3ft my ass that was bombing island! Props Willy!

Bro, love you're honest style. Don't give up, and please keep producing these vids 👍🏽

Ive literally never clicked on a video so fast

Had my first session at Shark Island today, it has been ten years since I last bodyboarded i am quite used to heavy slabs on dry reef from a local surf spot but as I paddled out I knew this break was definitely going to test me. I charged a wave much similar to yours in this video and am very lucky to have not ended up concussed or worse. As i stood up after being washed across the reef in ankle deep water i had definitely realised my mistake. I look either side of me for some sort of escape off the island but was stuck smack bang in the middle with no chance. This wave is NOT to be taken for granted

hahahahaha we have all been washed over the shelf its part of the fun of shark island ... only thing i can suggest for shark island is try to release your rail a bit.. it sucks so hard if you hold ya rail you will get sucked over the falls.. dont give up .. when you do get a slab at shark island its one of the best barrels you will eva get.

We love you Willy keep up the content, its sick seeing you improve so much

It's okay Willy the first time I went to the wedge it was a very similar experience. I was way out of my league and I ended up getting caught up on a 10ft wave. It sucked out below me before I could even start dropping, feels bad man. The impact was hard I hit my face right against the water and my cheek made a slapping noise as I hit the water and then the washing machine just flipped me around until the next thing I know I feel sand under me and get up and realize it washed me to shore so naturally I paddled back out only to make a reluctant retreat after sitting and watching for another 30 minutes or so I knew I should just leave. I think it was the right move considering I had only been bodyboarding for about a month at the time and didn't even have a quality board. Honestly I don't know what I was thinking I had not even close to 6 months experience bodyboarding yet. I'm lucky I just went out and charged and all I got was a bruise on my cheek for a few days. That wave scares the shit out of me now, mad respect for everyone who charges the big swells there or just in general. It's not for me at least not at moment, I prefer smaller waves not too small though like 3-6 ft would be ideal. I hope you feel better soon and thanks for the video m8 it was a good reminder of the ole saying "when in doubt don't paddle out" I learned that lesson the hard our way more than a handful of times when I was getting starting anyway stay safe and relax have a nice day and take care 8

kookslams?

Ouch bro, cheers for the upload I really enjoy your videos and following your journey. I'm new to bodyboarding and I'm learning alot just from watching what you post on your channel.

Love the format and quality of this video. You deserve way more views/subscribers than you have.

I live on the east coast of America. Shark Island has always been a wave that I have found to be very mesmerizing. Your video puts me right there and shows me what it really is. Nice channel bro.

Hey Willy unlucky and it’s a learning experience. Take it as they come. I hope you recover soon and see more of your great clips! Mahalo brada!

After the past few vids you've put up I was so hyped by the title. Took guts to go out there in the first place dude. Hope your knee recovers swiftly.

People don’t understand how violent the island is, props for charging it bud. People break backs out there, not just by hitting the reef, the wave will fold you up and your feet will touch the back of your head, no joke, then if you do make it you have to take a high line or hit the lip or you end up skimming over dry rock surge depending on the tide. There’s a better wave to practice on a few hundred metres away called suck rock, it’s between cape solander and voodoo pt and a few others depending on the swell all in that area. My first island wave was very similar, actually near identical, it looked like an easy take off and I paddled hard and was ready to just drop in and bottom turn casual as, so I looked down the line to see how it was lining up, as I looked back I was just under the lip and the face had gone from a smooth roll in to an over vert drop. I just remember free falling into the pit and going over the falls, I thought I was so dead but I didn’t touch bottom some how and when I stood up I was in shin deep water lol. I spent a lot more time choosing waves and watching the island regulars and eventually I loved to go there.

You're doing great vid's Willy, watching you since a long time now and i learned a lot because of you. I satrtyed one year ago in France and i'm out of my league sometimes. Hope you're okay ! Be safe bye !

Damn dude! Ouch! Hope you’re ok.

Damm , it sucks that you got hurt bro ! On the first wave no less, but I admire your perseverance! Speedy recovery mate!

Mad props just for paddling out on that never mind charging one, things happen for a reason and I know you’ll come back stronger 🤙🏽

Yes willy!!!! have been waiting for this video for month! it doesnt matter that you hurt yourself at least you tried and you still charged!!! the mouth mount makes the waves look so much smaller than they actually are so good job for charging!!!!

Stoked to see you have a go at it! Wouldnt catch me out there.

So sorry about what happened, just stay safe and don't rush to go out there. Yesterday I went to my local beach called Salt Creek and it was seven foot and I was out there surfing(I am twelve by the way), I waited about one and a half hours before the perfect 9 foot face came to me, and it was the best ride I have ever had! Just stay safe a keep your eyes open for the perfect wave there at shark island, you will be stoked 🤙🏻

Mad respect for charging the island, it’s easily one of the most technical waves in the world since it breaks on about 6 inches of water and has a very unpredictable section that can pitch or clamp. Hope to see you charging it again.

You can do it mate i believe in you. Hope you recover soon!

Hi Willy.. Got dragged accross a dry reef yesterday. Thanks for the inspo

it took me 2 years of riding in beach breaks to finally go to a reef break/slab,and you cant even land a 360 are charging at shark island (mad respect for that) but that was a bit dumb.

Hey, man, it's okay; take your time! You got this! :)

Hey Will great job getting out there! 💪 That jump off the rock is sketchy and you nailed it. It's onwards and barrel-wards from here!

You are a legend Willy balls of steel!

What do you use to prevent smudging in your footage from water on your lense? Pls help idk what to do for my gopro

I still love you willy. You tried your best and that’s all that matters❤️❤️❤️

hhaha chin up willy.. get back out there!

You’ll get it next time bud! You’re awesome! 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

Good on ya Mate! You'll do it, one day.

I never drop a comment for anyone, I don't do Facebook and all that crapola. but I felt like you deserved one! Well done son ! Shark island ! She's a beast that's always hard to do well.I've done exactly what you did to many times.i thought I was in a good position and started paddling hard and got thrown straight over onto the shelf and got winded under water. ( thought I was going to die) You make me reminisce about when I wanted nothing other than to charge waves (I'm 41) your videos are killa, keep em coming. When it comes down to it some of us are never going to smash out ARS or get a move named after us, fuck all that im happy as building speed and smashing out a cut back , it's about what makes you happy out there on the wave that counts. Anyways good to see the bodyboarding passion live on. Soldier on Willy!

Hey willy sorry for commenting so late I really hope you get better and when your better take it slow and know your limit. I really love your content and you never clickbait. LOL (lots of love - South Africa)

just this year i’ve gotten into body boarding a lot more and i was used to 2/3 new jersey waves than all of a sudden huge swells come in this summer with 7 foot sets and it was crazy, probably not the best idea to go out but i had a ton of fun , wasn’t really barreling but it was a fun line , all i can really do is a few 360s and cutbacks but i’m still learning , great vids!!

That wasn't the wrong one, looked nice from the top, draining wave and pitching lip is what a slab is, good on ya for having a go

Been waiting for this for a bloody 3 months lol thx

Welcome to the Island. Try it on a board. We'll give Russell a face massage soon and teach him a lesson. Wait until you lose it on the Surge Rock step sucks & get slammed into the rock, then dragged right across the Island (usually happens on more east swells). The really unlucky guys get smacked into that prominent knoll in the middle (but that's usually only if you lose it on the main inside peak).

Lucky your alive and i'm proud of you

Willy, Wow that was an experience!

good on you for going...full respect

Damn man :( heavy AF! don't let it discourage you though, those beatings can be a good learning curve, be careful though, don't push yourself just for the audience, the last thing we want to see is you put up in the hospital for an any amount of time. I remember my worst beating, first wave of the day and also of the set (never take the first wave of a big set!), went down and popped up no problem, found myself in ankle deep water with a 6-foot bomb in my face. lost a fin, snapped the leash, severe cramps in both legs and 150m out, GOOD TIMES! xD 3-4 more waves on the head and a descent swim against the current later, i pull up on the rocks and die a little bit xD. Silver lining: most waves after your current "worst" wipeout are nothing in comparison ^_^

SO SICK KEEP THE VIDS COMING YEIWWW

Hey bruzzy it happens to the best of us. I live near this break and you win some you lose some I've had it scary, big, small, yet super fun just the luck of the draw man. hope you get it good!

Don't feel bad Willy you are doing pretty good!! Injuries allways sucks.Maybe you aimed to wrong spot to your level. I think you should train a lot to feel confident again. I hope you recover fast and I want to see you again ripping. Best wishes from Spain!

Good on ya Willy!

you'll make it mate were all here for ya

yeah willy cant wait for your comeback

Finally it's here the anticipation is over

Atleast you got out there man, better luck next time

Crazy that one wrong move can set you back. Attempting to be cautious as I want to keep hitting the waves. Shorebreak gives me second thought.

good work willy no pressure i wouldve never went out there

You got it the next time, go there as soon as you can again! Helps with overcoming your fear

Hope you get better soon dude.

Keep your head high Willy stay motivated

Dev m8 I’ve been waiting for this for so long you need to go back out soon

Get better soon😋👌😭😭😭

that outro tune! Kudos for attempting !

Get better man. Its the name of the game.. Gotta "Pay to Play" sometimes. I like to imagine its seasonally lol. Every other season I add a new scar from the reef onto my body haha. Chin up bud.

One thing you cannot do is hesitate, and it looks like you did at the top......all my worst beatings came from hesitation.....my first wave at G-Land this is exactly what happened.....no matter what full commitment, the outcome is always better

Never give up Willy!! I hope you get better soon!! You will conquer shark island!

Taking off on a wave like that doesnt just take commitment you need to have the ferocity so when you take off its not too deep and leaves you on the lip, you need to already be hitting that shit with speed and attacking it, i like ya videos keep up the hard work of pushing your limits and take it in your stride to not get hung up on the lip ever again 😁😁

Good job man. I have never even been at shark Island and Im scared to even walk at the rocks.

What's the paddle and vibe out at SI like? I used to ride BB, but now ride a stick and have been in Sydney for a year (SA previously). I've been surfing Maroubra and want to have a go at SI, but am a bit intimidated by it!!

Nice try! Reminds me of my first shot at Ehukai sandbar 4-5 Hawaiian. I got demolished! Couldn't even make it out to the lineup!

That drop was insane!

What was the camera view of the wave?

Good job mate. You’ll start going out more often

Mate you need to check out patch (When you were on the rocks you could see a glimpse of it, but if you check the shark island surfcam on swellnet you can see it breaking when it's zoomed out.) But It only breaks when it's about 3 ft or larger and is like the island with a few steps but without surge and breaks onto a soft kelp reef. On the larger days it becomes a beautiful thick wave which is never packed. Trust me check it out next time you are in cronulla thats where I learnt to boog before island.

Good onya willie that takes some balls mate

Happy subs 😊😊😊

Yassss!!!!!!!! Unlucky bud

i belive in u willy. youll get a good ride there

island is always bigger than the forecast, go on a 1-2 ft day maybe even 1 to start off

I think you need to find a nice little rivermouth beach break.

I have watched this 6 times Willy. First of all, you had nothing to prove to anyone, no matter how much you were pressured into doing the Island. Since then you have progressed so much, and surfed the place a couple of times. I have been bodyboarding for 35 years and I still won’t paddle out there.

Dude you're going to crush next time you're at Shark island. Keep that mindset and recover up!

The best way to learn

That should be on surfline's worst wipeouts. I hate the feeling of getting caught up in the lip but I've never had as worse as what I just saw you get caught in

Ya willy finally

farrk unluck willy, try going on a smaller day to get ready for a bigger day, good luck mate hope u get better soon

Go, big Willy! Fuck, you're game. Spent some time in Cronulla. Sketchy spot. If you're gonna travel south from Gosford and want to build up to the island, maybe Dee Why Point? It's a solid spot but not as unforgiving. My break of choice when I was on the East Coast.

You'll beat shark island eventually. I believe in you bra. 🤙🏾

Hope you are ok 🙏🏾

what brand board is that willy ????? ps i love whatever board brand it is

Oh shoot willy you now made my knees feel weird after that thing bruh ugh dude

Unlucky willy! Mad respect

Ahh that feeling when you have committed but regret and its too late!!!! Worst. Keep it up

keep preparing willy one day

Whats the name of the board your used there

Recently fractured a rib surfing a heavy shore break so I feel ya pain

I go out there with my mates, Shark Island is pretty much a love hat relationship, it provides with the goods but gives you a hard time when you get slammed.

You will get em next time Willy

Brutal

Fuck ,lol , too soon man but fair play to you for having a go! Stealth bodyboards out there too lol they're top class super chargers I can see why, they were curling dematerializers.

Dam willy, first time I went out I fucked up and cut my foot open, it is definitely the heaviest break in Sydney and yep it hurts when u hit it.

I love all your vids. How often do you see sharks where you board?

please make a trip to sunny Costa Rica!!