I could potentially be living in Hobart for a year starting this upcoming July and obviously I want to take advantage of the surf. Does anybody have any experience with surfing there? What are water temps like? Should I be worried (I am) about sharks? Closest spots to Hobart? Any within reasonable biking distance? Thanks for any help.
Most of the people on this board never leave their local breaks/bars. And some people on this forum only surf their keyboards. I can't wait to see the yah yah responses to this (legit) request for info. ps - - maybe try Swaylocks...?
Good for you dude. Have fun. Should be life-changing. Try www.realsurf.com or www.swellnet.com.au/forums. Not saying they'll be helpful, but they're certainly more knowledgeable than the east coast rebels that live here.
Yo, I'm not being a wise-arse, but you can easily find some of the info you need by yourself on the same computer that you sit by. Plus, that info might be more accurate. People here can't even agree if there has been waves along the same 127 miles of coastline in the past months. New Jersey has 127 miles of coastline and water temps range from the mid 70's to mid-30's...........though higher or lower temps are possible. Van Diemen's Land is awesome. I never been there physically, but I travel by means of astral projection while I sleep, and I have been to Tassie often. Yes, sharks are big and mean down there. There's some epic setups there. Probably help to befriend a local or five. Just buy them beer and you're in like Finn. Never travel without an esky full of cold Victoria Bitter. Australians are all drunks and will receive you warmly if you have beer. Ax any girl you see if you can see her "map of tassie," if you get lost. All Australian women carry with them a map a tassie so they can be helpful in the event that they encounter a lost yank. Not you Yankee, a lost American. Watch out for strange Australian slangs.........and don't come back stateside with a drinking problem. Watch out for snakes.
And let me add this Hash... Don't worry. Just go. This will be an adventure of a lifetime. Something you'll remember forever. You'll get great waves, see a different country and experience a different cracker culture than this money obsessed, commercial, wasteland that is the American south. You don't have to know everything before you go. That's what travel is all aboot. You'll have a great time there. You'll actually get some quality waves. Maybe you'll never leave. Aussie chicks dig American accents and when they find out your not the stereotypical southern Californian they'll be even more obsessed with you. Every surf based country thinks all Americans are like Timmy Curran or Chris Ward. Either or....... Don't look back, leave your reservations at the door and just go. Lucky bastard. Oh remember to cuss alot down there
My only advice is to get off the plane, drop your bags and knock out the first person you see on the ground. That way you'll instantly have respect.
