Ross Clarke-Jones (6 June 1966) is an Australian big wave surfer.[1] He originally came from Terrigal in the Central Coast, of New South Wales, Australia where he enjoyed surfing Terrigal Haven,[2] a point break that produces rare waves lasting for up to 300 metres on a big swell.

Known also as "Dark Bones" and "RCJ", Clarke-Jones is known for his love of huge waves, and along with tow partner Tony Ray have taken on some of the biggest waves ever attempted.[2] On 28 January 1998, the two were part of a small group of surfers who rode giant Outside Log Cabins on the north shore of Oahu in Hawaii.[2] Wave faces were anything between 50 and 80 feet. Other surfers included Noah Johnson, Aaron Lambert, Cheyne Horan, Dan Moore, Milton Bradley Willis and Michael Willis who were the first to go out. Clarke-Jones and Ray had a memorable moment when both ski and surfer were caught and pummeled by a 60' wave, knocking them both into the water.[2]

Clarke-Jones is perennial invitee to the Quiksilver Eddie Aikau Big Wave contest held at Waimea Bay[3] and in minimum 20'-25' surf. In 2000/2001, he won the Eddie, becoming the first non-Hawaiian to do so.[4] He continues to pursue big wave thrills in Hawaii, Australia, California, Tasmania, South Africa, and Europe.

He is known for surfing Shipsterns Bluff,[5] Cow Bombie,[6] and Pedra Branca.[7]

In 2019, Clarke-Jones competed in the sixth season of Australian Survivor. He was medically evacuated on Day 28 after fracturing an ankle during a challenge, finishing in 13th place.[8]

Storm Surfers 3D

On 14 August 2012, on a six-million dollar budget, the documentary titled Storm Surfers 3D was released, with Clarke-Jones being the main focus alongside fellow surfer Tom Carroll. The movie focused on spectacular tow-in rides in the Great Southern Ocean at Cow Bombie, Ship Stern, The South Coast Bombie, and Turtle Dove. Premieres were at Toronto on 9, 11, 15 and 16 September 2012; San Sebastian on 20–28 September 2012; Santa Barbara on 27 January – 3 February 2013; San Luis Obispo on 7 March 2013; and Honolulu on 10–27 April 2013.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

References

  1. ^ "Meet the Team Ross Clarke-Jones". 2009. Archived from the original on 24 July 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d "The Two of Us: Ross Clarke-Jones and Tony Ray". The Age. 16 April 2006. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  3. ^ "Ross Clarke-Jones". Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  4. ^ "Eddie Aikau Memorial". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  5. ^ Peter Wilmoth (13 March 2005). "When the green room is your stage". The Sun Herald. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  6. ^ "Storm Surfers - big waves mission to Cows in WA". YouTube. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021.
  7. ^ "The Storm Riders". Archived from the original on 1 October 2015.
  8. ^ McKnight, Robert (21 May 2019). "Major cast details leaked for AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR: CHAMPIONS vs CONTENDERS". TV Blackbox. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  9. ^ "Storm Surfers 3D". Storm Surfers website. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  10. ^ Media Releases - 2012 (1 August 2012). "Storm Surfers 3D to ride the Toronto wave". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2013.((cite web)): CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Schoettle, Jane. "Storm Surfers 3D". Toronto International Film Festival 2012. Archived from the original on 11 December 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  12. ^ "Velodrome "Big Friday: Storm Surfers 3D". Donostia Zinemaldia Festival de San Sebastian 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  13. ^ "Storm Surfers 3D". Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  14. ^ "Storm Surfers 3D". San Luis Obispo Film Festival 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  15. ^ "Storm Surfers 3D". Hawai'i International Film Festival 2013 Spring Showcase. Retrieved 28 April 2013.

External links

Australian Survivor contestants
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