A (Single) Rookie Journalist’s Guide To Surviving The Snapper Bender

Dazed, confused and lathered in a week’s worth of toxins, CT number one is officially wrapped. While Owen Wright and Steph Gilmore won the main event, after hours activities were held for the entertainment of surfers and civilians alike every evening, blurring the lines between days at the bank. Posted in Rainbow Bay to cover the event, this unqualified journalist sought to share lessons learned from a dangerous amount of time spent in the eye of the Quiksilver Pro hurricane.

Roxy and Rip Curl hosted the finals celebrations at one of Coolangatta’s more notorious night spots and Life Without Andy had a lens in attendance to document.

Steph Gilmore is adorable and highly approachable.
Even when there’s a room full of people celebrating her win. Just don’t talk about work, uh, I mean surfing.

Perhaps don’t talk about your surfing at all.
You’re a part-timer.

Don’t introduce yourself as X from Y magazine.
While it may get you an interview in the media area, it doesn’t fly for Ronnie Blakey, Mikey Wright, and (more importantly), Sage Erickson when they’re at the bar.

Don’t gossip about interrelations within the surf scene.
They spread far more rapidly than a Chinese whisper involving mortal fornication.

Stay close to your boss.
He or she has the company card which, on your salary, comes in handy at meal times.

Stay clear of your boss.
You don’t want them to know how long you spent surfing Kirra or napping during the semis.

Remember who you met the previous evenings.
No matter how hazy the parties become, pay extra attention to whose hand you’re shaking. This’ll avoid potential frowns from aesthetically-pleasing members of the opposite sex, and important industry folk. But mostly the first one.

If you’re surfing Snapper and John John Florence is in your way, abort wave.
World champs aren’t impressed with sloppy lines drawn over their legs on the eve of competition.