After leaving Stefan’s property and my few good nights sleep in the cave. I was keen to get down to Shipterns Bluff to check out what I’ve only ever seen in videos and magazines.
Shipsterns, known as Shippy’s is a shallow, right hand point break that only works on big southerly swells. As far as I know it only does it’s thing 2-3 times a month in the rite season.
I camped at the start of the 1.5 hour walking track in, with the only other access being by water craft.
I arrived in the afternoon following a surf at Remarkable Caves, not far from Port Arthur.
I had looked at the swell forecast, and it did look promising that Shippy’s could have at least some sort of form. Just to make things clear, I had not planned to surf it at all. The wave is known to be one of the heaviest breaks in the world. My reason for going was primarily to see it in the flesh. Wether people were surfing it or not.
I woke at about 4:30am to voices in the car park of the walking trail. I I thought they must have been divers or fisherman, up early to get in and out before work. I stuck my head out of the tent so see about 5 or 6 guys, with boards and camera gear!
Pumped to go and watch, I quickly got dressed and hit the walking trail in pitch black darkness.
I had no idea where I was going, just following what looked like a track under the light of my headlamp.
As the sun slowly rose, I knew I was heading in the rite direction. After just over an hour walk I arrived at Shippy’s. It was cracking!
The sets were 12-15ft plus, the guys that walked down with there boards must have known a shortcut, as they were already there psyching up to paddle out.
The sets were not possible to surf without being towed in by jet ski. 3 guys rocked off and paddled into the take off zone. The roar of the waves dredging below sea level, peaking into the sky and throwing over like a curtain and crashing on to the rocks was enough make my knees weak, and I was safe on the headland.
The blow out from the tones of water moving across the rocks looked like it would rip ones wetsuit off.
The 3 heroes sat for about an hour before one of them caught a wave. He paddled into what looked like a middle size set. As it hit the rock and started to dredge, it grew to at least 3 times overhead. He took the drop, made a perfect bottom turn, stalled and he disappeared behind the curtain. I thought he was gone for good, never to be seen again, until he shot out of the barrel like a cannon ball.
By now there was a small crowd of body boarders and hikers watching. The headland was like a mini stadium, people cheering and clapping. The surfers caught a few more waves while I sat in amazing watching.
It came around lunch time, it was cold and raining, I hadn’t eaten yet. so I thought I would try to find the shortcut back to the car park. 3 hours later I finally found the car park. You think I would have learnt by now, not to take shortcuts!
I was so stoked to be lucky enough to see such a world class surf spot, surfed by what I would call, world class surfers! I definitely have had some great luck on this trip!!
It was hard to capture the waves on camera, so you may have to use your imagination a bit.
Over the next few days I worked my way up the East Coast of Tasmania. I surfed some fun waves, did a small amount of fishing and met some more great people.
One of my most Favourite camps on this trip so far would have to be Bay Of Fires. A free camp nestled in the dunes of the beach near Binalong Bay. I stayed here for 3 nights surfing twice a day and enjoying the relaxation of the white sand and aqua clear water.
My funds were starting to decrease a bit faster then I first thought they would before I left home over 2 months ago. I didn’t want to run out of money all together before trying to pick up some work. Thanks to Sean Condous, a good family friend. I’ve picked up 4 weeks of work erecting nets over a cherry orchard. I have accommodation on site, work with a great bunch of blokes and have a workshop to work on my bike at my own will. I couldn’t ask for a better set up.
Looking ahead, I’ll be heading back to the mainland around the middle of April. Meeting up with some much missed family and friends then start making my way to Alice Springs for the Finke Desert race, the long way around!
This trip so far has been one of the funnest, craziest, and most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. Traveling alone can sometimes be lonely, but I’ve found your never alone. There is always someone to have a chat to. And more often then not these people will make you feel at home where ever you are! Get out there!!
Billy.
twowheelsonecountry 