Australia

The wave was faultless, long and perfect, breaking endlessly over the shallow reef. Although there were lengthy breaks in between the sets, we all still managed to get plenty of long rides and were at last filling in our logbook on our Australian adventure.

Scott Mckercher showed his local knowledge and experience with some impressive gouges on the fast and powerful wave, while Scott Carvill, now in his element displayed some incredibly critical turns. Robby Naish too showed that he still has some life in him and that he hasn't abandoned windsurfing for kiting. He adapted his unique snappy style well to the tubular walls of water that were thundering through. The standard of the local sailors was extremely high as well, with Pat Redman, Chris 'Pardy' and several others ripping their familiar local waters. As for myself, I was disappointed not to be able to make the most out of the conditions that I had been waiting for all year, but was thankful nonetheless to have made it out and catch a few.

Once again, enjoyment was not without its price, as the fiendishly sharp and shallow reef took its toll, everyone coming into contact with it in some way or other.

Robby managed to reshape the bottom of his board, Scott Mckercher the back of his, whilst I managed to destroy a fin and cut my foot pretty deeply for the second time in a month!! Scrapes and cuts I must add were extremely commonplace all-round, as most of the crew boasted something - betadine disinfectant had become like gold dust! However, all in the name of fun as they say.

The trip was by now drawing to a close, as we received an update on Bjorn's condition from Perth.

The wound had been completely cleaned out and he would be in under observation for a few more days, but miraculously, the spear had missed every major bone, ligament and tendon in his foot!

Although he most probably wouldn't be back for Sylt, there was a chance he would be fit for Ireland. For the rest of us, it was time to pack up camp, the small area that had been our home for the past 2 weeks and make our way back to real civilisation some 15 hours away. All in all it had been a great trip despite all the tribulations. We got what we had come in search of: perfect waves in the middle of nowhere in the company of just a few friends, and an experience that will remain etched in our memories for years to come.