Week 7

This week's shoot was involving surfers. Today wasn't just the usual surf shots, it was a memorial. A long time member John (long John) Hurst of the Umina Beach Malibu Club passed away recently from a cerebral hemorrhage. He died in front of his wife and grandchildren. He was 46. Such a loss. Hug your loved ones and let them know how you feel. RIP.

Week 6

As I am doing this theme, I am realizing that there is more "things you find at a beach" than I first thought. It really is endless and I am having fun finding them. This week's entry is something that is probably world wide and something that I have never tried, nor do I want to. I am not a beach swimmer so actually tackling a wave would be completely out of the question. I do however enjoy watching others do this sport. I reckon it must be real hard. :)

Week 5

THE tide rises, the tide falls,
The twilight darkens, the curlew calls;

Along the sea-sands damp and brown
The traveller hastens toward the town
And the tide rises, the tide falls.

Darkness settles on the roofs and walls
But the sea, the sea in darkness calls;
The little waves, with their soft, white hands,
Efface the footprints in the sands
And the tide rises, the tide falls.

The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls
Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls;
The day returns, but nevermore
Returns the traveller to the shore,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1880)

Week 4

Something you find at the beach is toilets.
No big story today, too hot, too cranky and too tired.
Today on Umina Beach it is 39.4c (102.9f) with 12% humidity. It is blowing a extremely hot wind ( 16kms).
I hate summer.

Week 3

These showers can be found at just about every beach. They used to be part of "a day at the beach". Go for a swim, wash the sand off. I would say now that most of them have been turned off due to Australia being in a terrible drought.

Where I live has very tough water restrictions in place. We are not allowed to water the gardens, wash the car or use the hose at all. There are $220 fines if caught doing any of the said things. Although we can wash our car if we use water that was caught by bucket in the shower.

We need rain really bad.

Week 2

Since 1907, Surf Life Saving Australia has saved more than 520,000 lives. They are a pivotal part of Australian culture. Most Australians go to the beach, it is our way of life and in the summer time you can find these life guards on the beach all over the place. There are 305 surf life saving clubs in Australia with 112,000 members.

We have what is called "Nippers" in Australia. They are junior surf life savers in training. It is a fantastic program for 7-13 yr olds that teaches the kids all about life saving education and surf awareness like how to read the ocean in regards to currents, rips etc.

The Surf Life Savers are also all volunteers. They keep us all safe for free. They rely on funding from local events such as door to door knocking and trivia nights. (which are alot of fun)

What a great bunch of ozzies!

Week 1

I just spent 4 days in beautiful central Queensland. We went to an island paradise by the name of Great Keppel Island.

The water there was truly the best I have seen. I even went for a swim in the Ocean (and I am not an ocean swimmer).

The water was around the 26 degree mark (80f), and was crystal clear for miles.
This photo is a set of deck chairs on the resort that over looks the beach and you can sit there watching the sunset in balmy Queensland evening.