The Pacific North West Ignites.......

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That was the heading for the surf report a day or two ago.

 Well they were right, but now all we do is wait for the bad/no winds to come good and clean everything up at Pipe. This swell will top out this afternoon with 40 foot faces so that should be interesting. My guess is that it will be way more  "user friendly" in the next few days when this monster calms down a bit. Maybe Waimea Bay this arvo...... Pics from the last few days are coming. This mornings report below.

Regional Summary: Extra large WNW swell is washing out the north shore this morning with wonky conditions due to the N/NW wind flow. Most spots are completely unrideable today with huge waves in the 3-4 times overhead range with even larger rogue sets. Watch for an increase in surf heights throughout the day with potential 40 foot wave faces when this swell peaks later this afternoon. Waimea Bay and outer reef tow-in potential should be at its best this morning....use caution as this is for experts only! If headed to the north shore watch for major traffic jam!! Light winds will make clean offshore morning conditions and potential onshore sea breeze during the afternoon. How long will this swell last? Check our extended forecast for all the details.

This shot above is from my first day. Some lucky punter hooking into the base of a nice solid Backdoor Pipe bomb.

A pretty good power hook of the top of another nice one of the first days offerings.

           Another nice bottom turn, this time lining up for a Pipe wall and a crack at the prized barrell.

One very happy guy in the absolute right right place, and looking pretty relaxed about it all.

A bit of speed in the pit,,,about to go inside for a nice little cover up.

Huh.....!

"If In Doubt...Don't Go Out. You might get swept away and drown".... sort of stating the obvious when you're looking at a place like the North Shore.

"The Upgrade" A brand new ragtop "Stanger" with about 2,173 miles only on the clock. I went to pick up my rental which by the way I had booked from Australia as the cheapest economy small car I could get....a Chevy Aveo or something similar. I pull out my booking voucher at the airport and the dude looks at it and says...."Mr Stewart, it looks like you're a regular renter of our vehicles so we would like to upgrade you today to a convertible Mustang, would that be ok with you sir" What was I supposed to say !

 Anyway, for one of the shagged out wave days we had in the next few days I pulled the lid down and went cruising the island. Pulled over up near Velzyland somewhere and tooked this shot. 

My mate Luke is stiring me up calling me "mister upgrade" now as I also got an upgrade to business class on the plane trip on the way over here and also going back. My first upgrade ever and I get two of them back to back on the same trip. Nice.....It actually made all the hard work through the year seem worthwhile.