Abrolhos Trip Jan 2009

The call came out of the blue. Local shredder Ben just happenned to mention that he was heading out to the Islands for a 3day trip on his crayfishing mates boat. My ears pricked up immediately. "What group?" Southern came the reply. Now I was really interested. "What sort of boat and how many guy's going?" 32ft jet boat, 5 guys plus the skipper and we get to stay in the skippers camp. "Count me in" I quickly replied. It sounded like the dream trip. I'd been on a few surf  trips to other Groups previously but was dying to kite /sail Half Moon Reef on the Southern Group as I'd heard glowing reports about the place.
6.30am down at the wharf on Saturday morning and the forecast was looking good. Rising swell and a stiff S/E made for a wet /rough ride out but that was not enough to dampen our expectations of the session we knew was coming up that afternoon. We docked  and unloaded at Robbo's camp at around 9.00am ,had a feed and loaded the eskies and took off  towards Half Moon. The advantages of a jet boat immediately became apparent as we cut across the super shallow reefs that surround the breaks minimising the time needed to get to our destination. As we pulled up to Wardrobes the wind was still a bit S/E but the outside was grinding well overhead lefts down the reef.
Ben Mardon didn't hesitate and immediate launched his 10mt Flow off the boat and proceeded to make a pig of himself in the fun 3-4ft  waves breaking inside close to the boat . A ritual he repeated constantly for the next 3 days earning himself a hideous wave count  and the nick name "Piggy". 

The wind slowly filled in and swung around to the south making the outside bombs accessable which I took full advantage of with my 09 Rev2 9mt and Best 5'7 Thruster. Mal and Squinty  launched and joined in the fun . Perfect 9-10mt weather, sunny skies, turquoise crystal clear water and pumping waves.

 We were in heaven for the whole afternoon and returned to camp after a few beers fully amped. Hillsy provided entree of groper for dinner straight from the ocean onto the BBQ and the beers flowed. 
The next morning and the swell was still up. A bit of a dive and a fish around the camp to kill some time and shake off the hangovers and we were off to Wardrobes again. Slightly smaller than the day before but still plenty of waves. Piggy was first out again and surprised us all by getting around easily on a 2009 Best Nemesis HP 8mt. in around 12-15knts. These kites really have amazing wind range/power. Mal was next to launch on his trusty Vapor 10 and got some good rides and jumps and Squinty made the sacrifice to the wind gods for more wind and started cracking beers. 

The wind again filled in and Langy got out for a few on his poleboard and lacerated some all the way through. Another day in paradise. A few beers on the way home and Hillsy (total legend) took us on an eco tour of Long Island. Fanging down the length of the island in the shallows was an amazing experience and we all tried to take in the natural desolate beauty of the area as much as we could. Truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Day 3 and with the wind already blowing from the S/W the decision was made to head across to Little Island just across from camp. A perfect set up with butter smooth freestyle conditions on the inside with a channel running out to a right hander peeling out the back wich was side on in the S/Wester. Piggy  immediately had his snout in the trough and was all over it. Not overly concerned about the possibility of not being able to get back to the boat ,he was straight out and fully smacking the rights with his preferred natural foot attack. Squinty and I hit the inside for a wicked freestyle session in the smoothest water we had experienced. 

 A quick trip home with a tailwind and we were back in port before we knew it. What a way to end the trip. Thanks again to the boys for a unforgettable weekend.