Ross Clarke-Jones is one of a kind. Whether battling the Tasman surf or braving the Amazon, his unique sense of adventure and rare surfing talent make him a force to be reckoned with, both in and out of the water.
Ross Clarke-Jones lives in a state of perpetual readiness. The legendary Australian big wave surfer has become as adept at predicting massive storm swells as he is at riding them. “During the Australian winter I live in Torquay (Victoria) and I’ll chase swells across the southern hemisphere to South Africa, Chile, New Zealand, Tasmania or Western Australia,” he says.
Chasing king waves
From December through to March the thrill-seeking 42-year-old relocates to Hawaii or Northern California to pursue waves which measure well over fifty feet high. It’s here, in the NE quadrant of the Pacific Ocean, the world’s largest waves are found. “The biggest waves I have ever seen were at a place called Outside Log Cabins. There was a day in 1998 when I rode a few waves that were in the 80 – 90 foot range. I haven’t come across bigger waves before or since,” he says. The surfing at Jaws that day further enhanced his reputation as one of the planet’s best big wave surfers. This led to a sponsorship with Red Bull Energy Drink, which he has represented since 1998.
Intrepid surfer
One of the more famous of Clarke-Jones' adventures was to the South American jungle to surf a tidal surge up the piranha and crocodile infested Amazon River. “I still get people referring to me as the guy who surfed up the Amazon,’ he says, laughing. Other thrill-heavy assignments include riding a typhoon swell in Japan, surfing off South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope and braving the notorious Shipstern’s Bluff in Tasmania.
Storm Surfers
Clarke-Jones’ latest project is a program for Discovery Channel called Storm Surfers, in which he co-stars with his good friend, two times World Surfing Champion, Tom Carroll. Due for release on December 17 2008, Storm Surfers tracks the pair as they attempt to pioneer a wave called Dangerous Banks which lies off the North West coast of Tasmania. “It was the wildest and most difficult wave I’ve ever attempted,” says Clarke-Jones. “It was a hard spot to access and we were dealing with gusting onshore winds and 30 foot waves rearing up from all directions.” Storm Surfers promises a scientific examination of big wave surfing. “We calculate the exact speed you can reach on a surfboard, the impact forces involved in a bad wipeout and explore the research behind surf forecasting.”
Red Bull Tai Fu team