Storm Surfers 3D

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
The Depth Test

I wore my favourite scarf to the Storm Surfers 3D premiere. Teamed it with a black felt beret and charcoal cashmere sweater. Took my place in my favourite seat and crossed my legs while waiting for the film to begin. It opened with Tom Carroll coming a'gutser on a large, open ocean wave while Ross Clarke-Jones screamed frantically and the thwack of helicopter blades blasted through the cinema speakers. 

Don't go looking for intellectual stimulation in Storm Surfers 3D 'cos you won't find it. What you'll get instead is a high energy blast of buckshot to the senses. 

At it's core Storm Surfers 3D is a straight up and down buddy flick; two irrepressible fellas that have weathered the travails of life – disaster, elation, pain – with a friendship that has endured. It's around this heart that the film beats and which the directors have used to power a story containing more depth than your usual surf film. Still, it ain't quite a beret and scarf affair.

But let's uncross our legs, sit back in the seat and get realistic; anyone reading this review on Swellnet will judge the film primarily on the surfing and how it's filmed. On that score – and let's not mess about with language here - Storm Surfers 3D is a visceral punch to the head. Or better yet a lip to the head. While watching the surfing sequences I ducked and weaved, adjusting my seating to the pitching waves. I felt the roll of the boat as swells passed underneath while motoring across the ocean.

Understand that this isn't a movie for thinking but rather for feeling – it's sensory not cerebral. Which, of course, is exactly what surfing is and the directors, Justin McMillan and Chris Nelius, have captured it in the most faithful way yet seen on screen. They also had a masterstroke by employing Toni Collette to do narration and tempering the inherent blokiness of the stars.

The basic storyline follows Ross and Tom, and their forecaster, Ben Matson, as they track and chase storms around Australia during the winter of 2011. Six missions are filmed, not all of them successful. Yet even the dud ones, such as a trip to Cow Bombie in Western Australia, result in some sort of drama occurring while the 3D cameras are rolling. The still shots you may have seen of Tom Carroll manhandling his jet ski while going over-the-falls on a 20 footer just don't do it justice. That's another sequence where I ducked my head and sent my beret flying.

One wave where it was the surfer who should have ducked happens during a mission to Cape Solander. In a heartbeat Ross Clarke-Jones goes from upright to cartwheeling through three dimensions and we see the real worth of watching surfing in 3D. It's a gruesome wipeout, and thoroughly entertaining. It's also indicative of how Storm Surfers 3D should be watched: just sit back, switch off and immerse yourself in the action and fun. Feel it.

Storm Surfers 3D will tour nationally as a series of One-Night-Only screenings with Ross and Tom in August and September. Get your tickets in advance here.

Comments

yorkessurfer's picture
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yorkessurfer Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at 2:39am

Checked this movie out last night at the Jam Factory in Melbourne on the way back from a late season run up to the snow before it melts.

Was really impressed with the quality of the 3D camera work, especially the tuberiding footage! Tom and Ross have the star quality to pull this off but watching new age surfing in 3D could be where this format really takes off!

It's gonna change the way we view our sport! I haven't seen 3D TV but couldn't see it having the same impact as the big screen. Maybe surf films will end up back in theatres like they were in the old days? It really is a great social way to see a surf film, with likeminded people hooting and having a laugh!

Well Done StormSurfers!

jeff-schmucker's picture
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jeff-schmucker Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at 4:58am

Well Well "Well done storm surfers"...is this really you yorky?? how can you send accolades to the 3d world when they will be crowding a lineup near you soon??...cya at cactus ccoz you dontlike the jetskis by smukka at indys... you are ful o shit!!

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brutus Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at 7:00am

no they won't be crowding a lineup near you soon...because they respect any local culture that prefers not to be exposed...

and they give repect and get it back.....stop clasping at straws to try and give some credibility to your argument..RCJ is the last person you should be trying to use to support your philosophies...

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shaun Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at 10:20am

Hey brutus, wasn't it RCJ who who was confronted by port Campbell locals in the early hours of the morning at 2 mile and was asked to leave and take the channel 7 camera crew with them? Probably 5 or 6 years ago

yorkessurfer's picture
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yorkessurfer Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at 10:54am

Thought a new topic might freshen things up around here but half expected Jeff would move "HIS" debate onto this thread. At least now we don't have to scroll through 400 comments.

Pity we couldnt talk about StormSurfers and the groundbreaking 3D water camera technology they developed! Over to you Jeff.....

thermalben's picture
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thermalben Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at 1:03pm

The Storm Surfers 3D tech team actually built most of the camera rigs, and had to devise unique technology to get around various problems (such as water on the cameras lenses - which they built 'air knives' to blow the water away).

Amazingly, the Shipsterns footage - which is probably the best water footage in the movie - was shot on our very first mission. All of the camera crew as well as Ross and Tom were using the 3D gear for the first time - so we're amazed that they captured such incredible vision having never used any of it before!

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barley Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at 1:04pm

Maybe a 3D camera is next on his list..Imagine seeing him on the big screen..might need Imax..haha!!

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jeff-schmucker Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at 1:30pm

Cant wait to see the movie...heard it got a rating from a couple mates that went in adelaide...packed house too...good ta hear no one is boycotting the surf media machine....

so yorky you like the surf media machine? dont like?...you seem to support it but depise anyone out doing something different?...its not "my debate" its yours!

shauna...i'm impressed with this little stumbling bock you have thrown into the ring for Mr.Maurice cole...welcome to the thread maurice. What do you think about channel 7 v two mile??

barlet...i got a gopro the other day...not 3d tho...and i only been shooting other people with it...although i did a cupl selfies...u tried them?

Ben...kudos to the SS3D...looks sik...welcome here anytime....i did follow what you guys were doing as close as possible and it looked like you were chasing onshore big waves mostly...was this intentional?

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thermalben Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at 2:10pm

We only had one onshore session Jeff. In that instance, I had to make the 'go' call 5-6 days in advance, as it was our first WA mission and we needed to road-freight three skis from Sydney to Margs (which took three days, plus a day of tuning on site). The Long range forecast anticipated winds to be light to moderate onshore - which is fine for our purposes (if anything, Ross prefers a light onshore as the wave faces are often smoother) but as we grew closer to the day the forecast winds increased a little in strength, and overall ended up being stronger than the models predicted anyway.

But for the record, conditions were good at every other shoot. Check it out on the big screen and you'll see for yourself!

thermalben's picture
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thermalben Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at 2:12pm

Also, let's keep this discussion on topic please. The forums are there for anything else you'd like to discuss.

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jeff-schmucker Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at 2:22pm

we talkn about stormsurfers 3d arent we ben?? .........or am i on the wrong forum??....... hope the movie is sik....the South africa-new zealand-cow-turtle dove...stuff i seen was all onshore...musta cleaned up in the arvo eh?

brutus....i heard first hand the shippies boys were off the SS3D thingy...just sayn

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thermalben Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at 2:47pm

Storm Surfers 3D is all new footage, filmed during a 4 month period last year. Turtle Dove was reasonably clean too - considering we were 75km offshore - winds were around 10kt SE.

None of the stuff from NZ or Dangerous Banks is in Storm Surfers 3D (yeah, many of those sessions were onshore) - all of that was shot many years ago - they were two other doccos for Discovery Channel.

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jeff-schmucker Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at 3:43pm

cant wait to see it Ben...frothn on the turtle dove stuff....see the old skatkat came off second best in a dispute with pelsart last week...woops...ski in the jet and high n dry....take a bit to kill that thing....i hear Dale is gettn her ready for another season after the insurance wrote her off.....i can imagine your trip out there was a memorable one!!

whats your thoughts on these things ben? to expose or not to expose?? or do it in a manner which sails under the radar of the NOEXPOSURE.....you are in the biz of makn money out of it so whaddya rekn?

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yorkessurfer Friday, 21 Sep 2012 at 6:05pm

The 3D effect of spray falling in the tube sequences, as well as bubbles underwater look incredible. You are almost ducking as water flies at you!

I can only imagine the potential for close up footage of new school airs, flips and twists. Cameras could be smashed trying to film it though.

The expense of producing what would end up being a much higher end movie might get us all back in the theatres and be an alternative to cheap magazine DVD's that you watch once and then clog up your video cabinet for the next 10 years!

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shaun Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 9:41am

Brutus, no comment on the channel 7 crew? What about sixty minutes coming to a port near you? How are you going to make RCJ sound cool after that?

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yorkessurfer Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 10:56am

So did RCJ still film with ch7 after being asked not to shaun? Can't say I ever saw it but I'm not a TV junkie so I might have missed it.

I guess Ross is getting paid to chase that stuff. It's his job. I'm not big on exposure but if it's a persons crust you can at least understand it.

What I can't understand is why someone would do it with no motivation other than glory seeking ego wank, at the expense of others who quietly go about what they do cause they love it. Think Camel.

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shaun Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 11:42am

No they didn't, but I think it was more through being caught in the act, also they only needed one guy to paddle out into the line up and it would be on national tv, them breaking the law.
I don't agree with most of the things the smuck gets up to, but that's between you guys that surf that coast. But how can you say it is alright for RCJ to do all he does cause he is making money from it, as I understand it he is prosituting himself, whereas smucko is just a internet slut and can't help himself. RCJ does not even live in Vicco.
Shortly I'll be setting up a website with every surf spot in Vicco, it wont be like wanna surf where there are phantom spots on it, this will be very detailed with everything the unaware needs to find those out of the way spots, but I know that all you guys will approve(and hopefully use)of this site, cause I'm doing it for the money.

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thermalben Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 12:36pm

Shaun, just to clarify a couple of points - firstly, Ross does in fact live in Vicco. Secondly, 60 Minutes traveled out to a break that had never been surfed before, and that has subsequently been accessed just a couple of times in the following four years. Thirdly, I've never heard the Ch7/Pt Campbell story before, but for what it's worth - to me that sounds like the kind of scenario that would have had the Ch7 crew more exited than the surfing itself - you know, for 'Today Tonight' or something similarly tacky. But they didn't film it.. just turned around and drove home? Hmmm..

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redneck Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 3:09pm

RCJ has shown respect and consideration to the local community who do not wish their area to become a circus, driven by self promoting glory hunters and their love of the surf media. Ross is the real deal and does it better than most. His original fame was on the WCT.

Unlike FIGJAM who never had what it took for the WCT, does it for the love of himself and his obsessive fame disorder and has shown no respect thus from here on in will get none back. I have never heard of any such incident involving Ross as accused. P.S. awesome Shaun, someone else self gratifying at the expense of coastal surf communities.

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shaun Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 3:37pm

I phoned a friend on that one Ben and was told that he was advised not too, in the early hours of the morning whilst meeting with the camera crew, your right about the tt scenario , they would lap it up.About 60 minutes I was talking about a future trip, we will see, watch this space.
My question is why is, why is it any better cause RCJ is making a living out of it.

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yorkessurfer Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 4:34pm

If you want to break down how RCJ was able to get into a position to make a living as a big wave surfer shaun I would say there are three key elements. Surfing ability, Balls and Character.

Surfing ability- He got himself noticed at a young age for his ability to rip at his home breaks, then in quality surf. See Mad Wax which documented this era of his career. Had a go on the world tour but wasnt his thing.

Balls- Went to Hawaii as a teenager and took it on in such a way that blew all who saw it away. Locals and visitors alike. See Billabong Surf into Summer and the way he took on Waimea in the Billabong Pro famously won by Mark Richards.

Character- He could have easily got the Hawaiian locals offside by being a bigheaded wanker. Ask Rabbit. Instead he stood his ground, surfed like a madman and earned that respect.

All in an era without jetskis or overbearing, pushy parents trying to form his career path.

What's your problem with RCJ shaun?

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shaun Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 4:56pm

No problem individually, I don't agree with either Jeff Rowley or Smucker the way they promote themselves, hat off to Rowley though as he has paddled into bigger waves than anyone having a go at him. But I just don't get how a few of you guy's reckon it is okay for rcj cole craike and others selling out surf spots by the dozen cause they make there living from it (at others expense)

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brutus Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 6:34pm

Shaun,selling out surf spots???

which ones are you talking about??

not sure that there are actually any spots....but a guy called david Guinea in Tas,for $2000 did show us shipstern,which we towed.......but did not advertise where!!

I think most of us agree that we have all exposed surf spots in days gomne by......I myself was involved in " a day in the life of Wayne Lynch", but no spots named....also we shot storm riders with Jack Mc Coy and were the first surfers to stay at Gnaraloo.....but we never used any footage that showe where we weree,so we could put as a caption..." somewhere in the great southern ocean"...I have met surfers who are still pissed at us as they drove from cactus to MR...looking for gnaraloo....

the difference today is realising the cause and affect of exposure ,from personal past experiences,and using this knowledge and history in cultivating todays surfing culture...a work in progress,but I feel we are still going forward in a positive way...time will tell!

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jeff-schmucker Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 6:38pm

so if ross or joe blow come to surf here for money....what do you think we should do??? shaun-yorkes-rednek

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yorkessurfer Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 7:16pm

We had something like that happen about 10 years ago Jeff. Photographer Tim Jones brought Micheal Lowe, Mick Campbell and some other gold coaster down to surf a ledge in the park that happened to be smoking that week.

So did we play the heavy local card on them?

Not at all, we hung out and surfed with them but asked that they not name or give away to much detail on where they had been in the article. Not interested in seeing our area or ourselves up in lights.

The result was a cover, multi page story, centre page poster, sunglass ad's for the next year, even a huge billboard hanging over the Gold Coast highway!

But all they said was it was in the desert, surfed in boardies for a few photos so as not to give away our cold water location, and backed the article up next to a NW WA story.

Crew from Adelaide were onto it and it did get busier than normal for a few seasons but no interstate crew ever showed up except for a few mates of Mick Campbell who scored it the next year and said Mick told them about it. We were okay with that.

I heard later that Tim Jones made $70,000 from that week! Not a bad weeks work and proof that with respect and understanding it's possible to get a win win situation from such a scenario!

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redneck Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 7:48pm

Jeff,Personally I have no problem with professional surfers,any surfers if they consider/respect the local culture and wishes when they travel.

If exposure/spotlight is not wanted in an area then I would disagree with the disrespect they show as visitors to the area if they go against the feelings of that local community.

Different areas seem to have different points of view on the subject and that's their deal. So to answer your question,that'll be for you guys to work out??

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jeff-schmucker Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 8:16pm

i cant imagine one surf break in australia that doesnt have a cupl irate locals...including the likes of snapper jakes margs lennox ships....sooooo if theres how many?? is this a % thing or general.....before its a no go zone for shooting pros??

i had the argument with russel ord a cuol weeks ago....he said 'i respect the locals' i said
'no you dont, if you did you wouldnt be here shooting" a lot of guys on this coast dnt want them here...does this mean its a no go zone for everyone that wants to shoot or any project like SS3D also.

cmon, wouldnt it be easier and less stress to get on with your own life and stop worrying about what might happen? as far as this coast goes i rekn come and use it dont abuse it.

ASL sent me their latest mag with a cheque for $275 today,it was for a double page of twiggy at the bombie...i didnt even know it was goin in there...looks sik tho. thats what i think of it anyways...

good story yorkes...we had the same thing years ago with a cupl pros...good 16page spread and no names...'the blue tounge coast" surfer mag.1985..havnt seen an american here yet. hoyos been back a few times but luke and wayne lynch havnt

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southey Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 10:42pm

YS .

That TJ article/shots led me straight to it .... Too many landscape shots ( headlands ) and maybe a one or two Emu pics ????
Anyway , twice I've hung around there but both times in the wrong season ( sand wise ) ....
The beachies and competeing with lids nearby kept me busy enough though . Especially at size ...
Both Trips were just side stops on the way back from a season . And a 4 Yr stint over WA .

In comparison i've been from here ( VIC ) close to a dozen times to various locations on the Eyre & Beyond .
Ranging from a week , to a couple of months . More options and more Isolation being the Prize to travel Further .

Reason for post ..... to clearly outline that an Article definetely shortens the keen peoples search . As opposed to people being Secretive or locally outward aggressive , where typically this spells to me that there is Hidden treasure ....
Some people enjoy the Hunt just as much as the spoils .... I hope for my Boys sake , there will be something left for them to explore .

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jeff-schmucker Monday, 24 Sep 2012 at 11:04pm

there will be southey! just teach them to look thru the trees so they can see the forest and back em all the way!!

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brutus Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 7:18am

hey Jeff,how about showin some gonads and answer the Forum,FIG JAM Exposure.....you seem to have run for cover.....

and is your invitation for all to come and film and expopse the west coast,include the brazillian teams on their way??

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yorkessurfer Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 7:27am

@southy-it did present a conundrum, how to go about dealing with the situation? Like RCJ, character ended up playing a big part in how it panned out.

They were all pretty cool guys, especially Mick Lowe and made a real effort to get to know us and understand our sensitivities. A bunch of little dickheads and it may have played out far differently. It surprising how far you can get in this world with a good character and honest, upfront approach.

It's a fickle wave so I'm sure a few crew who worked it out got skunked trying to score it too!

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shaun Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 7:45am

so if ross or joe blow come to surf here for money....what do you think we should do??? shaun-yorkes-rednek

I'd take there money, then drop them off in the middle of nowhere in there underpants. But since when have you started listening to anyone else?haha
All this crap really doesn't concern me as I live on a part of the coast that basically does not have any waves worthy of exposure, I get my good waves when I travel.
The reason why I jumped into this was what I consider the strange attitude that if someone is making money from it it's ok.
Brutus, come on, do you really expect Jeff to jump into this forum to argue round and round in circles,unlike the rest of us he has a life I s'pose.

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 7:46am

all my experiences with all these lads have been pretty good..they are all respectful right down to not piggn out in the lineup at all...i'm sure the SS3D guys are no different....i met ross 1 time and he certainly was a character.

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yorkessurfer Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 8:13am

Actually Shaun if you re-read my comment I said that if it's a persons' livelyhood you can at least understand their motivations. Not exactly a ringing endorsement is it?

Jeff seems to have plenty of time on his hands to answer all topics posed to him if he chooses. I guess his iPhone picks up while he is motoring around on his trawler. Just hope he looks up occasionally so as not to run over any whales or lost boat people!

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shaun Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 8:28am

Fair enough Yorkes, I think we understand all these guys motivations ego/money.

thermalben's picture
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thermalben Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 9:09am

Back on topic.. Storm Surfers 3D has received a number of glowing reviews since it came out, and so far it's on track to be a huge success as a movie too. From the screen industry website if.com.au:

"Feature documentary Storm Surfers 3D doubled last weekend's box office takings with $64,558: its $600,000-plus box office performance further cementing its place as one of the most successful Australian feature documentaries of all time."

(see last paragraph here: http://if.com.au/2012/09/24/article/Bait-3D-opens-poorly-at-the-box-offi...)

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rat-race Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 9:55am

Congrats Ben and SS3d crew.
Saw the film last week in Newy and it was great.
Now roll out SS3d2 please :)

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thermalben Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 10:20am

Thanks rat-race. I'm frothing to get started on the next one but we've gotta nail down where we're going first. And unfortunately all of my choices are going to be very expensive!

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 12:50pm

SS3D along with wildwestcharters.com.au

i can see it now!! swellnet forums goin crazy....tyres gettn let down.....

actually i would like to see albatross at pt campbell or the 2 mile point break in 3D?? just for research purposes??

i gotta go see what all the fuss about this movie is!!

did i hear correctly that Maurice is in hawaii now researching board design for ross n tommy in the upcoming sequel?

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thermalben Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 1:05pm

Sorry Jeff, it's unlikely that our next project will be filmed in SA.

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 1:19pm

haha no probs at all ben....whys that?

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brutus Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 1:20pm

shmucks,no gonads to answer my questions,and i notice you seem to be ignoring the FIG JAM Exposure forum,which is a continuation of our debate fro Pico alto...

you hid behind someone elses comments......c'mon big fella....."if ya can't back it up...shut up".....I guess if you can't answer you have shut up!!!!

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thermalben Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 1:24pm

Jeff - our next project is likely to be filmed overseas.

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 1:37pm

wow rad...expensive yes

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 3:14pm

jimminy crickets ben and brutus cole are bringn the heat on pt campbell vic?? why would you wanna do such a thing?? i'm tippn we will see a cover shot out there before Gary ablett gets another brownlow vote.

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zenagain Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 4:27pm

Any chance of an international release?

I'd love to see it.

I keep an eye on Discovery channel here waiting for the old ones.

To no avail.

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brutus Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 4:28pm

shmucks,no balls,no answer,no more debating,good to see you have shut up...because you couldn't back it up!!!

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southey Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 4:30pm

@ jeff ,

" NOT on my watch " .......

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 4:33pm

with people like maurice cole and benny matson places like pt campbell are gunna be exposed....wonder if the boys down there are startn to realise bringing the heat aint such a good thing......

i have some balls maurice and you will never squeeze em.

SS3D the topic at hand would be insane opening at 2 mile with rowley paddling a bomb coz no one else can!

woops...i forgot we are goin international and gunna shit in someone elses backyard if they will let us!!

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thermalben Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 4:37pm

@Zenagain, yes it is being internationally released. The Storm Surfers Facebook page is the best place to keep updated on when and where (just finished the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was rated the second best docco overall! The guys are now heading to the San Sebastian International Film Festival for the next intl screenings).

@Jeff, gee you talk some shit.

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 4:37pm

thats what i wanta hear south....a man thats gunna step up to the plate....goodonya....

it just may get you to the same place as the local constabulary lad there tho....be warned!!

cmon south....you wouldnt really would ya?? wouldya?

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 4:40pm

big ben ok im almost ready to go fishn and i do talk some shit but i'm smiln and so are a few others which is important....

now big ben what do you think about exposing australian or international secrets?? surley u of all people are'nt against exposure?? you are the very pillar of this institution called ironically swellnet...{nice name BTW}

back ta u!

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 4:43pm

cmon ben u paid me money to expose waves in australia on the westcoast!! didnt u??

i know i havnt taken a cent for a good while now from you because i really dont think its that honorable to do it for the $$$....i'm into it for fun and the excitment of catching a sik shot!!

you can buy the carton when i come to your office soon tho

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 4:45pm

tell me i talk shit...u priks should have a look in ya own backseat.

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zenagain Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 4:48pm

Ahhh.., not on Facebook but if you bring it to Tokyo, I'll be there.

We got two Typhoons and a potential third lining us up this week. You should have a look at our neck of the woods Ben on your charts.

Going to be an interesting next few days.

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thermalben Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 4:57pm

Jeff, as I have said before, I am not going to discuss off topic comments here. If you wish to ask me questions about 'exposing australian or international secrets', then please feel free to start a new forum thread here: http://www.swellnet.com.au/forums/1/topics/new

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 5:00pm

cmon ben....answer on here ...we all waiting?

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thermalben Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 5:00pm

Zen, we actually did a trip to Japan back in 2006. Ross and Tom (and a bunch of others) scored some of the biggest waves ever ridden in Japan in the Wakayama prefecture, for the Red Bull Tai Fu movie, surfing with Shimpei Horiguchi. I love Japan - super keen to head back there any time I can!

I am pretty sure Japan's on the radar for SS3D to be released, but I'll drop you a line once it does. Not sure what's happening with the older movies though, perhaps they're licensed year to year?

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southey Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 5:05pm

Jeff ,

There is more than one way to skin a cat ... ya don't need to go all confrontional to get results , You just have to target the right people the right way . ;-)

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 5:14pm

south....so you are not the local copper in pt campbell??

confrontation is not the way to go at all bruz...self defense is apparently ok tho....sorry if i jumped to conclusions that if you are on watch you would start breaking windscreens!!

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sandspit Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 5:22pm

so where to next if not in australia?

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thermalben Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 5:26pm

sandspit, it all comes down to money unfortunately.

I've been researching Heard Island for the last five or six years as a location and although it'll cost a bucketload of money, it is logistically possible. Otherwise there are a bunch of spots in North America that Ross is interested in. A Cortez Bank mission is also quite possible too. And I've just come home from three weeks in Ireland, where there are some amazing waves to surf. And a lot of unexplored coastline too. Really, we can go anywhere but our niche now is finding new spots.

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 5:34pm

So is the SS3D code with ross tom and yourself to go to areas that there is a minimum distance to any civilisation so as to not upset any homosapien locals?.....theres someone nearby all the time...Heard island may be your only option?

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 5:34pm

cant wait to see no.1 and 2 tho....frothn

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thermalben Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 5:36pm

No, we can travel anywhere if we like. We've just found that remote locations that have never been surfed are much more likely to have an interesting story.

If you end up seeing SS3D, you'll see what I mean. The surf footage is spectacular but what sets it apart from other surf movies is the overall narrative.

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zenagain Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 5:36pm

Thanks Ben, will keep my ear to the ground.

Congrats on the success of SS3D.

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 5:42pm

"No, we can travel anywhere if we like".

pt campbell can we go to pt campbell please mumma n puppa??

if you do pt campbell in 3D i'll go see it twice....hmmmmm "anywhere if we like"

i like it

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thermalben Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 5:55pm

Jeff, we choose not to go there with the film crew. EOS. There are waves to be found elsewhere.

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 6:07pm

NO BEN you cannot go to PORT CAMPBELL in victoria even if you "CHOOSE' to... because southy will skin your friggn cat if he's on watch and maurice will smoke tommy and rossy as well....so take that comment back and before you try and smoke me and tell me i'm talkn crap, hav a look in ya own posts.

check

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thermalben Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 6:10pm

OK.. thanks for your contribution Jeff. Back to the topic..

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thermalben Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 6:13pm

How's this for a double bill? The Art of Flight 3D and Storm Surfers 3D showing this Friday at the 60th San Sebastian Film Festival. Wish I was there!

http://www.sansebastianfestival.com/in/pagina.php?ap=1&id=2955

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thermalben Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 6:18pm

Damn! So close to staying on topic.

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 6:21pm

swellnet the surf ^%&*^%....smuker the surf (*&^%$...REDNECK the surf &^^%$#....goodness me son...i rekn you would %^ck the surf up everytime you paddled out by the sounds of the venom coming outa your keyboard........didnt you get wet today?? something getn to ya at the office??

cmon ben SS3D is what we are on here....redpill, start your own forum on topic please.

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 6:23pm

might have to shutdown for the dark hours ben...or leave stu on watch....these fellas could sabotage ya websight

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brutus Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 7:03pm

shmucker,gutless,spineless,coward......seems like you can't or won't answer some of the crap you said about me.....

at least we all can see you for what you are...El Presidente of Club FIG JAM........

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grog-an Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 7:19pm

wow.. this schmucko bloke really has a few screws loose.. brain must be fried from living out in the desert for so long. Something that was touched on in the other thread that got closed down that you never addressed schmuck was what does your son think about you running your mouth off on here like a raving lunatic?

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barley Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 7:19pm

Hey Ben why not south Oz and further south..There are plenty of remote islands and reefs that no-one can get to..except prob for smux..Have you heard of Bosanquet Bombie? what about Pages islands south of SA. Do you need to have a land-base for access and adjustments..What about NZ..How does the cold affect the equipment(if any)?Would love to see it but I live in the bush and I hate havin' to watch a movie wearin' those stupid glasses!!

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 7:22pm

in your opinion maybe maurice....i rekn you would look gd in one of them FIGJAM pyjama tops...haha
what did i say about you???

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jeff-schmucker Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012 at 7:26pm

grog....he is his own man i rekn....he lets me be...dunno wether he thinks the same as you.....he knows me you see and he's seen me operating thru calm and stormy seas....he's livn with me...lil prick is eating all the food outa the fridge now and the most important thing to him is his 21st party on sat night....haha

hows your child support payments going u beauty?

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shaun Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 6:32am

I have pasted this from an article "world's heaviest surf breaks". Rcj's own words, showing discretion and sensitivity to the local "rednecks"
No. 9. Crescent City. California
Enormous swells run here from early October through to January, and the wave conditions are clean. This is another spot that I believe could easily hold 100-foot waves. I experienced perfect offshore winds with 40-foot waves during a tow-in session last year and the place was only getting started. But beware, this place is no holiday resort. You have to know how to survive big sharks, very cold conditions and local rednecks with shotguns guarding the spots where the jet skis launch. It’s a challenge in itself just getting to the break before you can think about trying to catch a wave.

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shaun Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 6:35am

Fort Bragg is a secret spot to, so please everyone keep that one under your hats.
No. 7 Fort Bragg, California
This is a secret spot near Fort Bragg [270 kilometres north of San Francisco]. It is possibly the longest, biggest wave in the world. No one has surfed it big yet, as the conditions haven’t been right. I want to be the first big-wave rider to surf it when the conditions are perfect, so I’m not telling anyone exactly what its location is. It handles 80-foot waves without a problem and the break goes on for about two kilometres - that would be one of the greatest big-wave rides ever. This spot has the potential to be featured in a future Storm Surfers documentary.

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thermalben Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 7:30am

Yeah, and hasn't the internet exploded with photos and videos of those two spots since they were 'exposed' over two years ago.

For what it's worth, I'm dubious that all of those words are in fact Ross'. I really can't imagine him saying to a reporter (the sentence prior) "But beware, this place is no holiday resort."

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jeff-schmucker Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 8:54am

let rosco defend himself benny...he's a big boy...he probly doesnt even care...you not his keeper ay?? i rekn maurice was trying to do the same thing for him....i rekn if SS3D went to vicco he'd be in for sure..

you are the death of the surf in some peoples eyes ben and i guess if they are out there you wont hear from them on here because they wouldnt piss on your website if it were on fire!

i would xx

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derra83 Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 9:03am

haven't logged on for a while and now I see Smucker's name all over the site. You going through the manic bi polar stage again Jeff? Ive had some 'interesting' conversations with Lincoln/west coast locals recently. Keep making your bed.

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thermalben Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 9:17am

Jeff, Ross isn't on Facebook and he doesn't read online forums either (and he's on the road overseas for the next month too). So, as per Shaun's other claims ('Ross doesn't live in Vicco', 'Ross is taking 60 Minutes to Pt Campbell' etc), I thought I'd nip this one in the bud too. Otherwise, rumours and innuendo that are left unchecked can blow way out of proportion in a very short space of time.

Rightio, so back on topic eh?

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jeff-schmucker Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 9:38am

you sound like an over zealous dad there ben...may gettn clucky with a cupl new swellnet groms around the studio??

derra...dont hold out on us?? what did they say?? was it about loamys ski goin up on the rocks at an island paradise....cmon derra tell us plz

manic....hmmm u sound manic my friend....."how do you feel" said the phyciatrist

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reecen Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 10:00am

-mania

a combining form of mania ( megalomania ); extended to mean “enthusiasm, often of an extreme and transient nature,” for that specified by the initial element ( bibliomania ).

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jeff-schmucker Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 10:07am

if standing in 6ft aqua pits at indys the day before then yeah mania it is....guess the kids have got it too after 2 seshns at the island yesty.

extreme enthusiasm....i like it!!

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jeff-schmucker Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 10:08am

cmon reecy....back ta topic...have u seen SS3D?? what do u think of it??

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reecen Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 10:15am

"if standing in 6ft aqua pits at indys the day before then yeah mania it is" dont know how you came to that conclusion?
Haven't seen it, couldn't tell you.

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derra83 Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 10:35am

Did I just read Smucker calling Ben an overzealous dad?? Good one Damir Dokic, keep up the mollycoddling. would anyone even know who jap was if you werent a pushy tennis dad. let him stand on his own two feet, maybe then you'll realise you've been a liability to his career.

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jeff-schmucker Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 10:43am

haha...i'm so proud of my groms...3 in uni and one surf bum...love it.........jap?? wooo u seem close!

how are ur kids doing u guys?? are they happy,proud,killn it? or are they negative like their dads?? {if comments on here have anything to go on}

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derra83 Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 10:46am

Damir Dokic was very proud of jelena too.

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shaun Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 10:54am

Foul!!!, off topic. Bens serve, 15/luv

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jeff-schmucker Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 11:01am

derra juz a water boy i think...cmon ben get back on topic....juz to clear up sumthn....i think ross-60 min-ptcampbell have no connection.

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thermalben Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 11:08am

OK, back on topic then? Thanks.

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thermalben Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 11:11am

This article probably won't interest many people, but if you're curious about how a movie like Storm Surfers was financed (because it's incredibly expensive!), this shows what went on behind the scenes during the year before shooting actually started.

http://if.com.au/2012/09/25/article/Storm-Surfers-3D-the-financing-plan/...

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yorkessurfer Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 11:44am

Shit that was a fascinating read Ben! You guys really are on the cutting edge. 3D is about to take off and surfing is just the tip of the iceberg. Might have to get used to wearing those funny glasses!

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thermalben Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012 at 11:53am

Yeah, there's a lot more to creating movies these days. Storm Surfers is a huge project of which an enormous amount of work goes on behind the scenes before the cameras are even switched on.

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mick-free Thursday, 27 Sep 2012 at 9:08am

Congrats on success. Only a few would comprehend what goes on behind the scenes, thanks for the link. Movies theatres in the future maybe like newspapers a dying monolythic so there is a market to tap into if you can provide good content for them, hence there is a significant market potential for new category such as docos with entertaining. In terms of return though - out of the box office what do you get back once the middlemen have all been paid?

Mviewing was at Warriewood on a Mon or Tue and most of the cross section were families, with 1/2 audience kids / teenagers. The ability for movie to throw in some fun added to the appeal across all demographics, and this entertainment was prodived almost excusively by RCJ. Bringing in Morgs was a masterstroke - while you had high profiles Tom and RCJ, you then had someone everybody could relate to the chippy from down south, who frothed on surfing. As surfers we have all seen all sorts of crazy footage, but for jo-public, it would just blow minds and it did esp 3D at Shippies. Spoke to RCJ in Bells lineup Aug 27 passed on all the above and he was stoked with how it all went, in between getting all of the good ones in the Bowl.

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thermalben Thursday, 27 Sep 2012 at 9:56am

Thanks Mick. Re: return - actually, I'm not sure on the specifics. I do know however that the cinemas take a huge slice of the door price. Then there's all of the associated marketing/advertising/promo etc that needs to be recouped. High profile movies like 'The Sapphires' have multi-million dollar marketing budgets (that's addition to their enormous filming cost too!), whereas Storm Surfers 3D had just a fraction of that kind of money to spend on advertising. However, that also means that they need a LOT more bums on seats before they break even (hence why TS opening weekend had 279 cinemas whilst SS3D had just 4).

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goingsouth Friday, 28 Sep 2012 at 8:25am

@thermalben Watched it last night, brilliant movie and amazing footage. Great story on the personalities in the movie also. Keep them coming because my mates and I absolutely loved it. You guys should be proud of that effort.

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thermalben Friday, 28 Sep 2012 at 1:04pm

Thanks GS! I can't wait to begin making the next one. Although it seems there's a lot of life left in the current movie - so it might be a while until we're all free again!

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passout Friday, 28 Sep 2012 at 4:00pm

any news if this batller pulled off his expedition Ben?

http://www.heard-island-solo.com/2011/01/surfing-in-heard-island.html

Be interesting to see what you find, it must cop a shitload of swell

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thermalben Friday, 28 Sep 2012 at 4:32pm

Well, it says "In December 2013 I will sail solo to one of the Australian territories most wild, remote and beautiful places; Heard Island". So he's still 15 months away.

That's a gnarly trip to do in a research vessel. Let alone sailing solo!

BTW, who's gonna film the evidence?

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passout Friday, 28 Sep 2012 at 4:45pm

don't know, ballsy shit just to attempt it.
apart from wannasurf, etc, and the swell path that hits it have you heard of anyone surfing or seeing waves there?

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thermalben Friday, 28 Sep 2012 at 4:59pm

No-one's surfed it yet. Hardly anyone's even been there or seen it. I've been researching it for a long time and have lots of videos/books/photos from previous expeditions and it's a pretty radical place. But it's very doable. Just expensive to get there - let's face it, if you're gonna go to the trouble of getting there, it's gotta be documented properly. And we now have a great vehicle for it.

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jeff-schmucker Friday, 28 Sep 2012 at 7:58pm

hey ben...i have juz signed for a trip on fv margiris for a 6 month trip to Heard island area ,we are on the patagonian toothfish longline fishery...hold ya horses ,make as much as you can outa SS3D 1 and wait for the green light.. i will be in touch...regards jeff

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sunrise-shorey Saturday, 29 Sep 2012 at 6:13am

Seriously Ben... Mental health has nothing to do with this line of communication nor any other that is on this website, but after reviewing some previous comments, you should stop aggravating Jeff Smucker. It's unfortunate but I suggest you remove him from communicating as it clearly is not helping him. Jeff please get some help. http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=91