Hey everyone,

I'm a physician and avid surfer currently living in Canada. I've been recently considering moving to Australia as I've come across an interesting job opportunity in Perth. From what I'm reading online, Perth is not the greatest surf spot for a number of reasons (strong onshore winds, rottnest reef system blunting SW swells, sharks, crowds). My question is, are these things overblown, or is Perth a really ****ty place to live as a surfer and should I look into moving elsewhere (my other potential option is Melbourne)? Keep in mind my expectations are low given my current locale. Is it safe to assume that on most days, if timed correctly, I can get waves somewhere if I'm willing to drive 2hrs or so?
Oh and I know the last thing anyone wants is an extra surfer in their lineup, but I don't know anyone that doesn't like having an extra physician in their local hospital, so please be respectful the way I plan to respect others out in the water :)

Cheers,

Your assessment is well researched. It's pretty schit. What we call an epic session is really quite ordinary in other quarters.

Perth is a great place to live, but the surf in the metro area is average at best. I just checked the surf cams and there is at least 50 people sitting off Trigg Point looking to share that waist to chest high set... and it's Xmas day. Just a sign of how desperate we get. I'm off to join them soon

Being a Dr you might get some time off mid week - then you will have to chance to pick the best of it without 1,000 of your mates joining you when crowds are right down.

I don't think you'll find much surf around the Melbourne metro area.

Peoples opinions here of Perth (us locals) will be pretty low as we are comparing to absolutely world class epic waves 2 to 3 hrs south and some pretty good waves 2 to 3 hours north.

If you come you will be fine you will get waves plus we could use another good quack tin our community.

Remember if you train a little you will have access to waves further north like no other in locations like no other and the SW is some thing special as well.

Melbourne will get you to the surf coast and it is very good but in winter well on the way to fcking freezing arla Canada.

A lot of Vicos come west

Perth cops a bad wrap sometimes but there's not too many mid sized cities in the world with beautiful pristine beaches on their doorstep. I get to surf a few sessions most weeks of the year and on those flat summer days the beaches are the best in the world for a swim or snorkel. With a little effort and local knowledge quality waves are within reach for a day trip.

Select to expand quote

P co said..
Perth cops a bad wrap sometimes but there's not too many mid sized cities in the world with beautiful pristine beaches on their doorstep. I get to surf a few sessions most weeks of the year and on those flat summer days the beaches are the best in the world for a swim or snorkel. With a little effort and local knowledge quality waves are within reach for a day trip.

You have the unique opportunity to pick the eyes out of it though P co, no? Imagine being a weekend warrior here.

You'll get some wave in Perth, but nothing amazing. Down south and up north are well worth it.

If you're happy to drive a couple of hours you'll do just fine. Perth metro is scheisse and ridiculously crowded but a couple of hours north or south will see you in quality waves. Sharks are just misunderstood puppies of the sea

Isn't everyone forgetting the 30min ferry ride west option ?
waves as good if not better than south albeit crowded

Perth is way better than Melbourne. At least there are some local waves. BOth places have world class waves within 3 hours drive, but the SW (South of Perth) wins there also, think Hawaii but colder. Although coming from Canada you'll be laughing at people saying its cold. And Bali is under 4 hours cheap flight, hands down win...just make sure you get accomodation near a train station coz the road planning in Perth is a never ending fail over the last 15 years. Look at Maylands, Bayswater, Leaderville, Glendoulough or Joondalup unless your looking at Charles Gardener hospital you will need to drive.

We need a good doc on phillip island great waves sometimes waves most times and when theres no waves there is one somewhere close to melbs sometimes too close !

If backwash close outs are your thing then go for it.
Your average surf in Perth will consist of 99% closeouts.
Depressing
At Least Melbourne has the wave pool which Perth deemed unsuitable for their patch of land.
I would sus out a place on the surf coast in Vicco and drive to work.

Forget Perth, surf is rubbish. If You could cover an Emergency department unsupervised and unsupported, then I could get u a plum job in ESPERANCE, WA, which has heaps of great uncrowded surf spots. But u have to have good Emergency skills.

If you want a city that's nice to live in, consider that Melbourne is one of the best in Australia
Nice people, restaurants, good sporting culture, less Bogans per capita etc
Dont get sucked into thinking the Sth West is apart of Perth
I believe Jetstar are beginning flights from Melbourne to Busselton if you wanted to visit
Might pay to visit and find out for yourself

Select to expand quote

IvorWindeas said..
Forget Perth, surf is rubbish. If You could cover an Emergency department unsupervised and unsupported, then I could get u a plum job in ESPERANCE, WA, which has heaps of great uncrowded surf spots. But u have to have good Emergency skills.

Just need a 2 shark shields and a couple of Ak47 s if ya wanna go for a surf

Hey doc I'm a remote nurse based in NNSW. As a physician you can write your ticket any coast in Oz you want. My 2 bobs worth go for the Perth gig but keep an open ticket and check the rest of the country and then decide where you want to live. Don't know what floats your boat or you need city living or can be satisfied with large regional centres which have most of the city trappings, or crave the bush/rural life.
Plenty of docs do locum work and earn obscenely huge bucks and then kick back at their villas in between, which can be anywhere. So yeah use Perth to get your accreditation and residency and check out our amazing country and decide.
My mate moved to Vancouver Island as a nurse and gave up surfing for motorbikes cos it's so fn cold. We're still mates but

Thanks to everyone for the responses. Seems like surf in Perth is **** but WA overall is a good option.
Question: no one seems to be bringing up rottnest island... Is it not a viable surf option as a day trip from Perth?

It is definitely an option

I'm no physician. Therefore it isn't an option.

Select to expand quote

drCane said..
Thanks to everyone for the responses. Seems like surf in Perth is **** but WA overall is a good option.
Question: no one seems to be bringing up rottnest island... Is it not a viable surf option as a day trip from Perth?

You obviously didn't notice my hint above dr?
dream job would be to be the island quack

Yeah Rotto can be a day trip but as a rule when the swell is running not for beginners great day out all the same havent been for years must be getting busy with the quokka selfie thing.

Select to expand quote

drCane said..
Thanks to everyone for the responses. Seems like surf in Perth is **** but WA overall is a good option.
Question: no one seems to be bringing up rottnest island... Is it not a viable surf option as a day trip from Perth?

Rotto has good waves. I had a girlfriend who worked for Western Power in the late 80's, early 90's who scored me $10 fast boat tickets through the company. I used to go a couple of times a week through the flat months. Great adventure, boat over, ride a bike across the island with a board under your arm, surf & back again.

You cant get the bus on rotto anymore its always full.

Spoilt for choice Doc. I'd go west and get a boat good four wheel drive and a caravan and dont look back.

Plenty of meth heads here in the west so shortage of work in the emergency department.

Yes, meth heads will reduce your work load for sure. ??

Select to expand quote

Ctngoodvibes said..
Isn't everyone forgetting the 30min ferry ride west option ?
waves as good if not better than south albeit crowded

Took this still from a video. 3m swell at the Rotto Box. Doesn't show a perspective of size but put it this way, the driver if he could off, would have stuck my 6m rib inside it ??

It was wild wind and un surf able. But worth the watch.

Get amongst ya pussy!

Select to expand quote

Buster fin said..
Get amongst ya pussy!

The foot of slab in front.. Nah.

Epic to see first hand though..Also the photo is a glimpse in time, it was actually much worse