Photo Diary: Byron Bay Surf Festival
Photo Diary: Byron Bay Surf Festival
This post comes from our Australia contributor, Miann Scanlan. Follow along with her on Instagram @freepeopleaustralia!
On the most easterly point of the Australian mainland sits beautiful Byron Bay.
There’s really no other place quite like the Bay on earth; it’s unique, almost tangible vibration in the air has a way of convincing even the most cynical city slicker to go bare foot with its long balmy days, endless beaches, reliable surf breaks and droves of bohemians in search of unity who flock there from all corners of the globe.
The town is a beautiful example of what it truly means to be happy and free. It’s here that coastal surf culture flows into the hippie tide washing down from the hinterland, creating one great barefooted, alternative-lifestyle mash-up where the locals are dedicated to preserving the Bay’s unchanged small-town soul.
To celebrate the amalgamation of Byron’s unique surf culture lead by generations of true bohemians who flocked to the area in the ’60s for the natural point breaks and subtropical climates, enter, the Byron Bay Surf Festival. A day dedicated to all things surf, style and spirit.
We created a space in the tipi market to hang out while the sun beamed down on the friendly smiling faces that graced our presence.
But we couldn’t have done it alone and we have some very special people to thank.
First of all, local shaper and shredder Dead Kooks whipped up 6’8 surfboard in a custom colourway exclusively for Free People the week before the festival. During the day the ever so talented Shannon of The Finatics wove her mandala magic across the board sitting pretty in the sun making a truly one of a kind board.
The amazing Cheray, otherwise known as The Palmist Tree shared her sacred gifts in the tipi with those daring enough to have their palms read while Oriel of Henna Harem lovingly adorned sun-kissed bodies in intricate henna artwork. Sol Cleanse kept us cool and hydrated with a selection of organic cold pressed juices aptly named Joy, Courage and Love.
As the sun set on the unseasonably hot spring day over the tipi market, the crowds began to thin, the vibe slowed down and we pulled out all the cushions and furniture creating a space for those to stop, sit, chill and be present while Eilish Ellen sang the sweetest melodies to round off an incredible day.
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