Stern test awaits Cape Fear hellmen at Shippies

ONE of the most spectacular events on the surfing calendar is the Red Bull Cape Fear event, which has been run a few times in previous years at a dangerous wave known as “Ours” in Botany Bay, Sydney.

While “Ours” was incredibly spectacular and insanely dangerous, it has proved to be inconsistent.

Therefore, organisers have made a bold move and are heading south to Tasmania and will run it at the amazing break called Shipsterns.

Ship Stern Bluff is simply the most crazy wave in the world, breaking at massive heights. The wave is also a crazy barrel and incredibly dangerous — all the ingredients that make Cape Fear the event that it is.

What I love about the Cape Fear event is that it’s a paddle and tow event combined.

Some of the biggest and most intense waves simply cannot be paddled into so these waves go to the key ski tow assist and it guarantees incredible action.

Jan Juc surfer Ross Clarke-Jones will certainly well represent our region at this event, which includes 20 of the best big wave surfers from around the world.

Clarke-Jones is a veteran big wave surfer these days but incredibly he still performs in waves of serious consequence — and he’ll be an absolute threat to win Cape Fear.

The event will run sometime between now and the end of the year. They’ll wait for a big swell and good winds and will run this in spectacular surf.

Four-day surf: It’s been a great late winter run. The waves should continue as well. Expect good surf today, small on Friday then improving rapidly into the weekend and into next week.