Deadmans: Raw

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Reels

It looks so good in the stills, eh?

Or when viewing that one-wave-in-a-hundred hitting the ledge perfectly

Here's seven minutes of raw Deadies footage that betrays the real wave.

Comments

flow's picture
flow's picture
flow Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 9:31am

Fearless.

jimbrown's picture
jimbrown's picture
jimbrown Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 9:37am

Jesus Christ

Reef St.'s picture
Reef St.'s picture
Reef St. Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 9:39am

holy shit!!

Westofthelake's picture
Westofthelake's picture
Westofthelake Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 9:40am

Unreal. What a Deadie beast of a wave.

stevehamilton_'s picture
stevehamilton_'s picture
stevehamilton_ Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 10:06am

far out this is so sick

redsands's picture
redsands's picture
redsands Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 10:21am

Nice

tylerdurden's picture
tylerdurden's picture
tylerdurden Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 10:26am

The May swell was the most user friendly I’ve seen it, maybe more south swell direction, slightly smaller and slightly shorter interval plus very light winds?? Sunday 2-4pm that weekend almost looked inviting.
Interested to hear how the last two swells compare if possible

Andrew P's picture
Andrew P's picture
Andrew P Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 10:43am

that was great, thanks!

surfstarved's picture
surfstarved's picture
surfstarved Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 10:47am

Fucking hell, that was hectic. I was writhing and ducking in my seat.

Stok's picture
Stok's picture
Stok Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 10:59am

It's kind of hard to get a grasp of the size/style of the wave from the cliff angle. Some of the water shots look insane, really wide tube. Big wave charger stuff.

But from this angle, and in this vid it kind of looks like a surging/burgery take off, to a suck rock, to a deeper water close out. Is this pretty much it? Are you lucky if you line up the suck rock and it reels off to an exit on the odd occasion? Is it something your average joes (rightly or wrongly) have a crack at? Or is it just local pros? Do people get badly banged up/two wave hold downs etc?

Interested to know how powerful/sketchy it really is. Coming from mainly surfing in VIC, SA and Indo I'm too used to longer period energy to really understand the difference in power to a large ECL swell. For example, To me that doesn't look too different to say Shippies on face value, but I'm sure it would be leagues apart?

rb7664's picture
rb7664's picture
rb7664 Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 1:37pm

I'll chime in here. I was in the water yesterday and can answer some of your questions.
- The wave is really super steep, fast drop, and then sometimes barrels on the inside ledge. You can pick the ones that hit the ledge because they have more wall, but it's luck whether it lets you out. Too much wall and it does just closeout.

- However, the video doesn't do it justice. It comes out of really deep water and just unloads on the first patch of reef. The wave moves faster then any other slab I've surfed. This swell in particular was more 'unsurfable' then any other swell I've seen there. Maybe because it had more east and a foot or two bigger, but it was crazy. There were some really good surfers out there and they weren't even able to paddle into the bombs. What the video doesn't show is the amount of waves that went unridden because you couldn't paddle fast enough to make it down the face.

- Being an average joe, I enjoy giving it a crack. I've surfed it on a few of the recent swells and had fun, but this swell was different and only the really good guys were getting waves and making them. You also couldn't sit on the inside, which I normally do (and leave the bombs to the others) because the inside ledge was throwing too hard and fast. You also need a bigger board to generate enough paddle power to make it down the face. My biggest board is a 6'0. I'm currently scrolling gumtree looking for step ups.

- The hold downs are bad, particularly the clean up sets if you don't make the drop. My mate chargers and he reckons he had his longest hold down there yesterday. It's actually not too shallow and you rarely hit the bottom, and although you are right in front of the cliff, the sweep normally takes you down the point. I've never seen anyone washed onto the rocks. So if you can hold our breath, and don't get knocked out by the impact, you're normally fine.

- A few semi-pros were out there, but it's mostly local chargers from the area who have put in the time and built their confidence. But even those guys were struggling.

- I've been out at Shippies once (6-8ft day) and yesterday reminded me of it. If it's like it was yesterday, I don't think they are leagues apart. But then again, it's only like that a few times a decade. The more manageable swells at deadies definitely aren't comparable to shippies.

Hope that answers some of your questions.

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 1:45pm

There's video footage of Tom Salvesen getting washed up on the rocks there. It wasn't pretty, no platform between the jump rock and Winki so it's just boulders, but after getting bounced a few times he made it to dry rock.

Stok's picture
Stok's picture
Stok Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 8:54pm

Nice round up, thanks.

Crazy how it's a big drop with speed...to almost stopping dead as it stands up on the ledge.

And yes could image you'd be struggling on a 6'0!

Womble123's picture
Womble123's picture
Womble123 Friday, 17 Jul 2020 at 8:56am

@rb7664 pm me mate. I've got a couple of gun's I'm about to sell.

NotAnotherDJ's picture
NotAnotherDJ's picture
NotAnotherDJ Sunday, 19 Jul 2020 at 7:54am

Chapeau!

Curious to understand how you train for a swell event like that? That is, to be able to flip from surfing 3-5ft beachies to taking 30sec+ hold downs. Whole different level of physical/physiological conditioning required.

Thegrowingtrend.com's picture
Thegrowingtrend.com's picture
Thegrowingtrend.com Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 2:57pm

hava go ya mug

sneakerset's picture
sneakerset's picture
sneakerset Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 11:25am

Wow some ballsy late drops from the local chargers. Looks hard to read which waves will stay open or shut down in front of you.

hangingtomatoes's picture
hangingtomatoes's picture
hangingtomatoes Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 11:55am

so good to see so many just having a good honest crack!

Island Bay's picture
Island Bay's picture
Island Bay Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 12:30pm

Loved it.

JackStance's picture
JackStance's picture
JackStance Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 12:31pm

Well done all.

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 12:41pm

Damn you Victorian lockdown. I would so have surfed that. Nah just kidding, leave that stuff to the young kids.

Howie66's picture
Howie66's picture
Howie66 Friday, 17 Jul 2020 at 7:50am

Looks a lot better than the 1-2ft SE we have had this week!

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Friday, 17 Jul 2020 at 8:20am

Not to mention Thredbo getting 85cm while Buller getting 0cm. Huey was punishing Victorians for the randy security guard.

Howie66's picture
Howie66's picture
Howie66 Friday, 17 Jul 2020 at 8:23am

Haha you’re not wrong mate. Well today it’s 3 foot so there’s a slight improvement i guess

Spacecadet's picture
Spacecadet's picture
Spacecadet Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 12:55pm

Loved matching that, a few good waves and some nice beatings. To everyone who caught a wave, thanks for the entertainment.

Bob Sacamano's picture
Bob Sacamano's picture
Bob Sacamano Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 2:00pm

That was epic, love the raw footage and the hoots. Good to see the local punters giving it a red hot go. And filmed on a iphone? No ads. No pros. No sponsors. A few articles ago Stu you mentioned how pro surfing needs us more than we need it. Case in point.

Remigogo's picture
Remigogo's picture
Remigogo Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 2:06pm

Watching that all I could think about was 'hungry hungry hippos'...

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 2:26pm

So wanna manhandle one of those beasties...
Whole crew gets *****...real wild that is...luv it!

Thegrowingtrend.com's picture
Thegrowingtrend.com's picture
Thegrowingtrend.com Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 3:05pm

give me more! sick

oldman's picture
oldman's picture
oldman Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 3:45pm

Cannot watch that and not wince a few times at least.
Full credit to the guys who had a crack.

Stok's picture
Stok's picture
Stok Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 3:50pm

Loved the paddle attempt at 3:10....glad he didn't get on it I'm sure.

And the bloke who flew at 5:56...that would've felt like an eternity in the air.

Rabbits68's picture
Rabbits68's picture
Rabbits68 Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 4:42pm

Crazy! Epic viewing! A few of those surfers were pretty lucky their board's didn't smack them in the head after hitting the eject button.

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 5:02pm

Great viewing. Super committed takeoffs. Happy to surf some clean easy waves today in a more sheltered spot. Too old for that stuff.

jaunkemps's picture
jaunkemps's picture
jaunkemps Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 6:22pm

Gutzy effort boys, had butterflies watching those drops........Giddyup

Spuddups's picture
Spuddups's picture
Spuddups Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 6:29pm

It’s great watching these local chargers giving it a crack. More excitement in that short clip than an entire WSL comp.

Westofthelake's picture
Westofthelake's picture
Westofthelake Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 6:45pm

Deffo crowd pleaser, styling all the way. Take a bow matey!
deadies150720

Bnkref's picture
Bnkref's picture
Bnkref Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 7:05pm

I take my hat off to those out there that gave it a crack. Unbelievable.

Thanks for the inside word rb. Nice to hear a firsthand experience.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 7:13pm

Fuck thats a piece of water
Anyone know where Jughead surfed - Jug you out there...?

Island Bay's picture
Island Bay's picture
Island Bay Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 7:26pm

What about Queenscliff bombie, Avericks, etc?

harrycoopr's picture
harrycoopr's picture
harrycoopr Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 7:53pm

Love the highlights.... u gotta laff!

pittsy's picture
pittsy's picture
pittsy Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 7:56pm

What the fuck that is absolutely mental, thanks for the insight rb. It's wild how many crew are keen to have a crack. Anyone get caught inside? Can't imagine what it'd be like....

Andrew Everist's picture
Andrew Everist's picture
Andrew Everist Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 8:43pm

That was insane! I hope that poor booger’s necks in one piece.

marcus's picture
marcus's picture
marcus Thursday, 16 Jul 2020 at 10:27pm

Chris rummy charged

the-u-turn's picture
the-u-turn's picture
the-u-turn Friday, 17 Jul 2020 at 10:08am

I'd rather watch this raw footage any day over the edited MTV videos that we get hit with all the time. The 'ooh's & ahh's' from the cliff are great. The car park was busier this week than any Australia Day. 10pts for the Raw.

Sprout's picture
Sprout's picture
Sprout Friday, 17 Jul 2020 at 4:35pm
Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean Friday, 17 Jul 2020 at 4:52pm

wow, that's incredible
there a some truly large waves in there.
wondering what the waves inside the heads were like ?

pancakecollaroy's picture
pancakecollaroy's picture
pancakecollaroy Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 11:08am

Head high+ and pumping (considering how deep in there it was) at one spot

batfink's picture
batfink's picture
batfink Friday, 17 Jul 2020 at 10:03pm

I just love the raw footage. This is a serious wave. Hats off to anyone who pulled in, freaking epic.

I watched a lot of the waves from a south coogee vantage point on Wednesday, just glorious, but this arvo seemed to have even more power. It was BIG.

tonks's picture
tonks's picture
tonks Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 8:36am

Those magnificent men in their fantastic plastic flying machines,we
salute you!Woohoo

tango's picture
tango's picture
tango Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 9:14pm

That's the best clip I've seen since the last best clip with no pros and logos. Way better than the edited commercials we've been so used to seeing. Plus 10-point commentary. Felt like I was on the cliff watching, until my daughter told me to shut up and stop hooting.

I lived in Manly for a few years a long time ago, and surfed Winki a lot with a few second button days here and there with a 100m view to the madness that was Deadmans across the channel. Back in the late 90s there were only ever a handful who had a serious go at it - Daylan Neve and Kai Otton both stand out - and every now and then it looked makeable at 6-8ft but the prospect of one of those hidings was a good deterrent. Winki was hard enough at that size, but this stuff is just firkin silly. There's a lot of shallow water around there. Just shows how far surfing has come in 20 years with the level of commitment/pychosis out there in the current crew.

Would have loved to be in the channel...firmly in the channel...watching this up close. Well done.

Eggman's picture
Eggman's picture
Eggman Monday, 20 Jul 2020 at 7:13pm

Tango your comment sums it up. it was the absolute most ballsy hard core surfing I've seen in years... and the cliff crowd hooting makes this video trump any aerial chucking slo mo new age fluffy music shite. best surfing ive seen in years and hats off to the crew. quite happy to vicariously experience those waves here at home and hoping noone received any fins or pin tails up the back passage or concussion on the shelf... bravo

flow's picture
flow's picture
flow Tuesday, 21 Jul 2020 at 5:22pm

I'm glad that I don't have the skill for Deadmans. No decision needed whether to take it on or not.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Wednesday, 7 Oct 2020 at 10:29am

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/queenscliff/surfing/100-dollar-reward-gu...
This is still missing if it hasnt made landfall where might it end up ?