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Posted on Friday May 7th 2010 at 10:33 a.m.
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The plan for a roadie north of the Garden City was initiated the previous night around 12am over a beer or six. Not surprisingly the designated leaving time of 7am had now stretched out to 8.30am as we scrambled around in search of leashes and half melted blocks of wax. Not to worry, after a quick stop for fuel and some oversized cans of RelentlessVbull we hit the road.
With the sounds cranking and the sun shining it felt liberating to be escaping the rat race of the urban beach breaks. It wasn't long before the houses had dissipated and were replaced with vineyards and lush rolling hills. The energy drink was beginning to take effect and as we turned off onto a snaking gravel road I got a bit of Collin McRae fever. This was short lived as I rounded a corner and had a near head on with a disgruntled Cow! A little shaken although not deterred we carried on through the winding valley, albeit at a more modest pace.
I could feel the anticipation in the air as we climbed up the final rise. We could already see the trees blowing offshore but was the swell going to cooperate. Hell yeah! Was the confirmation from the back seat as we reached the crest of the hill and were greeted with stacked lines. We pulled up outside an old farm house before power walking across the paddock toward the break. Ten minutes later and we were standing atop a clay cliff looking directly down on the picturesque bay. The left hand point break was reeling and the beachies were peaky and barreling. Not only that, apart from two rugged looking blokes collecting shellfish the beach was empty!
After a Usain Bolt style sprint down the steep sheep track and a record wetsuit fitting we were out amongst it. Over 2.5hrs on the point and another hour on the beach breaks and we were well and truly satisfied, not to mention exhausted. The bearded shellfish gatherers were still on shore, now roasting fresh Paua on an open fire and looked equally satisfied with their days efforts.
A quick stop at the local Amberly pub for a couple of cold ones on the way home was the perfect way top off an unforgettable roadie.
Now based in Sydney I am still stoked to be so close to the surf, but trying to find uncrowded peaks can be like chasing the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow! My advice to all is, make the most of the isolation NZ has to offer as I am sure it wont last.
Cheers
Jeremy