There’s a show-stopping moment in a Nathan Florence YouTube clip I still can’t get over. In a 2023 video from his Tasmanian stop on the Slab Tour, there’s a section where a shaggy-haired 27–year–old from the South Coast of New South Wales steals the show by seamlessly hopping over Shipstern Bluff moguls.
In a world of shameless self-promotion, it’s never been easier for surfers to get instant gratification on social media. Clips fly from hard drives into mobile screens. But not Kipp Caddy. He held on to many of his A++ clips, and the results are stunningly reaped in Desensitised, his first proper surf film.
Kipp directed it himself, and contributing filmers include Cameron Staunton, Chris Bryan, Mark Bramley and Tim Bonython. The slick, glossy production and high-quality cinematography make the harrowing slabs all the more captivating. If it wasn’t clear before, it’s underscored, highlighted and bolded now: Kipp truly is one of the best most unhinged in the world in massive unholy walls of water.
Photo: Chris Bryan
But the element of danger is here too. There’s a moment that, though it’s not mentioned, a bailed board slams Kipp in the head as he’s racing through a tube. He got knocked unconscious and ripped his hamstring in the process.
Here’s Kipp’s own synopsis: “Desensitized is my debut surf film. This documentary-style film follows my evolution from a fearless 13-year-old to a seasoned big-wave surfer. Centered around three iconic Australian breaks that have defined my career, it showcases my path into the world of big-wave surfing.
“Thrown into the deep end as a young teen, gaining confidence with every wave. At 14, I took that confidence to one of the world’s most iconic surf spots in Australia, Shipstern Bluff. Normally, it’s an unwritten rule that you have to paddle the place before towing, but that first day, I was let off the hook as it was un-paddable, witnessing surfing legends like Marty Paradisis and Tyler Homer-Cross catching 20-foot waves. Fast forward a decade, and now find myself in a position chasing down those set waves.
Frame: Chris Bryan
“Desensitised is a tribute to 10 years of trials, triumphs, and relentless dedication. Experience the highs and lows of my surf journey as I chase the ultimate ride and push myself to see what’s possible in the realm of big-wave surfing. Of course, this is just the beginning. Follow along as I continue living The Search.”
“Over time I slowly became desensitized to what was going on around me,” Kipp Caddy said. “And now I do it purely for the enjoyment, but there’s a sense of wanting to push myself further.”