Mick Corbett: Riding into the limelight
Chances are that unless you live in WA you hadn't heard of Mick Corbett two years ago. That's no slight on Mick, he was simply doing his thing, chasing waves just like every other low key charger. But then last year he jagged one of the largest barrels seen in Australia. That wave - a huge barrel at Cow Bommie - got him nominated in both the Oakley Big Wave Awards and the XXL Big Wave Awards, as well as a starring role in Tim Bonython's ASMF.
And then on Saturday Mick bagged another bomb; this time at The Right and many are calling it the largest wave ever ridden there.
All of a sudden Mick is everywhere again so Swellnet caught up for a quick chat.
Swellnet: How many times have you surfed The Right?
Mick Corbett: I've been surfing it for about four years now. Whenever there's a swell down there we are usually hunting it or other big wave spots around the area.
How come you didn't stay at Cow Bommie?
That swell wasn't the best direction for Cow. Cow needs a different swell direction for it to break good otherwise it's just a burger, and anyway, it was a great swell direction for the Right.
How many waves did you get all day?
I got a lot of waves that day. Maybe around twenty?
No foot straps on your board?
Yeah, I've sort of steered away from straps as they don't allow you to move your feet when adjusting for different types of barrels out there. No barrel is the same out there.
It was a Chapstar board specially designed for the Right. My tow boards are all shaped by Chapstar surf boards. They're all thrusters and range from 5"8 to 5"10. My favourite board that I've ridden at the Right is the 5'8.5" from chapstar which is actually Jarryd's board [Jarryd Foster, Mick's tow partner].
That wave jumped in size from takeoff, did it look like a grower when it was approaching?
Yeah, when it was coming in Jarryd turned around to me with a big grin and said, "Don't even look at it, it's big." So I didn't really look at the wave. As I was coming into it I looked at the line and tried to put myself in a perfect position. I didn't know what was going on behind me so I was just trying to position myself to get barreled. I didn't realize how big it was until I got back into the channel and every photographer and filmer where shaking their heads in disbelief calling it the biggest wave they have ever seen out there.
Care to put to put a size on it?
I think it's about 40 foot.
So which one was the best wave of your life, that wave or last year's Cow Bommie Barrel?
It's hard to say which wave was the best wave of my life, they're such different waves and different days. But if I had to choose it would be the Cow Bommie barrel because that was the craziest, biggest barrel I have had. It was also the most scared I have ever been pulling in.
I guess the next we'll see you is on stage at either the XXL or Oakley Big Wave Awards?
Well hopefully you guys see me on another big swell before then!
Good luck Mick...
And for those with short memories here's Mick's Cow Bommie barrel from last year. Photo by Jamie Scott.
Comments
So much hype, sure the swell was massive but every year there is huge swell just no where near as clean as the one just past.
I think that's the point a lot of people seem to be missing. When was the last time there was a swell of that magnitude combined with those clean conditions? Pretty fuckin rare IMO....
True and I agree but people and media keep saying it was the 'swell of the decade' similar to Mick claiming 40 foot...
Definitely one of the best. It has it all plus the power.
How can you describe the view? Like walking on the moon or reaching the depths of the deepest part of the ocean, very few humans will ever see with their own eyes what Mick is seeing in those pics.
Not taking anything away from the Right but that Cow Bommie tube is incredible.
Totally agree Zen,awesome photo.
That tube at Cow is ridiculous.
Pretty sure I'd experience cardiac arrest with a view like that.
I've never seen a barrel that big before.
Did he make it ?
Yeah that Cow barrel almost doesn't look real it's so huge!! If he made it, it's gotta be one of the greatest tubes of all time......just pulling in is hard to comprehend....
Is there a vid of theCow Bommie barrel anywhere? That photo is just amazing.
No vid that day that Mick got that bomb. Trustie Jamie Scott had an exclusive session.
It took me months to get over missing that one. Re the hype. I love it! The more the hype the better. One day everyone will just give up on it & that will be the one.
As a photographer, you captured and compose this one to perfection. Great shot - for the wall, I suggest.
Haha frother
That massively overperformed that swell of August last year Tim so wasn't forecasted. Those guys scored. Same the Saturday during the Margarets WSL event. It's good it still happens eh?
Bit slow guys .micks cows tube was last year august. Been plenty of time to see the pictures . No video .it was a final placing in the xxl & oakley big wave awards comps.
This one's pretty old, but still pretty good effort.
who & where & when is that?
Gidday, Jeff sent it to me a fair while ago ago. Its Marti Paradisis in Tassie. It was back when he and Jeff were doing a lot of stuff together. Deluxe effort. For open-ness, room to move, hard to beat.
I've got a couple of sick things of Jamie Stirling, that would be bigger, more spectacular than some new local beefed up 'enforcer' award winners this way too.
Tow in waves are usually bigger than paddle ins . It be good to see those pictures of sterlings tow in waves none the less
Great pic, but 40 ft?? Wave face is about 10ft at a stretch 12, it only looks big because of that 20ft thick lip. ;-)))