Winter in Western Australia is a special time of year. The Roaring Forties come alive and large storms brew off the southern tip of Africa before making their way across the Indian Ocean. This mammoth body of water encourages the formation of beautifully groomed lines, and if you know where to meet them on Australia’s coast, you’ll be sure to score.
The raw WA coastline has its own unique way of welcoming the swell – there are spots that get so angry that only the hardiest of surfers even contemplate the challenge. When these solid swells hit, my camera is my first choice, with my board staying firmly put in the back of the car.
Western Australia rewards those who brave the lengthy journeys, those who spend hours upon hours making their way to its most remote spots. Despite all its challenges, desert living becomes so simple with much less connection to the outside world.
The wind and the sun are relentless, as are the long days of exposure. But speak to any surfer that has made the pilgrimage to where the desert meets the sea and they’ll tell you it was worth it for the good times and great waves.
Western Australia has given me countless experiences that I would have only once dreamt of, and for that, I am now lucky enough to call this place home. Through my filmmaking, I want to show people from all corners of the world what WA is truly like, and let them watch what I’m fortunate enough to see. For me, “West Is Best.”
Staggered Lines shows the full extent of power in the Indian Ocean. In particular, the last section of the film focuses on a spot I’ve watched break for the past four years and only ever seen Kerby Brown and Liam Carter run the gauntlet. I love filming these sessions and getting to experience the intensity of the waves, even from behind the lens. The fact these sessions are so rare makes the experience even more memorable when it does come around.
Editor’s Note: Find more from filmmaker Alasdair Evans here.
