Watch: How not to rock off
Now that surfing is mainstream, whenever there's a swell every media outlet takes it upon themselves to warn of the dangers. See it on the tele, hear it on the radio, read it in the paper, not to mention the Bureau's hourly updates.
It all becomes background noise after a while.
But here's a timely reminder that it's worth heeding those warnings, especially if you're new to surfing, and paddling and duckdiving are two skills you're yet to master.
The video was shot on Saturday on Sydney's Northern Beaches during a solid 8-10 foot south swell. After being rejected by the ocean five times, old mate took the hint and chucked it in, fins somewhow still intact.
Footage courtesy of Alexa at Still Stoked.
Comments
check the paddling 'finesse' at 2:50.
This clip is obviously the trailer for Afterlife season 3
I think SW should do a live Zoom/skype playing this clip with live commentary from the heads on here.
It's historical footage.
I punt is he's a fuckwit Trust Fund Kid who was coking his head off all night and morning.
SW, can we get an interview with 2020's embodiment of Bodhi.
Comments from YT:
"Back to the cafe for a half strength decaf latte"
"This HAD to be staged by a professional stunt surfer? No one could be that un-co unless he's fizzin' orf his chops."
"Never heard of a rock hop called a Rock Off, not in Australia anyway. Always has been a Rock Hop"
"If your wife was in the water you'll do the same thing"
"This dude could've easily been entered into the 2020 Darwin Awards, jus stupid man" (If anyone is keen to nominate him: https://darwinawards.com/slush/submit_story.html )
"you are supposed to jump when the wave comes mate!"
"Train wreck, but cant look away..............................."
WTF was that guy thinking!! And clearly his Dad owns a surfboard shop cause he doesn't give a fck!!!
I think we've all had an embarrassing rock off, but that's next level.
Next lesson: how to fix dings.
wow he should not of been anywhere near the ocean that day, and his poor board copped a battering
That maddog caught 5 waves backwards over the most critical section of dry slab. Your move, Kelly.
HA!... bravo What a champion
Classic Aussie commentary. "What are you doing, you fuckhead?"
That guy sounds like Damo and Darren. Top drawer stuff.
I don't think I ever did a real sketchy rock jump. 9 times out of 10 there's a sheltered spot to jump in a hundred metres away and just paddle a bit further. Same deal coming back in.
yeah not this day. the spot he was rocking off is the safest spot to at warriewood
Yes not a pro at the rock hop or paddling (this guy could get into serious danger). A for effort though.
I wish I could see his board after that...
I am still bemused how with that paddling style he thought he was going to catch even one wave in those conditions. Lucky fuckhead I'd say!!!
?????. Bloody Hell! Did he survive? I saw a few guys go out over the weekend when they clearly shouldn't have (thank God I know my limits and watched from the cliffs), awesome swell and blows my mind that more people haven't died.
Far out!
If that's the spot I think it is, he's probably lucky he got washed back onto the shelf in one piece. Loooong paddle back to the beach from there, and there's nowhere to rock back on. Doubt he would have made it.
This is the surfing equivalent of a bloke who has just learnt to snowplow and then decides to take on a narrow 45 degree chute with a few cliff bands in it.
cant get over his relaxed attitude whilst on the rocks the trick is to get in the water asap when theres a break in the swell
You just cant compensate for stupidity!
Sorta looks like Jordy Smith.
Got to hand it to old mate for pressing on! Seriously though, that was always going to end in tears.
so good!!
Is this the new Dettol commercial?
My guess... euro backpacker. Everyone gets done on the rock off now and again but that bloke clearly had bugger all experience. Wasn’t even holding his leggie up...... dragging for a snagging
I rekon he might have found that surf board and wetsuit in the car park and it was the first time he had used either of em ...wonder if he has had a look at swelnett today !!! 15 minutes of fame
Seen a lot of rock-off fark up videos but this takes the cake for the sheer inexperience.
Not holding his leggy, can't even hold his ground with the smallest bit of whitewash and then that attempt at paddling.
This guy wouldn't even catch a wave on a 2-3ft day on a soft rolling beach :o
Wonder how he ended up!
Great memories of Surfing that spot
As well It gave me as a few broken boards, my worst injury and some close shaves including being washed back into that rockpool
Still a favourite break
How is it possible that his board was not FUBAR?
Disturbingly entertaining stuff.
Looks like me trying to get in at 2 ft Possos. Coming in to high tide, I'll have you know!
Dodge the rivermouth rocks and catch a wave into the river. Much easier to get out :)
He had several chances to get out there too, even the commentator knew it!
seriously, this guy cant be a full can of coke
Doesn’t matter how you surf the ocean
Quick run. Now! Over that patch of slippery slime and barnacles will do fine!
That bloke will be at Bells or Winki, sending his board down with the lip on some poor surfers in 5,4,3,2,1...
That made my day
Typical fuc*wit newbie who doesn't know a thing about surfing. Shouldn't be allowed near the water. Stand on your board on the sand and wiggle your arse mate, about the limit of your surfing ability by the look of it.
This guy didn't have a clue about the danger he was putting himself in. Reason with him, say anything to get him to back to the carpark. You might just save a life.
Yeah, thats a whole lot of silly going on there. NFI.
Should have been surfing the right off the pool, next beach sth :-)
.
Well played.
wish I saw this live.. how did his fins stay in... and that first wave looked like he slammed into the rock shelf...kook of the day
Far out. That was almost hard to watch. So incredibly foolish!
and think about the end result that happened there, at any other ledge across Sydney. He was probably lucky he chose that one to flop around on.
so funny and dangerous at the same time, i counted 11 attempts. he must have been buggered when he finally got out.
grab leg rope and when time is right run like fuck and jump on top of wave and paddle like fuck. do it the first time. good board never broke.
How hardcore is the North Avalon rock jump at high tide and ten foot swell?!?! It makes this look so easy.
Its retards like this guy who put others in danger when they need rescuing. Amazing really more don't die. Heard something about a fella getting rescued up Lennox way today?????. Not sure of the full story. Have to watch CH 10 news tonight. It could be headline news just like the weather is whenever there is a decent low around the coast!!!!.
I am surprised how many “new” or just incompetent surfers get out in big waves these days, they come from all over the world to get flogged. Poor equipment, can’t paddle, try to catch 5 footers on an 8 ft day, general flotsam and jetsam in the water...”
The good part is often they make the lineup look more crowded and it’s actually not.
The bad part is when you have to rescue them, twice now, one guy could not even swim, it was 6-8ft reef break. Not today or over the weekend though...
billie, yeah that ones pretty insane. Remember when TC got his wedding ring ripped off when he missed timed it a few years back?
Nah, I'm a bit of a blow in. Been here ten years.
Was that bodhi ( point break) first ever surf.. kookathon .. had me in tears
Good ad for whoever glassed the board!
Was that bodhi ( point break) first ever surf.. kookathon .. had me in tears
Do you mean Johnny Utah?
Definatly Johnny Utah because Bohdi R.I.P.s
Hmm, Someone got their ambitions and capabilities mixed up.
Guys like that are the reason we have warning labels on so many things that shouldn't need them these days.
And yeah , heaps of people have died trying to save incompetent fools from their own stupidity when it comes to ocean.
Rule number 1 .. Never ever turn your back on the ocean
Rule number 2 ..see rule number 1
And if you paddle with your legs over the side like that , take the day off when it's big please.
Talent like this cannot go to waste!Please find out who this guy is,sign him up and continue to follow his expeditions.
After watching it multiple times,i need more!!Would love to see him on the Goldie,Tahiti and especially da North Shore.
Agreed this guy deserves recognition for the ultimate fail rock hop, if he does a go fund me to patch his board and bruises i,m there. funniest 3 minutes of surfing in history as he didnt get maimed we can say that .we need a name LoL
Haha, that is gold!
wow, he's going to be bruised and battered tonight
Legs off the side paddling, quick small strokes - in his defence adrenaline was probably sky high. You gotta have a decent paddle trim and strength/speed to contemplate jumps like that.
Would not like to have to attempt a rescue off that shelf, either.
Hard to watch. Saw a similar thing at Cathedral a few years back it was brutal
Yes that reminds me of my brother in law years ago at Cathedrals. On the shelf I told him when I say go, go - do not hesitate. Um you guessed he hesitated. Ran jumped on his board hit the ground running (literally) and the tiny mussels cheese grated his fingers. Was laying on bare rock and the next set washed him back the other way. Moral of storey - never hesitate!
I am one of the lucky people who have had the pleasure of being dragged up and down the cathedrals grater. Although I was coming in... getting washed up the shelf with the surge then attempting some reef ‘periwinkling’ only to be involuntarily and hopelessly sucked off the reef waterfall to the barnacle infused whitewater below, repeatedly. There was a big white between the boats and the line up, it’s fin was big and provided me the incentive to dig deep and climb to safety. Ha ha. Then when I got to my bike someone had stolen my Powerade and cinnamon bun from my bag.
Bastards, not the cinny bun! Call the lynching party.
Yeah the cuts on my hands and feet stung a bit but losing my cold Gatorade and ‘Cinny bun’, well that hurt my feelings.
The thief did not take my money, camera and surprisingly left behind my tin of herbal cigarettes which would have complimented the food nicely.
Ha, I love a cinny I reckon it might have tempted me....but I am too honest to woof it down.
Ah, the discerning thief.
(or the thick one- take your pick)
Both?
Definitely a bit of column A and column B. At least I wasn’t one of the lucky ones who scrambled ashore only to look out and wonder how to safely get back to the boat. Mind you they made it back and I’m speculating but once onboard they likely cracked a tin straight away. I on the other hand had a lot more pain and hardship to get through before I tasted cold beers on my lips.
Reminded me of a time coming in at Lennox on a big day. Those slimy barnacle infested black rocks resurfaced my skin big time. The laughter from the hill cut me deeper though.
I reckon getting in and out at Lennox is one of the worst EVER. Those barnacles are like razors and no obvious ledges or deep spots. I look for a local and follow in their footsteps.
Worse sound in the world - when you try to avoid the shredding by jumping too early and you hear that "Cruuuunnnncccchhhh".
so good , so so good . So many millenial 'surfies' are just not gonna wait to get experience. They just gotta have it all right now!
Buggered if I'm going out of my way to rescue them .
Seen some German backpackers given it a red hot crack but this guy is on a new undiscovered level!!!
Tubeshooters rules are paramount. I was taught this when I was in single figures by my grandfather rock fishing... As for the clip, I hope the 'mates' got a serve in the carpark for not providing better guidance for this guy, he's clearly a beginner. Doesn't even have enough experience to know his limits, obviously. I've taught plenty of people how to surf, including my wife, and would never even consider encouraging someone of this level of ability to attempt conditions like that. The 'mates' actually put him and anyone else attempting to rescue him in unnecessary danger.
Some people are their own worst enemy. I was in Ulu's last year and this Austrian wanted to loan a board to go out - 5-6 foot slightly on shore mid to low tide. I overhead the conversation and instantly though mangled backpacker. I tried explaining the danger but he was adamant he could do it. Great swimmer he said, easy no problem (he did sound like Arnie not sure he was gonna come back though). Hmm, all I could do in the end was recommend something which would act as a life raft and said I might see him at Padang if he lives.
One for the ages.
Is a concern though, the number of people with zero idea out there on bigger days - obviously worse at spots with a nice wide / risk free paddle out. Anytime it is over 4ft these days I am scratching my head as to why some people are out. Boards flying everywhere and bailing 3 feet in front of someone with a longboard etc. I'm teaching my lads Defensive Surfing as a priority (A.K.A. stay the hell away from that kook, he's lethal).
WOW. Hard to watch without squirming.
I wonder if he knows what the set poundings would have felt like.
After feeling what the wash can do.
Lucky boy.
.
Got to admire his perseverance.
One thing is for sure....nobody is ever gonna lend him a board again, and this video will be the GOAT for how not to jump off rocks.
John Connor was out surfing and that was a T-1000......
Just watched it again , first time I cringed , second time was hilarious.
I know, as many of you would , ledges you have to creep up on slowly between sets. Covering behind the slightest knob of a rock , stepping like a cat hunting prey, then often making like a periwinkle and wrapping your fingers around a crevice with the strength of a rock climber in the hope of holding position against the surge.. It's an art in itself ,,
Good things come to those who wait..
Cheers tubeshooter...thanx for sharing.
Solo men surfing a next level brew...Top shelf!
It reminds me of a shit that won't flush.......
You know the ones ay
And the Gold Logie goes to....Shaggydagz.
Whats worse is that after the ledge its either paddle back through the beach break (400m away) or nothing. Ive lost a board out there and had to swim back outside and get back onto that ledge because there's no other way out. Does anyone know if he actually survived?
User name checks out...
I reckon 400m is undercalling it, and no way that fella woulda got through the beachie break zone in one piece.
HA! Thought the username was a give away! Well spotted.....
400m on s small day hey? Don't want to think of a big day. Yep - that southern end close out is a bastard. At least you get washed into a safe place after the thrashing. Ive paddled it in the dark after stretching the session too long - and wouldn't want to repeat it.
Yeah - I'm actually surprised it was holding the swell enough for old mate to consider the paddle - I didn't even bother looking there.
And yeah, I've copped a couple of floggings on that paddle in - too knackered after the session + paddle to do anything but just cop the beating trying to get through the close out. Doing it in the dark would be sketchy as.
I have paddled back south around the headland into the bay on a big day. Spooky paddle
Also swam up onto the rocks on the inside when my board was tethered to the submerged rocks on the reef. It was weird watching the board tombstone by itself Luckily the leash broke and the board washed in to me.
Still more fun that old mate had last Saturday
Wow - never had to do that one! Did you sneak to the north of the bommie? Thats a mission of a paddle - the south end beach must have been a mess!
Johnny Utah yes ..
Watching on repeat, the commentary makes it, so so funny!
Watched a guy get pumped rocking off from terrigal point Sunday arvo. You could see his mates had filmed it waiting for it to appear.
I gotta say like everyone else thats commented on this, I got scared watching this, saw Brad Gerlach get his feet washed out at DeeWhy full face plant infront of everyone watching, embarrassing to see, we've all been there, but really... that is close to drowning material ( 95%) right there, scary, call the 911 ; }
99k views on youtube. JOB and Nathan Florence latest lid spinning vid has 101k.
The guy should definitely go pro.
Jesus, that was so bloody hard to watch, commentary was gold though.
Said in my best Lebanese..... Stop dawardling...the guys jusd dawardling
Could be wrong .. but I’m pretty sure it’sWSL’s CEO wearing a wig
[L] Skeg makes WSL Olympic Reef sacrifices look sissy...Basherz Salute!
If Skegz can't tame him, we're claiming his lost soul or left leg or bits...ONE OF US!
PM: "Yer gave it a bash & ya copped a flogging...should've dowloaded the app mate!"
By the end there I thought he was well fucked.
Is there a part 2 ? The crawl out.
Cleary this guy had sunk at least a carton, then someone had said bet you can't paddle out and jag a bomb.
Just can't see how else this could transpire.???
I think he's been on youtube before...
Thats exactly why we don't need to worry about more surfers in the water taking waves
This must be the dumbest fuck on earth...albeit a persistent dumb fuck!
With a never give up attitude like that he is bound to succeed.... or is he?
Some good rock carnage
No. 7 demonstrates the importance of keeping low at 1.33 and also the periwinkle technique well at 2.00 . Keeping a foot on the board to keep the nose in and low was an impressive reaction. I have a feeling he's been through worse.
I sat there and didn't realise I was holding my breath until each one had finished. Thats as scary as f$#@. NO idea how they escaped without a head injury.
Hope the rocks are ok.
Watched a car crash at Burleigh a few years ago which made for cringe-worthy viewing. Old mate decided to beat the sweep by walking further round the headland and launched into boulders just covered by water - until the wave receded. He was pin-balled by a set and lost at least one fin. A lot of blood was visible on his lower legs. At least 5 attempts were made to cover the 15 or so metres to clear water but he eventually got there, only to be swept back to Burleigh main without catching a wave. The main reason I prefer Snapper despite the bigger crowd!
I think we need Roy and HG commentary on this magical few minutes of surfing history.
That paddling style definitely incorporates the Dutch Wink.
Or was it the Hello Boys?