Shipstern Bluff Surf Guide

Shipstern Bluff or Fluffys, an ironic tribute to its power, has become one of the world's iconic waves, often being compared with Jaws and Teahupoo for out-and-out gnarliness. When the proper 4m+ SW swells arrive, it is rarely ridden by paddle surfers and is the domain of a few crazy tow-in crews. Swells abruptly hit the granite ledge, only a few metres off a spectacular boulder-piled headland, creating a crazily difficult ride that features below sea-level surges, massive steps in the face and two-storey, double barrels with a malevolent nature. It's invaluable to have the whip in to the first peak, which then briefly draws breath before exhaling deeply over the dreaded step where being strapped is even more essential. Even Kelly Slater got caught out paddling this beast.

Blow the take-off or any other part of the wave and you will be going on a round-trip. There is no punching out the back and house size boulders line the cliff-base shelf. Without ski-assist, getting out of the impact zone is so hard, despite the deep channel seeming so close. Only pros or crazos need apply, in case you were wondering. Hit the dirt road to Stormlea outside Nubeena then park at the end and hike through the awesome bush of the Tasman National Park for almost 2h or 7km (4.5mi).