Report by Dan Wyer

The elements came together to produce an epic weekend of large surf in southwest Western Australia. Saturday dawned with light south-southeasterly winds and waves in the 10-12 foot plus range. Conditions were a little unsettled early along exposed open ocean breaks. North Point delivered some long, hollow kegs through the morning while further offshore, a group of local and interstate chargers took on some extra-large bombs at Cow Bombie.

But Saturday was just a teaser for what was in store for Sunday. Dawn saw huge, long period lines standing tall with sets pushing 20 feet, brushed clean by a perfect, straight-offshore easterly breeze. North point was maxing with sets pouring in constantly in the ten foot plus range. 

Cow Bombie saw the pinnacle of the action, picking up every ounce of swell the Indian Ocean could throw at her.

Local big-wave specialist Damien “Taco” Warr was one of those out there getting amongst it. Coastalwatch’s West Oz correspondent Dan tracked down with Taco, at home nursing a busted shoulder but still completely buzzing from the previous days surfing...

“All elements came together on Sunday; the type of conditions I have only been lucky enough to score maybe twice in the last eight to ten years… some of the best big-wave, paddle-in surfing I have witnessed. Whales graced the line-up, the sun shone warm and the waves absolutely pumped.”

The early morning session’s fresh offshore breeze saw the boys paddling into the left too.

“Paul Morgan, Khy Vaughn, Jamie Mitchell, Rob Archabold and Camel were taking some crazy drops on 15-20 foot plus bombs while myself, Damon Eastough, Roger Melville and a few others towed into the larger set waves on the right,” said Taco.

“There were some big, open barrels going down, and as the wind eased things only got better. The paddle guys soon joined us and before long were taking on the sets. At that stage the skis were parked up. We all just sat and watched on in awe as an epic, rare paddle session unfolded in front of us”.

Speaking to very stoked Paul Morgan - who got one of the day’s bombs – Taco had these words of advice: “Savour this moment - this may not happen again for a long, long time...”