As I type many of the world's best surfers are winging their way toward Fiji. Parko, Mick, Slater, Dorian,  Anthony Walsh, Mick Freeman (who?). All of them chasing a south swell that formed in the Southern Ocean late last week.

South swells in the northerly season. They offer temporary respite during an otherwise frustrating time of year for Gold Coast surfers.

Peruvian emigre, Ignacio 'Spud' Salazar, recently flew back to Peru to compete in the Big Wave World Tour contest at Pico Alto. The comp was cancelled due the lack of waves, but Spud manage to find some fun waves along the north coast of Peru.

While a behind the scenes shot of photographer Warren Keelan would likely show him rolling around in a shorebreak, camera in hand, sand in every orifice, the work he creates conjurs more than mere levity or amusement.

It's been a while since Matt Mackay has taken any surf photos. These days he's captivated by more sublime images: raw nature, landscapes, that kinda thing. And that was what Matt was chasing early on Sunday morning.

To cope with the miniscule monotony Swellnet photographer, Jack Dekort, has trawled back through his recent archives. Lifting his spirits by recollecting better days from the past year.

The biggest air in contest history? The second biggest..? Who knows, but Julian Wilson's Round 3 oop against CJ Hobgood was a fine effort, and if it didn't eclipse John John's Balinese version it went awfully close.

The new Surfing Australia boardrider comp got off to a freight-training start last weekend. Waitpinga, on South Australia's south coast, turned on blue moon barrels for competitors and non-competitors alike.

Bet you weren't expecting that, eh? Know I wasn't. Slater goes down in Round 2 to a local wildcard registering his first 25th of the season. With that result he almost certainly hands the world title to Mick Fanning (if Mick gets third or better he wins at Portugal, if not the decider happens at Pipe).