Deadman’s, located just north of Sydney, is a reclusive beast. It only breaks properly every two or three years, but when just the right conditions hit, it’s a wave that truly lives up to its terrifying name.
Last week, a megaswell hit Sydney that finally woke up the sleeping giant. “An early season swell hit Sydney that was bigger than anything seen at this spot in the last 20 years,” wrote bodyboarder Max Dodshon, who posted an edit of the day in question to his YouTube channel. “As usual, the waves out there were far less than perfect, but it had a unusual amount of grunt and push due to the high period in the swell. This session was shot from sunrise till midday.”
The usual cadre of Australian big-wave chasers were there, including Swellnet forecaster Craig Brokensha, who confirmed just how intense the swell was. “The buoys are real big. The Port Botany buoy is the biggest I’ve seen, with offshore winds,” he explained. “That’s saying something. Especially with 15-second periods. Incredible.”
The whole thing is a sight to behold. However, possibly the gnarliest moment comes at the 6:30 mark, where Dodshon ends up on the wrong side of a 15-second hold-down. Sometimes waking up the giant has its drawbacks.
