Upon awaking this morning I promptly headed on over to Coolangatta Beach. A surf-rental client was leaving the area very early in the day and needed me to come by and pick up the equipment (a short board and a minimal) they had been using before they went ahead to check out. Hence I went for precisely that purpose, arriving a little earlier than 7am.
On Australia's Gold Coast, Coolangatta is about 30 minutes drive south of Surfers Paradise and like Surfers Paradise, has been made famous by some of the world class surf breaks in the area. Surfers Paradise at the north end of the Gold Coast hosts the Goldy's best beach breaks, the waves form on a shifting sand based ocean floor, picking up lots of swell.
Unlike Surfer's Paradise, Coolongatta farther south, is renowned for its point breaks at sites such as Greenmount, Kirra and Snapper Rocks. Though they lack the significant swell of the northern beaches, these point breaks surely offer the best waves in the region. The waves simply do not stop bending around the points on the good days. When fatigued and tired, a surfer can simply kick off a wave instead of it abruptly ending.
This morning was another story, however: when I arrived at about 7am the waves reared up no higher than a foot tall or so, with no wind to promise a change in the conditions. After collecting my rental equipment from the departing client I decided to catch some coffee and breakfast at a charming cafe in town, with the intention of discovering what happens along the beach when surfing is not a viable option.
It didn't take me long at all to realize just why the Australian Gold Coast, in the northern Queensland state, is among the most frequented beach destinations on the planet. At little past 7 o'clock in the morning the beach front is already thriving with activity; for sure, 24 water helps a lot just as the 26 air temperature does--who wouldn't be inclined to spend a day on the beach in those conditions?
In the water, there are a couple of Polynesian style surfers out, with those big stand up boards and paddle, enjoying the tame conditions with a couple of long boarders. Also, there were a handful of swimmers swimming between the flags, trying to catch a little breaker on the shore edge.
Coolangatta is graced with an impressive 50 meters of perfectly golden sand as the average beach width, the perfect scenario for the many women working on their tans in their bikinis (even at a little past 7 in the morning!). Comically, I find that the ones out tanning so early are usually the ones wrapping up their vacation, desperate to reach that next shade of bronze before going back to the office job at home.
Other morning activities to be observed are being carried out by the several groups of folks enjoying the running and bike paths that are neatly cut out of the park pastures, where health-conscious people do exercise routines. Also, many simply stop for a minute to observe the whales way out in the ocean splashing and frolicking along their migration route.
I take in this marvelous vista, bustling with activity, as I comfortably sip my coffee and eat my eggs benedict which a pretty waitress kindly has served me. Being a local from the area, it is so gratifying to be able to just sit back and bask in the glory that so many tourists have traveled half a world to see. Hopefully you too will one day discover the beauty of this our home--it really just doesn't get that much better!
On Australia's Gold Coast, Coolangatta is about 30 minutes drive south of Surfers Paradise and like Surfers Paradise, has been made famous by some of the world class surf breaks in the area. Surfers Paradise at the north end of the Gold Coast hosts the Goldy's best beach breaks, the waves form on a shifting sand based ocean floor, picking up lots of swell.
Unlike Surfer's Paradise, Coolongatta farther south, is renowned for its point breaks at sites such as Greenmount, Kirra and Snapper Rocks. Though they lack the significant swell of the northern beaches, these point breaks surely offer the best waves in the region. The waves simply do not stop bending around the points on the good days. When fatigued and tired, a surfer can simply kick off a wave instead of it abruptly ending.
This morning was another story, however: when I arrived at about 7am the waves reared up no higher than a foot tall or so, with no wind to promise a change in the conditions. After collecting my rental equipment from the departing client I decided to catch some coffee and breakfast at a charming cafe in town, with the intention of discovering what happens along the beach when surfing is not a viable option.
It didn't take me long at all to realize just why the Australian Gold Coast, in the northern Queensland state, is among the most frequented beach destinations on the planet. At little past 7 o'clock in the morning the beach front is already thriving with activity; for sure, 24 water helps a lot just as the 26 air temperature does--who wouldn't be inclined to spend a day on the beach in those conditions?
In the water, there are a couple of Polynesian style surfers out, with those big stand up boards and paddle, enjoying the tame conditions with a couple of long boarders. Also, there were a handful of swimmers swimming between the flags, trying to catch a little breaker on the shore edge.
Coolangatta is graced with an impressive 50 meters of perfectly golden sand as the average beach width, the perfect scenario for the many women working on their tans in their bikinis (even at a little past 7 in the morning!). Comically, I find that the ones out tanning so early are usually the ones wrapping up their vacation, desperate to reach that next shade of bronze before going back to the office job at home.
Other morning activities to be observed are being carried out by the several groups of folks enjoying the running and bike paths that are neatly cut out of the park pastures, where health-conscious people do exercise routines. Also, many simply stop for a minute to observe the whales way out in the ocean splashing and frolicking along their migration route.
I take in this marvelous vista, bustling with activity, as I comfortably sip my coffee and eat my eggs benedict which a pretty waitress kindly has served me. Being a local from the area, it is so gratifying to be able to just sit back and bask in the glory that so many tourists have traveled half a world to see. Hopefully you too will one day discover the beauty of this our home--it really just doesn't get that much better!
About the Author:
Damian Papworth understands that with holidays in the sun, with warm water, golden beaches and sun drenched days, no destination beats the Queensland Gold Coast.
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