This morning I had to rise from bed and head down to Coolangatta Beach. A surfboard rental client of mine was getting an early start on the day and needed a minimal and a short board scooped before checking out. So I went to do just that, getting to Cooly just before 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.
Coolangatta, on the other hand, is farther to the south and more known for its point breaks, particularly at sites like Kirra, Snapper Rocks and Greenmount. Despite lacking the swell of the waves at Surfer’s Paradise, the waves at these breaks are without a doubt the best in the area. On the right day, the waves continue to bend around the point all day long without interruption. After a full and tiring day of surf, a surfer can easily kick off a wave rather than having it end on them.
That’s not the case this morning however. Upon arrival, the waves stood at less than one foot tall and nice and clean, though without a hint of wind. Having scooped the surfboard rentals I stopped in for a bite to eat at a pleasant little cafe with the idea of observing what our beaches are like when there is no surfing to be done.
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?
A few Polynesian-style surfers are out on the water–the stand-up paddling kind–with some longboarders, too. Folks are already taking a dip close to shore between the flag markers, catching tiny breakers that wash right up to the beach.
At Coolangatta beach, the water is met by about 50 meters of clean golden sand. There are already a couple of groups of girls out in their bikinis, improving their tans. Ha, this early it must be their last day of vacation here and they want to get that last bit of sun before they go 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!