BAWLEY Point’s Russell Bierke, at just 18 years of age, has claimed the 2016 Red Bull Cape Fear surfing competition.
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The big wave event is an invitation only competition for elite surfers.
Bierke caught just two amazing waves on day one of the Cape Solander event but they were enough to secure his place into the second round on day two and the final, which saw him set the world alight.
"Yesterday was really, really scary, just mind-blowing but I'm glad everyone survived and got some bombs." said Bierke to Coastal Watch.
"Everyone here has made this the best surf event ever.
“Mark, the safety team, production - thank you.
“I was stoked to have my family here, it didn't feel like a contest because everyone was so stoked out there.
“It was just a dream.
“My 10-was crazy, I was glad it held up...it was the best view ever."
"This event is verging on the edge of insanity – someone is going to get hurt,"
- Redbull Australia website
Stab magazine described the perfect ride in the last moments of the final as one of the tallest, widest waves ever ridden at the cape.
Competitors were also calling the conditions at Cape Fear the biggest ever surfed there.
The three other finalists were Ryan Hipwood (2014 winner), Koby Abberton and James Adams.
At home in Ulladulla, Russell's supporters were following his barrels live and posting messages of support on his Facebook page with words like "crazy" and "legend" being thrown around throughout the event.
Re-live all the action here: http://www.coastalwatch.com/surfing/17103/red-bull-cape-fear-watch-day-2-live-here
