ASK Illawarra surfers about their favourite breaks and more often than not they will mention The Farm.
Tucked away in Killalea State Park, The Farm is home to a surfing tradition that spans decades.
National Surf Reserve Committee chairman Brad Farmer last surfed The Farm in 1985. Last year he announced The Farm will join a handful of other beaches on a list of official national surfing reserves.
Looking back on his own fond memories, Mr Farmer said The Farm is worthy of the Mercury's Best Surfing Beach Award and any other recognition it receives as a top surfing spot.
"The Farm is recognised as the most popular beach for surfing south of Sydney and the accolade of a National Surf Reserve is well-deserving and it puts it on the map as an iconic beach," Mr Farmer said.
"The highest quality of The Farm is that it's in close proximity to the city and yet it still has the wilderness feel ... that's the beauty of it. It's generally considered to be the jewel in the crown of the South Coast."
Mr Farmer said it was important for residents of the Illawarra to protect the beautiful environment and strong surfing culture at the site.
"It's a bit like recognising the seven great wonders of the world - they are sites of immense natural beauty," he said.
World champion surfer Sally Fitzgibbons has spent most of her life surfing the breaks along the Illawarra coast. While Gerroa's Seven Mile Beach remains Fitzgibbon's favourite surf spot (that is where her surfing career began), she said The Farm is a great break.
"I enjoy surfing in Gerroa because it's close to my house, but I really enjoy The Farm as well," Fitzgibbons said.
"The Illawarra is a really good breeding ground for all surfers because you get a good taste of all different kinds of waves - you have lefts, rights, beach breaks and point breaks.
"A great surf spot has to be consistent and protected in most winds, and it shouldn't be too crowded - that's one of the big things."
NORTHERN ILLAWARRA
· Coalcliff is a small beach surrounded by rocks and cliffs and has good conditions for beginner surfers.
· Little Austi at Austinmer is a small beach with good waves that suit all surfers. Sandon Point, located just south of Bulli, is a popular beach for surf contests and suits advanced surfers.
CENTRAL ILLAWARRA
· Port Kembla is frequented by experienced surfers for its popular surf break known as "Oilies", near the coal loader on the northern side of the harbour.
SOUTHERN ILLAWARRA AND SOUTH COAST
· Bombo Beach, just north of Kiama, provides good waves for experienced surfers.
· Seven Mile Beach, which stretches from Gerroa to Shoalhaven Heads, consistently delivers ideal surf conditions and is used by a number of surf schools.
· Werri Beach at Gerroa provides good waves for surfing and bodyboarding.
BEACH LOVER
CHRIS HOMER, WARILLA (pictured)
"There's a really high-quality wave (at The Farm) most of the time, so it really caters for all types of surfers, whether they're shortboard surfers or longboard surfers - and that makes it extremely popular. You can surf beautiful waves and be surrounded by a beautiful environment and that's what makes The Farm one of the most popular beaches on the coast. It's a really iconic surf spot, and not many surf beaches have that history."
Illawarra Mercury – 13 January 2009
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