Watch: Desert Point July 2019

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

In the 2017 movie 'The Secrets of Desert Point', one of the tight-lipped Californian pioneers admitted that, though they were the first to surf it, they probably weren't the first to see it. So why hadn't earlier surfers jumped the gunwales and scooped the rewards at Bangko Bangko?

"Thrusters," says the protagonist. They found Deserts a year or so after Simon launched the Thruster and were adamant that prior to that the wave would've been deemed unridable - simply too fast for single fins.

Watching this recent water footage would seem to prove his point, the angle accentuating the blistering down the line speed.

 

Comments

P'tai's picture
P'tai's picture
P'tai Monday, 22 Jul 2019 at 4:16pm

Hmmm thats funny, I've had several sessions in similar conditions on a 6'6" 6 channel single fin and had the time of my life. Next time I head over I'm going to take the bonzer as well.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Monday, 22 Jul 2019 at 4:16pm

How's the burn at 1:49!

maddogmorley's picture
maddogmorley's picture
maddogmorley Monday, 22 Jul 2019 at 4:49pm

Brutal

Bungan33's picture
Bungan33's picture
Bungan33 Tuesday, 23 Jul 2019 at 12:07pm

Yes...but the guys probably been waiting respectfully for 45 minutes while people paddle inside him up the point...he may have just had enough! Ive been out there when you literally can't spin around to catch a wave without bumping into someone.

drodders's picture
drodders's picture
drodders Monday, 22 Jul 2019 at 4:42pm

Maybe all the waves on Bali were still a bit empty at the time, and a bit more user friendly, no need to go further. Perhaps the thruster allowed a higher line on such a steep wave for the average surfer.

Would have thought that a good single would keep up...high line on a 7'2...Hey Stu I would be willing to try if Swellnet will pay for my test sessions (flights, accommodation etc.), I will test a couple of quads as well, I don't mind may need a month or two to really work it out.

MrBrown's picture
MrBrown's picture
MrBrown Monday, 22 Jul 2019 at 4:43pm

bloody hell !!!
can't see that ending with a hug and all good mate.

bipola's picture
bipola's picture
bipola Monday, 22 Jul 2019 at 10:48pm

if you are going over take a twin fin as well

Spuddups's picture
Spuddups's picture
Spuddups Tuesday, 23 Jul 2019 at 5:09am

I reckon there were other issues with those old single fins other than not being thrusters. If you've ridden one recently you'll know what I mean. Basically they were awful.

caml's picture
caml's picture
caml Tuesday, 23 Jul 2019 at 12:25pm

Depends on the tides. Deserts can be slow and you can do reos and backsiders bum drag stall in time tubes . On the contrary it can be fast , (too fast for most backsiders) . Not saying more except there's a lotta moods and it can be different one swell direction to the next...

Spuddups's picture
Spuddups's picture
Spuddups Wednesday, 24 Jul 2019 at 5:18am

That was my experience. Although it's 25 years since I've been there so the memory's a bit hazy.
I do distinctly remember two things though: 1/ having a wave race out in front of me one time down at the grower. I opened my eyes underwater to see the reef flying past my face about six inches away. 2/ Walking round the point for the first time to see the wave peeling towards me in all it's mechanical glory.
I don't think I'll ever go back though. I hear it's a bit crowded out there these days.

mattmac's picture
mattmac's picture
mattmac Tuesday, 23 Jul 2019 at 10:50pm

would still prefer footage taken from beach following the wave

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Wednesday, 24 Jul 2019 at 9:20am

tinman 72 insta..eddie predator having a dig.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Friday, 26 Jul 2019 at 2:50pm

Dylan Longbottom calling Eddie Predators wave the biggest heaviest ever surfed at Desert Pt..