For over two decades, Tasmania’s Shipstern Bluff has stood as one of the most intimidating and dangerous waves on the planet. It is a massive, cold-water slab defined by a mutant, mid-face step that defies logic and attracts only the most sadistic big-wave chargers. Now, the evolution, obsession, and severe consequences of chasing this psychotic wave are the focus of “Stern Fever,” a hard-hitting new documentary directed by Talon Clemow and released via his One Palm Media platform.
“Stern Fever” is far more than just a traditional highlight reel; it is a 16-year cinematic journey that serves as a deep-dive tribute to Shipstern’s unique bathymetry and the rare breed of humans who dare to tackle it. Clemow spent nearly ten years attempting to get the project off the ground, enduring false starts before finally pivoting to create a definitive biopic of the wave itself. The documentary showcases how Shipstern Bluff permanently changed the progression of big-wave slab surfing. It vividly captures the covert early years of the break, the subsequent media explosion when the cameras finally arrived, and the immense, unwavering dedication required to hunt massive swells in the Tasmanian underworld.
Following its world premiere in Sydney and its successful U.S. debut at the Newport Beach Film Festival this past October, Clemow is hitting the road on an exclusive West Coast screening tour this November and December, providing a rare opportunity for California surfers to experience the raw power of the Southern Ocean on the big screen.
2026 “Stern Fever” West Coast Tour Dates
- November 20: La Paloma Theatre, Encinitas
- November 21: The Wherehouse by Los Molinos, San Clemente
- November 29: The Alcazar Theater, Carpenteria
- December 1: Balboa Cinema, San Francisco
- December 3: Bay Theater, Seal Beach
For more information about tickets and dates, tune into One Palm Media on Instagram.
Related: Watch: Behind The Scenes At Tasmania’s Most Psycho Wave
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