Calling the Bluff
BIG wave surfer Shaun Wallbank thought he was in the right place at the wrong time with the wind doing weird things at the formidable — and potentially treacherous — Shipstern Bluff on the South-East Coast. But he was wrong as one of the world’s heaviest breaks served up a surfing feast — though not without some well-judged exits, such as the spectacular leap, above, before the conquest was made.
IT may not look like it, but these weren’t the best conditions to surf one of the world’s heaviest and most dangerous waves at Shipstern Bluff.
In fact, Tasmanian big wave surfer Shaun Wallbank said it was downright ugly — but still one of the best days he’d spent at “Shippies”.
Wallbank and fellow surfer Brook Phillips, took a chance on the treacherous break near Port Arthur last week despite the conditions not being quite right.
“You usually need a big swell and offshore winds but it wasn’t really favourable conditions,” Wallbank said. “It wasn’t the right winds you look for usually, it was uglier, a bit worse.”
The swell height was about 6m with the wave face around 10m.
Wallbank said he and Phillips were towed into waves be- hind jet skis from sunrise to 4.30pm and caught only 10 waves.
“Tow surfing really makes surfing a team sport,” he said.
“Brook’s enthusiasm made it one of the best days ever for me down there. Plus the tow driver is responsible for picking the waves so Brook is responsible for every wave I got that day.”
The break surprised everyone watching on board the main boat and the rocky shore, he said.