What a wild trip so far -- sailing from Fremantle up the west coast of WA on a 38ft catamaran.
So far managed a SUP in Dongora (wicked), Jurien Bay(lol), the Abrolhos Islands(wild), and now the most remote & western surf location in Australia, Steep Point west of Shark Bay/Denham (awesome!)
Google Maps: www.google.com.au:443/maps?q=steep+point+shark+bay
This place is not close to anywhere - the first session was after a 20 hour non stop sail on the catermaran from the Abrolhos island north to the entry at Steep Point.
We took 3 hours shifts to navigate, and arrived at sunrise. The WA coast along this section is the Zuytdorp cliffs - gnarly & no where to land .. cliffs 150-250 metres high along the whole coast. (Called the ZuytDorp because the ship ZuytDorp got a bit close!)
This is the most western point of the Australian continent...
Then you come around Monkey Rock...
Ready for a paddle? :-)
After a neat breaky, took the dinghy to check the break. We assembled what we called the "Toy Train". By putting a dent puller on the fron of the board, we could easily tow the SUP, and then use the leggy for the kayak.
So, off we went & found an unbelievable spot. Anchored k's away in the bay, it looked insignificant, but as we got closer in the dinghy, my eyes widened at surf heaven.
In front of me were long rolling head high wave offering rides of 200-300 metres, and longer if you want. The just wave slowly peters out, so you can hang 10 by the end of it, if that appeals! It's over a coral reef on the south end of Dirk Hartog island, named, surprisingly Surf Beach. Scored some awesome weather with mild offshore winds, the water so clear you could easily view the coral reef below. Spied all sorts of fish & a turtle - despite being in Shark Bay, not one to be seen!
Here's looking South from the tip of Dirk Hartog. Usual story, the only time for photos is when it's not "on" The swell flattened out waiting for this photo, but you get the idea.
Here's looking North from the tip of Dirk Hartog
Had two days of these awesome conditions until we had to sail to Denham for provisions, and get internet access. Denham never dissapoints with the sunsets.
We returned to Surf Point a day later. A fair bit of travel! We did a 4 hour sail from Denham to the inlet, then I towed the SUP using the tender for a further 20 minutes to the beach near the break, pulled the tender up the beach, and a 15 minute paddle out to the actual waves! (Handy tip: a dent puller, which was intended for a sucker cam, proved a perfect tie-in point for towing the SUP)
Naturally, you stay out as long as you can, but it's a long way back .. beached the SUP near the dinghy & ran up the hill to take this photo. Those waves are huge - easily 8-10ft, but dump right onto some nasty rocks. You wouldn't want to get caught inside. No surfing was done here!
This particular trip was a solo journey to the waves, and I made it back to the boat just before the sun dissappeared...
Scariest moment, was when I somehow got the paddle between a breaking wave and my nose on the way out. Next thing I know, I'm underwater as the handle has smacked me across the nose. First thoughts were holding conciousness (wasn't really that bad, but I thought the worst), and got back on the board. There's blood oozing everywhere, which is not a good look in a place called Shark Bay! Almost woosed out and headed to shore, but hung out inside the break, sitting on the board pinching my nose and stopped the bleeding & partied on for hours. There was no way I was exiting this break, it was way too good!
Whilst there, you have to take the natural beauty of this place .. this was an awesome area called Big Lagoon. Gotta love that red dirt...
Awesome
Did the same trip but in reverse from Dampier to Gero about six years ago. Are you going as far as the MonteBellos. Great looking surf spot but didnt have any boards with us. Man soak up the experience it sure the hell beats freezing down here in the rat race.
Hey laurie
Unreal. Have you got Norm on a board yet? I told him he should take a SUP as well.
Send regards.
Lou
I'm think I'm suffering bouts of PDDD (post holiday distress disorder).
Each day, I'm reliving these images, recalling standing on the deck in board shorts, whilst outside it's rainy.
But... you do what you can.. ... managed to get a wicked session in a Wedge Island (3 hours by 4WD north of perth) on the weekend, and demoed these boards .. hope to post some reviews soon...
From the left:
Naish 11'4
Oxbow 10'6
Naish 11'6 AST
Starboard 10'5
I'd like to put a plug in for the boys at WA Surf
www.wasurf.com.au/ and Standup Paddle Sports
www.standuppaddle.com.au for loaning these boards so we could all have a go. (I'll give em back soon... .. I promise!)
On this wave...
Even had a pod of 10 dolphins swimming around right under the board. Awesome!
Gotta love the WA coast...
We were going to head up there last weekend also but was advised not to due to a rotting whale being washed up on the beach.
Are you sure they were a pod of dolphins???
Hey Laurie
Mate the tiger sharks off steep point would eat your board like a fishing lure off the back of the ducky.
We were over at steep point fishing from the cliff a few years ago and one of the boys seen what we thought was a small whale shark but with a better look ended up being a huge tiger shark.
Take care mate and try not too make any more burly trails hey !LOL