Will Koby Abberton’s “home-break” advantage lend to an easier go? As sketchy as the wave is, everyone’s in for the same hell-raising time. Photo: Red Bull
A choice handful of big wave surfing’s craziest hell-raisers are converging on Sydney to take on one of the sketchiest waves in the world — as well as each other. With a mere days left in the waiting period, event organizers gave the Red Bull Cape Fear event a green light for this coming Saturday, August 30. The competition is held at Cape Fear, otherwise known as Ours, in Botany Bay.
The surf world rejoices! After a Billabong Pro Tahiti that is largely considered the best surf competition ever, Ours decides to go off for even more viewing pleasures. And don’t think we viewers are the only ones excited. The competitors, such as Bruce Irons and Jamie O’Brien, have been looking forward to this for a while.
A east-south-east swell and off-shore winds have set the stage for an unpredictable run, with the Pacific Ocean being thrown into and off of a cutting ledge, chucking eight-to-ten foot waves that subsequently break on the cliff’s edge.
Employing a never-before-seen boxing card-style format, this is a first in many ways, including the entire premise of holding a contest at what is arguably the most dangerous wave in the world. Mark Mathews, big wave veteran and Cape Fear competitor, has called the Ours the heaviest wave on Earth, at least pound-for-pound.
“There’s no wave in the world from six to 10 feet that is heavier or more dangerous,” Mathews told Red Bull. “Deep water swell pitch on a super shallow ledge that’s covered with razorblade barnacles, and then it breaks only 10-15 metres from the cliff face. If you fall off and don’t hit the bottom,” he continued, “chances are you’re going to get washed in to that cliff face. There are plenty of dangers and only few willing to navigate them.”
Locals such as Mathews, Koby Abberton, and Jesse Polock have ridden it before — Ours comes to life about three to four times a year — but there are many in the “outsider” invitees that are yet to paddle the wave.
Expected to join the Australians? Shane Dorian, Irons, Ian Walsh (if he makes it back from his quest for an African Ghost Wave in time), and O’Brien, among others, all with limited or no experience at the break.
Unfortunately the always-entertaining Alex Gray won’t be making the trip: “The #RBCAPEFEAR event has been given a green light to run this weekend. I am so honored and stoked to be invited, but unfortunately won’t be able to attend due to injury. Thank you so much to the crew for the invite. Good luck to all of the competitors. “Ours” is one of the heaviest waves on the planet, and this event is sure to change competitive surfing forever. I hope to be in it next year :)”
Best of luck to the brave (or bat-sh*t crazy) competitors, as well as the safety and ski teams patrolling the heats. We’re sweating bullets simply thinking about it — from halfway ’round the world, mind you.
