Nine tickets to Autumnal bliss

Words by Ali Klinkenberg It’s a good time of year in Australia right now. The leaves have started to fall, the mercury’s started to drop, and, the promise of winter swells are just around the corner. The water’s a little less crowded, and the time between parties is ever so slightly stretched, but don’t dream that you can’t squeeze a little more fun from summer’s teat! Here’s Stab‘s pick of the Surfstitch.com seasonal litter. It’s the little things that make life so much sweeter… Xcel Infiniti X2 2mm Noa Deane SS CZ Steamer (Black) If, like me, your joints creak like the varnished floorboards in a run down share house every time you move, then wetsuits are your friend. It’s like wearing an all-over body support! A 2mm short arm steamer’s a hell of a thing, light, flexible, and it just keeps the core temp at a tropical medium. We all know Noz’s the man, and as we also know, black, always black. Shop here. Channel Islands 6ft-7ft CX2 Double Board Cover (Army Green) The pursuit of perfection is endless, and there’s nothing worse than coming close and missing. Travelling twice a year makes you forget: It makes you forget how you felt last time you arrived at the airport looking flawless, flawless apart front that borrowed navy blue board bag with the heinous stencilled graphic, which might’ve been all the rage 10 years ago. This CI number is technical and chic, tech chic, a window seat please, garçon fetch me some more peanuts… Shop here. The Critical Slide Society Jumbled Jacket wetsuit vest (Beluga) If you haven’t yet jumped on the front zip yet then it’s time to get on the bandwagon and put down the anvil. They’re warm, and, what’s the alternative? That red-trimmed vest with huge logos that you’ve (I’ve) got hanging in the shed? Walking down the beach pre-surf in an open flapping front zip, complete with tightly cropped yellow trunks, like I did this morning, makes you look like an extra in a movie where they’ve got the period costume a little bit wrong, and, it feels, well, great! Shop here. Catch Surf Kalani Robb Beater The fad that’s here to stay, because fun never goes out of fashion. You remember Kalani Robb? If you don’t, get googling. Lans is big time in Hollyweird these days, being an actor playing a waiter, rather than the other way round for a change. In between cuts Kal keeps it all kinds of pleasure on his Catch Surf. It’s got unicorns and shit on it. Killer dude. Shop here. Channel Islands Bunny Chow, by Jordy Smith Channel Island’s big boy carrier the Bunny Chow has been Jordy Smith’s board of choice for his World Tour campaigns in poor to fair surf. Designed around Jordy’s big rig and dynamic approach, the Bunny Chow is adequate on rail and in the air. The Bunny Chow rails are full to provide maximum volume, and the rocker is staged to accommodate Jordy’s forceful momentum. Embrace the foam. Shop here. Captain Fin Co. Team Palm Trees Large HC Dual Tabs Accessories are totes important but totes undervalued. What’s the point on spending all that dough on a shiny new craft if you’re going to stick your black FCS 5 anchors to the bottom? These beauts from Captain Fin are that beautiful blend of fash and function. Yellow, like the falling leaves. Shop here. Astrodeck Barney tailpad (black) If it’s good enough for John, it’s good enough for you. Next… Shop here. O’Neill Superfreak 3/2 GBS Fuze Zip Steamer (Black/Graphite/Lime) Yin and Yang, every cloud has a silver lining, with the good comes the bad, what goes up must come down. The great balance of life is the unifying factor that houses us all under the tree of love. With colder weather and water comes better waves. Boom. But, there’s no need to fret, embrace the cold, and slide into a soft O’Neill suit. The pioneers, OG, whatever. Shop here.