Logging Out

Its September in Australia which signifies two things as a West Australian. One: Its the climax of the footy season. Finals time where everyone who are a little bit nuts about the game, become even more fanatical.Two: its the wind n wave season up North.

- Scott McKercher

In Western Australia, there’s two teams and if you’re a supporter of the team who didn’t make the finals, you just have to get out of town as the media frenzy becomes sickening as do the supporters of the cross-town rivals. It’s ‘Up North’ season for windsurfers. Which is a dual-edged sword being a Stand Up Paddler. What’s happening is: Offshore winds become nuclear in the morning, as do the Sea Breeze’s in the afternoon, which in turn clears the camp out of surfers. Thus, when the swells hit and the winds take a break, one very tasty left-hander becomes accessible to SUP, where at other times of the year a paddle wouldn’t be tolerated in the lineup. It’s a bit of a drive, but it’s all part of the allure. September still has pretty foul weather in my beloved home town of Margaret River, getting hit by low-pressure storm fronts producing rain and onshore winds. 16 hours north however, it’s sunny, offshore, with groomed lines of swell marching up the coast and detonating onto the limestone reefs.

It’s a pilgrimage to our Mecca so to speak, which me and my mate Mike have been doing since 1988, with the Natural beauty of the desert remaining relatively unscathed from development. The phone booth was a shocking development, as was the availability of internet, which ruined the un-contact-ability whilst here, but considering some change seen in other locations it’s doing pretty good.(I’ve just realized it’s out 30th year anniversary). No wonder this year was going to be special.