Cyclone whips up foamy surprise

[faceless]

Bubbles and froth everywhere, but not a wave in sight
27th August 2007

Swimmers did a double take when the visited this Australian beach after cyclonic conditions whipped the ocean into into a lather of froth and bubbles, making it look more like a ski field than a popular surfing spot. Instead of the excellent clear surf the beach is renowned for, swimmers were greeted with an ocean of foam on Yamba Main Beach, on the New South Wales north coast.

And although the froth was bad news for surfers, local children took advantage of the rare conditions and played around in what looked like a giant washing machine. The foam was at least four metres deep in some places on the beach and even came up to the local surf club's headquarters. The foamy conditions were a result of a larger than normal amount of fresh water flowing from the river entering the ocean. The foam is created when the fresh and salt waters combine.

Residents say it's been about 30 years since this sort of situation has taken place as the beach is usually protected from strong winds, making it a popular surfing spot.

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[Skylace]

Now there's something you don't see everyday!

[girldorksrule]

Wow. Like a giant washing machine exploded. How fun!

[11antoniacourt]

I really thought it was suds. How odd looking.

[alan1254]

I think its the froth stired up by alien spacecraft hovering over the surface of the water, seems logical to me