Tree...

House... at the Taylor Camp on Kauai...

Long before the Irons brothers roamed Kauai's North Shore, the surfer's road to paradise was paved by hippies who'd had enough of Vietnam and the capitalist society, and decided to move as far away as possible, to a place where they hoped nobody would find them.

The North Shore of Kauai was as idyllic and remote as it gets in this country, and it just happened to have uncrowded world-class waves as well. As surfers began to hear about this paradise at the end of the road, and after SURFER magazine featured a story on the place, small communities of hippies began to develop on Kauai.

The documentary focuses on this first wave of hippies, who found paradise on a little stretch of beach known as Taylor Camp. The film features interviews with the actual hippies who lived there in the beginning and the eventual end of taylor camp in 1977.

The interviews are very recent, so the once youthful naked hippies in the film are now some of the most entertaining senior citizens on earth. The film also features a stunning collection of black and white photographs taken by John Wehrheim, which really bring the place to life. Watch the official trailer for the film below and check out the website for the film here: taylorcampkauai.com

180 South -> 153 East... Burleigh...

With its successful US release, 180° South is premiering on this side of the planet at Torquay, but Patagonia is pleased to also announce a second screening, this time to be held in conjunction with the Patagonia Burleigh Heads store at PointBreak Bar & Grill. The venue, at 43, Goodwin Terrace Burleigh Heads, shall be hosting the event, offering live music, food and drink, and your chance to win a brand new Fletcher Chouinard Designs surfboard or one of numerous other prizes.

As a special treat, the film’s producer Jeff Johnson will be on hand to present the film and answer questions. A $5 cover charge will be requested, with all proceeds being donated to the region’s division of the Surfrider Foundation.

Register your details in store at 15 James St, Burleigh Heads, now for your chance to win a prize and enjoy a unique experience in 180° South.

Here's the trailer if you haven't already checked it out...

Patagonia Summer Sale 20 - 50% off all products...

Where: Patagonia Flagship Torquay Store, 116, Surfcoast Hwy, Torquay
 
When: Tuesday, 18 Jan - Sunday 30 Jan
 
What: 20% - 50% off all Patagonia gear storewide

(conditions apply - see in store for details)
Please call the store on (03) 5261 4420 for further information

Patagonia's Bindy Baggs and friends visit the Indian...

More surf than waves crashing on Malibu beach...

Introducing the INTRO...

The Spruce Goose

Can ya tell we love Black & White photography, and iconic developments of mankind...

This model of the Hughes H-4 Hercules, affectionately named The Spruce Goose by its critics (as it was made from wood during war time restrictions on aluminium), is the largest flying boat ever built. It has the largest wingspan of any aircraft in history, some 99 metres, 30 odd metres wider than an airbus.

FRESH MULLET to Spruce Goose permission to slash down granted, be mindful of the fish nets at either side of your approach...


Here's a Grumman HU-16 Albatross capturing imagination of endless possibilities...

Simple Ben...

Getting back to basics...

Dave "Baddy" Treloar has been surfing these parts for as long as anyone...

Yesterday we saw him get one of the longest barrels I reckon he's ever had and it was, to use his word of the day, "STRONG" as it was long...

Ripping like a grommet!

Many hands make light work...

These gorgeous and community spirited girls have been hard at work helping remove all kinds of debris, including this massive log, from the stunning beaches of the East Coast of Australia...

Register online to volunteer your services at http://www.emergencyvolunteering.com.au/

If you can't volunteer you can donate at http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

TC Vania tracking slowly SSW

Good news for surfers, not so good news for recent flood victims...

Check out how many Low Pressure Systems are on the map - 2 Tropical Cyclones, 5 Lows and if the Low above TC Vania join forces who knows....

One things for sure, this bad ass Tropical Cyclone pattern is going to produce some serious swell..

Long Range forecasts have another TC crossing the coast line around the 28th January...


Please donate if you can afford to, because with another potential 5 Tropical Cyclone forecast by the end of February, things seem as if they are going to get much worse for the flood victims before they get better.

Australia Floods... Please Donate!

If you're unaware of the devastation that has ravished the Eastern Seaboard of Australia, here's an dramatic example of just how dire things have become..

Most of Queensland, much of New South Wales, parts of Victory and now Tasmania are all experiencing unprecedented flooding effecting so many people and business its incomprehensible to image the loss of life, damage and clean up bill...

Whats worse is a Tropical Cyclone is forming of the Queensland Coast, which on a long range forecast is due to cross the coast at the Gold Coast QLD  around the 28th of January...

If you can afford to donate every cent will make a huge difference to many lives...

The reality of this natural disaster is only just beginning to be understood and is going to have repercussions for days, weeks, months and even years as farms, business, basic infrastructure, homes and lives have been washed away..

Funds raised as at 3.00pm, 13 January 2011: $45,488,444

So much more is needed as the bill is likely to be in the tens of billions...

Please Donate at http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

Thanks in advance...

Peace

Back By Swap-ular Demand

Following the success of last year’s Winter Board Swap, a strong crowd bringing dozens of boards to the event despite the bitter conditions, Patagonia shall be hosting another swap-meet, this time, with a little luck, in more favourable temperatures and climate.

The Patagonia Summer Board Swap is being held on Saturday, 22nd January, from 4pm to 6pm at
The Summer board Swap will give surfers and collectors the opportunity to buy, sell, swap or simply show off boards of any description to likeminded attendees. Whether long, short, vintage or brand new, all types of craft are welcome. Last year’s extensive quiver saw alaias and belly boards sharing the scene with a vintage Midget Farrelly single fin, a George Greenough-style spoon, new-retro fishes, bonzers and logs and a healthy collection of modern shortboards.

Patagonia’s flagship Torquay store, 116, Surfcoast Hwy. Entry is free, although places are limited, so register today either instore or on (03) 5261 442.

180' South Screening

In 1968, Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins went on a 10,000 mile adventure - it would change their lives.

So gave the inspiration for a modern adventure into one of the world's last remaining wildernesses.

Four decades hence, cousins Chris and Emmet Malloy, famed for such surf opi as Thicker Than Water and Shelter, and producer Tim Lynch embarked on the mammoth expedition traversed by Chouinard and Tompkins into the wilds of Patagonia. Surfers, yachtsmen, climbers, adventurers all, took on the challenging and often harsh environment in an adventure which, as it had their forebears, would change their lives irrevocably.

A new film about friends and heroes, and finding your way in a complicated world.

180º South captures the trials and tribulations of the disparate band of travellers as they surf untouched breaks, witness breathtaking landscapes and are confronted with more than the harsh reality of their travels. Broken masts, bitter cold and ascents up imposing summits bring to surface the mundane, naive reality of western civilization and the fortitude and truth of the human spirit.

"It's not an adventure until something goes wrong." -Yvon Chouinard

Patagonia Australia presents 180º South - experience an adventure for the ages and discover the power of the human spirit to save the last wild place on Earth.

Screening at the Patagonia flagship store, 116, Surfcoast Hwy, Torquay with live music, food and drinks provided // Saturday, 22nd January 2011 from 8pm onwards. Register now for your free ticket and the chance to win an FCD surfboard and other prizes.

Keep it Wild...

Chris Brock and Wilderness Surfboard, Lennox Head, circa 1969.

Cruisin...

Friends of FM are currently setting up this sexy piece of naval architecture for exclusive Surf Charters in the Maldives...

The 2008 Bavaria 50 Cruiser is as the name suggests 50ft of functional luxury that can sleep up to 12 inc crew, has all the the mod cons including air con in all cabins, every upgrade available, from in mast furling main (push button to hoist sails) and a deep lead keel.

Imagine cruising the atolls of the Maldives, listening to the sounds of silence under sail, chasing empty perfect waves in this well appointed piece of hydrodynamics...

Oh did I mention the thundercat tender for further exploration, fishing and tow-ins...

Stay tuned for more details coming soon...