History of Cloudbreak
Cover image: © WSL/ Ian Bird
Many of us know Cloudbreak as the Fijian dream wave that spits picturesque left barrels. Its fame has earned it a spotlight in surfing mags and films, and a reputation that brings surfers from all over the world. It even claims the prize of Kelly Slater's favorite wave. Here is everything you need to know about how this jewel came to fame.
Discovery
In 1978, a young, surf hungry John Ritter set sail aboard a 38 ft trimaran to search for waves around the remote Fijian islands. He was living in American Somoa where he worked as a teacher and sailed around the unknown islands looking for surf. This expedition brought him to a reef break off the island of Tavarua whose perfect barrels left him awestruck. Ritter stayed and surfed this empty, secluded break for three weeks before moving on, in the back of his mind knowing he had found something special.
Ritter had told a few buddies about the world-class left barrel, and word spread among the surf community. In 1981 Dave Clark and his brother set out to ride this secret gem. The two camped for $3 a night on a nearby atoll, and after an incredible few sessions Clark came up with the idea to start a hotel on Tavarua.
By 1983 Clark and his buddy Scott Funk were negotiating exclusivity rights with the local authorities to build Tavarua Island Resort. This spot became one of the world’s first luxury surf destination spots.
Rise to Fame
In three years, the resort was open and ready for business. Some of the first wave crazy travelers to visit the island were two surf journalists, Kevin Naughton and Craig Peterson. During their stay, a picture captured Naughton jumping from a boat with the gorgeous Cloudbreak barreling in the background. After this picture ran, Tavarua became the newest hot spot for surfers traveling around the world.
The wave became well known in the surf community and housed its first competition, the Tavarua Tube Riding Classic, in 1995. In the following years, it would be added to the WSL tour and earn its place as one of the best waves in the world.
In 2012, Cloudbreak showed the world its true potential with an incredible show of perfect XXL barrels. The swell came in during a WSL competition, and by mid-morning, organizers called off the contest for too big of surf. The only heat of the day ended, and 30 big wave surfers jumped in and paddled out to face the break. The result of this day was some of the best big wave rides seen today, so legendary the session was named Thundercloud.
The majority of the time Cloudbreak is moderately sized and will only see XXL swells under certain circumstances. When they come, they are followed by the best big wave surfers around the world.
Controversy
After it opened, the Tavarua Island Resort received heat for privatizing the surf break and restricting access to all but those who could afford to stay at this resort. In 1987 a group of Australian Surfers boated over to Cloudbreak from a neighboring island. Resort staff told them to leave, and when they refused, they were beaten-up up by resort guests.
Immediately after the incident, a period of legal issues involving the resort and Fijians ensued. This period of national sovereignty talks, fishing rights, and access to the reef came to no avail, and the resort maintained control over the Tavarua breaks. The reef remained closed to the public until 2010 when the Fijian Government lifted the exclusivity and opened the break for all who wanted to enjoy it.
Today
Today the resort is a luxury destination featuring volleyball courts, high-end restaurants, and more. Anyone has access to surf Cloudbreak or the other Tavarua reef breaks, and when it’s pumping you are sure to see pros out in the lineup.
Want to learn more about the discovery of Cloudbreak? Check out the Nakuru Kuru documentary to learn the full story. A link to their Kickstarter is here.
Did reading about the exciting history of Cloudbreak inspire you to hit the waves? Remember to check out the Jamie O’Brien Surf App here for anytime, anywhere surf coaching.
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