Okay, now we’re caught up on the Billabong XXL Big Wave videos.
Check out the new entrant. The boys from Ireland have a lot to show for the emerging monsters. Between some of the breaks around LaHinch Beach around the NNW point of Ireland, they have had some mega 40 to 50 foot face waves in the last 12 to 18 months of La Nina surf season.
Also, check out Shipstern Bluff. I have asked myself, why do those guys surf there, since the moment they hit that part of the wave were it seems like a big chasm or black hole in the ocean floor appears, and thus they have the most incredible wipeouts cause they’re not expecting a sudden free fall at the peak of the barrel of the wave.
Then it dawned on me; that’s why they like it, it’s like having a cinderblock laying at the bottom of a skatepark bowl, forcing them to “think on their feet” if you will. So watch the different way these crazies choose to respond to the “black hole” part of the wave at Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania.
Also, “Cloudbreak” in Fiji, is a new entrant. Another 40 foot face entry, and especially the paddle in wipeout in what looks like a 40 foot plus face. I bet that one wins the wipeout of the year award. Anyone that has the balls to keep on paddling for that one, then goes one step crazy further by grabbing the rail of the board in order to make the straight/angled drop, they have my vote for the best and most ballzy calculated attempt and then wipeout !
Last, Chile had a massive year, that 45 – 50 foot face in their freezing cold water gains the same respect as freezing Mavericks, Prowlers and Oregon’s last 50 – 60 foot wave video shown on Seaweed not long ago.
Enjoy, and I hope ya don’t mind me posting these things. I love watching huge waves.
Now that the rumor is out that Kelly Slater may start participating in some of this kind of surfing, I’m even more fired up. Anyone that can terrorize the competition in the ASP regular surf tour, and then turn around the next week and paddle into a 30 – 40 foot face at the “Eddie”, is certainly one ballsy individual.
oldwaverider
Johnson Avenue Surfers 