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Extra Large Cloudbreak Gallery – Fiji
By Col Bernasconi | 13 July 2011 |
 Nick Vasicek loving the longer board as he slaloms his way into a Fijian behemoth. Pic: Rod Owen Pacific Pirates: The third jaunt the pacific by Tracks under the guise of wave plundering pirates looks like it's going to be a roaring success. Our photographer Rod Owen assures us that surfers Dean Bowen, Nick Vasicek and David Scard have all risen to the occasion; that occasion being one (if not the best) Cloudbreak session in living memory. Waves up to 15 feet have been pounding the reef off Tavarua and doing so with the help of perfect surfing conditions. Yeah, the sun was shinning and the wind was offshore, but not everything went the surfers way – after scoring a bomb mid-morning Dean Bowen went on to suffer through the daunting saga of a two wave hold down... And he was not alone. Hawaiian Dave Wassel also suffered a similar fate [as seen in these shots on Surfline]. On the other side of the coin Nick weaved through some wondrous caverns virtually untouched and big man Dave Scardy ripped into some smokers too. These shots from Rod just a tease of what's to come in Tracks magazine.  Picture yourself in there and then remind yourself you're dreaming! Pic: Rod Owen  Dean and Nick all smiles before the session of a lifetime. Pic: Rod Owen  Check out the sole dude about to test his duck diving skills to the left, gulp. Pic: Rod Owen  Dean Bowen knows not what he's about to live through – pre two-wave hold down prep. Pic: Rod Owen.  Aussie charger Ryan Hipwood on a bomb. Pic: Rod Owen  Anyone? Pic: Rod Owen  |
Comments (17)
Wednesday, 03 August 2011 18:32
17
putinsai
shit that day i would rather oooof my chick all day
Tuesday, 02 August 2011 19:33
16
surfrespect
who are any of you to tell anyone how to surf and what equipment to use? people get killed on 6' waves. I'm also willing to bet most of you have never paddled into anything 10' or above. I do respect paddle in far more than tow-in, but regardless when its your life on the line, are you really going to talk shit about someone towing into a barreling 15' wave??
Wednesday, 27 July 2011 10:31
15
dor
can bodysurf that!
Tuesday, 26 July 2011 09:48
14
Nelson_the_charger
I would charge that...only on tow-in though. Other than that, you could die if you don't make it. Sooo scary. :O
Monday, 25 July 2011 22:16
13
KaiGuy
give those guys a break. maybe they're taking this opportunity to practice for bigger waves. would you tow in to 50ft plus jaws for your first time without ever trying it in smaller waves first?
Sunday, 24 July 2011 20:21
12
Mick McCormack
Tow-in surfing was made for Jaws only.
Saturday, 23 July 2011 12:36
11
Antman
I could tow or paddle that. Why not both?
Friday, 22 July 2011 07:11
10
G Man 808
What a shame Tavarua has been ruined with tow in pussies. A beautiful pristine place now bastardized. Shame on you Fijian Government for opening the waves to these idiots and taking away what had been a perfectly regulated surf oasis.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011 04:58
9
Surfthrees
I agree.... Why tow that. If you've ever been somewhere where guys are towing around paddle surfers, you'll know its such a wretch for everyone to listen to and smell.
Tuesday, 19 July 2011 16:51
8
NoNeed
Yeah, pretty good point, these guys think they are chargers, but in reality Eddie's laughing at them. Grow a sack and paddle in and pull in like a champ. I understand towing 60+ Jaws, but lets get serious, step it up!
Tuesday, 19 July 2011 15:22
7
epic surf barrel spit 808
bra dats 1 nice wave cuz
Tuesday, 19 July 2011 12:21
6
bruddah Al
Beautiful waves that should have the paddle in rule, and should never have a jet ski assisting unless its a rescue.
Monday, 18 July 2011 08:12
5
aaronfowler
pooha,ting tow in fijians should shut em, down.
Sunday, 17 July 2011 19:07
4
oahu grown
Respect to those who paddle into solid 10' Hawaiian size waves breaking vertical. If you need a jet ski tow for that, can you call yourself a waterman? Understand the optimization argument (i.e. 20 set waves vs. 3-5 good rides in a session), but the ruination of the ambient of an otherwise pristine space with all that machinery and horsepower for waves with less than 30-50' + faces is something that should be relegated to mysterious outer reefs where paddle in surfers don't venture. You wanna practice, fine. Just don't do it where others are doing a more pure thing without the advantages of foot straps, floaty vests, and machinery and then let the vicarious feeders off your adrenaline high hype you into imagining yourself a god like hero for 'conquering' nature (and stroking your monumental ego) as you pull into a giant barrel or rip a 3x overhead face up on your 50+ pound tow board.
Friday, 15 July 2011 22:46
3
johnno
shitttttttt!!!!!
Thursday, 14 July 2011 13:56
2
dhall
woooooooow nissssssssssss
Wednesday, 13 July 2011 17:55
1
wez
clean ur sensor!