Tasmania is well-known for big waves – maritime mountains that for young adventure seekers evoke thoughts of challenge, excitement and achievement, and for everyone else evoke thoughts of death. You only have to do an internet search for “Pedra Branca Youtube” to see what I mean. I advise a health check-up before watching any such videos.
Pedra Branca is hardly accessible, however. It is a rock islet 26 kilometres south-east of the Tasmanian mainland. To get there you need a serious boat. A hospital ship, for example. More accessible big-wave excitement (danger) spots in Tasmania are places such as Cloudy Bay, South Cape Bay, Tam O’Shanter, Friendly Beaches, King Island and the Scamander River mouth.
And then there is Shipstern Bluff.
Aka Shippies.
Aka Devil’s Point.
On any list of Tasmanian surfing spots, dangerous or otherwise, Shipstern Bluff is number one. Its Wikipedia entry says it is “regarded amongst the surfing community as one of the wildest and most dangerous locations in the world, both for the surf and the prevalence of great white sharks”. It makes the “Red Bull Cape Fear” list, which begins its factoids about Shipstern Bluff with the following comforting message, “Contrary to what you’d think when you look at the wave, no one has ever died at Shipstern Bluff. There have been broken bones, punctured lungs, split skulls and more – but never a death.” Read more here.
Sam Lennox first surfed Shipstern Bluff in 2005, as a 17-year-old, and is a regular there. He is also a Parks and Wildlife ranger stationed in the Tasman National Park, and so is responsible for managing the area around Shipstern Bluff and Cape Raoul. Before that, he spent five years helping on the construction of the Three Capes Track.
”Track building, especially when working with rock to create steps, is by far the most rewarding work for me,” Sam says. “Often they are long and physical days spent creating paths that will last the test of time. It certainly has its challenges, but is incredibly satisfying. To be able to work in such an amazing environment is an absolute privilege and is something I cherish every day.”
It is fair to say he has a strong connection to the area, both in and out of the water.
All this may help to explain why Sam Lennox, aged 33, of Lauderdale, thought of Shippies when he saw an online video competition offering a $30,000 first prize for footage of the most exciting (death-defying) big wave ride in the world in 2020. Sam entered the competition, with a wave he rode (survived) in September.
Sam Lennox’s competition-wave can be viewed on the Short Circuit video competition website. Judging is by popular vote, meaning that to win the competition Sam needs the support of the public. Voting closes on December 31, 2020. Voting is free.
So if you enjoyed (survived) watching Sam’s epic ride, go to the page and vote for a (living) Tasmanian treasure.
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Chris Champion is the editor of Forty South Tasmania and a director of Forty South Publishing. He has worked as an editor and writer in Australia and Asia for more than 40 years.
