I had to get up early this morning and get down to Coolangatta Beach. One of my surfboard hire clients was checking out early and needed 1 minimal and 1 short board picked up before they left. So up I got, arriving in Cooly before 7am.
On the Australian Gold Coast, Coolangatta is roughly a 30 minute drive headed south out of Surfer's Paradise, both places being world-renowned thanks to the impressive surf conditions they present. Surfer's Paradise, located at the northern tip really does have some of the most spectacular of the Goldy's beach breaks thanks to the shifting sand-based ocean floor, which gives a lot of swell.
Coolangatta, on the other hand, is farther to the south and more known for its point breaks, particularly at sites like Kirra, Snapper Rocks and Greenmount. Despite lacking the swell of the waves at Surfer's Paradise, the waves at these breaks are without a doubt the best in the area. On the right day, the waves continue to bend around the point all day long without interruption. After a full and tiring day of surf, a surfer can easily kick off a wave rather than having it end on them.
That's not the case this morning however. Upon arrival, the waves stood at less than one foot tall and nice and clean, though without a hint of wind. Having scooped the surfboard rentals I stopped in for a bite to eat at a pleasant little cafe with the idea of observing what our beaches are like when there is no surfing to be done.
It didn't take me long at all to realize just why the Australian Gold Coast, in the northern Queensland state, is among the most frequented beach destinations on the planet. At little past 7 o'clock in the morning the beach front is already thriving with activity; for sure, 24 water helps a lot just as the 26 air temperature does--who wouldn't be inclined to spend a day on the beach in those conditions?
A few Polynesian-style surfers are out on the water--the stand-up paddling kind--with some longboarders, too. Folks are already taking a dip close to shore between the flag markers, catching tiny breakers that wash right up to the beach.
At Coolangatta beach, the water is met by about 50 meters of clean golden sand. There are already a couple of groups of girls out in their bikinis, improving their tans. Ha, this early it must be their last day of vacation here and they want to get that last bit of sun before they go home.
Small groups of runners and cyclists whiz past on the designated park tracks, some early morning exercise. And far out in the ocean, there is a school of whales making quite a splash on their migrations, much to the amazement of many passersby.
I observe this all from a chic little cafe, where a pretty waitress serves me my latte and eggs benedict. As a local, sometimes it is time well spent just to sit back, recognize and soak up the things that so many other people travel the world to come here and enjoy. I hope you manage to share the beauty of our home one day too. Life really doesn't get much better than this.
On the Australian Gold Coast, Coolangatta is roughly a 30 minute drive headed south out of Surfer's Paradise, both places being world-renowned thanks to the impressive surf conditions they present. Surfer's Paradise, located at the northern tip really does have some of the most spectacular of the Goldy's beach breaks thanks to the shifting sand-based ocean floor, which gives a lot of swell.
Coolangatta, on the other hand, is farther to the south and more known for its point breaks, particularly at sites like Kirra, Snapper Rocks and Greenmount. Despite lacking the swell of the waves at Surfer's Paradise, the waves at these breaks are without a doubt the best in the area. On the right day, the waves continue to bend around the point all day long without interruption. After a full and tiring day of surf, a surfer can easily kick off a wave rather than having it end on them.
That's not the case this morning however. Upon arrival, the waves stood at less than one foot tall and nice and clean, though without a hint of wind. Having scooped the surfboard rentals I stopped in for a bite to eat at a pleasant little cafe with the idea of observing what our beaches are like when there is no surfing to be done.
It didn't take me long at all to realize just why the Australian Gold Coast, in the northern Queensland state, is among the most frequented beach destinations on the planet. At little past 7 o'clock in the morning the beach front is already thriving with activity; for sure, 24 water helps a lot just as the 26 air temperature does--who wouldn't be inclined to spend a day on the beach in those conditions?
A few Polynesian-style surfers are out on the water--the stand-up paddling kind--with some longboarders, too. Folks are already taking a dip close to shore between the flag markers, catching tiny breakers that wash right up to the beach.
At Coolangatta beach, the water is met by about 50 meters of clean golden sand. There are already a couple of groups of girls out in their bikinis, improving their tans. Ha, this early it must be their last day of vacation here and they want to get that last bit of sun before they go home.
Small groups of runners and cyclists whiz past on the designated park tracks, some early morning exercise. And far out in the ocean, there is a school of whales making quite a splash on their migrations, much to the amazement of many passersby.
I observe this all from a chic little cafe, where a pretty waitress serves me my latte and eggs benedict. As a local, sometimes it is time well spent just to sit back, recognize and soak up the things that so many other people travel the world to come here and enjoy. I hope you manage to share the beauty of our home one day too. Life really doesn't get much better than this.
About the Author:
Damian Papworth understands that for holidays in the sun, with a warm ocean, golden beaches and sun drenched days, no destination beats the Queensland Gold Coast. This and other unique content '' articles are available with free reprint rights.
No comments:
Post a Comment