Shipstern Bluff surfing movie
STERN FEVER is a new independent feature length documentary telling the story of Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania's notorious slab wave, and the surfers who pioneered the iconic big wave location from the late 80's/early 90's right through to today.
Written, Directed & Produced by international award winning film maker Talon Clemow and narrated by acclaimed Australian actor Simon Baker, STERN FEVER journeys deep into the history of one of the most dangerous but enthralling waves on the planet - from its early days as a closely guarded secret to the media boom of the 2000's that changed what was deemed ridable in the modern big-wave era.
Hidden on Tasmania's prehistoric southern coastline, Shipstern Bluff was once known only to a small group of local surfers willing to make the long journey into frigid waters of the Tasman Peninsula by boat and surf the wave by themselves.
Then word got out, the cameras arrived and friendships were decimated.
As photographs and footage began appearing in surf magazines and films, the wave that had existed on the fringes of the surfing world was suddenly thrust into the spotlight.
Enormous south west swells, unpredictable steps and violent beauty captured the imagination of surfers around the globe, not to mention the pure bravado of those taking it on.
Shipstern Bluff became a media darling and surfers from around the world wanted their own slice. The surf industry started bank rolling trips and Shippies was a secret no more.
From the early pioneers who first paddled into Shipstern, through to the arrival of the jet ski and how tow surfing changed the face & evolution of modern big-wave surfing, the film examines how each generation raised the threshold of what was considered possible.
Featuring archival footage and photography alongside contemporary interviews and stunning high resolution cinematic surfing footage, this incredible documentary brings together stories from the voices of those who were there in the beginning and now.
STERN FEVER explores the people, events and progression that transformed the wave from a remote Tasmanian secret into an international benchmark and proving ground for slab surfing's elite.
At its heart, STERN FEVER is a story about pioneering the impossible - and what happens when the media becomes fever pitch and a wave becomes bigger than the people who surf it.
An independent Australian production, STERN FEVER is a 100% independent production from Tasmanian based Director/DP - Talon Clemow (One Palm Media/Tasman Digital) following the success of his multi award winning documentary (Thundercloud, 2015) which toured extensively across Australia and the United States.
Narrated by Simon Baker, best known internationally for his work in The Mentalist, L.A. Confidential, Breath and Limbo, the Tasmanian born actor and filmmaker Simon Baker provides the voice of STERN FEVER, bringing an unmistakably Australian perspective to the gritty story of one of Tasmania's most extraordinary locations.
The film will embark on an international screening tour beginning in Australia before travelling through the United States and beyond in 2026/2027.
Following its cinema and independent touring release, STERN FEVER will move toward a global digital release.
STERN FEVER
A documentary about Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania. Directed by: Talon Clemow
Production: One Palm Media/Tasman Digital
Narrated by: Simon Baker
Cast: Joel Parkinson, Shane Dorian, Kelly Slater, Andrew Campbell, Ross Clarke-Jones, Mark Mathews, Koby Abberton, Andy Irons, Stuart Gibson, David Rastovich, Russell Bierke, James Hollmer-Cross, Tyler Hollmer-Cross, Danny Griffith, James McKean, Tony Ray, Sean Doherty, Chris Cote, Dara Penfold, Stephanie Gilmore & many more.
Genre: Documentary/Surf/ Action/Adventure Runtime: Approx. 99mins
International Tour - October 2026
Launch Night - Hobart, Village Cinema October 3
World Premiere - Sydney, Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, Cremorne October 8 US Premiere - Newport Beach Film Festival, California - October 18
US Tour dates announced soon - including Encinitas, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, New York, Florida, Hawaii and more.
