THE OCEAN’S GIFT TO SHARE
OK, OK, I promise no more photos of northwest trips, at least for another three months anyway, before I head back up. Truth was The Mail needed three On The Bay articles all in one go before Xmas and the brain was not quite up to it, so I went for the quick fix. A lot has happened since then, so let’s get into it!
The opening of the demersal fishing season was the main reason for five sea rescue callouts in about ten days before Xmas. Flat batteries, motor breakdown and a surfer struggling in large surf at Margs were some of the issues, but fortunately all were promptly and safely resolved by the Margaret River VMR crew. Around the same time well know Cowtown local, Big Kev, phoned to discuss possibilities for mooring his new 44ft steel hulled yacht. Big Kev sure went big for a first sailing vessel and after chatting with old salty Brendan Symes and a few others, it was agreed Cowaramup Bay was all well and good for large power boats, but not a safe enough haven for a 44fter. Just as well given we have had three swells over four metres during this period, but fortunately Big Kev has moored the new girl up in Quindalup.
While making up a batch of safety barrels in the back shed one day, a ute pulled up and out jumped an old soul mate, Rosco Kermode, who I hadn’t seen for years. While he is well known for his contribution to Surfing’s Code of Ethics-Tribal Law and quirky creative designs, it is his great nature and calm demeanour that has always struck me. As old kneeboarders, we have a common bond there also and Rosco pulled out his latest kneeboard made by chrisgarrettshapes, almost teasing me to get back into it more seriously. Must have been karma because only the day before I had dug out a great framed sketch of a kneeboarder inside a North Point barrel that Rosco had given me for my 40th birthday, almost 16 years ago. The quote at the bottom of the sketch says it all- “… our friendships…family bound by the sea…it is this time we seek; the ocean’s gift to share… that is what brought us here…”
Rosco had not designed a surfing calendar for many years, but had been motivated by some grommets at Gnarloo to do one when he was showing them how to sketch. So he had a 2017 edition hot off the press to show me and of course I took two, one for myself and my son. There are limited editions available in local surf shops, full of great pics, colouring in for the kids or can be used as a travel diary for us old farts who like to record our special ocean moments. Although not too keen at first, after a little encouragement I managed to convince him that a photo with the calendar and latest kneeboard was worthy for this week’s edition!
This week’s question is, “How long was the lone fisherman, who recently fell overboard without a life jacket off Exmouth, in the water before being rescued?”
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