Dave Wood in happy camper mode for sure!
A fortnight ago I promised the weekly E-Bomb would be more ...well, weekly. And then nothing. The excuse is the best and only real one that flies; surfing, camping and cyclone chasing [argueably avoiding].
Pretty good reason not to be keyboard tapping
At this juncture, I'm going to check myself. The easiest thing in the world would be to write a blow by blow account like the old Primo Roadys. I used to love writing them for the surf mag.
I'm going to claim it, I invented them. Back in the day Anchor [via their flavoured milk brand Primo] approached us at the magazine. It was the usual 'we want to be associated with the magazine, but we don't want to run adverts.' I proposed the Primo Roady concept, the idea being Anchor paid handsomely to have naming rights and branding on those pages.
Primo worthy???
A part from wanting their corporate dollar, there was another reason. The magazine was treading water, we'd lost sight of what Kiwi Surfers did and wanted to see. Kiwi Surfers go on road trips, more so than any other nation, geographically we kind of have to. The magazine needed to feature regular road trips, reflect what every Kiwi surfer did.
Toby Dobson-Smith a regular around these parts
Over the years I even managed to persuade them into buying us a Primo Panel Van to give away after a summer of use. A boat to shoot photos from [that did not work out so well, took a wave on at Whanga Bar and lost 7K of camera gear.]
Woody and backhand rock'n'roll #200
It's doubtful Anchor/Primo ever knew the real value of what they got. But the association worked, the magazine retained Primo as an advertiser/sponsor for a decade. Over that time readers sent in their own photos of their 'Primo Roady's'. And NZ's top surfers clamoured to be on the next Primo Roady. We did some sick ones, we did some shockers.
Just kept on giving
Last week was definately Primo Roady worthy. All the elements where there; lots of driving, a swell that kept giving, camping [well Troopy glamping], road food, great mates and a shit ton of good waves.
Ha'atafu Gone!
Skeet Amess at Tonga's crown jewel; ET's
This is a nostalgic E-Bomb huh! I've enjoyed the Burling Whanau hospitality on 6 surf/photo trips to Tonga. It's close to home that the Surf Resort was LEVELLED by the Tongan Tsunami. Check the clip...every building and palm gone.
Steve, the patriarch of the Burlings, has stated that it's doubtful the Surf Camp [the longest running in the Pacific] will re-open. With continued volcanic activity only 40kms off the coast of the Resort. This means the Burling property will no longer be inhabited and the 20 staff will have to find new jobs.
Dean Amess 2005.... eeek... just 16 years ago. This image features as a double page spread in the book PHOTO CPL
Steve and his wife Sesika retired to Ahipara quite a few years ago now. But are still actively involved with their eldest daugther Moana and her husband Hola running the resort. Unlike many surf camps around the world, the culture at Ha'atafu is clearly family vibes. The staff are treated as family. You're invited in as extended family. Which is evidenced in how well the Go Fund Me page has gone. Steve and Sesika's son Alan Burling set it up 7 days ago with a lofty goal of 100K, it has already hit over 123K.
You can donate HERE
From The Gallery
The FFN wasn't quite in this vintage form...but it sure was worth being there for a week of primo waves. Would you like to loss endless hours staring at your lounge wall??? Well! Check out this water image of the FFN out bigger HERE