Shipstern Bluff

When the proper 4m+ SW swells arrive, it is rarely ridden by paddle surfers and is the domain of a few crazy tow-in crews. Swells abruptly hit the granite ledge, only a few metres off a spectacular boulder-piled headland, creating a crazily difficult ride that features below sea-level surges, massive steps in the face and two-storey, double barrels with a malevolent nature. It's invaluable to have the whip in to the first peak, which then briefly draws breath before exhaling deeply over the dreaded step where being strapped is even more essential. Even Kelly Slater got caught out paddling this beast.