Bombora is an indigenous Australian term for an area of large sea waves breaking over a shallow area such as a submerged rock shelf, reef, or sand bank that is located some distance from the shoreline and beach surf break. In slang, it is also called a bommie.[1]

As the wave passes over the shallow area its shape is raised and steepened, creating a localised wave formation.[2] The size and shape of bombora waves makes them attractive to surfers willing to take the risk of riding what is generally considered a hazardous pursuit.

These formations can pose a significant danger even in good weather as a bombora may not be identifiable because it may not always have breaking waves.[3]

The term Bombora was given wide circulation in 2009 on ABC TV with the airing of a documentary titled Bombora - The Story of Australian Surfing, which received a nomination for the 2010 Logie Awards in Australia.[4][5] The documentary explored historical dimensions of the relationship between surf culture and Australian cultural identity.[6][7]

"Bombora" is also the title of a popular music instrumental released in 1963 by Australian surf rock band The Atlantics.

The term bombora is also used for a sketchy surf spot where waves seem to break on the outside.

Well known instances

See also

References

  1. ^ Collins Dictionary. Example, "Manly itself has [...] the offshore Queenscliff “Bommie” (bombora), joy for big wave riders.", Australia's 8 greatest surf spots Archived February 3, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Australian Geographic.
  2. ^ Bird, Eric (2008). Coastal geomorphology: an introduction. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 17. ISBN 978-0-470-51730-7.
  3. ^ "Boating Handbook: Safe Operation" (PDF). NSW Maritime. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
  4. ^ "Bombora". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Bombora - The History of Australian Surfing". ABC Commercial. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2014.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2014.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ "WA surfer wins national big wave prize for Cow Bombie ride". ABC News. 12 February 2015.
  9. ^ "Cow bombie - Surfing in Margaret River North, Australia - WannaSurf, surf spots atlas, surfing photos, maps, GPS location".
  10. ^ Arjun Ramachandran (25 August 2008). "One dead as boat hit by wave". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 June 2009.

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