Living on the Northern Beaches you often end up doing ‘the drive’ in search of waves. By that I mean heading along the peninsula, checking beach after beach, in search of that perfect break. Before dawn I headed north and started looking for signs of life in the ocean. Unfortunately, the early high tide and the fading south swell conspired and wave quality was pretty poor compared to what we have been enjoying lately. I pulled the pin at beach number three and headed home to write this report. It is a perfect day with plenty of sunshine. Perhaps throw the longboard in the back of the van and go look around yourself. If nothing else you will find some sunshine…

The Saltmotion Gallery is open all weekend, we had some new pieces arrive this week from our recent Maldives trip which look amazing, come by and see for yourself. (find us)

Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman…

The run of crisp mornings and fun looking waves continues today with the different banks along the beach offering varying quality waves. One rip-bowl section was producing plenty of launch ramps and the groms were all over it, practicing their aerial assault moves. Landing some and wiping out on others, it was certainly entertaining to watch… Looks like a perfect day of sunshine and light winds, I hope you get to enjoy some of it outside…

Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman…

Even though the surf is about half the size it was yesterday, I think it is better for us along the Manly stretch. The swell also seems to have turned more east, so it is hitting the banks and holding up a little better than the last few days. Smaller waves, fewer closeouts, more turns, more fun…
Don’t be fooled by the nice warm colours in today’s photographs. Although the sun is out and everything looks to be bathed in warmth, it is damn chilly on the beach in the mornings with these SW winds biting at your bones!…

Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman…

With line upon line of south swell pushing into Manly, hitting the banks and shutting down with ruler edge precision along the beach, I figured it was a good morning to take a drive ‘over yonder’. What I found a little higher up the Northern Beaches peninsula was a very tasty looking wave, basking in the early morning offshore breeze. I’ll admit it was damn near freezing at dawn, but getting good waves before breakfast will always warm the soul…

Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman…

Before the sun came up I took a quick look at Manly and saw a beautiful left reel off at Queenscliff. I then jumped in the car and darted over to the south facing beaches to check the conditions. Even though it was bigger, the winds were not as favourable and there seemed to be a lot of wobble to every wave. With time before the sun broke the horizon, I headed back to Manly only to see that beautiful left had turned into a grizzly rip. The rest of the beach was producing some pretty impressive closeouts which, depending on your point of view, could be super fun or very frustrating. Fun if you are the type who loves pulling into anything hollow. Frustrating if your satisfaction is measured by whether or not you can actually make it back out. Ok, enough rambling from me…

Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman…

Every now and again you read something in the news about the ‘best cities in the world to live in.’ If the writers were at a Sydney beach this morning we are sure to be top of that list.. It’s May, nearly winter, pfft to that! The weatherman is telling us it will be 28 degrees today. A warm water eddy is sitting off the coast meaning seawater temps are at 22 degrees. With such warm weather and light westerly winds predicted, I personally think everyone should be given the day off to enjoy the sunshine!… The only downside is, the swell is tiny and suitable only to the longboards. Get your nose riding fix or hang out a few days as there is a new pulse of wave energy on the radar for the weekend.
Mothers Day is this Sunday. There is hardly any surf forecast for Saturday but there is for Sunday afternoon. Here’s the plan: 1.Stop by the Saltmotion Gallery and pick up something special for mum from 9am on Saturday. 2.Take the awesome artwork you chose, or the gift voucher you got for mum, around for lunchtime Sunday. 3.Slip out for a late Sunday surf when the new swell starts to fill in… easy!

Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman…

While the swell might have faded even more overnight and the early low tide was causing most waves to close out across the banks, it is a spectacular day with the forecast telling us to expect 25 degrees of bliss! It is still worth a surf as the tide fills in and you know there is nothing better than some Saltwater Meditation on a day like today!…
Mothers Day is this Sunday. Sure, flowers and chocolates are nice, but mum would be more impressed with a special artwork from the Saltmotion Gallery. If you can’t decide which piece she will love then come in and organise a gift voucher.

Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman…

The sunrise this morning reminded me of Dali’s melting clocks, it was awesome to watch and I hope you caught a glimpse. The super run of swell we have been enjoying is on its last legs with sets becoming smaller and more inconsistent. Having said that, conditions are still perfect and there are waves to be had so, if you are not already surfed out and the boss will extend you some more time off, get out there and make the most of the last pulses of energy.

Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman…

Sorry about the lame pun in today’s title but, honestly, I could not think of any other way to describe what is going on around Manly at the moment. Actually it’s not just Manly that is providing great waves; most of the east cost is producing quality surf from this swell. The size has dropped a little since yesterday and the direction shifted slightly more south, winds are still offshore and the sun is out. What more could you ask for? Perhaps some crowd repellent. There were a lot of people in the water this morning!

Mothers Day is this Sunday and I know most of you have not figured out what to spoil mum with yet. I am sure something beautiful to hang on her wall from the Saltmotion Gallery would score you some points. Can’t decide which image mum will love? We can help, our new gift certificates have just arrived and come loaded onto a recycled paper USB drive, easy, decision made, now you have more time to surf!

Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman…

The sky turned on an amazing show of neon colours from horizon to horizon this morning. Not to be outdone by the colours in the sky, the ocean put on a show of its own. Freshly groomed groundswell and good quality sandbanks made for an epic early morning session in the surf. All areas along the Manly stretch from south to north had good waves and a number of hollow caves on offer. If you are reading this and did not surf today, I hate to tell you, but you missed out. However, the good news is, the swell is sticking around for a few days…
Last Friday we had a few people down to the Gallery for drinks. Local musicians ‘Double Standard’ pretty much stole the show with some very classy tunes. You can book them for your next function (click through below). If you were not there on Friday don’t feel left out, we will be announcing an open invite party soon!…

Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman…