The Byron Bay Surf Festival - The Best 2013

This years festival was just the best show of Australian surf culture art music and anything to do with surfing you could ever gather in one place. The weather was great the vibe was right. All sorts of people and all sorts of things to interest anyone who loves their surfing. Friday nights opening ceremony was on the beach front, open air in the park with a large inflatable screen to show the movie Bella Vita. Fantastic intro to the weekend ahead.

Typical Byron gathering of people from all walks of life.

 Saturday morning was the dawn of a great day , warm sunny and Northerly winds up early to knock the gloss of the waves that were there. But the focus was in the park...

 There was something for everyone

 

 

 Hand plane workshop

 Tom was busy all day helping people build his "Surfies"

Andy had plenty of Gato boards to look at

 A couple of legends at a book signing, Jack and the Mex

Bjorn, came all the way from Finland to share his skills with us. The board next to him is hollow and made from recycled skate decks. Great guy. www.boboholm.com 

Rodrigo, came from Brazil to hold a workshop on handplanes and then off to Japan.

 Thomas Bexton and crew had most options covered

 Californian shaper , Ryan Lovelace with his mix of different boards

 Girls having an ice tea party

 What better place to get a hair cut, A teepee

 It was hot for everybody

 Legend Rusty Miller having a book reading and story telling with the launch of his book.

 Eden Saul, from Dead Kooks

 Andy from Rake on the lookout

 Adrian from Rake surfboards

 

Dan Malloy launching his new book and movie

Mick Mackie, Ryan Lovelace, Ryan Burch and Jessie Watson. Mick was giving a lesson in flextails. 

 Rusty Miller and Bob McTavish

 Nat Young and Bob McTavish had some great yarns to share

Rodrigo Matsuda learned everything about alaias in Japan with his master Yuichi Endo. A profound 11 year experience that has elevated his skills to mastery. www.lascasurfboards.com

 Andy Finlay in his element

 Art in the Park

 Mermaids in the making

 Keith and the Patagonia boys

 Tim Baker at the book launch

 Great food

Mike and the classic surf wagon

Saturday night we went to the release of the Wayne Lynch movie at the community centre. And the final judging of two short surf movie comps. What a great night and Wayne was there to answer questions after his movie.