CHARTER EIGHT // 5 JULY - 16 JULY // 2008

Passengers: 
Steve Mitchell, Jordon Mitchell, Peter Holland, Jack Holland, Tim Dodd, David Singleton,
Dean Dampney, Leo Page, Scott Janney, Michael Sarain.

What happens when you bring a bunch of sandgropers, with grommets that can surf, together with some East coast grovellers and throw the token seppo into the mix? Not to mention some supposed, I am never going to Tow but want to tow surfers. Some big barreling rights that certain individuals who shall remain nameless for now could not seem to find an exit. Fodder for the boys. A photographer that did not have the time or energy to press the bloody button because he surfed so much. A boat lergy affectionatey known as "the Dampeners" (enough to give everyone the shits. that got all and sundry in the end. Some really weird boards with riders that ripped. Some perfect long lefts. Some perfect long rights. Small shotgun barrels. "bloody annoying sunsets" as noted by the Radar. A real pirate, cold beer - what happens?? We all laugh till it hurts.

CHARTER SEVEN // 19 JUNE - 30 JUNE // 2008

Passengers: 
Andrew Braund, Jeffery Brooks, Jason Karalus, Paul Kilgren, Andrew Darch, Daniel Baird,
Marko Lemmetty, Conrad Anderson

No rights this trip. Well, nothing significant anyway. Not that that the goofyfooters were complaining. Dachi's free spirit was all over the walls whilst Andy and Dan attacked it with gusto. Hats off to Conrad, who had only been surfing for 3 years and was a man on fire, pushed out of his comfort zone and feeling mighty fine at each sunset. Marko scored the Mahi on the return. Jason and Jeff caught wave after wave and kept all aboard in line, rather aligned. Paul's cutties sliced through the sea. The Bintangs were cold and the smiles were warm and the sunsets always a pleasure.

CHARTER SIX // 7 JUNE - 18 JUNE // 2008

Passengers: 
Mick Rose, Marg Rose, Jack Rose, Ron Quinn, Keiran Quinn, Billy Wilson, Kent Ladkin, Forrest Ladkin, Peter Bailey, Aaron Bailey

One of the best trips we have ever done. Family fun at its finest. The surf pumped, but that was only part of the fun. Watching Jack, Keiran, Billy, Forrest, and Aaron's surfing go to new levels of charging, ripping, and tube-riding was a pleasure. Not only that, but they all played with Fynn like he was their little brother. The pride on the old boys' faces (Mick, Ronn, Kent, and Peter) as they surfed with their sons and watched them push themselves and experience the unadulterated joy of the ocean was another high. And Marg - one of the fe non-surfing females we have had on the boat. She fitted in like a silk glove. Mum to all on the trip. No-one was injured, except for Ronn's nine stitches in his head. Well he did play rugby league and we figured it was only a scratch for him.

The smile's were wide, but 13 year old Aaron won the smile award for his stand-up barrel. First ever.

A truly remarkable trip.

CHARTER FIVE // 14 MAY - 25 MAY // 2008

Passengers: 
Darren Longbottom, Todd Prestage, Paul Green, Craig Barrett, Matthew Goodwin, Aaron Waters, Dwain Fitzsimmons, Ian Stewart, Craig Sparks, Nathan Rodgers.

CHARTER FOUR // 30 APRIL - 13 MAY // 2008

Passengers: 
Scott Hills, Graham Hills, Glenn Green, Cameron Garlick, Gary Barnes, Richard Feledy, Dave Wigney, Ryan Davis

Somewhere different. Without the crowds. It is what we all want. Our aim is to deliver. This trip we did.

From large lefts to ultra hollow rights. Rhino's fish. Moose's new spot. The barrel that no-one caught, but we all saw. Actually there was about 3 new spots. And plenty of barrels that no-one caught. Tow in surfs that gave us all a taste. Cammo's going home to get a license. Fun peaks and late night peaks. Johnny Goodtime contained. Stitches inside and out. Throwback 70's surfers. Shocking beer drinking games. A bunch of longtime mates watching each other still surf was a pleasure to see. The adventure went to the wire as we made our way up the river to meet the plane. Home for a rest!!!

CHARTER THREE // 12 APRIL - 23 APRIL // 2008

Passengers: 
Jason "Chucky" Hoey, Daniel "Uncle" Hoey, Paul Barga, Lionel Bance, Antoine Prat, Yoav Kipnes

The Jacksonville Mafia were back. "What would posess a man!" to try and score perfect waves with his mates. The start was great with some fun uncrowded stuff that had the goofy footers in heaven. A couple of Low pressure systems turned the whole chain to hell for a week. Luckily we managed to scratch into one hollow left that had Danny yelling "Booya and Bintang!" Uncle was getting toobed. The boys filled the freezer up with fish. Let the sailfish go. Caught it on film as well as many other antics. Had some fun little tows and great laughs. It was not the biggest waves. But there was a lot of good stuff in between.

CHARTER TWO // 29 MARCH - 9 APRIL // 2008

Passengers: 
Stephen Cox, Bradley Devine, David Brown, Brian Morton, Matthew Thistlewaite, Anthony Adams, Anthony Parkes, Lloyd Thomas, Simon Beaufils

Brian could have gone home after his barrel! One more tow session sorted them all out. Surfed out again! Speared fish and caught fish. Tony showed us how to drive a jetski in between sessions at the left. Coxy charged again and snapped as many photos between sessions. Lloyd flowed with the waves. Simon took on whatever came his way, even the bloody reef to retrieve his board. Stories were told, especially by Tony. Matty was loving the lefts. Dave looked relaxed the whole trip. The weather shone down and everyone went home happy.

CHARTER ONE // 15 MARCH - 26 MARCH // 2008

Passengers: 
Neil Croft, Mike Hartwig, Jim Maguire, Justin Smidmore, Rene Strehler, Hans Kelc, Cameron Goldsbury, Paul Barlow, Luke Luttick

What about riding a wave, say, 300m long. A right for the natural footerssake. Not big, nice. Along the coral and ending on a sand beach, stepping off onto that sand beach, continue walking, pick up a shell as a momento..well that dream came true for Luke. Ask him! Or Renee; never towsurfed, always wanted to, and after 2 days could not get him off the rope fuelling his theories of alternatively powered surfboards. Justin was happ to relax, catch as many waves as he could, and relax. Neil, back for his umpteenth trip, scored his lefts, again, and his fish and his rights.

Whereas Big Jim was stoked to be dragged onto a few, ended up catching more than his fair share and banged some fish. Not bad for a boy from the bush. Hans just fished, surfed, drank and laughed and caused everyone to laugh.

Cammo caught that big Barra in the photo and some of those long rights. Jock stayed out at THOSE rights. Yep Those perfect bloody rights for 2 days. And Mike, bless his striped soul, not only fitted in with the Aussies, scored plenty of waves, but scored all the great photos for the boys. Great first trip.

CHARTER SIXTEEN // 6 DECEMBER - 17 DECEMBER // 2007

Passengers: 
Stephen Blakey, Serena Blakey, Annaye Blakey, Caleb Blakey, Liam Blakey, Joel Blakey

A FAMILY TRIP ON THE BARRENJOEY·

For a trip in the off season we had an awesome time!

We were the first family with kids to go on the boat and the little guys, two 7 year olds (Joel and Liam), an 8 year old (Caleb), and cousin Fynn Mcgroder (3yrs old) had as much fun as anyone! The groms wanted to surf just as much as anyone, so they got to surf at a new surf spot for beginner groms called 'Fin chops', which was soft and perfect for them, and even scored a couple of well claimed head dips, and all bragged that the surf out 'Fin Chops' was the best surf they had ever had! Caleb also got to surf out Lances rights with the local nudie indo kids, to surf with the locals the 8yr old started to become interested in how the locals lived compared to how he lived!

We did some snorkelling in crystal clear ocean, tried wakeboarding behind the jet ski, jumping off the top deck of the boat, and swam all day everyday. Not one of them stopped smiling the whole time until it was 'goodbye!'

The grommets also wanted to catch a Spanish mackerel . They achieved that goal, with catching all up about 8 Spanish mackerels! And scored a couple of surprise Dogtooth tunas for sushi which made the trip extra special for them!

The Barrenjoey experience for a 14 year old girl surfer (me) was as good as it gets! Captain John made sure I got Perfect waves, a couple of barrels, and on going waves that feel like your riding them forever! I got the opportunity to surf Lances Rights, Maccas, Bells, Burger World, and I had awesome surf at every single one of them! And scored a couple of mentawai tattoos (scars) along the way! As it was the off-season we only had to share the waves with one other boat at 'Maccas' and only for one day! And the best thing of all captain john stayed up all night just to make sure we got a last surf in before we had to go home, and that day I probably got the best barrel I'd ever experienced and it will be my screensaver for life!

We had an awesome chef 'Furi' (one of the indo crew), couldn't complain once even if I tried! And Udy made sure the boys caught heaps of fish! Barrenjoey crew were all so happy, cheerful and helpful they were all just absolute legends!

There's more on the barrenjoey than just surfing, which makes it an awesome experience for everyone including girls and groms!

Thanks heaps Captain John, Aunty Bin and Fynn for making sure we had the best time of our lives!

Annaye Blakey

CHARTER FIFTEEN // 1 NOVEMBER - 13 NOVEMBER // 2007

Passengers: 
William Ralston, Randall Ishihara, Keith Hanzawa, Russell Dang, Glenn Kuwamura, John Pregil Jr., Kilikopa Sueda, Kaipo Kauka, Neil Croft

'This is how we roll Captain', stated Butch non chalantly as Johnny strummed out his version of ACDC's 'Whole Lotta Rosie' and the Barrenjoey steamed along a very quiet crossing to the islands. And so began 12 days of the most relaxing easiest group of blokes that have ever graced the decks of the BJ. The Honolulu fireman. Butch, Randy, Johnny, Russ, and Glen. They had brought their mate, Keith from the Big Island and two grommets, Kaipo and Kili. The token Aussie being Neil.

These Hawaiians have being coming to the islands for years on various vessels. Their cruisey nature and politeness have made them legends amongst the fleet. It was Barrenjoey's turn to be graced with their presence.

It was a fishing fest, as we knew it would be. Keith and Glen could not be persuaded to leave the Bynda Laut except to pop along the various beaches of the archipelago. Randy, Butch, and Russ would go on their daily spearfishing jaunts. Randy enjoyed showing Firy the intricacies of Hawaiian Style BBQ fish, dried fish, spiced fish. All delicious! Johnny swam, surfed, fished, drank beer, did the whole bloody lot.

The surf ranged from fun to small to fun again. Uncrowded the whole time. Kaipo and Kili were introduced to the pleasures of tow surfing. A new team in the making.

Considering the surf that was on offer, couldn't have been a better trip.