hellwoman
02-27-2007, 07:40 AM
http://www.gcbulletin.com.au/article/2007/02/27/3534_news.html
Pro's cyclonic drop-in
27Feb07
THE world's top surfers converged on Snapper Rocks yesterday as reports flooded in of cyclonic conditions that are expected to trigger 3m waves this weekend.
At yesterday's official Quiksilver Pro launch, Swellnet operator and forecaster Ben Matson said there were early signs of a strong swell building off the coast.
Organisers would be able to keep the multimillion-dollar Quiksilver and Roxy Pros mobile from Stradbroke Island to Duranbah beach, but prefer the events to remain at Snapper Rocks.
"There is a tropical low off the coast forming in the Coral Sea which looks like it could produce some big cyclonic type conditions," said Mr Matson.
Swellnet, which moved base from the Gold Coast to Sydney late last year, has become a bible for surfers who follow daily swell movements across the globe. They are the official WCT (World Championship Tour) forecasters for contests in Fiji, Tahiti and Bells Beach.
Quiksilver event director Rod Brooks has worked closely with Swellnet in predicting the best spots and waves for contests.
"In the last few years we've had a good relationship and that has helped us pick the best waves. In the next two or three days there looks like there is going to be a swell increase of up to two to three feet (60cm to 90cm) and there is talk this could turn cyclonic so hopefully it doesn't smash us," he said.
If swells reach more than 3m the Quiksilver Pro is likely to be moved, with the Superbank not capable of handling massive swells and Kirra unlikely to offer competition friendly conditions.
"They could move it to Burleigh but when conditions get big it needs to be perfectly suited," said Mr Matson.
This is the second straight year that Quiksilver Pro organisers have faced the threat of cyclonic-like conditions after a weather bomb caused chaos last year and forced several location changes for the contest.
The likely alternative would be to halt competition for a couple of days and allow the surfers to charge the waves with tow-ins.
Mr Matson, who was involved with predicting the monster sets ridden off Japan during a typhoon last year and documented in the recently released surf flick Tai-Fu, said swells could potentially push over 3m.
"I keep in close contact with both surfers and competition directors because the whole point of what I do is to give them an indication as best as I can of where the waves are going to be and the type of conditions," he said.
"We are still a long way out so this is a very early prediction but if conditions continue like we think they will, you're looking at Saturday and Sunday as the big days."
Mr Matson has set up a mobile forecasting base, armed with his laptop and keeping in close contact with his Sydney base, which shares resources with The Weather Company.
"We've got a lot of access to the most up-to-date meteorological information and have forecasters who focus on swell predictions and conditions," he said.
Crowds swelled at Snapper Rocks yesterday to check out the precinct and watch the trials.
The local economy is expected to receive a $5.5 million boost and tickets for Saturday's Pro Show, billed as the official party accompanying the surfing event, are selling fast.
Pro's cyclonic drop-in
27Feb07
THE world's top surfers converged on Snapper Rocks yesterday as reports flooded in of cyclonic conditions that are expected to trigger 3m waves this weekend.
At yesterday's official Quiksilver Pro launch, Swellnet operator and forecaster Ben Matson said there were early signs of a strong swell building off the coast.
Organisers would be able to keep the multimillion-dollar Quiksilver and Roxy Pros mobile from Stradbroke Island to Duranbah beach, but prefer the events to remain at Snapper Rocks.
"There is a tropical low off the coast forming in the Coral Sea which looks like it could produce some big cyclonic type conditions," said Mr Matson.
Swellnet, which moved base from the Gold Coast to Sydney late last year, has become a bible for surfers who follow daily swell movements across the globe. They are the official WCT (World Championship Tour) forecasters for contests in Fiji, Tahiti and Bells Beach.
Quiksilver event director Rod Brooks has worked closely with Swellnet in predicting the best spots and waves for contests.
"In the last few years we've had a good relationship and that has helped us pick the best waves. In the next two or three days there looks like there is going to be a swell increase of up to two to three feet (60cm to 90cm) and there is talk this could turn cyclonic so hopefully it doesn't smash us," he said.
If swells reach more than 3m the Quiksilver Pro is likely to be moved, with the Superbank not capable of handling massive swells and Kirra unlikely to offer competition friendly conditions.
"They could move it to Burleigh but when conditions get big it needs to be perfectly suited," said Mr Matson.
This is the second straight year that Quiksilver Pro organisers have faced the threat of cyclonic-like conditions after a weather bomb caused chaos last year and forced several location changes for the contest.
The likely alternative would be to halt competition for a couple of days and allow the surfers to charge the waves with tow-ins.
Mr Matson, who was involved with predicting the monster sets ridden off Japan during a typhoon last year and documented in the recently released surf flick Tai-Fu, said swells could potentially push over 3m.
"I keep in close contact with both surfers and competition directors because the whole point of what I do is to give them an indication as best as I can of where the waves are going to be and the type of conditions," he said.
"We are still a long way out so this is a very early prediction but if conditions continue like we think they will, you're looking at Saturday and Sunday as the big days."
Mr Matson has set up a mobile forecasting base, armed with his laptop and keeping in close contact with his Sydney base, which shares resources with The Weather Company.
"We've got a lot of access to the most up-to-date meteorological information and have forecasters who focus on swell predictions and conditions," he said.
Crowds swelled at Snapper Rocks yesterday to check out the precinct and watch the trials.
The local economy is expected to receive a $5.5 million boost and tickets for Saturday's Pro Show, billed as the official party accompanying the surfing event, are selling fast.