Here are a selection of more pulled-back and scenic shots from my weekend trip.

Lush green farmland flashing past breaking up the scenery, eventually reaching the turn off towards the coast. Bitumen turns to dirt, fine dust entering through the windows as the path narrows until finally a dead end. Waves crash ahead but the trees restrict vision to short glimpses of flaring whitewater. A short dash to a clearing reveals a vast wave scape stretching as far as the eye can see. This is what surfing is really about.

...a Thousand Miles From Care. I think that's how Manly's marketing spiel goes. After five days of onshore wind, Craig Brokensha spent a carefree morning shooting as the wind swung offshore and the east swell pumped. All photos by Craig.

When a large swell accompanied by good winds is lining up somewhere around the country, I can't help but get excited visualising the numerous breaks that would be going off when I prepare the forecast notes. My excitement levels are amplified to another level when the forecast region is local! Last week was one of those week's where I couldn't wait until Friday afternoon to clock off from work, pack the car and head down the NSW South Coast. Prior commitments limited my trip to only half a day, but within those six hours I saw numerous waves going unridden on a weekend where everywhere was pumping.

Yesterday, the East Coast was hit by a long-period south swell that combined with bluebird conditions. Darryl 'Boogs' Vandepolder (on the green board) hit the open road and managed to score a pair of great barrels at a rarely surfed reef. Photos by Craig Brokensha.