Australia

After a few days of camp life, we started to get completely settled in and used to our environment. Dirtiness and outdoor living had become the norm, although, despite having a motor home, Robby was still having issues with the whole 'camping thing'.

Living solely on peanut butter and cookies, completely disinterested in the seafood delicacies that were being brought in every day, he was getting restless. He did however give us a good kiting display on one of the days, flying high above the dunes, swinging gracefully around the lines of his huge kite - not enough for the rest of us to get excited about kiting, but impressive nonetheless!

Evenings around the campfire proved highly entertaining, having stocked up on beers in a nearby (3 hours away!!) town, and being surrounded by such a good crew of people.

Our Australian connection was of course, Scott Mckercher, accompanied by girlfriend Anne-Marie, who consequently introduced us to a great group of local boys that we spent a number of raucous evenings and indeed days with. In the group of

travellers, there was myself, Scott Carvill, Bjorn Dunkerbeck, Robby Naish, Kohl, another friend from Hawaii called Jimmy and the manager of Proof boards, Gerald Leikermoser. There were several showdowns in the games department, with Scott somehow (and suspiciously) coming out on top in the Scrabble stakes and Gerald Salmina the Austrian Cameraman in Chess. Robby also showed some unlikely fire-dancing talents.

Within a few days, the wind showed signs of reappearing, as Robby ventured out in the onshore conditions that looked pretty fun, if a little light, right in front of our tents.

He sailed for a few hours and caught a couple of great backside rides, before venturing up to the main lefthander upwind. The wind never really filled in, but both Robby and Bjorn (who had also ventured out by this stage) had some fun rides in the playful surf. The rest of us decided to opt for the patience game, in the hope that the wind would fill in properly the next day, in time for the big swell that was forecast…

Unfortunately, the next day it was not to be. However, the fishing challenge was reinstated, as Bjorn was determined to outdo Scott on a bigger and better catch. Riding out on the boat I could sense the rivalry and Bjorn's determination together with Scott's smugness!!! The minute we approached the spot, Bjorn was out of the boat within seconds and searching. We followed a few minutes later, although I returned to the boat shortly after, my foot causing me grief even just kicking with my diving fins on. As I sat waiting on the boat with Gerald, I had to restart it to get out of the way of a bigger set that came through. It was shortly after this that I heard loud yelling coming from the boys…