About the Author
Larry Blair, born in Sydney, Australia, remains the only non-Hawaiian to twice win the Coke Classic pro surf contest. He is considered one of surfing's true legends.
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Surfer's Paradise: Heading N on Gold Coast Hwy, R on First Av for Broadbeach & R on Hanlan St for Surfers. A long stretch of east facing beach from The Spit down to Broadbeach, producing a large variety of L & R beach-break peaks, breaking over gently shelving sand bottom. Works in up to 6ft swells from just about any direction, but catches both summer on-shores and winter storm southerly winds, so it's a morning surf spot. When big it's often messy and affected by currents, although banks can form on the outside and hold the size. Despite the throngs of all type of surf device, the expanse of beach soaks it up and it is possible to find a lucky spot with low crowds if you check a few areas. Look for the Big P, and Swannies. Check the whole strip south to Mermaid, where there are pretty consistent beach-break peaks in most swells but needing winds in the north west to southwest sectors. Further south still, Nobby Beach has more of the same but may have the banks of the day, and Miami, can also get great banks, especially around South Nobby Headland.