Tasmanians urged to get behind local surfer’s epic Shipstern video

Could this be a prize-winning surf video? Tassie bodyboarder Sam Lennox sure hopes the wait in the cold waters of Shippies in September pays off but he needs your vote. WATCH + HOW TO VOTE >>

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A TASMANIAN surfer who took on, and conquered, an epic wave at Shipstern Bluff last month is a finalist in an online video competition which could net him $30,000.

The Short Circuit online video competition – run by Movement Magazine – will reward the surfer who caught the best single wave in the world this year.

Tasmanian surfer Sam Lennox is in the running for a $30,000 prize if the wave he caught at Shipstern Bluff last month is deemed the best single wave caught by a surfer in the world this year. Picture: Supplied

Sam Lennox, 33, of Lauderdale, is one of the State’s pioneering bodyboarders first surfing the notorious ‘Shippies’ in 2005 as a 17 year old.

Tasmanian surfer Sam Lennox. Picture: Stu Gibson

Lennox is also a Parks and Wildlife Service ranger who knows the area well after spending five years helping to build the Three Capes Track.

Lennox and a handful of other committed surfers were at Shippies early in the morning to take on the eight-metre-plus waves the day the video was shot.

Using his own paddle power, Lennox caught the wave and negotiated the challenging “step” that is synonymous with the unique big wave location.

“Shippies has always been an exciting place to come and surf, I love the raw energy of the wave and the unbelievable backdrop of the towering sea cliffs” Lennox said.

Tasmanian surfer Sam Lennox is in the running for a $30,000 prize if the wave he caught at Shipstern Bluff last month is deemed the best single wave caught by a surfer in the world this year. Picture: Supplied

“I had missed a few swells previously so was excited to get in the water this day. Especially seeing the swell was big and clean.

“After about an hour waiting in the cold September water, a large set rolled in. I took off late and under the lip the wave opened nicely and from there. I just held on through the slippery slide.

“The crew on the boats where screaming, so I assumed it must have been OK. It felt pretty good.”

Lennox said it was not the biggest or best wave he had caught at Shippies but it was an epic ride none the less.

Professional photographer Stuart Gibson has witnessed Lennox surf the break over

the past 15 years.

Tasmanian surfer Sam Lennox. Picture: Stu Gibson

“I’ve seen Sam get a lot of crazy waves at Shippies, normally before the sun comes

up as he then needs to walk out and get to work building the track,” Gibson said.

Lennox’s wave can be viewed on the Short Circuit video competition website.

The winner will be decided by popular vote however the competition is open to professionals who have large social media followings.

To win the competition, Lennox requires Tasmanians to support him.

Voting closes on December 31. Go to https://shortcircuit.movementmag.com/video/12