Last weeks unseasonal north swell on the east coast provided a few hollow runners for Taj to get a bit of backside practice for Teahupoo. He would've been suited, however, to stay at Bondi with the conditions currently on offer In Tahiti. Today is another layday at the Billabong Pro.

Taj and sparring partner, Wheels MacIntosh, on the NSW south coast. All photos Phil Gallagher.//STUART NETTLE