You can surf all over the world, you can score dream sessions at even dreamier waves, but nowhere will shape you quite like your local. It’s the place you come to know better than any other, that you love and hate and learn from constantly, and it leaves an imprint on the salty side of your soul that can’t be erased. In this series, Tracks talks to a number of prominent surfers about their relationships with the waves that made them the shredders they are.
This time around, young Angourie upstart Chris Zaffis talks about growing up at the Point.
Growing up, what made Angourie Point such a special place for you?
It was just the spot where all the good guys surfed and was somewhere I really wanted to surf all the time. Every morning before school I surfed The Point no matter what, so I grew up out there.
Describe the setup.
Angourie Point is a little headland which has a running right-hander with a rock bottom and a sneaky little playful slab out the front of the point.
Tell me about her moods.
Mate, she has a lot of moods depending on swell direction, size, wind, tides, the lot. It's usually a playful, peeling, sucky wave but can range from a fat south swell to a sucky coming-at-you barrel.
How’s the wave helped shape your surfing?
It’s completely shaped my surfing. I barely surfed anywhere else until I was like twelve, apart from when the beachies were pumping and when other spots were good around home. It really influenced my style and the lines I pick.
What about the local vibe growing up, what was that like?
The locals were always pretty cool, definitely a pretty strong local contingent around home. There’s the classic old mate early crew I'd surf with every morning. And there are so many good surfers around so the vibe is always sick.
Each break has its own hazards and dangers. What are you watching out for at Angourie?
The end section is called ‘Life or death’, where the rocks are pretty gnarly when it's big. You wouldn't want to get caught in there.
Growing up at Angourie Point, who were the biggest influences on your surfing out there?
There are a lot of good surfers around home so the level of surfing is really high. I think the biggest influences on me were Laurie Towner and Bryce Young. Those guys rip and have some of the sickest styles in the world.
Waves change over time, whether it’s through changes to the way the waves themselves break or to the amount of people surfing them or any other number of reasons. What changes have you noticed at Angourie Point during the time you’ve been surfing it?
I think Angourie is still pretty much the same. Of course it has gotten more crowded, but during winter and sneaky sessions here and there it's still really quiet, and the Point is fairly localised. The waves are still as fun as ever.
Best ever session out there?
Probably last year. Everyone was calling it the best session they've ever had. It was about eight feet with bigger sets and it was holding it, proper full cavern barrels and big walls with perfect winds. It was really rare and mind-blowingly pumping!
Worst?
Never, it's always fun.
Liquid Sunshine from Tracks Magazine on Vimeo.
