Fight for the (Australian) Bight + Free Surf Flick

Dan Ross eyes his Southern Ocean prize. Photo: Jon Frank

We love Australia - the land of infinitely loggable rights and slabby death pits, poisonous snakes and cuddly koalas, meat pies and avo smash, rashies and jumpers, flat whites and Coopers. While all of those things are great, we really just enjoy the company of our Patagonia Australia family and extended family, and we try to make it over there about once a year to surf (or foil or kite), connect face-to-face, find out how their boards are working, and learn more about their local issues.

Late last month, we met up with the Australia crew in Byron and down in Torquay for the first stops of the Never Town film tour.  A Patagonia Australia-produced film, Never Town explores how surfers naturally connect with the wild places around them and how this leads to a desire to protect those places. With more than a few witty Wayne Lynch quips and Southern Ocean shredding by Dan Ross, Dave Rastovich, Belinda Baggs, and Heath Joske, we highly recommend procrastinating at work to watch this film. 

Dan's right in the Bight. Photo: Jon Frank

The frothy Bight. Photo: Stu Gibson

One of the issues addressed in Never Town is the very real possibility of oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight, which has long been considered too deep and too dangerous for oil extraction.  Knowing the environmental risks of oil drilling in this pristine area, Patagonia Australia has teamed up with dozens of surf brands to formally oppose drilling in the Bight and have contacted the oil company (Statoil) directly.  You can read more about this HERE. 

If you've been to this area, you know how difficult it is to describe the rugged beauty of the Southern coast.  If you've been or have friends in the area, you can provide your support by learning more about the issue or signing the petition. 

Coming from the Ventura area, we know all too well the effects of drilling in environmentally-sensitive areas (remember the Refugio oil spill or any drive up the Santa Barbara coast?).  Help support our Australian friends and families in preventing this from happening in their Bight and keep an eye out for Never Town dates in your area.  We'll be bringing the film to the 805 in September / October and we look forward to having you there!