‘Desensitised’ Chronicles Kipp Caddy’s Journey To The ‘Wave Of A Lifetime’ In Mind Melting 8K
“I think crew get a bit too beaten up on the whole tow vs paddle debate.”
Desensitised sold out back-to-back premiers in Cronulla, drawing in a few hundred surf enthusiasts and cinema-goers. It marked the culmination of years of hard work and dedication from Kipp and his team, who wanted to produce something “quality” with an appeal to a broader audience rather than game the ‘core surf’ algorithm. The premiere was followed by a launch party screening on Saturday, which wrapped up at a tender 4:00 AM. Kipp wisely declined to speak to media on Sunday. “We were pretty busted,” he let slip.
If you have followed Australian surfing for any decent amount of time, you would know Kipp first made a name for himself long before he evolved into the yoked physical specimen he is today. Along with his good friend Russell Bierke, with whom he attended Ulladulla Public, he was one of two rising stars in the Oz big wave scene who had visibility in magazines from a young age for their exploits at Shipsterns, Solander and other heavy reef breaks.
If rockstar psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s recent thesis in “The coddling of the American mind” has any merit to it – namely, that society has grown overprotective of its children resulting in a widespread lack of resilience and grit, Kipp’s upbringing is a total outlier.
“Dad was pretty bullish,” says Kipp. “He came from a Rugby League and boxing background and instilled this nonchalant mindset in me that no matter how bad you got smoked everything was going to be sweet, which I’m super grateful for now. He’s a tough character. I don’t know if I would parent my kid that way, but it worked out perfect for me,” he laughs.
Kipp has always kept his big wave program “streamlined” to borrow his turn of phrase. “From a productivity standpoint, having a small crew you like working with is everything, because you end up spending a lot of fucking time with ’em.” He lathers on the butter generously for the team of cinematographers that pulled this thing together: Chris Bryan (phantom), Cameron Staunton (mostly water), Mark Bramley (drone) and Tim Bonython (boat + land).
Caddy is equally complimentary about the surfers who inspired him to push his limits, and growing up between the South Coast and Cronulla there was no shortage. He lists Brett Burcher, Paul Morgan, Russ and “a whole heap of underground crew that can be found packing world-class pits” with little to no fanfare on any given Tuesday, as sources of inspiration.
The title of his film ‘Desensitised’ is a nod to the numbing effect of surfing waves with deadly potential on a regular basis. “It’s basically just adapting to what’s going on around you. I still remember seeing Marti Paradisis go down on a 20-footer at the Stern as a kid and being so mind blown. I didn’t think I would ever even want a wave like that. Then fast forward 10 years and I was somehow on the rope chasing down that exact kind of wave.”
At some point: Desire – Fear = Shipsterns. You’ll just have to trust Kipp’s arithmetic here.
When I ask about the role of waterhorse-assistance in big wave lineups, Kipp’s response is swift. “I think crew get a bit too beaten up on the whole tow vs paddle debate. At the end of the day, you want to just fucking enjoy it. As long as you’re not taking away from people paddling, I don’t see an issue with it. In terms of pushing the sport, paddling is 100% where it’s at, but towing will just always have its place. Like, you’re never going to paddle a Code Red Chopes wave. But at the same time. there’s nothing more rewarding than having to position yourself in a lineup, dodge sets, and then actually swing over the ledge on one.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Looking ahead, Kipp plans to continue pushing his limits and exploring new waves. “There’s been talk of doing a bit of a series and basing it out like a piece per continent,” he revealed. “The Big Wave Awards are over in Europe and I think that wipeout at the start of the film should be a decent contender. Hopefully next year we can get best performance, not just best wipeout,” he chuckles.
Oh, and he wanted me to add this bit in: “…Yes I surf small waves too. I originally got sponsored by Rip Curl for competing. I just love surfing.”
That is all to say you wouldn’t be the first one to joke, ‘isn’t it a bit small for you out here today?’ much to his chagrin during the next nor-easter.
