, watching The Grom catch the waves I missed (there were many), eating cheese (also lots), laughing (ditto), getting dropped in on by The Grom, and Fran admiring the picture in the restuarant - she thought she could do something like that herself .... it was painted by an elephant Fran!! Still makes me chuckle.

Appropriately, the full moon shone brightly in the clear sky on Sunday night after we got home. The shimmer on the ocean was incredible. A perfect end  to a perfect weekend.
SM

Crowdy Early Morning Surf Check

Our lucky day !!!

Good luck MOB. The lucky 10 have a systems 10 share in Taree city centre oz lotto. Also 2 tickets in $2 jackpot lottery. R u feeling lucky?????

Surferstar

Got seriously shown up today.

I went surfing before work this morn with another surfermum and man, she was on fire! Champagnekate knows her local break! This was a lesson for a mere out-a-towner...

We considered, we ummed, we ahhed, and we finally plunged into the surf at Diamond right near the rip. "Glorious deep water," I thought. "Keep me away from that crunchy sandbar!"

We got out easy enough and before I knew it we were both paddling for our first wave. My first fumble was forgiveable enough (I thought), my hands slipped off as I went to push up (Husband's slippery board!) and I splatted the side of my face into the wave. I came up spluttering as Champagnekate was still hooting along the righthander into the rip!

The next one was mine, I thought.

Paddle, paddle, paddle, push up...push up...missed it! I blame my lead suit. I had been wearing the short arms and legs up until today and the steamer felt a little...heavy. You know how a poor workman blames his tools? That might be me.

"Come over here", said Champagnekate, "and I'll show you how it's done." She made me paddle over to the sandbank where I nearly kamikazied into the sandbar while she took off on a pearler, looking back at me with a wave and a grin.

You know how some days you are just unstopppable? And sometimes you are just a little piece of flesh, foam and fibreglass floating around on the ocean?

At least the water was warm.
SM

Happy Easter

It was a very Good Friday on the lake for the Grommie by the looks of the photo above. Happy family, picturesque lake, and an iphone. What more could you want?

Waves maybe. I haven't had an Easter surf yet but its not the swells fault - seems like things/family/wind keeps getting in the way. Have other surfermums caught waves? Tell me.

SM

The Turville Grommets

The Turville grommets. Beware, new breed of future surfers who may get in your way !
Very proud parents who are really enjoying a new kind of day at the beach.

Surfing Sunday

Hallelujah! Finally, a sunday with a nice offshore autumn breeze and nothing on the agenda but surfing! I agree with the Grommie's last post - Crowdy is fantastic! Took the family up to Crowdy Gap today - offshore all day - how good's that? Finally had to throw in the towel at 2pm and go get some lunch (arms no longer worked!). Needless to say shoulders are a bit weary this afternoon. Seems like I only surf once a month these days... Not enough, not enough!!! :(

Still in need of girls surfing weekend. Grommie? Are you out there? What about the weekend of the 4th + 5th May? (6 weeks to look forward to it!!!!) Any takers?

So, where did you spend your surfing sunday? Any pics for the blog?

SM

Crowdy Magic

Last weekend posed the perfect time for the Grommie to carve it up at Crowdy. Perfect wind, weather, tide and waves.. ( and company ) Dare I say it- Could this be a possibility for the surfermum annual weekend away???

Yummy food at the local pub, and Thai takeaway was a winner. Can grab a decent coffee at the cafe- for those in need of a little pick-me -up.. Anyone keen for a weekend away soon??? Anyone??

Kamakazi twins were of course, none other that than Jules and Cathy. Looks as though you're in the headlines at the moment Julie. Personally I wasn't there to witness the event,but hubby saw the whole thing. BIIIIG surf plus wild conditions equals....... craziness!!!

The Grom

Show us your tatts!

Whoooooo Hooooo! Diamond is working its butt off pitching lefts and rights off those banks all along the beach! What a fantastic morning to be a Surfermum! As expected, many of the MOB were seen sliding down those crystal curves and carving shimmering lines in the sunlight. There was Acturv, Jules, Laura, and I know the rest of you wouldve been in the Pacific somewhere soaking up the sunshiney day and warm lovely water. I hope (touch wood, pray to the Wave God Huey, and think only positive thoughts...) that the wind stays nice and light - like it did yesterday- and I will see you again as the tide comes in on that bank later today.

Went to the spiritual home of the MOB recently. Cellito. It was good but there was just one thing wrong... I didn't have the MOB with me! Much more fun when theres the good gal vibe and an endless supply of champagne and cheese when the surfing's done!.

One of the Surfermums and I were discussing tattoos recently (over some v nice white wine and some v tasty cheese in v comfy old chairs) and we didn't think any of the MOB has a tattoo... Is that right? Any you gals gonna show us your tatts? Settle down Jules, I said TATTS!

Reminds me of a gal pirate who was temporarily wearing a tatt to the left of her cleavage (skull and crossbones of course, in keeping with the pirate theme!) at Cathy's party. When asked by a certain gentlemen who was gazing at her left bosom in awe "Is that real?" she - without a moment's hesitation, squeezed her right bosom and said "Yep, and this one's real too!" (You know all the tit stories are about Jules doncha?).

I laughed my head off. Quick wit, that one.

And, anyway, who the hell were the Kamakazi surfers referred to in the last post? Someone tell me please.

See you on the carpark bank at Diamond at 3pm. Sshh.
SM

Onshore -kamakazi twins

Hope everyone has settled into the swing of the new year.

There were a couple of surfers spotted by the pool earlier in the week, waves were 6 feet. Thankfully the only casualties were a snapped fin and some bruised ego's.

One was rumoured to comment " NEVER AGAIN "but was happy to experience a bit of "Pro Surfing"!!

Looking forward to some calm days ahead..

Let's Go Girls!!

The Grommie and I had a great surf the other Saturday and SM and I have had a few too - and yes, I too, am missing the rest of the MOB.

Let's Go Girls!! We are in much need of a MOB session real soon.
CK

Chrissy Hols

Hello chicks, yesI have to agree with surfer mum, the surfer gals have been rather thin on the water to date!
I'm pleased to say I'had heaps of fun surfing with champagne Kate last Sturday week ago at Diamond, but suffered with a whole sunburnt bottom lip for the last week- Blaaaa.

January at Diamond

Greetings to all the surfermums who I haven't surfed with for a while. Where are you gals? I usually see Batgirl on the horizon somewhere but even she has been hard to spot. Come on in, the water's lovely.

Maybe we should have an Australia Day getogether..? I'll bring the pav.
SM

The Little Master

Husband scored members tickets and took the family to Sydney on Friday to see Sachin Tendulkar get caught in the slips (not the petticoat kind ladies!) at the SCG. He didn't make his record breaking 100 100's - only got to 80 this time but that was good enough for us because then the action started, and the Indianswere all out before 4 o'clock!

Whoda thought Test cricket could be so exciting... What?! You don't look convinced.

Surferboy and his cousin recieved some words of wisdom from a NSW fast bowler who was training in the nets:
"Ever been to the SCG before?
Nuh.
This is where dreams start, boys."

Husband then went on to tell us how he once played school boy league at the SCG and went home and scraped the mud off his SCG boots to save for posterity. And where is this mud now? Who knows, he said.
Dreams indeed.

Check out Surferboy and his cousin under the Members Stand in the photo. Don't know who that guy up top is but he is giving us the surfer "hang loose" salute.
Nice.

SM

Women in the headlines again!

Good to see news reports of women on boards eh? They may not be quite our kind of boards - and not nearly as much fun but I will give gals on boards credit whenever I can. ;)

Speaking of women on boards, where are you all? I have had some excellent surfs with Champagnekate and The Grom, (plus Surferboy who is not a women but a great surfing pal), but Mobsters have been hard to spot. The weather has not been kind to us I know - first the mega swell, then the forever nor'easter, but get out there now, quick, while theres a sou'easter!

Good luck to Jules who is going north on a surfing odyssey. Crescent and Scotts - beware the yellow charger!

SM
PS send me some photos!