News

Big Wave Junkie makes history
03/01/08

Nigel Butler has made history after surfing from Duranbah to The Spit aided by nothing but his flippers.

Despite being buffeted by waves over 4m during the swim, the big wave bodysurfer said he had the time of his life. The 48 year old paddled out of the spit after a marathon six hour and nine minute swim to become the first person to completely swim the length of the Gold Coast and amazingly said he would have gone further if not instructed by water police to proceed across the seaway to Fraiser Island.

Accompanied by a professional and experienced support crew on jet ski, of Cheyne Horan, Clinton Bolton both surf champions, Matt Cook, Davina Drinan (both big wave surfers) and aided by Milton Bruntin and the Gold Coast City life Guard, who ensured his safety along the way and maintenance checks on equipment by Denver of Gold Coast Wave Runners. 

Nigel consumed Banana's, chocolate and water to keep his energy levels high, provided by his good mate Cheyne Horan who kept a close visual on jet ski. The bodysurfing pioneer is also renowned for his fearlessness and has bodysurfed the Jaws break at Hawaii on a wave that was witnessed as 15m high.

The Sydney based athlete will travel to Jaws, the worlds most renowned big wave destination, as part of the Total Spawtz Monster Wave Project with other surf legends latter this month where he will attempt to bodysurf a 20 m or bigger wave. As part of his training, Nigel will be doing 150km in the water over the next two weeks as a lead up to the project, he is also planning another bodysurfing record attempt in his bid to raise awareness of wildlife and lack of fish in the ocean and global warming effecting the sea. 

Gold Coast chief life guard Warren Young said Nigel did all the Wright things with  a professional and experience support crew both on and off the water and the professional assistance of Gold Coast Life Guards to ensure his safety. " I have seen guys Bodysurf from Burleigh to North Burleigh but never anything like this" Mr Young advised any copycats that it is not to be done again and classes this as a one off.

Surf legends Cheyne Horan, Garry Elkerton and Rob Page were not surprised that Nigel would make it but have stated he will be a Gold Coast legend for completing the swim and more importantly bodysurfing a wave at each beach along the way. Manager Glen Thompson was full of praise and admiration and stated that he believes Nigel will become the most prominent bodysurfer in the world, " he is an inspirational person and his nickname, "The Highlander", is truly appropriate as he is the only one of his kind in the world".

World number seven kite boarder Clinton Bolton quoted " The guy is amazing, I have never seen anything like it, I was proud to be apart of Nigels history making effort" Clinton is no stranger to big surf and was amazed to watch Nigel bodysurfing waves that guys were afraid to surf on a board.

Nigel was sponsored by Gold Coast Wave Runner, Cheyne Horan School Of Surf and Total Spawtz