Watch: Cape Solander during east swell from Uesi

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
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Late last Friday, when the swell from TC Uesi muscled up along the Sydney and Illawarra coastlines, it became clear that the next day would be a special one. The swell had arrived, there'd be no mysterious absence, and the wind was predicted to come to the party - very light and from the south-west.

For some surfers, the final piece of the jigsaw was the early morning low tide, and from there the GPS was set for Cape Solander.

By dawn the swell had swung almost dead east and first light revealed excellent waves at any reef favouring that angle. Yet for some reason, Solander wasn't quite living up to the hype. Yeah, it was good, and of course it was heavy, but from the feedback Swellnet received it wasn't quite what they were expecting. A bit too slow, a bit too wobbly.

Still, it makes for good viewing.

Comments

theblacksheep's picture
theblacksheep's picture
theblacksheep Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 8:18am

What’s the go with the towins almost taking off the paddlers heads? Is this some unwritten local acceptance or is it the local cool bullies you can’t argue against?

t-diddy's picture
t-diddy's picture
t-diddy Monday, 24 Feb 2020 at 2:14pm

insane! so dangerous

Spuddups's picture
Spuddups's picture
Spuddups Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 8:46am

Yep, I farken' hate jetskis. They should be put in stocks in the middle of town and have rotten fruit thrown at them.

AndyM's picture
AndyM's picture
AndyM Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 12:30pm

Spuds if I was king of the world I’d bring back the stocks, it’s a great idea.

Non-violent and with a big time name-and-shame element.
Only for repeat offenders though, let’s be reasonable now.

I’d even put an umbrella over them so they didn’t get sunburnt.

Can’t ask for more than that.

Spuddups's picture
Spuddups's picture
Spuddups Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 4:08pm

I see you as a benevolent dictator Andy. Firm but fair.

Sprout's picture
Sprout's picture
Sprout Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 8:54am

That many out at the Cape... COVID-19 needs to step it's game up.

Denyer's picture
Denyer's picture
Denyer Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 9:15am

Hahahahahaha the kook who almost kills the pack of paddlers at 1:40 then proceeds to do a full blown barrel dodge.

Kooks on jetskis.

kipp's picture
kipp's picture
kipp Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 7:11pm

hahaha love to see you out there

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 9:16am

How's the kook goofy footer at 1:40 dumping his tow handle right into the pack. And then he doesn't even get barrelled. I hope he copped a beating for that, because that type of shit can't happen without retribution.

kipp's picture
kipp's picture
kipp Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 7:10pm

Keyboard warrior this kid is 16 and taking on cape that was his first wave out there what were you doing at 16!!!!

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 7:23pm

Whatever Kipp. When I was 16 I certainly wasn’t towing through a Crowded line up. 16 of 60. It’s shit behaviour and should be called out, not excused due to age.

lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 7:48pm

He towed into his first wave out at the cape before paddling?
Fuck me.
16 year olds should be learning how to wait their turn in the pack, pick up the scraps if need be, not bred into entitlement towing into paddle sets and dangerously dropping the rope.

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 7:54pm

Precisely.

billie's picture
billie's picture
billie Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 10:22am

Fucken jet skis

Patrick0710's picture
Patrick0710's picture
Patrick0710 Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 10:33am

I think we're all united on one thing: fucken jet skis.

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 10:56am

"I think we're all united on one thing: fucken jet skis"

Peace at last.

Except for the jet skiers, those cunts deserve to die.

Zoooming's picture
Zoooming's picture
Zoooming Friday, 21 Feb 2020 at 11:03am

Pop out to the Cape some time yourself when it's on the pump with size and good luck with paddling into the waves. If you knew the break you'd understand there are days when some waves simply aren't makeable without being towed in - you can't paddle in and backdoor the first section. The fact that there hadn't been any decent waves of size at the spot for the past 3 years or so (Cape Fear comp being the exception) had the joint packed to the max last Saturday and there were a few too many tow-ins on the smaller sets.

yocal's picture
yocal's picture
yocal Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 11:08am

Great tips on swell direction & tide. I'll blow in some time soon

Chris010's picture
Chris010's picture
Chris010 Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 12:21pm

Fuck right off with the 'Ours' bullshit too, while we're at it.

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 12:29pm

Fare point too Chris010. Might have to rename it "wankers" in honour of those who arrogantly called it "ours".

Sprout's picture
Sprout's picture
Sprout Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 1:23pm

I saw an interview with one of them years ago, quite proudly saying something like, "They've got theirs (Bodyboarders/Shark Island) and we've got ours (Surfers/Pikers Hole)." Not really a win is it. Morons.

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 1:43pm

What a flog. It's like they need a group of people to go surfing with so they can "own" a lineup. That type of mentality is just so fucked up.
Chris Lilley made the comedy show "Angry Boys" that took the piss out of people like that.
"Mucca Mad Boys"

lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 1:59pm

The one's that called it ours are also the ones that exposed it to the whole world.

phnud's picture
phnud's picture
phnud Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 1:56pm

How about a music credit? I presume you're not paying royalties, so acknowledge them. That shit doesn't write itself.

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 2:04pm

Mate, I'm not paying anything. The video is embedded from YouTube.

If you've got a problem with credits then hit up the filmmaker and tell him or her to drop them in.

phnud's picture
phnud's picture
phnud Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 2:12pm

No worries. had a look and he credits them (Music by: Michael Kiwanuka “Hate and Love”) in the comments. Guess you could do that if you're embedding?

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 2:25pm

True, though I watched it in silence with kids asleep all around me.

I tend to focus and comment more on the surf content, hence suggesting credits appearing on screen.

phnud's picture
phnud's picture
phnud Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 2:55pm

Ah well, yes, that's something I understand. The parenting thing, I mean.

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 4:15pm

Glad someone mentioned the track- Michael Kiwanuka. Nice driving music.

Didn't mind the vid. I'm not a huge ski fan either but would have been pretty hard to paddle into some of the bigger ones.

wax-on-danielson's picture
wax-on-danielson's picture
wax-on-danielson Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 at 9:14pm

Probably could have edited that back to just the last wave.

tango's picture
tango's picture
tango Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 1:28am

Bit hard to do the old banana-in-the-tailpipe with those farkin skis.....tasers, perhaps?

Mishad's picture
Mishad's picture
Mishad Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 9:33am

Dynamite

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Friday, 21 Feb 2020 at 8:35am

When cutting the Jetski's fuel lines, take a decent sized section out. I recommend 6 inches at least. It makes the repair much more difficult and wayward teenagers can recycle the hose.

willywonty's picture
willywonty's picture
willywonty Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 12:45pm

Anybody's

brown-bomber's picture
brown-bomber's picture
brown-bomber Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 1:10pm

I’m sure the golden age was before this place was taken over but somewhere between it being called ours and before the red bull cape fear hype led to the new generation of Instagram posers surfing only for a photo And Dropping rope Wide mid line up, there was many A Fun empty session with waves for everyone tow and paddle.
Unfortunately places like this need some sort of regulation wether it be For the crowds or JetSki control I don’t know. Almost everyone in the line up we’re sticks so it’s not a matter of the craft someone’s riding.
Something needs to change out here before someone gets decapitated by a stray tow rope Or run over by someone who is not experienced enough to be driving

Willemrt's picture
Willemrt's picture
Willemrt Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 1:23pm

They are straight up breaking the law around jetski tow in surfing.

https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/safety-rules/other-boating/personal-...

You could probably get them a $250 fine for being within 200m of paddle surfers but "If you act in a way that is menacing to another person by a threat of personal injury or threat of damage to property, you are breaking the law and this may result in a court attendance notice and/or your PWC being impounded or forfeited." Which is what that guy laying the rope down in the pack was.
https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/maritime/licence/personal-watercraf...

But like most government stuff you actually have to blow the whistle and probably have to catch them in the act and cause a ruckus. There are heaps of Jetskis that play out off the long reef outer reefs which nobody has a problem with (and was probably picking up more swell, but less photogs)

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 1:47pm

ride with us or collide with us

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 1:54pm
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 3:59pm

I like the Chasers take on the Bra Boys. Absolute gold.

Justint's picture
Justint's picture
Justint Saturday, 22 Feb 2020 at 12:07am

Haha. Classic

Timmy5656's picture
Timmy5656's picture
Timmy5656 Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 5:27pm

omg I just read some of the comments no wonder GMH shut down their SA factory in 2017.

evosurfer's picture
evosurfer's picture
evosurfer Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 9:47pm

I must be getting old I know im already cranky but that music was god damn awful.
That's about as good as that place gets IMHO.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 10:36pm

Big Thanx to swellnet for Sub Cyclonic Mutant Slabs...
Basherz salute paddle in brothers & their quest to rid evil.

BOM Ltd "Hazardous Surf Warnings" override Jet Ski /Surfer-Swimmer regulation.
Ben & crew have revealed & informed of BOM > SLS NSW ramping up Surfer Bans.
Current review of Cyclone Uesi bans has been updated & included on site.(Today!)
https://www.swellnet.com/comment/651271#comment-651271

Friday 14th 2020 Cyclone Uesi
Director of Marine Rescue NSW(Andrew Cribb)
Warned Boaters, Fishermen, Surfers to avoid the Ocean in coming days.
The article warns big time to avoid Surf near Rock Platforms...
https://www.lakesmail.com.au/story/6630883/more-rain-coming-to-hunter-an...

Friday 14th Feb 2020 SLS NSW
Warned rock fishers, boaters, surfers and swimmers to stay away from the water.
https://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/6630230/weather-conditions-ease...

No Govt would allow policing or rescues near rocks @ BOM Hazardous Surf Warning.
The very hour Warning is lifted Police can confiscate & fine Jet Skis! (re: 2019 Kirra)
Essentially all are breaking the law & as such it will remain lawless until BOM whistle.

Surfers only dig a deeper grave by admitting to surfing during ban with vid as proof!
Just saying...$10,000's (Points/fines) in that lineup alone...careful what you wish for!
Blind Freddie can see Brat Pack's Bro Boss Pollie Lawyer will drum up a hero claim...
Volunteer Scomo Medals for Pollie's Bro towing lawless pack over shelf to safety!

Breakfast TV to dump Cyclonic Storm Riders in the bin with snapped Soggy Weet Bix.
BOM Blonde Bombshells! [All Together Oz : "No Surfing you Floody Idiots"]
You got about 5mins to kiss Huey goodbye & get one last wave in...(5hrs Huey Time).

69longboarder's picture
69longboarder's picture
69longboarder Thursday, 20 Feb 2020 at 11:38pm

I am going to throw this out and come what may.
My opinion is unlike Kirra and Snapper, you cant say OURS is crowded. Thats because this wave will f..k you up if things go wrong more so than those two waves. Hence only the game take it on. Where is Joel, Occy and Mick when it's on and QLD isn't. In saying that, not to say they could'nt surf it. I dont see em rushing down for it.
I think because of all the things about this wave that make it SO full on! and minimal crowds. To me I'd make an exception to allow tow ins., But if the majority are paddlers. Tow ins. Pay some respect and consider the common bloke just having a go and don't be a shit c..nt.

Zoooming's picture
Zoooming's picture
Zoooming Friday, 21 Feb 2020 at 11:15am

Your comment was one of the more sane posts about the day. The simple thing is when there's any serious size at the Cape it immediately sorts out the boys from the men. Paddle-ins become near impossible, unless you're a dare devil like Dom Wills, and tow-ins become the only option unless you want to do yourself major damage. It's been a long time between big days at the Cape - nearly 3 years - and it brought the crowds and skis out of the woodwork with everyone expecting serious, consistent size which didn't quite deliver on the day. Those that understand the place know the situation - others who don't provide comments like Vic Local.

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Friday, 21 Feb 2020 at 11:44am

No Zooming, I get the situation perfectly.
There's two main issues here. Legality and safety.
There's no doubt the tow surfers are acting illegally. It's like hooning at 100km/h in a school zone.
When it comes to safety, it's a small take off zone at the Cape. Having a punter fly through it and dumping the tow rope into a packed lineup is seriously dangerous. What I don't understand is why people tolerate this type of crap on the East Coast. It's clear from the footage that people were still paddling in. I've surfed in Vic for 20 + years and have never seen anything even remotely like that circus. If anyone towed through a pack down here, there would be serious repercussions. Up in NSW and Queensland, people actually defend the entitled fucksticks who use skis to poach waves while putting others in danger. You blokes can keep that shit show.

Zoooming's picture
Zoooming's picture
Zoooming Friday, 21 Feb 2020 at 11:59am

You didn't read my post properly. On Saturday 'those in the know' were predicting some serious size and 'perfect' Cape conditions. When that happens the skis come out for obvious reasons. Things didn't quite eventuate and there were smaller sets among the bigger ones. Everyone was overly keen because it's been a long time since they had big waves there and yes perhaps there were a few tow ins that were a bit close for comfort, however, the guys who surf the spot are a relatively tight bunch and they know exactly what to expect and how things work out. It's not like a bunch of guys from Sydney, the north or south coasts suddenly decided "Let's hit the Cape today". You can't paddle in and back door the very first section where the tow ins do. The paddlers are further along waiting to drop down on the 'safer' side of the peak. I'd venture to say that if it had been a solid 8-10ft plus day most of those paddlers wouldn't have been out there.

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Friday, 21 Feb 2020 at 12:13pm

"On Saturday 'those in the know' were predicting some serious size and 'perfect' Cape conditions. When that happens the skis come out for obvious reasons. Things didn't quite eventuate and there were smaller sets among the bigger ones"
This may be the case, but the tow fuckers still chose to tow, and the paddlers are the ones who wear the cost. Like I said, I simply don't understand why East Coast surfers tolerate this. I've surfed all around the world, and I can't think of any location where tow surfing through packs would be tolerated. If you blokes want to do that at Cape Fear, that's fine, but don't even think of taking that shit anywhere else.
BTW we had a 10-12ft + day a few years ago and a ski was in the water. It was strictly used for rescues just in case someone snapped a board or leg rope. If you couldn't get out under your own steam, or paddle in, bad luck. And that's how it's done everywhere else in the world when people are in the line up paddling in.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Friday, 21 Feb 2020 at 12:41pm

I reckon it’ll become common in Bali before too long.

Heard of it at Ulus and heard of beginners / intermediates on soft tops at serangan getting towed back out on the ski after being pushed into waves out the back by the guides.

Saw a foil getting towed into waves by a rubber duck a few days ago.

“ You want water sport !?!? “

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Friday, 21 Feb 2020 at 12:49pm

Towing in at Ulus?
Big Outside Corner or The Bombie were the last bastions for manageable crowds on Bali in the dry season.
If towing is going down at Uluwatu, those doing it are really taking a massive risk or they are proper locals. The regular Outside Corner crew would never allow towing if they were paddling into waves.

uncle_nico's picture
uncle_nico's picture
uncle_nico Friday, 21 Feb 2020 at 11:01pm

Plenty of people are over it on the east coast mate and there has been plenty of complaints to MSQ about the dangerous behavior of skis. I heard through the grapevine that they are seeking council support to ban skis from the southern gold coast point-breaks entirely. What a great day that would be.

batfink's picture
batfink's picture
batfink Friday, 21 Feb 2020 at 3:29pm

Well, I liked the music, very cool.

el Sid's picture
el Sid's picture
el Sid Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 5:46pm

To all the jet skis riders out there, just remember.
To err is human.
To place chunks of rump steak between your thighs and whistle "Dixie" is divine.

tonks's picture
tonks's picture
tonks Wednesday, 26 Feb 2020 at 11:46pm

Personally I think you all should sit back & enjoy the show,there’s some spectacular surfing going on.Tow in or paddling all those dudes got steel balls.If your out there you gotta take your chances & hope for the best.
Adios Amigos!