Ryan faces his Fear Deadliest surf comp

Towner and Makua Rothman, when the competition is inevitably called sometime before August 31.

At that point he will have 48 hours to get to Sydney.

Hipwood said last year’s event proved that Cape Fear was, pound for pound, one of the heaviest waves in the world and definitely not for the faint-hearted. He made the final four last year.

“I don’t chase them (waves) as much as I did when I was younger,” Hipwood said. “But I feel like you couldn’t do what I do if you didn’t love it.”

The event is closed to the public but can be watched live on Red Bull TV.

Picture: BRETT COSTELLO A surfer tackles a wave at Cape Solander just metres from the cliff. Below: Ryan Hipwood.