When a large swell hits the Southern Tasmanian coast local surfers usually flock to the known bays and points, seeking shelter from the size and winds.

The fella who took these pics, Mick Gullan, works in a surfshop and reckons he's never sold as many gloves, boots and hoods as he had in the three days of the swell. It's a hardy soul that wants to dip his toes when there's snow down to 200 metres, but judging by the photos there's a few hardy souls in Tasmania. Mick Gullan takes photos all around Tasmania, to see more of his work check his Surfscape blog.

Yet while all that madness was happening the really death defying surfing was occurring across the bay at Tassie's small wave locations. After all, the best way to defy death is by not driving around to Shippies and taking on the ledge.