Stab Magazine | Jack Robinson Tames Northwest Australia's Hideous Beast

EAST with Harry Bryant is here

568 Views

Jack Robinson Tames Northwest Australia’s Hideous Beast

In “Twelve-Hour Barrel Bender” 

cinema // Sep 24, 2019
Words by stab
Reading Time: < 1 minute

There is a wave, deep in the West Australian desert, whose surreal beauty is eclipsed only by its inherent danger.

Multiple surfers have died there—usually the result of colliding head-first with the reef, falling unconscious, and failing to surface.

Despite several sketchy circumstances, Jack Robinson continues to return each year when the swell is large and west. 

“When it’s big that wave is just an animal… It’s wild,” Jack told Wasted Talent. “It’s got all these steps in the faces that you’ve got to navigate when you’re in it. When it’s small it can get pretty playful, but when it’s bigger it just tries to kill you, I swear. I get scared out there, even if it’s not that high.”

In Jack’s most recent venture north, he surfed a total of 12 hours in two days. The provided video details some of the highlight moments, like when Jack got spat out of a triple-up cavern or hurdled a mid-tube mogul.

It’s very fine viewing and we encourage you to watch. 

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Go To Lakey Peak For Two Weeks, Accidentally Leave With SEOTY Entry

Watch a dozen or so A+ airs in Makana Franzmann's 'Off Axis.'

Sep 5, 2026

How Zeke Lau Became Surfing’s Villain | StabMic Ep. 30

“Am I happy with the way things played out? Not really.”

Sep 5, 2026

How Will This Weekend’s Hurricane Marie Stack Up Against 2014’s?

We asked Surfline's senior forecaster to discern fact from lineup chatter.

Sep 4, 2026

And Our $12k Kandui Resort Giveaway Winner Is…

Hosing down wildfires in Big Sur.

Sep 3, 2026

Watch: Two Underdogs, One Very Expensive Bone

Dakoda and Dimitri’s thoughts on facing Parko and Noa for a $100K payday.

Sep 3, 2026

Cloudbreak Saves Goofs From Challenger Series Horrors

Cole Houshmand and Erin 'Don't-Call-It-A-Title-Run' Brooks win in Fiji.

Sep 3, 2026

Karma Just Sent Kauli Vaast A Lump Sum

Perfect 10s, ankle sprains, and a rising swell in Fiji

Sep 2, 2026

Watch: EAST Starring Harry Bryant, Episode Two

This is not a fin test.

Sep 1, 2026

Fiji Lately: World Champs Out, Bar Tabs Up, Swell Inbound

Eight heats in 96 hours; or the glorious doldrums of Tavarua laydays. 

Aug 31, 2026

Harry Bryant On EAST, Big-Wave Psychology & Fin-Gate | StabMic Ep. 29

"I went off my own judgement thinking that was a thruster, and I was proved…

Aug 30, 2026

Watch: Uncut Gems On Africa’s Forgotten Coast

Eli Beukes stars in 'Rough Diamonds' by Now Now Media.

Aug 29, 2026

Hossegor Beach Cocaine Episode 4: What Goes Up

“Sometimes I’d go and see how much was left and go, ‘Oh god, there’s still…

Aug 28, 2026

Was Surf Film Music Better Back Then?

How to score a film in the '90s versus now, with tour guide Taylor Steele.

Aug 28, 2026

LIVE NOW: FORMER’s ‘DEFECT’

After 20+ premieres, a handful of broken bodies and several years’ worth of A+ footage,…

Aug 27, 2026

Good Day To Be A Goof (Or A Griff)

Screwfoot dominance and lots of sutures.

Aug 27, 2026

Was That Surfing’s First Universal 10-Point Ride?

Erin Brooks hits the rev limiter on Day One.

Aug 26, 2026

At What Age Should We Stop Surfing Heavy Waves?

A Stab Interview with the Jaws kingpin who walked away: Shane Dorian.

Aug 25, 2026

2026 Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico, Episode 07

One right, one left, and an air decide our fourth finalist.

Aug 24, 2026
Advertisement