Hard Charging South Coaster Russell Bierke Tells His Story on Jamie Mitchell's Big Wave Podcast
COASTALWATCH | BEST OF THE WEB | PODCAST
Jamie Mitchell is our Aussie 10 x Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Champion turned one of the world's best big wave chargers – basically the definition of "waterman". He's got a new podcast for Surfline and this week he's got everyone's favourite young South Coast phenom Russell Bierke to tell his story. From growing up with an accomplished surfer and shaper Kirk Bierke as a dad, to underground south coast big wave culture, to Red Bull Cape Fear and the WSL Big Wave World Tour, to almost dying at a little known Vicco big wave spot – there's a lot to cover, but it's all a good listen.
0:00: Intro, COVID situation in Australia, Russell’s dad’s story into big waves, Russell’s backstory/connections to Hawaii
9:55: Russell growing up around his dad shaping, Getting into bigger waves as a kid, Local inspirations in big surf, Russell’s underground crew, Big wave surfing culture on the South Coast
17:05: Hawaii trips and Victoria, Aus trips in big surf
24:45: Russell’s wipeout in Jaws Comp, Russell’s favorite waves in Australia, Shippies, Paddling The Right, Dangers of The Right
31:19: Success in big wave events, His best wave at Shippies, Pro surfing as a goal, Getting on Big Wave World Tour, O’Neill sponsorship
40:40: The session with Kelly Slater, Gnarly wipeout/freak accident at secret big wave, Recovering from that session, Russell’s training routine
55:15: Dad as his shaper, Positioning at Jaws, What he rides at Jaws, Nazare session/wipeout
1:09:21: What he’d like to see accomplished in pro big wave surfing, Thoughts on big wave webcasts, Russell’s 5-to-Finish Questions

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