ADVERTISEMENT

Lee Wilson Takes a 5’8” to a Gunfight

“It was terrifying, even from the beach.”

The world’s best big wave surfers arrived in Lagundri Bay for last month’s mega swell packing big boards and impact vests. Not Lee Wilson, he took the scenic route and ended up at the iconic north Indonesian right hander with a 5’8” and two stock boards.

"This swell popped up and it was super hyped,” Lee explains in the synopsis for this clip. Like “Biggest in Ten Years” big. Brixton was backing it, so I decided to get out there. 

“I had a shorty and a 5’8" slab board I designed with my shaper. On the way to the airport I picked up two stockies. Took me 24 hours to get there. Did my best to cut costs so I witnessed some weird shit on the way, I'll save that story for another day. When I got there, it was about three times bigger than I expected, and to be honest, I felt pretty insignificant out there. The best big wave surfers in the world were all there wearing what they call an "impact vest”. Basically it's a thick vest that is designed to help you float you to the top and protect your tail bone from heavy impact against coral.

“Big Wednesday comes and I ride a stock 6’2" and ended up wiping out so bad (I have trouble riding step ups) and I sat the rest of the day out and watched..it was terrifying, even from the beach. Honest. I knew the next day was gonna be solid as well and when I woke up it’s flames. I took a out my 5’8" and got some really fun rides, I dare say I had the trip of my life."

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS
A bi-monthly eclectic tome of tangible surfing goodness that celebrates all things surfing, delivered to your door!
SUBSCRIBE NOW
HAPPENINGS
Your portal to cultural events happening in and around the surfing sphere.
Find Events
SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS
A bi-monthly eclectic tome of tangible surfing goodness that celebrates all things surfing, delivered to your door!
SUBSCRIBE NOW
HAPPENINGS
Your portal to cultural events happening in and around the surfing sphere.
Find Events

LATEST

Autumn has well and truly arrived in Australia.

Stand up tubes, menacing wipeouts, the evil Shippies step and edge of your seat surfing.

An insight into the genius behind one of surf culture's most creative figures.

The South African shares one of the 'heaviest experiences' of his life.

ADVERTISEMENT

PREMIUM FEATURES

The distilled surfing memories of Dave Sparkes.

Peter Townsend with G&S

"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."

TRACKS PREMIUM

Get full access to every feature from our print issues, read classic Tracks issues from the 70s, 80s and 90’s, watch all of our classic films & more …

TRACKS PREMIUM

Get full access to every feature from our print issues, read classic Tracks issues from the 70s, 80s and 90’s, watch all of our classic films & more …

CLASSIC ISSUES

A threat to Angourie, the death of vibes, and a tongue in cheek guide on how to become a surf star.

PREMIUM FILM

YEAR: 2008
STARRING: JOEL PARKINSON, MICK FANNING AND DEAN MORRISON

This is the last time the original cooly kids were captured together and features some of their best surfing.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

PRINT STORE

Unmistakable and iconic, the Tracks covers from the 70s & 80s are now ready for your walls.

Tracks
Kandui Resort Interstitial