Gallery: Cyclone Marcus Meets Sand In WA

Cyclone swells on the East Coast of Oz are a common sight this time of year, however, seeing a cyclone pulse down the WA coast is a much rarer offshore gift. The last time a cyclone reminiscent of Marcus travelled southbound off the WA coastline was back in 2011 with Cyclone Bianca, so as you can imagine, the crowds were dense and the amount of petrol burnt checking spots was more than exorbitant. 

Rumours of the unlikely swell from the NW were being spun only a couple of hours after the Quik Pro finished up and anticipation continued to grow as the forecast driven hype spread. Cyclone Bianca’s 2011 antics were heavily discussed and conversations revolved around the northward facing bays which may light up again for the first time in seven years. 

Tom Pearsall was on deck at the above location with a camera and swin fins in hand.

“This year Cyclone Bianca wasn’t far from West Aussies minds as TC Marcus tracked deliciously far south, on a very similar tracking. It also meant everyone was hungry and prowling the carparks before the sun had a come up.. 

“With so many spots lighting up all along the coast, many missed out spending the morning driving everywhere and then back again.. but Jay Davies, Dino Adrian, Jack Robinson and Luke Saranah new exactly where to go.

Dino Adrian was off the tools for the day too and stepped into a few of the sand bound drainers, “but so was every other man and his dog” according to Dino. 

“You could see the cyclone developing from more than a week out. It didn’t really change much throughout the whole forecast, it was downgraded a little, but the day before it was still predicted to be solid and offshore winds.

“The boys from Kalbarri called us the night before and told us it was huge up there and that we were going to score tomorrow. When we got down there in the morning on dark it wasn’t really breaking. It went from 1-2-foot in the morning to almost 8-foot when it peaked around midday.”

And as you can see from the gallery it wasn’t easy pickings, it was essentially a double overhead bomb exploding onto the sand bank with a little backwash in the mix. 

“Jay suited up first thing, ran down and just started watching dudes jumping and falling out of the lip and getting lit up. It was tough paddling in, even the bodyboarders who were paddling were struggling to get into them and carry enough speed to make it. We ended up grabbing the ski and doing little step offs. 

“Even with a ski there were so many waves where you’d pull in, travel for ages, only to get exploded on the shore on your way out. We weren’t wearing leggies either since it was wrapping straight onto the shore. I’m still picking sand out of my ears from it all!

“Cyclone Bianca was probably the last time this spot broke properly and we probably won’t see another swell like this for five or ten years at least, so you have to take advantage of it when it comes.”

The above gallery is a mere glimpse at the carnage which occurred along the West Coast over the weekend, there’s bound to be more images and footage landing on your screens courtesy of Marcus in the coming days. 

A more difficult make than it looks. Just ask Dino Adrian or one of the other surfers still picking their pockets for sand this afternoon.

Photography

Peter Jovic