Fiji’s 2012 “Thundercloud” swell remains one of the most memorable days in the history of big-wave surfing.
In June of that year, during the World Surf League (WSL) Fiji Pro waiting period, conditions at Cloudbreak reached an extraordinary level. Swell charts turned dark purple, signaling a massive storm system brewing in the Pacific. As the waves built, the horizon darkened with the power of the incoming swell. After a few heats at the XL-sized Cloudbreak, the WSL had no choice but to call off the competition. The conditions were too dangerous, and not a single surfer on the Championship Tour (CT) had boards large enough to tackle 15-foot-plus waves.
With the competition canceled but the broadcast team already on-site, the WSL decided to keep the cameras rolling. What followed was one of the most jaw-dropping displays of big-wave surfing ever captured on live TV. The “Thundercloud” swell became legendary, with iconic commentary from Kelly Slater and Dave Wassel, as the waves, described as cartoonishly large, pummeled the reef at Cloudbreak. This day not only set a new standard for big-wave tube riding, but it also sparked a revolution in how the sport is perceived by the public.
In a newly released video edit, surf filmmaker Nick Pollet revisits the historic swell with five minutes of previously unreleased footage. Among the highlights is the wave at the 2:43 mark — a massive outside ledge wave that almost wiped out surfer Mark Healey. What makes this swell even more remarkable is the fact that it occurred before the introduction of the flotation vest made famous by Shane Dorian.
While some surfers, like John Florence, the Gudauskas brothers, Mick Fanning, and Joel Parkinson, wore impact vests — which provide minimal flotation — most of the surfers on that day, including Healey, were in board shorts with no flotation support. It’s a stark reminder of how risky those days were. In retrospect, the fact that no one suffered serious injury or worse is a testament to the bravery, skill, and sheer luck involved. Just imagine if Healey hadn’t been able to ditch his leash and swim beneath that massive bomb.
The “Thundercloud” swell, for all its awe-inspiring action, also highlighted the perilous nature of big-wave surfing in its purest form, where skill, bravery, and luck intertwine at the most extreme level.
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