Recapping Whomp Camp 2020 w/OWEY
Have you ever watched surfers scratch their heads incredulously as their worst nightmare comes to fruition?
It’s amusing to say the least and the time to see it in 2020 was 29-30 August at Treachery Beach, NSW.
Why? Well you would have seen hoards upon hoards of bodysurfers descending down the sand dunes ready to claim their peak.
It’s time for Whomp Camp. That spectacular time of year where bodysurfers emerge from the fringe of the surf world for a weekend of camping, fireside banter, equipment comparisons (we’re talking bodysurfing handboards/handplanes/fins – get your mind out of the gutter) and of course – bodysurfing!
READ MORE about Whomp Camp here
😢GUTTED - we didn’t make it to whomp camp this year. 😢
Owey is one of the founding members of the Budgy Boys and a host of the number one bodysurfing podcast in the world – The Bodysurf Podcast.
Photo: Uga Mihailovic
So, this year we’re relieving the experience through the eyes of the legendary Matt O’Donnell better known as Owey.
OK Owey – we’re going to rapid fire some questions at you. Ready? Let’s go…
How amped were you for Whomp Camp? Any special guests on the podcast in the lead up?
Every one of our guests is special, but we had everybody’s favourite photographer David Molloy on in the lead-up which really wet everyone’s whistles. We were extra amped to be interviewing John Watson and the Stocko Whompers who provided some great content!
Epic - I bet the excitement amped up even more on the drive up. How was it?
The drive is always easy when you’re heading for a weekend away full of waves with likeminded bodysurfers.
How were the conditions?
Big and a bit wild. Wind was cross-shore most of the weekend but a few pockets of offshore bliss happened throughout the weekend. Sunny and warm!
Dean Jezard making the most of Saturday’s conditions
Photo: Dave Molloy
Sunny and warm is a nice change from some previous years! So, run us through Day 1 of Whomp Camp – what happened?
The wind was causing havoc, but we had the biggest conditions of the weekend. It was a hard paddle out and some had to turn back. Good yarns around the campfire and a succulent abalone meal caught by Corey and Uga.
Yum – any other campfire highlights? Traditionally, Belly Slater provides some entertainment…
No B-Slay moments as he wasn’t in attendance. But we did sing the whompcamp theme song and shed a tear for our fallen brother.
www.whompcamp.com Video footage courtesy of Marty Stano. Music by Belly Slater and mixed by Graeme Pillemer.
Is it even whomp camp if the song doesn’t get sung? Ok so fire, bed….bodysurf! How was the morning sesh of day 2?
The best conditions of the weekend. What a morning. Clean 4-5ft faces, warm weather, good times. A bit of breaky and then time to head home, eagerly awaiting next year!
Owey scoring some on Day 2
Photo: Dave Molloy
YEWWW! What you recommend to someone attending whomp camp in 2021 for the first time?
Come with an open mind and be excited. Don’t fear, everyone is up for a chat and keen to share fins, handplanes and paipos. What more could you want?! Can’t wait to meet you in 2021!!
You can catch The Bodysurf Podcast recap of whomp camp here: