At 21-years-old, Summa Longbottom’s catalogue of surfing experiences is already far beyond most people’s imaginations. In such a short time, she’s already conquered numerous waves of serious consequence. In particular, it’s her infatuation with slabs and getting deep in some of the most menacing waves which is extremely commendable.
Despite regularly putting herself in potentially death-defying situations, something even the most accomplished surfers wouldn’t necessarily dream of doing, she talks about her experiences in such a calm tone and each recounted wipeout is usually accompanied by a giggle. It’s almost like she is blasé about the type of surf she puts herself in.
However, that is not the case and her measured approach is helped by having big wave legend Dylan Longbottom as a father and tow partner.
‘I can’t remember the exact age I started surfing slabs,’ said Summa. ‘But I know that since I was a lot younger, like my early teens I’ve just slowly but surely kept taking it up a level.
‘I remember one particular time when I was really young, we were at Ulus and dad paddled out but told me this was something I couldn’t surf because it was too big. So he went out and then I just remember thinking I really want to go out, so I grabbed my little 5”4 I had at the time and somehow managed to make it out back. He was so shocked when he saw me out there but from that day I think we both knew that this is something I was supposed to do.’
In recent weeks Summa has been seen charging both Shippy’s and Ours, two of Australia’s gnarliest slabs, on her backhand. Her most recent trip to Shipstern Bluff in Tasmania was her fourth attempt surfing the wave, but the most memorable.
‘The Shippy’s session was special. It was amazing to watch everyone charge, especially Laura, it was so cool to see her get waves. A lot of the time around here I can be the only girl surfing these types of waves, so to have another girl there, especially Laura was really inspiring and I actually learnt a lot from her.
‘Shippys is definitely the scariest wave I’ve surfed because there are so many factors at play, being so close to the cliff, the steps you have to navigate and being on my backhand.’
Backhand tube riding is something Summa would like to work on. However, you wouldn’t think it needs much work when you see her hucking over the types of ledges she does.
‘Even small wave barrel riding on my backhand, I’m not quite good at it. Taking it into the big stuff, I’m fully winging it. That’s something I want to get better at. I recently also said to Dad that I want to start paddling more as it takes a lot of practice and I feel like you get more reward out of it. I’ve paddled a few of the reefs at home but nothing crazy.’
Heading into winter, Summa and Dylan are planning on staying in Australia to continue tackling the country’s most psycho waves.
‘There’s heaps of waves in WA I’d like to try and surf. The focus this year is to travel local and chase slabs. Some of dad’s team riders are going to come over for swells too so it will be good to watch them surf. They’re always so supportive of me and they always let me go on loads of waves and are just super happy for me.’
