Fiji Cloudbreak Swell May 2018 - from the BIG WAVE PROJECT 2 

One of my best friends and was my roommate for years took a trip to Fiji to surf and he went to Tavarua. This was 30 years ago and he told me about Clouds and how it is just a reef over a canyon out in the middle of the ocean with no indicators of where it is except for gps and mainly the local fishermen were the only ones who knew where this spot was located. Called clouds because that's all that is out there. He described it exactly as you see it in this video. He said it is bigger than Jaws, thicker than Maverick's, and better shape than any other monster surf spot. From this video, he was correct. He is a much better surfer than I am. You would never see me out in waves like those. It takes balls bigger than any living creature on Earth to surf waves like that.

Short surf film of a lifetime. This thing is a masterpiece!

Garrett McNamara what an awesome guy you know he's always going to speak his mind truthfully I can remember one morning at V land I slapped his foot with my hand while he was trying to duck under while I was coming through the barrel we both had a big LOL about that when we got back into the lineup Garrett is such a nice guy Aloha brother hope you are doing well!

Respect to the chargers paddling in🙌

Ive watched a lot of surfing videos in my life, but Ive never had one make my heart race and beat like this clip did.... I felt scared for those guys, they are truly unbelievably brave

Ramon's wave was just beyond - and having Kelly there at the end really put the size of the thing in perspective and added the magic of a star witness to the occasion!

Ramon Navarro at 14:00 WOW out of this world

We were on Namotu, right next to Tavarua, in the early 2000's on a older dudes surfing and fishing trip. Bunch of Aussie mates. I was one of the few straight up fisherman. Our guides each day were two young Aussie best mates from the south coast of NSW, B1 and B2 (two Ben's). Two of the best guys and guides you could ever meet. Each morning Pete and I would go out with B1 and B2 and head east from Namotu and fish along the reef that extended from a break called ''Desparation'' all the way to the island where Tom Hanks filmed his sole survivor movie ie Wiiillllsssssooooonnnnn. After about four days of coming back in and hearing about ok surf conditions, the four of us who fished had seen 'Despo's' getting bigger and bigger. On the fifth day two boats went fishing, got amongst them big time. Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Tuna and the like. This gave the surfers first hand look at what we'd been telling them every day. The doubters fobbed as mere fishos off. What would you guys know about waves BS. That afternoon the whole resort of us went up to Despo's. Most of the surfers got in the water. Only two surfers caught a wave. Steve from North Narrabeen and B1, who caught many. B1's name was Ben Wilson. I have a photo (somewhere) of this 6ft 2in Adonis traversing across a face, standing tall on his board dragging his fingers from both arms through the top lip of this wave and his body and arms occupy only the top third of the face. Ben went on to be ranked in the Top 5 Kite Surfers on the planet. I so hope that B1 and B2 have had too much fun and spread way too much joy for themselves and all their loved ones. Cloudbreak here was definitely bigger. Thanks Fiji. Unforgettable.

Tim, you probably captured more than a handful of the surfers' most memorable waves of their life, thanks for posting this edit from a historic and insane Cloudbreak swell I wasn't even aware of. Again, you are one of surfings all-time Legends, still under the radar of the masses and out there pushing the quality of surf, and big wave surf documentarys/movies/vlogs. Not trying to kiss ass here, just not ashamed to point out an incredible person who deserves some extra credit, or maybe a statue....best I can do is this...and, maybe I'll record a song for ya!😂😂😂😂😂😂 Lol, Thanks Tim!

It’s like if Chopes and Mavericks had a warm water baby.

5 years later I don't know how many times I've seen this footage and I still get goosebumps. Legends all including yourself Mr Bonython. Thanks.

This is now the 15th time I’ve watched this and it gets better through time, this is quite possibly the greatest surfing moment ever captured. There is no doubt….your best production ever filmed and edited with polished perfection. Thank you.

The aptly named "Cloudbreak"... Downright scary 😨

Garrett is such a war horse!! Love his passion!!!

Waves of a lifetime! Great camera work guys! Thank you for sharing this amazing experience with us.

Imagine the energy in the bar that night. A bunch of insanely gibbering surfers sharing such an amazing, intense, unique experience. Always great to tell your mates about their amazing wave that you saw and see them relive it, so this would have been incredible.

One of the best videos so far

The guys who deal with these waves It isn’t just something you wake up to You go when it’s right time to go these guys are legends ❤

I definitely want to surf cloudbreak at 8-12ft. I have absolutely zero desire to serve cloud break like this. Instead I will live vicariously through these absolute studs

Perfecto ! Such a great video of an incredible wave ! Shout out to the memory of Druku and everything Fiji offers

Watched this video early in the morning, and it feels like I drank a pot of coffee! Laurie Towner's backside, paddle in, late drop is a study in proper survival stance .

These surfers deserve the big bucks golfers and tennis players get.

Live to surf, surf to live, thanks for this.

The best guys are still paddling into this stuff! The Puritans!!!!

Ramon Navarro legend

JEEPERS! Never seen waves tyat big and so perfectly formed. WOW!! You fullas scored

YESSIR! Just one after another....That is where a person can find true peace of mind.

Some of the biggest, scariest most perfect waves ever ridden. Balls of steel!

Truly the day of days. Thundercloud at its terrifying best. Had to be you that needed to be there it seems Tim. Great work as always mate. Respect to all chargers!

Okay, oh my God. The first wave I was not expecting it to be that big and perfect. Holy shittah. What an absolute epic day. RLTW 3/75

Thank you for an epic watch. 🔥🔥🤙🤙

Mean all of them. Very few on planet are capable so awesome boys best by far .

had no idea Cloudbreak could get that big..thats monster!

One of the best surfing videos on RU-vid.

Insane waves. And so perfect, even with the wind. The wipeouts looked brutal.

🤯INNNNNSSSANNE! 👏👏 for capturing

Just . . . frikin' . . . AWESOME !!!

Thanks for putting this out. Amazing video!!

always stay sharp always take that deep breath when it’s time relax in rhythm ~ td

Legendary special day in surfing history.

Sure hell the best video in the World. Up the Surfers, surfs Up!

Always love a good wipe out, cool footage, thnxs

This video deserves 100X the view you have, because it's just so impressive. I've seen a lot of video coverage of big waves, incredible tubes and the whole ball of wax, but this ranks at the top for the awesome quality of the waves, the amazing rides and the excellent footage capturing the experience so well. It's breathtaking. My only quibble might be that a little too much time was spent at the beginning with short interviews that could have been condensed quite a bit.

Surfed the swell this swell as it went past new zealand on its way to Fiji. Some of the best surf I've ever experienced at a particular spot.

My favorite wave !!! Awesome clips

Very serious waves. Massive beatings too.

This is insanely epic. Great short film.

The top of the top, the day of the days, like the Mortal Kombat of Surfing, grande Navarro

The ocean gladiators slaying the Beast taking on the most intense waves that the ocean can throw at them how awesome was that? Thank you Tim and Aloha to you another awesome video as always big thumbs-up from me!

thank you bro for all this insights! always learning

Wow amazing brave man. Than you for bringing this video. 😊

Wow .. an amazing day! Definitely once in a lifetime swell. Absolutely huge! Mahalo 🤙🏼

Best surfing film I've seen in at least 15 years

This is a rare and remarkable video and production. And this break….It’s like Teahupo’o meets Pipes. Absolutely magnificent. Thanks so much for documenting this awe-inspiring swell and the big picture that surrounds it to give it full context. Never seen it done this good. Mahalo nui.

Amazing footage ty so much

Whoa . RESPECT . Thank you all involved and I mean everybody setting a good example for everyone children especially I've said it before and now I'm going to say it again. Don't stop your doing the right thing keep charging Full Speed Ahead . Surfing fishing is the way

super-slick filming, edit etc… caught t day + all its dramas like a good movie.. loved it/ tucked in favourites

Garrett's wipeout then copping the second monster on the head is so heavy. Cannot imagine what was going through his mind as that tsunami of whitewater was approaching him. I know he is very experienced, and been in countless super gnarly situations, but it must be pure terror still.

Incredible video!! Like most of yours..

Yep this is what WSL needs!! Big waves big balls 🏀🏀

can always count on this channel to bring the action

It’s not even close. When it’s on at big cloudbreak it’s the heaviest big wave barrel spot on the planet there is not even a close second. Pipeline is a 3 second max cover up and blow out, mavericks rarely gives a barrel longer than 2 seconds. Teahopoo maybe a 3 second barrel No place like cloudbreak when it comes to barrels that literally last for 10-15 seconds full on monster waves that allow surfers to get that deep for that long. Cloudbreak should get it’s credit. It’s the best barrel wave on the planet period

I can watch this over and over dig the beginning with my coffee go reef 🎉 respect 🙏

That’s massive!

Awesome edit

Both magnificent and sublime

The definition of Epic.

This is the Reason why and what is worth living 4!! ♥️♥️♥️💙💙💙

You kids are studs, all have been surfing 60 years next week, the monster from New Zealand 1975 50ft faces big rock 30ft! But this stuff is unfathomable literally transcendental! Watch Kai Lenny! He's a monster kahuna! Mahalo!

Speechless

Laurie Towner is among the most under-heralded big wave virtuosos on the planet. high time for respect on the name

Best I’ve ever seen.

"...people that don't belong out there..." That would be me. So thanks for this AMAZING video.

oohhh i love your videos man, dont stop pls

Animal, surf visceral.

On my all time favorites list.

so wild, It was sick watching this again 🤙

Too f'n good! Great edit, awesome waves and absolute chargers.

Awesome video

So sick!

Phenomenal.

Wow! Such incredible footage. I know I am going to sound like an evil person, but I did feel a sense of satisfaction when the kite surfer ate it at about @8:10. Just sayin.

This is incredible!!! Gives me chills. Experience of a lifetime.

Thanks so much for posting. Awesome! Was there any wave footage leftover with NO surfers on them? We who have once surfed LOVE to see that kind footage as it reminds us (me) of what it was like paddling out into the waves and watching them roll by. Part of the surfing experience. Thanks again!

Woooow incredible place and time. . Iconic...historic manic,,!

Respect the Boys that paddle in the face of terror to charge the Monster waves

I've been a windsurfer for over 40 years, but it's a different world

BTW thank you for this nice video

Its almost too scary to watch but I keep watching! This will give me nightmares.

Still an all time! So far....

Wow !!

14:32 imagine coming out of the craziest wave of your life and Slater is there giving you a massive double fist pump

Good surfers in epic day! Respect

Beautiful stuff. Cheers

I dont surf, but even I know, this is class all day long

You can't have two day of days. I think this one is the best to see. But still...

good Vid 🏝️

Frick Teahupo'o out there! Makua was SO deep beast mode respect to everyone. 🤙🏾

Absolutely breathtaking. Does anybody know if this was where they filmed the surfing scene in the Point Break remake?

Was a awesome snow skier ,never could master the wave