Would have been good to see him have a crack at paddling for a couple

Those shots that finish full frame barrel/suds, are so beautiful. If there is a Hokusai award for surf photography, Tim Bonython wins it. As for the first Tahitian to surf Shippies. Unbelievable how he was actually hacking at it rather than just finding the cleanest line, and recovering when he looked...fucked. What style and grace.

Those strong thighs getting him through some otherwise no-makes.

Mahati has great style. Actually, similar to Medina with the backside hand jives. Lex at 7:38 visually lovely wave.

Every wave could be paddled yet the usual suspects fly in, grab a ski and tow through the paddle pack.

Must be a heavy wipeout if Laurie Towner gave up after 3 waves.Big wave surfers do tend to back off a bit as they get older.

I was the guy on the handplane party waving with Jethro. The tow thing was actually pretty mellow as the crew were offering tows to Matahi so he could get a taste of it. It was actually a very marginal paddle day due to the devil wind and large interval even though it wasn't massive. My highlight was getting extremely barrelled and then smashed, to then be offered some bluefin sashimi by the lads. An epic day all around and great to see Noah and Danny again. Thanks to the tassie boys for the hospitality and froth.

I thought it was funny that Dylan said Matahi was the first Tahitian to surf Shipsterns. Yet, Genji Pitt is 1/2 Tahitian half Aussie was out there earlier that day.

^ epic, great insight into a bizarre experience, loved the first half; tim disoriented, grumpy and hungover, 2' surf (not near an easy access beach!!), and where's me ice-coffee??
interesting watch, cheers. (can't believe they got yeti cooler sangers for the dfat flight! what was on them, tim??)