By gavan , 9 Apr

1975 - We paddled over thier in 1975, just after the cyclone wind turned west and the the giant swell had just cleaned up. Henchy, Kevin, me and Smiley. All coolum locals. (where are you guys now?)
We had driven from noosa to calondra and back smoking hash and listening to dark side of the moon (just been released). Paddled over thinking it was 6 to 8 ft. I believe it was 15 to 20. Hey... no bull here, it was a f'ing big right hand wall.
The ledge was unmakable but we caught the edge and they just stood up forever. I still think about it today, and i still surf today. Homemade board by hughie. 6,2 swallow concave to v actually, hole drilled in single fin with nylon cloths line and sock tied to foot.
I broke it trying the ledge and swam for a bloody long way down to where the waves meet at the bottom of the island, even wrote a letter to tracks about it. They asked me to be a reporter for the local comp fagots... not bloody likly. (Another of lifes oppertunities flys bye) We were soul surfers, although i had'nt heard that term then. Nature boys we called ourselves, pot, mushies (Not recomended) and vegetarians. Did'nt even drink alcohol.
One of those day you never forget.
I'm in love with that old lady. XXX000

By Cman77 , 15-05-2012

The truth - It has good waves, but very fickle, conditions need to be just right otherwise the swell can wrap around the whole Island and mess it up. Many watch and wait for it so It can get crowded when on, also for some stupid reason they usually squeeze as many as they can into a boat to bring their own crowd. Paddling is an option but it is very sharp and you can be cut easily and that is not a good situation to paddle back bleeding. when it is small it is too sharp and close to the reef, when it is bigger it is usually crowded if the conditions are right. experienced only wave.

By Anonymous , 14-06-2007

I have a boat and do surf trips to the island - I have been surfing this island for 20 years, live local and am always keen to get a crew together to go surf it. Call me on 0405316215 for a trip out to Old Woman Island. A heavy right breaks over shallow reef on the north side of the island. Its powerful with fast walls and cranks on an easterly swell and south westerly wind. The left takes the cake though, barrelling and spitting for sections up to 10 metres in 3 areas down the line with a total ride length of up to 120 metres. Fires up on a southerly swell and northerly/westerly wind.