Surfer’s unforgettable moment during Cyclone Alfred brings unexpected connection with Mick Fanning.
Saxon McCorquodale, a 27-year-old surfer from Northern New South Wales, recently experienced the ride of his life—an unforgettable wave that he believes may never be topped. After two decades of chasing the perfect wave, McCorquodale finally caught it last week at Kirra, during the powerful swell brought on by Cyclone Alfred.
Despite the hundreds of surfers crowding the waters, McCorquodale was in the right place at the right time when the wave of the day, and possibly of the entire swell, came straight to him. The moment was a mix of thrill and disbelief. “I thought I’d blown it,” McCorquodale said. “I thought I just had to do one more pump, and then the wave spit and breathed. I accelerated faster than the wave and cruised out—screaming my lungs out. It was completely out of body.”
McCorquodale’s ride didn’t go unnoticed. Legendary surfer Mick Fanning, who was in the lineup, watched McCorquodale expertly navigate a 6-foot tube for 10 seconds. When Fanning paddled over to offer a ride back on his ski, he noticed McCorquodale’s surfboard: a yellowed, 7-foot Günther Rohn, once owned by Fanning’s late brother, Ed. The board, battered and cracked during the session, would never ride again.
For McCorquodale, the experience was surreal. “I’m still tripping that I got the wave of my life on Ed Fanning’s board, right in front of Mick,” he said. “It was an emotional moment for both of us.”
In a conversation with McCorquodale, we learned more about the surfer behind the wave that left an indelible mark on both his career and Fanning’s heart.
An Artist at Heart, but a Surfer at Soul
Outside of surfing, McCorquodale leads a fulfilling life. In addition to his surfing passion, he works in disability support, a career that he balances with his love for art and music. He’s also an accomplished guitarist, having played for over a decade. “I’m trying to form a band,” he shared, reflecting on his creative pursuits. “Surfing has always been my main passion, but I’ve always had other interests.”
Growing up between northern New South Wales and southeast Queensland, McCorquodale has spent his life surfing the many waves that stretch from South Stradbroke Island to North Wall Ballina. He describes his connection to the sport as deep-rooted. “I’ve been surfing since I was four years old,” he said. “It’s just been my life.”
The Day That Changed Everything
McCorquodale recounted the days leading up to his iconic wave. The night before, he had attended a Khruangbin concert in Brisbane, which he described as the best show of his life. The next day, he was back at Kirra, one of the region’s premier surf spots, where conditions were ideal for catching big waves.
Riding a 6’6” Nathan Rose board, McCorquodale snapped it on a previous wave. With conditions escalating, he opted for a 7’0” Günther Rohn board that he had purchased from an OP shop a month earlier. At the time, he didn’t know the significance of the board.
As McCorquodale paddled into the lineup, the atmosphere was electric. The swell was massive, and surfers were determined to catch the wave of their lives. McCorquodale, with a group of friends, was eager to ride and connect with the waves.
When the set came through, McCorquodale found himself in the perfect position. He described the drop as critical and vertical, with spray flying up from the wave. Despite the uncertainty of the moment, he executed the bottom turn and connected with the wave. The ride continued, and as he exited the barrel, he felt a rush of exhilaration.
“It was the moment of my life,” he reflected. “The wave of my life. I was just screaming, I couldn’t believe it.”
An Emotional Connection with Mick Fanning
After McCorquodale emerged from the barrel, Fanning and his friend John Cummings approached on a ski, eager to congratulate him. Fanning, looking closely at the board, realized it was his brother Ed’s old board. The emotional significance of the moment hit hard. “We both shed a tear,” McCorquodale shared. “It was just a goosebumps moment.”
As they flipped the board over, they saw that it had suffered significant damage from the wave. It was now beyond repair, marking the board’s last ride. McCorquodale felt a sense of awe knowing that he had surfed Ed Fanning’s board in front of Mick.
A Surfer Who’s Just Getting Started
Though McCorquodale’s viral clip of the ride has brought him significant attention, he remains humble about his newfound fame. “It’s crazy how it all went down,” he said, referring to the wave’s widespread recognition.
Before the encounter with Fanning, McCorquodale didn’t know him personally, though he had seen him out in the water many times. His connection to the Fanning family through the board, however, was something truly special.
Looking back at his career, McCorquodale knows that it was years of dedication and hard work that led to this moment. “We never know when these moments will happen,” he said. “But when they do, they’re unforgettable.”
Now, McCorquodale is left wondering what’s next after his 15 minutes of fame. With his passion for surfing, art, and music, there’s no telling where his journey will take him next.