Big Wave Surfski

Cape Town was hit by a huge storm, the worst in decades, on 7 June 2017. By early afternoon the following day the hectic winds had abated, the sun broke through the clouds and the swell direction moved more to the south, wrapping into False Bay. Multiple World Surfski Champion Dawid Mocke called to say the conditions would be perfect for big wave riding at the Kalk Bay Harbour wall. Arriving by boat at the backline I found Dawid, together with his brother Jasper Mocke, former winner of the World Surfski Series and also Surfskischool Cape Town owner Kyle Friedenstein. Three elite paddlers, riding big waves at their home break, and making it look easy! As the sun set behind Cave Peak the light turned golden, a beautiful rainbow formed over Cape Point, and three surfski legends went fully committed on some spectacular waves. It was a real privilege to have a front row seat to the action, what a way to enjoy #WorldOceansDay!

[@marcostevens4086]

Massive skill set. Not to mention big balls. I remember living in Sydney 20 years back on the old style skis paddling the Harbour and on occasion some smaller surf sets on the Northern Beaches. Coming down the face of even a small wave looks like looking over the edge of a tall building. Those were the days best fun ever. Respect.

[@RobinMousley]

Still one of the best, most crazy, outrageous bits of video out there!

[@donkaimipilipovich2698]

Reminds me of surfing waves off the breakwall at Kawaihae years ago. On many days the surf was much bigger than this but my surfski had a lot of rocker in the hull so perfect for surfing - though not very fast in flat water...

[@BrentSiam]

I think this deserves more views.

[@ReflectionsofLife]

Awesome drone flying - great clip - well done.

[@-tv6906]

This is absolutely awesome!

[@davidGrainger]

Jasper at 2:23 - in his V14 - how did he stay with the boat? Incredible!

[@hope4surf]

W O W ! ! ! This is SICK! Total respect for you guys!

[@luke_carter]

This is amazing Jean. Excellent work. Regards, Luke Carter

[@oliverhouston9394]

Reminds me of Camps Bay! Beautiful water there.. I got so sunburnt though because I didn’t feel the heat since the water was so cold

[@madefromwater]

FENNTASTIC!!!!!

[@juana.velazquez9286]

Love it, can’t wait to get my surfski 👌👍

[@koejoe]

Epic day !! Thanks for sharing !

[@herbertmasing]

These guys have got bravery which is only matched by their skills. That brace at 1:02 though 8-|

[@79pejeperro]

Pretty steep waves for a surf ski

[@juanjoserosado940]

sick bro, well done

[@jimwortham8634]

Fantastic video thanks would love to see some re-entry of yaks

[@spetsnatzlegion3366]

Putting the surf in surfski. Nice

[@MurrayWalters]

Awesome!!

[@pantone95330]

You guys are crazy 😂 keep it up !

[@andreteixeira5635]

Good times!

[@simonsonic]

Nice skiing and nice drone flying. You are fantastic ! Do you guys use deflector finns on your rudders? I guess if you hit some kelp at high speed, it could not just slow you down but maybe even damage the ruder. I keep catching kelp/seaweed with my rudder and it slows me down. If you use rudders, do you have any you would recommend? Thanks :)

[@user-pp5kj8mm3c]

Great!

[@richardskip]

Does the rudder on the surfski do anything in those waves?

[@davilor79]

Crazy 02:50 rocks rising

[@desdeallado6290]

Amazing! Judging by this video, Fenn boat looked better than the Epic. Is it?

[@ndewet]

Mooi so manne. Ek neem aan julle nie in carbon skis gepaddle nie.

[@FrankLadd]

Wow!

[@markthomasson5077]

Looks fun. Not easy. Just wonder why there seems to be no use of thigh straps or similar.

[@xscale]

Tethers are vital for downwinding safety, but they're not for the impact zone. Imagine one of these powerful waves battering your body against a tumbling 6 meter ski ...

[@JohnArmstrongPhotography]

Kalk Bay or clovelly break? Looks like break off Kalk Bay Harbour?

[@timcwightman]

Yup, Kalk Bay.

[@stereolababy]

this looks really dumb to do. go straight and hope to not submarine. can't turn either

[@ABLeever1]

Ski is big. Waves?...not so much

[@jenniferlong8740]

It’s cool but not that much cool