The early morning fog has settled heavily in the valley between the vast expanse of densely forested hills. A glimmer of pink and purple eliminates from beneath the blanket of steamy mist. Wild birds chatter to each other. Small marsupials, rugged and wet from the morning due scamper across the narrow muddy path into the thick scrub as they hear my footsteps. Somewhere in the very far distance, the faint echo of crashing surf is carried through the stillness of the valley. The nearest beach is still two hours walk away. The leaves are motionless around me... the earth is beginning another day. And I am going surfing alone... again.

Perfect waves will reward my efforts at the end of the three-hour trek through wilderness. Although, I am constantly reminded that every moment is essential, and the journey itself is in fact the destination.

DOB: 30 May 1974

Age: 30

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Science/Media Studies at the University of Tasmania.

Occupation: Professional big wave free-surfer, freelance writer/photographer

Surfing Sponsors: Billabong, Speeedfins Int, MOD Surf.

Background

Andy grew up surfing big waves at significantly remote wilderness locations in his home of Tasmania, Australia. He pioneered Shipstern Bluff, now regarded as one of the world's heaviest big wave locations.

In April 2004, Billabong nominated one of Andy's waves into the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards. He finished runner-up in the Monster Tube of the year Award. He has had a relationship with Billabong for two years as a big wave free surfer.

Images of Andy riding monster waves in Tasmania, New Zealand, and Australia have been circulated worldwide in both the surfing and mainstream media. He is regarded worldwide as one of Australia's most experienced big wave surfers.

Australian Surfing Life magazine labeled his recent exploits as the "...craziest, the stupidest, the most outlandish, the most distorted, the most gut wrenching waves ever shot on Australian waters... Andy Campbell rode the craziest wave ever ridden in Australia."

Even though Andy's exploits can be considered crazy and outrageous, he remains a relaxed, globally conscious character with a deep understanding and appreciation for people and the world's natural environment. He is good looking, is well known worldwide for his pioneering of one of the worlds heaviest waves.

He is at the beginning of his career and is at the forefront of surfing big waves, both paddle-in and tow-in. This previous year suggest that he has yet to peak and will have an enormous future.

When people see photos of Andy surfing they want to know this surfer is.

The above could well be determined as a winning combination for the global surfing market. To your average Australian, Tasmania has been considered the asshole of Australia for many decades. But, through skillful and thoughtful marketing by the Tasmanian Government, Tasmania has become a mystical, almost mythical cool climate holiday island destination, especially in the USA, where the Tasmanian Government has heavily targeted their campaigns. Tasmania has an emerging interest globally. Tasmanian seafood, cheese, and beef can be found on the menus of the most exclusive restaurants worldwide, and; the infamous Tassie Devil cartoon roars and spins his head across American TV; Tasmania was voted in Island Magazine as the second best island holiday destination behind Bali; and now, another globally significant icon has emerged from Tasmania...

In Surfing Magazine, Shipstern Bluff was voted the 'Heaviest Wave in the World', the Bulletin Magazine voted it the second heaviest wave behind Tahiti. And, wherever Shipstern is mentioned worldwide, one name is synonymous with the place: Andy Campbell...

Since 2001, Andy has featured regularly in the American surf media for surfing at Shipstern and other locations.

Together with his pioneering and world leading surfing at Shipstern Bluff, the global significance and recognition of Shipstern Bluff as a surf break, and the growing reputation and mystic that surrounds Tasmania, a winning marketing equation has been formed.

Andy Campbell - Roots

Surfing became Andy's passion at an early age. While his peers were doing normal teenage things, Andy was off surfing. Usually led by his elder brother, they would embark on adventurous wilderness surfing expeditions that entailed long bush-walks, camping for days in sheer wilderness, crossing rivers, fishing for food, and of course lots of surfing. And so began Andy's commitment to the environment and a life-long relationship with surfing.

He found himself in foreign lands surfing competitively on the Australian Circuit and the World Qualifying Series in his early twenties. But, his roots lay amongst pure side of surfing with his peers and elders back in Tasmania... a hardy group of surfers that bare the cold and endure the wilderness expeditions and whom view competitive surfing with contempt.

After his brief competitive stint and spending years travelling to out-of-the-way surf locations around the globe, he found himself back in Tasmania. The year was 1997... "The International Year of the Ocean". Andy and three like-minded surfing friends (lawyer, journalist, and businessman) decided to put their ocean knowledge to a higher purpose other than surfing. The non-government funded "Ocean Defence Fund Trust" was formed. They became a powerful public voice in forming Australia's National Ocean Policy that year, and lobbying group against both legal and illegal fishing of the Patagonian Toothfish in the Southern Ocean.

It was Andy's direct involvement in environmental activity that directed his path in to an Environmental Science/Media Studies degree at the University of Tasmania.

In 1997, Andy also surfed Shipstern for the first time...

Shipstern vs. Andy

"My legs were strong and pumped and warm with blood, a result from the two hour bushwalk just to get to Shipstern. But sitting on my surfboard, alone, my legs felt weak from my apprehension and fear as they dangled in the cold water. Could anyone ride the infamous Tasmanian wave? Was I the first to try?

"From that day my surfing took a radical new direction, I had purpose, direction, and my arena was right in my backyard. Pioneering one of the world's heaviest waves has so far been an unforgettable journey that is still far from over."

Keeping a lid on things

Although the global media became highly interested in Andy's surfing at Shipstern; he has carefully planned and plotted his path. He managed to keep his surfing there secret for a couple of years. But, he knew there would be compromise. Being a true postmodernist, he has fought hard to find the balance between self-promotion and being a purist.

Andy has now decided to embark on a career in big wave free surfing.

Currently based in Bali, Andy plans to continue chasing big waves in Tasmania when the conditions are correct. He also plans on chasing big waves in other remote destinations around the globe.

With his degree in Media, Andy writes and distributes much of his own material. His trusty friends, the Apple iBook, and Cannon EOS1N accompany Andy wherever he goes.

Outstanding Print Media Achievements in Surfing Ð 2003/2004

       Front cover of Tracks magazine (May 2004)

       Front cover of Australian Surfing Life + 8 full pages (June 2004)

       Pullout A2 poster Australian Surfing Life + Double page Spread (May 2004)

 

       Rode one of the heaviest waves in the world (March 2004)

       Finalist in the Billabong XXL "Monster Tube of the Year Award" (global big wave awards)

       4 page interview + photos in Surfsession France (July 2004)

       Double page spreads in: Japan Surfing Life (July 04), Transworld USA (May 04), Surfing Magazine (July 04), Surfer Rule Spain (July 04), South Africa Magazine (May 04).

       Double page spread in Australian Surfing Life Photo Annual 2004

       Double Page spread in New Zealand Surfing Life (Aug 2003)

       Double Page spread in Kiwi Surf Photo Annual 2004

       Numerous smaller photos in surfing magazines worldwide.

       National newspaper coverage (April 2004) Ð Sydney Morning Herald, Herald Sun, Canberra Times. Courier Mail, The Mercury, The West Australian, Illawarrah Times.

 

Outstanding Broadcast Media Achievements in Surfing Ð 2003/2004

 

       Sky Channel Sports Australia Ð 1 minute of Andy surfing every hour for three days (March 2004).

       Primetime nightly news Australia channels #7, #9, #10 (March 2004)

       Australian morning shows (March 2004) Ð Good Morning Australia, and Sunrise Australia

       Sports Tonight Australia (March 2004)

       Primetime night news in New Zealand (March 2004)

       Primetime night news in Britain BBC (March 2004).

Current Sponsors

Billabong - Billabong will continue to provided finance through sponsorship to Andy and investment in Andy through international magazine advertising, distribution of images to media, imagery on instore promotions such as poster and light boxes, PC screen savers, involvement with the Billabong Odyssey, involvement with Billabong promotional surf trips, training seminars, and global promotion Billabong.com.

Speeedfins Ð Andy has designed his own fin template for this revolutionary fin company. Since announcing the sponsorship agreement, the international Speeedfins website visitor statistics grew 66% in one week alone.

MOD Surf Jewelry Ð MOD is the global Jeweler Company to the surfing community. They use images of Andy in their international advertising in the USA, Japan, Indonesia.

Current Projects

The global hunt - Currently based in Bali, Andy plans to continue chasing big waves in Tasmania when the conditions are correct. He also plans on chasing big waves in other remote destinations around the globe, thus continuing his unique approach to finding and riding the world's biggest and heaviest waves.

"Andy Campbell" documentary Ð The filming of which commenced four years ago with Australia's largest independent surf filmmaker Justin Gane (Wanderjah Ð The Margo Project). From the beginnings of Andy surfing Shipsterns to where he is now. The film will showcase this radically different fringe surfer.

7 Day wilderness coastal walk/surf expedition Ð A seven-day hike across the south coast of Tasmanian World Heritage Area. Documentary and photos.

Danish Documentary Ð Documentary for Denmark TV (2.5 million viewers). 15 minute segment on Andy and his surfing at Shipstern. (Already screened in June 2004).

 

 

 

 

 Future Media

Working with Vantage Management and his current sponsors Andy is going to be continuing to build his profile in both surfing and mainstream media. It is a goal to have Andy Campbell as the household name of big wave surfing both in his home country of Australia and overseas.

Surfing media is already following Andy's every move with great interest. Over the next 12 months this will be carried over to commercial television, major newspapers and other publications.

National productions such as Today Tonight, GMA, ACA and The Today Show have all expressed interest in the antics of Andy Campbell.

Sponsorship

Vantage Management is currently seeking expressions of interest from potential sponsors that would like to align themselves with the image, ideals, sprit and strength of Andy Campbell.

Please contact Shan Railton of Vantage Management on 0411 564 565 or via email shan@vantagemanagement.com.au