Storm Surfers-New Zealand Airs at 8.30 pm on Discovery Channel July 14

The two stars of the show (and big wave surfing), Thomas Victor Carroll and Ross Clark–Jones.

Throw in a dash of comedy a beaker of science and an ocean of big-wave action and you have the ingredients that go into an episode of the compelling Discovery Channel series, Storm Surfers.

This time around the dynamic duo of Ross Clarke-Jones and Tom Carroll venture to the deep South of Tasmania and New Zealand, taking on snow-covered beaches and virgin lineups.

This episode showcases an extended edit of the maiden voyage to Pedra Branca, the deep ocean lineup off Tassi’s south east that is marked by a giant skyscraper of rock jutting forth from the sea. With a heaving ocean licked clean by the rarest of wind conditions, Ross, Tom and The Tassie crew undertake what is a genuinely historic session – Big clean and beautiful with a total unknown element thrown in to make things interesting.

RCJ winning in Tasmania. Pic: Stu Gibson.

The Storm Surfers projects are always of the highest quality and in the Pedra Branca segment the chopper footage is particularly engaging, the whirly bird circling the pre-historic-looking Eddison rock like a camera wielding tetradactyl. This segment also features what is possibly one of the worst wipeouts ever captured on film. The kind only the likes of RCJ could handle.

RCJ losing in Tasmania. Pic: Stu Gibson.

When the focus moves to NZ the doco’ style production provides an intriguing insight into the fickle nature of big-wave- hunting. Rather than present the illusion of instant big-wave gratification, Storm Surfers looks honestly at the obstacles encountered when endeavouring to score good conditions in far from predictable settings. Invariably we are given a much closer look at the often faceless swell forecaster, upon whom so many crucial decisions depend. The camera makes it clear how passionate forecaster Ben Matson from Swellnet is about getting the call right and how despairing it is if he doesn’t. When the waves falter the humour of RCJ and TC carry the show and the imagery throughout is incredible. Ross and Tom cruise through the land of the Lord of the Rings, joking and laughing all the way, like a couple of red-bull fuelled hobbits. Unlike many contemporary pros Ross and Tom know how to give a lot to a viewing audience. When they do encounter waves their enthusiasm is relentless, and courtesy of the cutting edge technology [Ross and Tom are miked up in the lineup] you’ve never felt closer to the reality of what it’s like to actually take on huge seas. Not forgetting the hilariously frank remarks the two surfers make when put under pressure from an overwhelming ocean.

TC looking for the ring in NZ.

In the end Storm Surfers succeeds in demonstrating how well surfing can be presented when the right resources, talent, and production values are associated with a project. If you’re on cable get in front of a screen tomorrow night if you’re not reserve a spot on the couch of a friend who is.

Note: Storm Surfers-New Zealand Airs at 8.30 pm on Discovery Channel July 14