......

I assume that it is OVER MAST high in the first 7 shots, since I can't see the sailers...

So where was the sailing actually done? It must have been quite a wind-shadow as well as wave-shadow, given that it was blowing 40 knots, and those sails all look like 5+. Sneaky Corner - nice work.

The north did a lot of threatening yesterday and never paid off

Sailing was done later in the day at Cremorne south of Lauderdale in the South in very gusty cross off conditions which was extremely challenging after we returned from the East Coast; Sets were over mast high at Buxton Pt. The whole coast North of Orford was massive. There were surfers getting barrels at the sIouthern boat ramp at Swansea. Buxton Pt. was sailable but only by those withpro levels skill. Jet ski rescue would have been a must; Just too dangerous otherwise. A wipeout would have meant certain loss of equipment with impossibly strong rips, backwash and huge whitewater.

This puts some scale on things. The kiter is local pro surfing snapper Stu Gibson. He did one run....he said his kite was too big.....Ballsy.
Conditions were equally challenging to get a descent shot with rain and wind blasting my trusty Canon 5D camera; it is in a bag of rice drying out!!!

More Cremorne

Was there any shape to the rideable ones and any gaps in the sets to get out or was it a total washing machine all the way out to sea , which most photos seem to be showing?
Never thought that it could be to big and windy to sail ( kelvo) just shows you any bit of Coast can be on

There were gaps. However even a small error would have resulted in a potential drowning and gear reduced to pulp!
The back wash on the inside was 2m high with rips everywhere. Pros only as I said. With rescue support. The term criminally irresponsible came to mind as a description for venturing out without a rescue plan in place.

Red bull storm chase 2 on the East Coast

Paul what awesome photos
So great to have you about

Select to expand quote

alanshort said..
Paul what awesome photos
So great to have you about

Thanks Al. Nice to know the images are appreciated. It wasn't easy to capture the magnitude of the swell; Monstrous

Select to expand quote

Relic said..
There were gaps. However even a small error would have resulted in a potential drowning and gear reduced to pulp!
The back wash on the inside was 2m high with rips everywhere. Pros only as I said. With rescue support. The term criminally irresponsible came to mind as a description for venturing out without a rescue plan in place.

No negative assertions about Stu Gibson intended. A very different scenario for a kiter

No Balls , No falls .
Still alive cause im a pussy.
World class Storm Chase for the Pro's only.

Such a mess, big,confused and very gnarly. Respect the decision to pass.
Was the same on Monday for many surfers driving around with high hopes of an epic surf. The big wide ones didn't make for a good session.