Broadbench and Mexico, be ready for the unexpected.
The Broadbench debate brings to mind numerous encounters with unexpected waves. In this internet era there is a natural tendency to focus on the known spots, eyes drawn by the “five star forecast”- and yet many surfers will testify that some of our most memorable sessions have come when we’ve been least prepared.
Camping on a sandspit in central Mexico a few years ago, we had resigned ourselves to a few days without surf as we battled through a seemingly endless series of awkward -to- access coastal no-go zones. Greedy developers and frustrating topography had effectively closed off a 50 mile stretch of what should have been surf-rich territory.
Our sandspit ended in an abrupt rocky outcrop about 60 metres high and covered in low scrub, and beyond the tip of this outcrop were a further series of rocks jutting out of the sea like ragged teeth. This line of rocks formed a natural breakwater inside which a large lagoon, complete with coral reef, tropical fish and silver sand beaches made for fantastic swimming alright… but definitely no surf. Or so we thought.
Two days into our stay there a booming North West swell kicked in. Not having a computer and well out of range of internet cafes we had given up on forecasts…. Just looking at the sea every day told us all we needed to know. On the Pacific side of the spit a 10ft open ocean swell with 20 second plus period was unloading in giant close-outs that made the ground shake and kept us awake all night. When they hit the beach the face height of these giant rollers looked a good 20-25ft.
Incredibly, such was the power contained in these swells, that some residual energy survived the detonations on the rocks that protected our lagoon. Waves started to appear on the coral reef we’d been swimming on the day before. These waves had made it through the small gaps in the breakwater, reformed, cart- wheeled a full 180 degrees and still contained enough power to peel mechanically down the side of this coral ledge… right in front of our camp.
We couldn’t believe our luck. Mayhem outside, perfect peelers inside- and no-one on it. Resignation gave way to sheer joy as we paddled out to surf on some of the prettiest little waves we had ever seen, all the more beautiful for their unexpected appearance, at such an unlikely place.
the farm can wait. Matt the farmer
![Mark \"Egor\" Harris, Fistral, Geoff Tydeman](http://www.surftwisted.com/wp-content/gallery/egor-geoff-sequence/lq1a8985p1lr800.jpg "Mark \\"Egor\\" Harris, Fistral, Geoff Tydeman")
hey theres a pic of my local break at highcliffe in there
might be on at the bench tommorrow, if it is i’ll try and remember my camera for an on the spot report !!!!
do it big boy !
you take the pics, i will bring the sandwiches and lemonade.
Stay away ! you are not welcome, what do you think you are doing?
lol
dont tell me you think it’s a secret spot
Well nobody knew about it for years until people like you lot began posting pictures and stories ! Who the hell do you think you are, we live here !
Hey Criss
First, The locally led Broadbench campaign made a decision to publish.
Second,You can rail against the internet all u like but it’s here to stay. It’s led to crowds sometimes at some spots, sure, but its opening the sport up to a wider group of people rather than keeping it for the selfish and elitist bunch that have made localism such a scourge on many of our breaks.
Third:One day we may even get enough numbers- and hence infrastructure in place to enable dispossessed kids from the inner cities to get something out of the sport too.
It is the attitude of people like you that spoil the experience for many in the water, not crowds. If you are any good at surfing you will know full well that picking your time and place, using your local knowledge and travelling to explore and share other people’s local spots as well as loving your own; will give you all the time in the sweet spot you need. Chill out a bit, learn to share, take the positives and keep welcoming people into your world. One day you might be glad of the company.
Criss
that ship has sailed, all the K bay breaks have been in stormrider since the 1st edition. they have a forcast on MSW, and this ABBA group have been touting for coveridge in national newspapers.
“take the positives and keep welcoming people into your world” stay away, you people will get this place closed down for good, its people like you lot that ruin it for us real surfers
Thats certainly food for thought, where can I get more information on this?
is this what you mean ? http://www.broadbench.co.uk/