From monstrous 73-foot waves in Portugal to the curious square waves of the Aegean, the world's oceans are no strangers to strange and baffling sights. Yet a newly highlighted discovery off the coast of Australia might just be the most unusual wave ever captured on film, leaving even seasoned oceanographers scratching their heads.
The Discovery of 'The Thing'
Surfers exploring a secret location somewhere off the Australian coastline have stumbled upon a truly bizarre oceanic phenomenon. Aerial footage reveals water surging from four different angles in the open ocean before explosively colliding in the centre, creating a spectacular and seemingly impossible spectacle.
The wave was first discovered over a decade ago by surfer Chris Whitey, who has kept its exact location under wraps. He described the formation as 'the wave that shouldn't exist'. Reflecting on his find on Instagram, Whitey wrote: '25+ years hunting the wildest slabs on Earth — and then we found THE THING. Impossible shape. Impossible power. 100% real.'
He recounted the first time he saw it, armed only with a still camera. 'We just randomly ended up there,' he explained in a video for Tension Movies' YouTube channel. 'I spotted waves swirling from every angle, before meeting and breaking into a huge pillar of water, stretching more than 40 metres into the sky.'
Scientific Bafflement and Explanation
A decade after the initial discovery, Whitey returned with friend Ben Allen and found the wave still performing its strange ritual. Allen was so astounded he took the footage to Dr Arnold Van Rooijen, a coastal engineering expert at the University of Western Australia, for an explanation.
Dr Van Rooijen identified the cause as a 'pretty unique combination of the geomorphology of the reefs and the symmetry of the water depths.' Initially, he theorised it would be a one-time event, but the surfers' footage proved it was a recurring feature. 'I'm pretty sure we captured it happening over and over and over again,' Allen joked. 'He just didn't believe it – and he's meant to be one of the best oceanographers in Australia!'
Viral Reaction and Oceanic Wonders
The mind-bending footage has garnered massive attention online, with thousands flocking to comment on YouTube and Instagram. Many viewers questioned its authenticity, with one stating: 'I literally thought it was Ai, unbelievable piece of reef.' Another quipped: 'Because the ocean isn't scary enough, here's two random waves smacking each other in the middle of nowhere.'
The discovery comes hot on the heels of other extraordinary wave news. British surfer Laura Crane, 30, from Devon, recently rode what could be the biggest wave ever attempted by a woman at the Nazaré Big Wave Challenge in Portugal. Guinness World Records are assessing her ride, which she believes could surpass the current women's record of a 73.5ft wave set by Maya Gabeira in 2020.
This Australian phenomenon serves as a powerful reminder of the ocean's endless capacity to surprise and mystify, presenting natural wonders that continue to defy easy explanation and captivate the world's imagination.
