Mentai 04-02

After a couple of days of assorted conditions, and surf ranging from waist hi to 2 to 3 foot overhead, We made our way south to get away from the never ending stream of boats that plagued the lineup. Everyday a new set of charters would roll up with their guests feverishly throwing on their boardshorts and waxing up their boards, this after sitting for hours waiting for the current crew of surfers to get tired and go in for a cold beer and a jaffle. It's enough to drive you mad.
Somehow I couldn't get the the thought of them all following us out of my mind, I became obsessed watching the horizon looking for a vessels, and wouldn't have to wait too long.

Thunders used to be a spot where you could escape too if you were getting tired of having your lineup ravaged by other charters. In the past when I've arrived here I was shocked to see even one boat, and even then upon seeing us arrive, they themselves would leave to go elsewhere.

But the southeast winds were the real culprit, as when they blow relentlessly for several days it limits the potential for allot of other spots that would help serve the enormous roster of surfers out in the chain. It also makes for the hell sailing conditions as the seas would build and slow our speed. Our trip south would be no picnic as we headed into the stiff wind, and upon getting outside the channel found the waves too big to make the sail south.
So back to the channel and go down the backside of the island was the call, a call that was music to everyone's ears. We could all have a nice dinner and confidently hold it down. We could watch a movie without having to go out on deck and get a breath of fresh air before vomiting into the sea. We could even sleep comfortably without getting thrown from side to side by the whitecaps hitting our boat broadside...It was a good night of sailing and when we woke up we were almost there !

However when we got there we were greeted with 3 other boats, and a full lineup. The waves were solid chest - head high, with a few sets going a little overhead. The water was a deep blue and the light was just perfect.
After waiting a while while everyone else filed out into the water, I was just about to throw on my boardshorts and get a few, when I saw a launch go by with a couple of familiar faces. After hitting the water the first surfer took a solid set wave and began to dismantle it. I instantly knew then from the trademark backside snap that it was the "Snake" Jake Patterson. Next wave was followed by a deep frontside gouging bottom turn that turned out to be none other that Luke Egan, followed by a deep tube ride from Nathan Hedge...That was it ....Photo opp....get the camera, get the scarab..we're shootin this.

What followed was a session you can view in this Gallery

I shot for about an hour while just about everyone else got out of the water and just enjoyed the show. Luke was carving deep solid turns on most every wave, The "Snake" was smacking lips so hard I thought his legs would snap off, and Nathan Hedge just kept getting double, and triple barrel tube rides.
After playing "Cat and Mouse" with their photographers, and boatsman, they finally confronted me by asking if I was shooting for a magazine, and that this was "Off Limits" to anyone else. I courteously replied that I was nobody, just an amateur photographer shooting for myself. I then asked them who they were, and without divulging any names, followed up their reply with, "Oh my god ..You guys are legends!!". With an unbelieving, but satisfied smile, they both just kinda laughed and said "cheers mate"..and I think I said whatever or something, and it was all good, So thanks guys for letting me shoot these photos.

After they all got out of the water the lineup returned to it's original crowded condition, only to be followed up by another 2 boats making for the most crowded Thunders lineup I've ever witnessed..."There went my session"... I thought, only to think again about the evening sess., but just as luck would have it the Aussies came back out equipped with every conceivable photographer, water, boat, land, flash, video, ect ect....so back to work I went, and armed with my video got the entire session until blackness..
.I'd like to add that these pro's were all super cool, & friendly guys, and surfing with them was easier than surfing with your average clueless Barnies!

Next Chapter "Cheese with our Macaroni's"

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