CRONULLA NSW 7KT E SAFETY BAY WA 5KT ENE CAPE LEEUWIN WA 21KT ESE CAPE NELSON VIC 18KT SE HARTZ MOUNTAIN (KEOGHS PIMPLE) TAS 18KT SSW CAPE NATURALISTE WA 17KT SE GABO ISLAND VIC 17KT S CAPE FLATTERY QLD 16KT WNW CRONULLA NSW 7KT E SAFETY BAY WA 5KT ENE CAPE LEEUWIN WA 21KT ESE CAPE NELSON VIC 18KT SE HARTZ MOUNTAIN (KEOGHS PIMPLE) TAS 18KT SSW CAPE NATURALISTE WA 17KT SE GABO ISLAND VIC 17KT S CAPE FLATTERY QLD 16KT WNW

Snapper Wasn’t Always Like This: How Science and Nature Created the Superbank

S Surfline on YouTube
1.7K Watch on YouTube
171,575 views 29 APR 2026
Snapper Rocks is one of the most high-performance waves in the world — but it wasn’t always that way. In Mechanics of Snapper Rocks, we break down how swell direction, wind, bathymetry, and human ingenuity came together to shape the Superbank into what it is today. Three-time world champion Mick Fanning, surfing pioneer Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, and Surfline’s expert forecasters explain how this stretch of coastline evolved, and why it's produced more world champs than any other wave on Earth. Filmed by: Simon “Shagga” Saffigna, Asher King, Jesse Little, Sheldon Simkus, Dan Scott, and Huw Williams, Mikey Mallalieu, Jacob K Media Edited by: Michael Weybret, Matt Hogan, Graham Nash Surfers: Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Riley Munro, Jay Phillips, Damon Harvey, Stephanie Gilmore, Ethan Ewing, Brent Dorrington, Ryan Hipwood, Sheldon Simkus, Mikey Wright, Connor O'Leary, Dakoda Walters, Jacob Willcox, Dean Morrison, Kobie Enright, Sani Hellman, Caden Francis, Sage Fleming Thumbnail: Josh Bystrom 0:00 - Intro 2:30 - Swell 5:00 - Bathymetry 9:40 - Local Conditions 12:28 - The Wave ----------------------------------- Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=surfline Become a Surfline Premium Member: https://www.surfline.com/upgrade?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=swell_stories&utm_content=2025_dec_north_atlantic&utm_term=cta_upgrade_description ----------------------------------
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