Are you going for this wave? Photo: Bonython//Screenshot
Tim Bonython has been around the block a time or two. He’s spent years traveling and filming some of the biggest and best waves in the world, but there are a few that really stand out to him. Cape Solander is one of them. It’s a fickle spot, but when it’s working, it is an absolutely terrifying wave.
“Just 90 minutes from my home in Sydney, Cape Solander is one of the most dangerous and unique waves in the country,” Bonython said. “The reef sits right beside the rocks, the take-off is thick and unforgiving, and when an east to northeast swell hits the reef, the wave detonates — often with a wild backwash bouncing off the cliffs for good measure.”
Over the course of his career with a camera pointed at giant waves, he’s seen a lot. There’ve been days that exceed all expectations. There have been days that don’t live up to the hype. The swell documented in the video you see here was the former.
“I’ve spent decades documenting some of the heaviest slab waves in Australia, and every now and then a day comes along that reminds you why you keep chasing these storms,” Bonython continued. “This swell at Cape Solander was one of those days. It’s raw. It’s unpredictable. And when it’s on, it’s absolutely world-class.”
Unlike some giant swells, there was a bit of a lead up to this one. For a little over a week, Cape Solander surfers had their eyes glued to the forecast, and Dylan Longbottom — a slab hunter and board builder of wide acclaim — called up Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca and Lucas Fink to give the day a try.
“The pair arrived the day before the swell and Dylan wasted no time, towing them straight into some of the biggest, chunkiest barrels you’ll ever see at Solander,” Bonython said. “When a forecast like this lights up, word spreads quickly. The buzz around this swell brought out some of the best slab hunters on Australia’s east coast.”
Chumbo and Fink weren’t the only ones who wanted a wave. Richie Vass, James Adams, Lex O’Connor, Chase Hardaker, and Tom Myers were in the water too, and the show they put on was one to remember.
“From perfect, grinding barrels to brutal wipeouts, this session shows exactly why Cape Solander has become one of the most respected slab waves in the world,” Bonython finished. “This edit captures the power, the chaos, and the commitment it takes to ride waves like this.”
