Last month we headed down to Philip Island for a surf and were woken early in the morning by heavy rain and ear piercing cracks of thunder. Making our way out of the city we even saw lightening strike a telegraph pole immediately in front of the car sending sparks scattering across the glassy surface of the road. Two hours of driving later we arrived at a pond-like Smiths Beach with the rain still falling. With the waves being non-existent we decided to take a look at the notorious Woolamai. Woolamai Beach usually presents the challenge of 6-foot plus waves and strong rip currents but for this occasion they were just about surfable for me and my rudimentary skills so we donned suits and headed in.

Sitting out the back and waiting with around 8 or 9 surfers there's a unique sense of solidarity you can feel with everyone around you. There is no talking, just concentration on the waves and the even pattering of raindrops on the surface of the sea. It fascinates me how connected you can feel despite not talking or even looking at your fellow surfers.

It is a beautiful thing.