ADVERTISEMENT
Chase's viral drop at Benbuckler. Photo: Orlanda Golfin.

Hunting Sydney’s mega-swell with Chase Hardaker

Bondi Lifeguard goes big at Benbuckler and Cape Solander.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Often a swell will thrust a surfer into the limelight. Whether the wave chooses them, or they choose the wave it’s hard to say; but either way you must be ready to seize the moment.       

When a giant, southeast pulse lit up Sydney’s big wave zones last week, Chase Hardaker was primed to hunt it down. On Tuesday, Chase was rostered off his regular duties as a Bondi Lifeguard and bolted across the bridge to take on the volatile chunks hitting Deadman’s. Chase surfed Deadies for most of the day, however when he returned to Bondi late in the afternoon, he couldn’t ignore the giant lefts roaring into Ben Buckler Point, at the beach’s northern end. By then, the onshore winds had given the waves an evil texture and the six-metre swell would eventually crash through the windows of the Bondi Icebergs at the beach’s southern end.

In the afternoon a handful of surfers were still up for the challenge of riding the building swell, spurred on by the crowd of onlookers gathered on the headland above.  

Chase paddled out on his 9’6”, Dylan Longbottom gun, took off deep and instantly put Benbuckler on the big-wave map with a sheer-faced drop that rapidly went viral on social media.

“I couldn’t see the set coming but people on the cliffs were whistling,” recalls Chase. “It was enough to get the heart rate going so I paddled for the horizon early and I think it was the second wave of the set. I was just in the perfect position and swung.”

Although Chase’s drop was hailed as monumental by legions of surfers, he still feels there is another zone to be conquered at Benbuckler.  “Once the swell is big and gets some east in it, behind the boil throws the craziest roundest barrels. Myself and Clint Kimmins (also a Bondi Lifeguard) have always spoken about getting barrelled behind the boil, but it’s yet to be done to my knowledge.”

Clint Kimmins behind the rock at Benbuckler. Photo: Bill Morris.

By Thursday the swell was the right size for some of the slabbier waves in Sydney’s south. Chase headed over to Cape Solander, where the gurgling barrels can offer one of surfing’s most challenging paddle-in scenarios. Just two days after his Benbuckler bomb, he air-dropped into a flexing, triple-lipped keg, stomped the landing, flirted with the foam ball and found the exit on a green-lit cave. Prolific videographer, Tim Bonyhthon, called it the wave of the day on his Insta post, while Dylan Longbottom was quick to label it, ‘The Chase Swell’ in the comments section.

Chase deep at Cape Solander.

Keep an eye out for the full edits on Tim Bonython’s You Tube channel. 

As the swell subsided, the Bondi Lifeguard was back on patrol, making rescues, weaving the beach buggy between sunbakers and bellowing at backpackers through the megaphone. However, Chase’s two rides have won him fans and earned him respect amongst the big wave fraternity. Next time a thumping swell rolls into Sydney he’ll be on The Chase again. 

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS
A bi-monthly eclectic tome of tangible surfing goodness that celebrates all things surfing, delivered to your door!
SUBSCRIBE NOW
HAPPENINGS
Your portal to cultural events happening in and around the surfing sphere.
Find Events
SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS
A bi-monthly eclectic tome of tangible surfing goodness that celebrates all things surfing, delivered to your door!
SUBSCRIBE NOW
HAPPENINGS
Your portal to cultural events happening in and around the surfing sphere.
Find Events

LATEST

Patagonia's 'Farm Boys' series sees Heath Joske and Addy Jones venture up the East Coast of Australia in search of waves and veggie patches.

The Photographic Archives of Iconic Victorian Lensman, Stephen Ryan.

Jack McCoy shares some of his favourite stories about Andy during the making of Blue Horizon.

ADVERTISEMENT

PREMIUM FEATURES

This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing ANNUAL DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION, MONTHLY PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION, Annual Premium Subscription, Annual Premium Subscription Offer or MONTHLY DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION.

Wedding Cake Island puts on a wild, howling, gigantic surf show every now and then. Usually in autumn as a southern swell hits and westerly winds howl around the magical Isle off Coogee. There are plenty of legends born in the surf and the sounds of the famous island.

From little things, big things grow.

The young local who is mastering the world-class waves in his backyard.

Tai ‘Buddha’ Graham’s winding road to success and surfing freedom.

TRACKS PREMIUM

Get full access to every feature from our print issues, read classic Tracks issues from the 70s, 80s and 90’s, watch all of our classic films & more …

TRACKS PREMIUM

Get full access to every feature from our print issues, read classic Tracks issues from the 70s, 80s and 90’s, watch all of our classic films & more …

CLASSIC ISSUES

PREMIUM FILM

This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing ANNUAL DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION, MONTHLY PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION, Annual Premium Subscription, Annual Premium Subscription Offer or MONTHLY DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION.
YEAR: 2008
STARRING: JOEL PARKINSON, MICK FANNING AND DEAN MORRISON
This is a Premium Feature only available to Tracks subscribers.

Existing Subscriber?  Login here.

FOR PREMIUM CONTENT - SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS FROm $2.99

PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

All you can eat digital & print for the price of a print subscription

$99.99

Billed Annually

$189.99

Billed Bi-Annually

Bi-monthly delivery of Tracks Magazine to your doorstep: 6 issues per year

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

MONTHLY PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

All you can eat digital & print

$10.99

Billed Monthly

Bi-monthly delivery of Tracks Magazine to your doorstep: 6 issues per year

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

ANNUAL DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION

Digital magazine only

$34.99

Billed Annually

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

MONTHLY DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION

Digital magazine only

$2.99

Billed Monthly

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

YEAR: 2011
STARRING: DAVID RASTOVICH, OZZIE WRIGHT, CRAIG ANDERSON, RY CRAIKE, DEAN MORRISON & MORE
This is a Premium Feature only available to Tracks subscribers.

Existing Subscriber?  Login here.

FOR PREMIUM CONTENT - SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS FROm $2.99

PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

All you can eat digital & print for the price of a print subscription

$99.99

Billed Annually

$189.99

Billed Bi-Annually

Bi-monthly delivery of Tracks Magazine to your doorstep: 6 issues per year

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

MONTHLY PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

All you can eat digital & print

$10.99

Billed Monthly

Bi-monthly delivery of Tracks Magazine to your doorstep: 6 issues per year

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

ANNUAL DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION

Digital magazine only

$34.99

Billed Annually

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

MONTHLY DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION

Digital magazine only

$2.99

Billed Monthly

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

YEAR: 2014
STARRING: DAVE RASTOVICH
This is a Premium Feature only available to Tracks subscribers.

Existing Subscriber?  Login here.

FOR PREMIUM CONTENT - SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS FROm $2.99

PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

All you can eat digital & print for the price of a print subscription

$99.99

Billed Annually

$189.99

Billed Bi-Annually

Bi-monthly delivery of Tracks Magazine to your doorstep: 6 issues per year

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

MONTHLY PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

All you can eat digital & print

$10.99

Billed Monthly

Bi-monthly delivery of Tracks Magazine to your doorstep: 6 issues per year

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

ANNUAL DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION

Digital magazine only

$34.99

Billed Annually

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

MONTHLY DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION

Digital magazine only

$2.99

Billed Monthly

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

YEAR: 2015
STARRING: MIKEY WRIGHT, LOUIE HYND, OWEN WRIGHT, CREED MCTAGGART & CAST OF THOUSANDS
This is a Premium Feature only available to Tracks subscribers.

Existing Subscriber?  Login here.

FOR PREMIUM CONTENT - SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS FROm $2.99

PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

All you can eat digital & print for the price of a print subscription

$99.99

Billed Annually

$189.99

Billed Bi-Annually

Bi-monthly delivery of Tracks Magazine to your doorstep: 6 issues per year

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

MONTHLY PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

All you can eat digital & print

$10.99

Billed Monthly

Bi-monthly delivery of Tracks Magazine to your doorstep: 6 issues per year

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

ANNUAL DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION

Digital magazine only

$34.99

Billed Annually

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

MONTHLY DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION

Digital magazine only

$2.99

Billed Monthly

Bi-monthly Tracks digital magazine to your inbox: 6 issues per year

10% off everything in the Tracks Print shop

Unlimited digital access to Tracks’ Classic Issues from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s (300+ magazines)

Unlimited access to Tracks’ Premium Features

Unlimited access to Tracks’ classic surf films

Exclusive partner offers & discounts

Entry into bimonthly subscriber prize draws

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

PRINT STORE

Unmistakable and iconic, the Tracks covers from the 70s & 80s are now ready for your walls.

Tracks