There are few characteristics as distinctive of a single wave as Shipstern Bluff’s infamous steps. You know, the wave within a wave that jacks up mid-face and throws itself at surfers’ heads at the most inopportune times. Of course, there are a lot of things that make Shipstern one of the gnarliest waves on the planet, though, and those little ledges are just part of what creates such dynamic rides when people surf it.
Here we have Sal Masakela breaking down the science behind it all, from the remote location of Shippies to the wildlife that lives there and some intriguing stats about the wave mechanics, like just how fast you can get moving on that face or the actual volume of water (seriously, they estimated it) is crashing down in a wipeout.
“Surfing a wave like Shipstern Bluff gives a sense of satisfaction and relief,” says Mick Fanning, who is on the roster for this year’s Red Bull Cape Fear event. ”But it’s a whole different ball game in an event like Red Bull Cape Fear. Last time the event ran, I watched every second. I was in awe of the athletes and their performances. To test myself against the ocean, but also against my favorite big wave surfers, will be a real honor and I’m going to relish the challenge.”
