Currumbin Alley

Currumbin Alley is a surf break at Currumbin on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. There is almost always a crowd here, even when everywhere else on the Gold Coast is crowded. On days when the surf everywhere else is flat or very small, The Alley is often a crowded longboard wave. The Alley is one of the more famous breaks on the Gold Coast along with Superbank and Burleigh Heads among others. Waves wrap around the point and towards the creek. It is exposed to perfect beginners conditions towards the creek and some epic right-handers towards the point. There's also a great wave just across the channel called Lacey's Lane. The Alley marks the mouth of Currumbin Creek.

Getting there

Drive along the Gold Coast Highway, north from Tugun and south from Palm Beach. You Should reach Currumbin Bridge. When approaching from the north, drive over the bridge and turn off the highway, heading towards the beach. The Alley is in between the rock wall and the Rocks. When approaching from the south drive along Currumbin Beach until you reach the creek mouth.

Where to paddle out

Where you should paddle out depends entirely on the conditions. When it ss big try and follow the rips, or paddle out from Currumbin Beach on the other side of the rocks (watch out for any underwater rocks). When it's small just head straight out, or if you're feeling lazy go through one of the many 'keyhole' passages through the rocks and have a far shorter paddle. Watch out for the rip and southerly sweep.

Waves

Once you're out in the line up, you're ready for some of the right-handers of your life. The Alley is a relatively fast, long wave which can get some great sections when the swell is up. Perfect for lots of turns and relatively forgiving. Beware, The Alley gets crowded with surf schools on weekends, so watch out for them as they can't get out of your way and they can't move for you if you're in their way. It can be a good wave for a fish board when the swell gets to 2-3 feet. When the surf is producing medium to large size sets and you are an intermediate to well-developed surfer there is the option of jumping out of the keyhole or even off the very back, (for well-developed surfers that know the ally well).

Party Wave

Arguably the quickest method in causing personal or others harm. A 'Party Wave' is a wave that every surfer must catch. If a surfer shouts 'Party Wave', Every surfer in earshot of the original surfer that shouted party wave, must catch the same wave as everyone else for as long as possible, disregarding the dominant 'dropping in' rule. Anyone that hears the term shouted must catch the wave as they are obliged to the 'Party Wave' contract. 'Mario' is one surfer that is very keen on party waves and can be seen during the early hours of the morning enforcing the rule. 'The King' is not very fond of the concept and is the single humanoid that can overrule the 'Party Wave' notion.

Hazards

When surfing at the Alley watch out for beginners(usually in the shallows and normally not an issue), rips(dragging you towards laceys lane), sweeps, rocks,(boulders submerged below the water, not an issue if you aren't surfing towards the point) and sometimes protective locals(The King).

The King / Turtle Doves

The King of the alley amongst other alias's (turtle doves, emperor, lord) is a well-known local that should be taken into consideration when surfing at the alley. 'Dropping In' on the king is unwise for beginners and even experienced surfers as he is commonly known to be in control while he is there. Always look out for the elderly man with bleached white hair and sun tan with a relatively large wasitline as this is most probably the king: the most notorious 'alley' local. Incidents invloving in dropping in on the king have ended badly for the surfer (through humiliation and scrutiny, but most notably painful injuries as the notorious gang leader of the Jirating Junkies is best known yet not proven guilty of maiming his enemies). Precaution should be made while surfing under the presence of the King and only under the supervision of a fellow more docile local "Mario" can one be completely safe from violence or humiliation.

Mario

Possibly the awesomest alley local. 'Mario' or otherwise known as 'Ganhdi' (from facial appearance) is friends with 'The King'. Is best known for his awesome strategic surfing stance (over-exaggerated crouch). Although he can be easily distinguished as he is five feet in height, has darker skin and stretches on the beach for approximately five minutes before surfing. It is advised not to underestimate Mario whilst surfing at the alley; because he's not just a pretty face.

Lacey's Lane

Lacey's Lane is the section across the deeper channel. It often breaks when the rest of the Alley is too sheltered to get any waves. Lacey's waves fall away once the reach the deep hole between the sandbar and Palm Beach.

Lieutenant of Lacey's

The Lieutenant of Lacey's or 'LOL' is a nickname given to local Negro surfer, Dane Wilkinson who is renowned for setting up camp in the deeper channel known as 'Lacey's Lane' & using his limited surfing skills & lighting fast verbal retort to entertain others. Originating from the Congo, Wilkinson spent his early years developing his skills in a straw canoe in the Zaire River, widely renowned as the most powerful in the world.

References

• "Surf School Details". Surfing Australia. http://www.surfingaustralia.com/school.aspx?siteid=1&org=3387. Retrieved 2008-10-28. ^{[dead link]}
• "Currumbin Alley". wannasurf. http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Australia_Pacific/Australia/QLD/Gold_Coast/currumbin_alley. Retrieved 2008-10-28. 
• "Home". Surf Easy. http://www.surfeasy.com.au. Retrieved 2008-10-28.