Friday's around here are really turning up the heat

Mental Fridays

Fridays are getting crazy around here, especially from 5:30 a.m. Why? I reckon the ‘working-from-home’ post-COVID revolution revolves around a schedule of Monday & Tuesday in the office, Wednesday through Friday at home, cafes, beaches and golf courses. (just kidding – I won’t tell your boss don’t worry) The swell leapt from 1 foot to […]

See full post & more photographs
El Nuggeto, Mid Bondi 6:10am

Sunny-27

It was a sensational morning in Sydney; hit the beach! There are no waves, really. The surf is flat to 1 foot, and there is quite a bit of weed in the middle. Warm in, warm out (27). There is small surf on the forecast; tomorrow may be slightly bigger – but minimal days ahead. […]

See full post & more photographs
Bronte south corner, popular!

Bogey Time

For something different, I popped over the hill to the quaint seaside village of Bronte. Bronte is famous for its’ Bogey Hole, a natural ocean pool snug up against the beach’s southern end. At sunrise, the light at Bronte is good. It consistently hits the pool at a decent angle, illuminating many natives during their […]

See full post & more photographs
Golden rayz and paddlers delight, North Bondi

Split

The day kicked off clean, golden, sunny & warm…with my favourite kind of light. It then evolved into quite dark, gloomy and onshore! Oh what a mess! The southerly was early and kicking up some chop. It’s a shame, as it was pretty fun surfing at sunrise. This weeks’ surfing forecast looks a little bleak […]

See full post & more photographs
Contrasts, Da Bergians

Contrasts

We’ve gone from a chocka block Bondi hot Sunday to a cooler, empty Monday. Fortunately, yesterday’s late change has brought waves; it’s been a while. Easily head-high sets welcome the week; some banks looked a little funky, and there was lots of weed floating around. NE winds today, overcast and only 21 degrees. The rest […]

See full post & more photographs
North Bondi - Mass exodus

Gorillas in the Mist

It was a mysterious morning, and it still is. A weird, eerie sea fog shrouds Sydney. Cool water with very hot humid air above making it interesting. I bet there are a few delays at departures. The waves are tiny and unsurfable. The water remains murky green due to the upwelling, bringing nutrient-rich water to […]

See full post & more photographs
The first time I went to Hawaii to shoot. Did five winters following

25 years in archives

It’s rare, but I didn’t feel like shooting this morning. Maybe it was the one-footers, the dark skies, maybe… I’m still celebrating our 25th anniversary of Aquabumps and have tonnes—okay, more like terabytes—of photos lying dormant on a server rack (and backed up to a cloud). So, I’ve decided to rip some crackers from the […]

See full post & more photographs
#vanlife on Brighton Boulevarde

Bland

It was a little boring down the beach this morning. The waves were pretty terrible, I’m talking onshore, 1-2 foot and a empty line up. The skies were cloudy, but dry. The beach had lots of activity on the sand…everybody working on the summer rigs. Quite a few tourists in Bondi, amazing how many languages […]

See full post & more photographs
Ah, the serenity of Bondi

Tiktok

I’ve just joined TikTok (and I’m over 16!) and have two followers. Actually, one just left, so I think it’s just one. Thanks Mum. I promise, you will never, that’s ever, see a video of me dancing on this platform! I will post some random videos, of random stuff around Bondi and beyond. Chuck us […]

See full post & more photographs
@tremtt frictionless down the line

Cyber Mondee

Such a crazy start to summer, lots of rain, then baking hot, then thunderstorms yesterday amid hail…some flooding…now back to baking hot, but hang on, water is freezing (and brown from run off). What next? Small rideable waves at Bondi, 1-2 foot. The odd slightly larger set. It’s going to be a hot beach day, […]

See full post & more photographs
Free Shipping on Unframed Prints, anywhere in the globe

Black Friyay

It’s mental Friday when retail businesses put on their best deals, your inbox is drowning in it! For some businesses they’ve been on sale since winter! Well, we’re shipping unframed prints (not framed) anywhere on the globe for free from now until Monday midnight. It’s a huge saving if you’re overseas reading my daily rambles. […]

See full post & more photographs
Early birds, South Bondi

Subdued

A muggy grey morning in Bondi. Like yesterday, small waves limping into the bay (waist to chest). West to Nor-west-then Nor east winds. Due to offshore upwelling, the water remains frosty. You can feel the coolness as you walk close to it. Quite refreshing after a very warm nights sleep. Bondi is such a mix […]

See full post & more photographs
Little man paddling out

Peaking

You can always tell it’s going to be a very busy morning at Bondi when the carpark queue extends up around the roundabout into Campbell Parade BEFORE 5:45 a.m! I saw tourists thinking, “What on earth is happening here so early!”. Bondi is unique in that it gets some warm weather, and it cranks. It […]

See full post & more photographs
Morning traffic, sprayed in golden light. Bondi 7am

Heating up

It’s starting to warm up around here. Today, we will be in the high twenties; tomorrow will be even hotter, at 29, and Thursday at 26. How do you like those apples? The ENE is up early, 15 knots, and keeps the water murky green with a chill. The waves are pretty small, smaller than […]

See full post & more photographs
Wildman Tymen, letting rip. Bondi

Warm out, Cold in

When those northerly winds blow for days, the ocean chills down. It feels like you can paddle out in your boardies until that first plunge under – brrrr. It is a sensational day—twenty-six without a cloud in the sky. It’s been like this all weekend, and Bondi is finding its summer vibe. There are traffic […]

See full post & more photographs
Mahon Pool, a sunrise jewel south of Bondi

3 baths

Sydney is littered with bays and beaches. In the east, the beaches are small and close together; you can swim between them. Most beaches have an ocean pool, built long ago and carved from stone. This morning, I visited three of my favourite pools around here: Mahon, Coogee, and Icebergs. All were packed with the […]

See full post & more photographs
6:10am cruise, South Bondi bank, really small

24 hours

It was a comfortable, warm Bondi morning with neat little waves. The waves were bigger in the pool last night though! Only 1-2 foot around here at dawn. It’s a maximum of 25 degrees today, and it’s perfectly sunny as I write. A swim after work is definitely on the cards. It’s a strange feeling […]

See full post & more photographs
Charge! Bondi 7am

Switch

Finally, it’s switched back to our good times—a morning of light, warmth, and vibes. After days of grey and drizzle, we’ve been rewarded with a very comfortable Wednesday. A very large mob was down there from sunrise—lots of activity! Surfing is on the back burner as one footers limp into the bay. It’s 25 degrees […]

See full post & more photographs
2008. When Havaianas took over Bondi for Australia Day

Bondi Retrospective

In the spirit of celebrating our 25th Aquabumps birthday, we explore some of the colourful events that have occurred on our little strip of sand over the years. It’s never dull around here – so much happens on this beach. I’ve shot several Australia Day Thong Challenges for Havainas, a raft of crazy ladies drifting […]

See full post & more photographs
Leftovers around the corner at Tamarama

Subdued

It was a very quiet Monday down the beach. The 5am rain dampened everyone’s motivation to slip down the beach before work. It was dark, still and Bondi was one foot due to the swell direction neglecting our bay. Eastern-facing beaches had more action, but it’s on the decline. We have an overcast week full […]

See full post & more photographs
World Champ Tyler Wright with the Ag1 girls

Tyler

Two-time WSL surfing champ Tyler Wright visited Bondi this morning after hearing that we’ve got some good sand banks. Sadly, it was a rather dark, ugly 1-2 foot onshore day—not making the best impression. The beach conditions will improve as the wind swings from the nemesis East around to the northeast. This will be perfect […]

See full post & more photographs
Celebrating 25 years with a new book, our 4th dive into publishing

25 Years

It’s hard to believe, but Aquabumps is 25 years old now. What sprouted from a little hobby and rev-up between mates has become a sophisticated Bondi gallery and global website, and our artwork hangs in most cities worldwide. I didn’t really start out in ’99 with any goals or aims; I just wanted to have […]

See full post & more photographs
I missed the colour spray, but caught the golds

High Hopes

We all had big expectations for the morning surf conditions. At 5:30 am the beach was littered with frothers, eagerly hunting a solo peak. Unfortunately, the 6:39 am high tide swallowed the swell increase, producing fat burger waves that provided little enjoyment. Land of the cutback! I know there was some colour at 5:30 am, […]

See full post & more photographs
Mr. Spike finding his surf mojo

Onshore Grind

Another day of onshore grinding; it is not very picturesque out there. A steady flow of south-southeast wind made a mess of the bay and cooling it down. Significantly few people around, everyone opting to do something else. I get it. Our grom squad were out, training for the Olympics 2028-2032. Finally, there should be […]

See full post & more photographs
Little viking blowing the tail, 6:30am

Sunrise Southerly

The week kicked off on a very grovelly Monday. The southerly was in early, making a mess. The clouds were thick, making it dark, but the frothing groms paddled out and made it look like child’s play. Very few people down the beach. Browsing the week’s forecast, it looks pretty ordinary, to be honest. Onshore […]

See full post & more photographs
The style master, Jake Bevan, on middle bank 6am

Friday Masses

The combination of a Friday and a cracker-27-degree day was just too seductive – Bondi was packed! Packed! The conditions are calm, and the surf is tiny—beautiful for a morning swim. Swim groups were in full swing. Everyone was so happy with the sun shining and the water warm. Tomorrow won’t be as nice. A […]

See full post & more photographs
The search, Bondi

Doldrums

It is rare to see Bondi windless and waveless. Today, we sit in the doldrums, stagnant. It feels like a still Indonesian morning, with pure glass across the bay. Beautiful, isn’t it? Perfect for your bay swims, morning walk, beach coffee – not so good for surfing! :: uge

See full post & more photographs
Morning dribbly bits, leftover NE swell, tiny

Mercoledì

It evolved into a beautiful beach day, but its beginnings were dark, overcast and overrated. A much warmer morning and the Wednesday crowds flocked to the beach. Waves are tiny, just a tad above flat…the 100-litre longboards littered the beach. The Nor-easter is blowing 18 knots, so North Bondi is completely protected and suitable for […]

See full post & more photographs
Bergs early sess.

Lame

These onshore breezes and dark skies aren’t much fun, especially with a large batch of blue bottles lining our shores, stinging everyone upon entering. The surf is minuscule, half to one foot. The only humans that can flick a turn out are the mega groms, sub 30 kaygees. Sadly, the forecast shows no improvement in […]

See full post & more photographs
Bondi yesterday, felt like summer

Yesterday

Yesterday (Sunday) was much better than today. Yesterday was a warm beach day with a little wave in the morning. Today’s been wiped out by an early cooling onshore and only fumes of swell, crumbling in at one foot. I reckon it wasn’t surfable at sunrise or shootable. So here are a few pics from […]

See full post & more photographs
Neat little sunrise today, only for a moment

BLOW

Too much blow. It’s onshore and messy. The small waves are suffering under these conditions. Lovely sunrise though around 6am. The sun ducked in and out all morning, even threatening to rain occasionally, and it remains cool (22 degrees maximum). Don’t forget Ben Lucas’ memorial paddle out is at South Maroubra on Sunday at 6 […]

See full post & more photographs
Marks Park at Sunrise

Surf & Sculptures

Another sensational morning, sun, surf and sculptures. The waves continue with a slightly junkified 2-3 foot. South wind with South-East swell combo is in town, and multiple peaks are in operation along our 900 metres of Bondi. Rain is coming, and there is a chance of a thunderstorm this evening. Go outside now before the […]

See full post & more photographs
Lying down on the job - Zach

Bueno

Looking the goods out there today. It started dark and cloudy but has now blossomed into a corker. The waves turned on for the morning session too. Three-footers galore, lovely bowls on the inside, and a massive rip kept the lineup beginner-free. We’re heating up to a very comfortable 25 degrees, go outside, it’s magnificent. […]

See full post & more photographs
Bondi 7am Golden light, low crowds.

Volatile

It’s been a weird combo this morning: sunny one minute, rainy the next. It’s like it can’t make up its mind about what kind of day it is. I understand it will be clearing into the arvo (and 23) and should produce a nice arvo (apart from the onshore east winds, which will lift a […]

See full post & more photographs
The groms dominating Ramp Dos

Thriving

Some sublime conditions to start the week – warm, offshore, sunny. It’s a shame that I can feel the SE onshore starting to feather into the bay, bringing some clouds and unfavourable conditions. Ramp Dos has sand, but it only works when it’s tiny. Any sets overhead close out completely. I surfed it yesterday with […]

See full post & more photographs
Salties bathing in golden morning light, Bondi 6:40am

Friday’s Surprise

All the forecasted lousy weather is stuck up near Newcastle overnight, giving way to an exquisite sunny morning in Bondi today. The junkie swells now look more lined up, and a hint of the new south swell seems to be feeding the bay. It’s gonna get big tomorrow. There were really small crowds for a […]

See full post & more photographs
Morning changes, Bondi 6am

Onshaw

The smothering southerly is here, and it’s making a mess. The rain will come later tonight (9-15mm), but until then, we have a much cooler day (23). I saw waves around waist to chest high, the gruesome onshore junkie variety. The water was pretty empty, but plenty of people were on the beach. Good day […]

See full post & more photographs
Slab! Bondi 7am

Superb

What a cracker day outside, as we creep up to 27 bangin’ degrees. There are still waves, sometimes head high and throwing hollow on some new sand at the south—lots of seaweed and bluebottles. With weird current movements, your cruisy paddle out in the corner has turned into a churning washing machine of rip currents—hence […]

See full post & more photographs
Clayton Blake’s ‘Odyssey’ about to blast off

Sculptures

It’s that time of year again when we get all arty along 2 km of our coast; the Sculpture by the Sea has landed, typically kicking off the warmer beach season. Loads of people were up early, enjoying the forecasted good weather and walking among the artworks. As the swell subsides, there are also a […]

See full post & more photographs
Bondi 6am, wow, what a colour blaze

Flame

The kids woke me up early because they saw a horizon of potential—a low cloud ceiling surrounding Ben Buckler with some subtle pink tints already seeping through. I raced down, 100-megapixel medium format in tow, ready to capture in 16-bit glory. Wow, wasn’t that an impressive morning? It was mind-blowing how intense the pinks and […]

See full post & more photographs