Madness Turns To Big Wave Magic For West Aussie Heroes

Wednesday, 02 September 2009 00:00

Alfy Cater outrunning a monster in WA. Pic Russel Ord

Black water. Howling wind. Sheets of rain. And on top of all that, seven metre deep-ocean swells exploding over remote limestone reef.

That’s what greeted expert big-wave riders Alfy Cater and Dave Delroy Carr last week off the south-west Australian coast.

Yet from the madness has come magic: a thrilling contender ride for the $35,000 Oakley Surfing Life Big Wave Awards.

“It was really full-on,“ says Alfy, who is a previous winner of the Awards (he took Biggest Wave in 2007 for a nine-metre monster off a reef near his home in Dunsborough, WA).

“It was pretty mental, we were out there by ourselves – usually there are a lot of other surfers trying to ride that spot.”

Perhaps they were discouraged by the 40-knot gales that blew across the region earlier in the day. Or maybe they were just intimidated by the sheer size of the waves.

“We didn’t think it was going to be that big and we were all surprised,” says Alfy. “The water was a weird chocolate brown from the storms, and very cold. To be honest, I was happy just to sit in the warm car.

“But then the wind dropped and it got really magic.

“After we had a chance to look at the photos, I was definitely surprised and shocked at how large it was.”

In the process Alfy took some hair-raising beatings. On one wave in particular, he says: “I tried to burn off a bit of speed and I just stalled way too much and the wave drew me back up the face, picked me up and threw me like a little rag-doll.”

“We were pretty lucky,” admitted Delroy Carr, who was on his first adventure with Cater. “There was one big one we missed because we couldn’t turn fast enough to catch it.

“I’m pretty keen to get back there on another big day, try to do better again.”

Photographer Russell Ord was there to capture the action. His image is now in contention for the ultra-prestigious Awards, which are presented each year for the biggest waves ridden in Australasian waters. The Awards will be judged in February 2010.

Cater’s ride is head-to-head with an epic ride already recorded by last year’s winner, Mark Mathews of Maroubra. Go to the Awards official website to see it and other entries! www.surfinglife.com.au/bigwaveawards

To help the event ambassador get a start in the prestigious Eddie event this Hawaiian Winter, jump on http://polls.quiksilver.com and vote for Alfy. After taking out the major prize in the Oakley Surfing Life Big Wave Awards two years ago, Alfy is more than qualified to match it with the best at Waimea Bay.

Comments (17)

shoulder hopping my arse, cant you see where he come from. oh thats right you werent there. probably back in hawaii on those big fat slopey waves that you tow. funny thing a photo how it forgets to show where that lip above lands half a second later. good on ya alfy like ya said ya the only one out. bet ya cant wait to go to pipe and surf with all those lids and show ponys.

Sick

I can't believe all the negative/derisive comments! Armchair could-have-beens?

I say he's got balls.

no chance for a win perhaps they should just give him a ski for the one they fucked out on the previos session

you dont need Big Balls to surf waves like this,just a big jet ski with the biggest motor.
Next time try pulling in and then look back in the tube.

nice shot ord

Farken keyboard warriors.

Comments should be dis-abled on all surfing websites.

STFU ya pack of lounge chair legends.

This wave is so short everyone is smoking dope. The question must be raised as to why they didn't tow indicators 500m away. They didn't tow ron's either because everyone has realised its such a short wave and theres been too many photos taken already.

yeah alexander why arent u deeper...pussy lips goin for the shot....next time ay....where r ya walshman....tomorow its pumping.....cant surf in boardies down there bwahaha....

sick wave but too far out on the shoulder surely to win any awards. Still theres no way I'd trade places with him

Im with Walshy, get under the lip, thats what the ski is for...

The Waimea contest is a lot different. Different doesn't mean better. I don't even think it'd be physically possible to paddle into a slab like that. Towing into 6fters because you're too crap to paddle is one thing, but this is just in a different league. Sick wave.

show them how to do it walshy , on ya backhand lol

walsy you funny man , show them how its done ......

Faaaarrkk!! He can keep that barrel...

shoulder hopper...get in there!

The Waimea contest is paddle in a lot different to being towed in. Show me photos of Alfy paddling into some big waves.