Surfing
Surfing
My Hometown with Noa Deane: Coolangatta
The inner workings of Australia’s world champion breeding ground. Your surf guide to Coolangatta.
The iconic sands of Greenmount
© Andrew Shield
Coolangatta has pumped out 10 World Titles between Mick, Joel and Stephanie. It’s the breeding ground of champions and the city of surf straight out of your dreams. In this latest episode of My Hometown, we talk with local pro Noa Deane about the inner workings of the paradise he calls home.
From the look on his face, it's pumping
© Andrew Shield
What are the best and worst things about living in Coolangatta?
The biggest pros would be the waves, and that there’s always stuff happening… dinner, drinks, shows. There’s not a whole lot of pressure to always be busy though, it’s a pretty relaxed place. I really like it in winter, when there are not as many people and the waves are in the best shape. The bad side of it is that it’s pretty easy to get caught in a bubble, and if you don’t watch out you’ll turn into something pretty rank. Everybody does the same shit and goes out to the same places over and over, it’s like Groundhog Day. Komune, Neverland, Sleep, Repeat.
Barrel face has a whole new meaning here
© Andrew Shield
Where’s the best place to surf if it’s pumping?
I surf at D-Bah. Everyone will be over at Snapper fighting the crowds and I’ll have the peaks to myself.
And what about if it’s onshore?
If it’s a northerly head down to Ballina or Tallows, in Byron. When it’s flat go to Straddie, it’ll be double-overhead.
Forever stylish
© Andrew Shield
Are sharks an issue?
I’ve never seen one down here, so it’s not really something to worry about. I thought I saw one once, but it didn’t look very big and it stayed away.
What’s the best time of year to go?
From the middle of February to June would be the best window, but shoot for April. Clean conditions and a nice east swell. The worst would be October through December… it’s horrible. You wouldn’t even bother getting in the water.
Down the line and into the barrel
© Andrew Shield
Where’s a good place to stay?
There are houses near Rainbow Beach that you can rent out for weeks at a time, and if you have a fair crew it wouldn’t be too expensive. Otherwise, there are a few backpackers in town that wouldn’t be bad. There’s one above The Sands, but it’d be hard to stay away from those beers…
Transport?
Everything is so close, you can walk anywhere in five minutes. Or skate.
Right angles
© Andrew Shield
Anywhere a visitor should avoid?
The park near the skatepark is such a no- zone. So many people get stabbed there and punched out. My brother was walking through the park and somebody jumped out of the bushes and stabbed him, took his wallet and his phone. It’s full of crackheads that are so high they just want to kill people.
It doesn't get more critical than this...
© Andrew Shield
What’s your favourite local watering hole?
The Sands has half priced beers from on Fridays (5-7) and Sundays (2-5). You can get a schooner for $2.50 and I don’t know anywhere else in Australia that’s cheaper. You go down and get so loaded with the biggest mix bag crowd. It’s the pub that everyone goes to start off. Maybe go to one of the clubs after, but you never know. There’s also the Café Fresh Lounge Bar. It’s super expensive but they make some rad cocktails.
Tucked in and right at home
© Andrew Shield
And what about a good joint for dinner?
I like Top Noodle. It’s cheap, tasty and you can take beer in. Burger Lounge is incredible too, but it’s a bit more expensive.
What’s a good routine when the Quiky Pro comes to town?
To surf, go to D-Bah. Everyone surfs over the other side of the cliff, and there’ll be no one out. I was surfing Lovers and it was 5ft and empty.
To drink, it’s Neverland prime time. All your friends from around the world get to Cooly at the same time, and are always keen for a beer. They always host the sponsor parties, which are so fun.
One for the sponsors...
© Andrew Shield
And what about if you want to get out of town? If the surf is rubbish?
The Currumbin rock pools. They’re about fifteen minutes north and such a fun spot to spend the day. You could also drive to the Anchorage, just up Tweed River. It’s this bridge that you can jump off of and a nice little sandy beach to hang around all day.
And that, ladies and gents, is a pretty fool-proof guide to Coolangatta. Book a flight, take a drive and enjoy.
In other editions of My Hometown, get to know Port Macquarie with Matt Banting or North Stradbroke Island with Ethan Ewing.
