Passengers:
Tony "Hazza" Head, Jeff "Fonzie" Fondacaro, Glen Garner, Tracy Boxall, John East,
James O'Toole, Col Williamson and Michael "Pluck" Perry.
It was a mix of young, in between and the old crew for the BJ Tour, 27th April – 8th May. The Bondi/Perth crew notched up 30 surfs at 18 breaks in 10 days which is a great testament to Hillise and the boys. Too shouts of "what are you waiting for get out there" from the smiling fisherman Salamat as he threw us off the Bynda Laut the fun and waves never stopped.
The vibe on the boat was always cool and the goal of the crew to get us into quality waves, provide quality food and provide a safe anchorage each night to enjoy a few beers was achieved every day. Ex-Bondi now Perth based Hazza tackled HTs on his "KO Plonka" to the hoots of the crew and ended up snagging the biggest fish of the trip, a 25-30 kgs Mahi Mahi.
Young fella Glen from Margs was fearless at Green Bush on his backhand and challenged "father-in-law" Hazza in the fishing stakes (but not quite). Fonzie won wipeout of the trip award with several lip launches and reef tombstones, not to mention his "funky trunks". The WA goofies John and James fell in love with Bang Bangs and ex pro surfer Tracy had more stamina than the boys, surfin four times a day. Bondi's Col rode with style no matter what size, swooping down the line at Bat Caves and Thunders. Pluck charged anything and everything and surely had the wave count for the trip covered with one lip smack at Bongholes a stand out. It was good to see him get dusted and dragged down the reef a couple of times – problem was it did not happen enough!
BJ cooks Elvis and Eric cooked up storm day after day and we were fed like kings. Skipper Hillise was a froth'in grom urging the crew on at every break. The Bynda Laut was a classic surf chariot getting us in early and late and Salamat and Udi got us in and out of the waves and back to BJ for beers and 'second breakfast'. The "Drunk Monkey Bar" topped off a classic surf trip that was made all the better by the vibe and a great crew who kept us surfing day in and day out.
Anyone who reads this could do a lot worse than join the Barrenjoey for a trip that will provide all you need and where all you need is board shorts, a surfboard or two and some sun screen. Have a dig!
Many thanks for a BAGUS adventure.
Haz and Pluck