Local Favourites: Cruz Uros

Hailing from the seaside town of Dunsborough, local grom Cruz Uros skates, surfs and everything else in between. As long as he’s outside being active, he’s happy. Cruz shared some of his local favourites with us.

“I started skating and surfing when I was around 2 ½ years old, the same time they opened the new Dunsborough skatepark. I just love it there and looking back I’ve probably spent most of my toddler’s year at that location, hahaha…”

“Last year I was blown away by finishing 1^st in Australia in the U9’s Bowl skating. I am a member of the Yallingup Boardriders (best club in the world) which runs local comps for local groms. Each year I look forward to the Taj Small Fries which is my absolute favourite comp. This month I was honoured enough to be part of the Quiksilver surf team which I am stoked and humbled by. I’m also lucky to get a lot of support from great local stores such as Board Store (best Boards and Surf Hardware in town) and Coastal Life in Busselton (make sure you check them out for all things surf). They are locally owned and are always looking out for me.”

“On the skating side of things, I’m part of the Soggybones team, who are like my second family. Luke and Justin Ward who own and run the Soggybones Skate Shop in Dunsborough are just AWESOME! They run multiple skate clinics and events for kids of all ages throughout the year and get kids amped about skateboarding. They have created a strong skate culture down here. We have such a great community which are so supportive of the Youth. I consider myself so lucky to live (in my opinion) in the best place in the world!”

1

What's Your Favourite Beach?

Wow… this is a hard question to answer! There are so many amazing beaches that we are so lucky to have at our doorstep to pick and choose from each and every day. But if I had to choose one, I would have to say the Rabbits/Shallows strip in Yallingup. It’s where I spend most of my days.

The beaches in our region have so much to offer for both surfers and non-surfers alike. From surfing, body-bashing to swimming & relaxing, the beach is one place that everyone can enjoy. Bears, Injidup & Smiths have beautiful scenery as well as fun waves and it is super close to home.

2

Where Do You Always Take Your Visitors?

During the winter months, we took my Grandparents, Aunties and Uncles on the Naturaliste Whale Watching Charters. It was such an incredible experience to come up so close with the humpback whales. It really is something everyone should do at least once in their life. You won’t be disappointed.

During the summer months, my cousins and I love to head to Xscape at the Cape. It’s sooo much fun no matter what your age is. Whether you go bonkers on the tramps or are flying down the waterslides there’s something for everyone. Another place in Dunsborough that brings us groms loads of fun is Next Level Monkey Business. Climbing and zipping around the big trees is such an epic experience!

3

Top Places To Eat?

Just like the amazing beaches we have here in our little South West corner, we are also spoilt by choice with the endless Restaurants & Cafes to choose from. My absolute favourite place for takeaway is a newbie called Burgertron. It’s located right in the heart of Dunsborough, they make hands-down the best burgers in the world! Another great place to eat at is Caves House. They have great food and it’s an amazing location with a beautiful scenery and awesome live music as well as the most epic woodfired pizzas. They also run an outdoor cinemas and twilight markets during the Summer months.

As a special family treat (my mum’s absolute favourite place), Aravina winery is a winner. Again, amazing grounds, location, playgrounds, live music and pizzas (yes, I love pizzas). And for me, my favourite part of it is the surf museum which has so much memorabilia and history on how surfing developed in the South West all those years ago. We celebrated my Nono’s 70^th there not long ago and he absolutely loved it.

4

Your Favourite Spot For A Treat?

That’s easy! Andy’s (Yallingup General Store) located right next to Caves is my top pick. They have the best homemade food around and such a cool vibe about them. I always look forward to getting a warm muffin and hot chocolate after an early morning surf. It has almost become a family tradition. They also make the best sausage rolls & pies for a quick lunch or afternoon snack.

5

Best Fun In The Region Without Spending A Cent?

For me personally, I think that the beach at rabbits is one of the best places around to do body-bashing. If there’s swell, we play there for hours. Continuously getting dumped in the shorebreak is my idea of fun. My parents love taking our family there at sunset during the summer months as it’s well protected from the Seabreeze.

6

Favourite Time Of Year?

To be truthful, I love all the seasons of the year down here as there’s always something fun to do, no matter what the weather is.

Although in saying that Autumn would just creep in as my favourite. We get really good waves during this season with not too much wind so you can basically surf all day long and skate till super late which is my idea of the perfect day.

7

Best Place To Hang With Your Friends?

Apart from the beaches, the Dunsborough and Busselton Skateparks are awesome. They are world class venues and as I mentioned above are good for all ages and abilities. My 5-year-old sister loves to fly around the park on her roller skates with her friends there and always has so much fun!

If I’m lucky enough some of my skate mates from Mandurah & Perth will come down and we will basically surf all day and skate all night. We really are looked after so well down here thanks to the shires of Busselton & Margaret River…

To be outside, active and surrounded by your friends is just so easy to do with everything that’s on offer down in the South West! I consider myself so lucky to live down here!

8

You Can't Leave The Margaret River Region Without...

A must-see would be to visit Ngilgi Caves in Yallingup. We took my Dad’s family from France there when they were here last, and they were in awe by it all.

Boranup beach is another must-see with one of the most beautiful beaches in the region if not Western Australia. With its crystal-clear water, super fun waves and amazing white sand, it’s hard to beat. The drive through Boranup forest is one like no other. It really takes you back in time.

Shout-out to all the people that have been supporting and guiding me through my journey so far… Quiksilver, Soggybones, BoardStore, Lost surfboards, Sunbum & Surfpaints.

Cruz Uros Surfing Grom — Photo Credits: Skate WA and Surfing WA