Kipp Caddy talks about new surf film Desensitised and tackling monster WA wave The Right

Australian monster wave surfer Kipp Caddy has saved up all his best footage to include in his debut surf film Desensitised and it is guaranteed to blow your mind.

The 20-minute documentary-style film follows Caddy’s journey from a fearless 13-year-old to a seasoned big wave surfer in search of the perfect ride of his life.

The NSW surfer has been hooked on the thrill ever since and has now decided to release some of his best footage—too good to be “forgotten on Instagram”—shot by friends over the years.

Centred around three iconic Australian surf breaks where the 27-year-old learned to handle himself in intense situations, viewers get an insight into the milestones and mindset it takes to ride some of the craziest waves in the world.

“For me, it definitely started off as a challenge,” Caddy said about his journey.

“I loved surfing and it was a way to push myself. That’s what initially drew me in. Over time I slowly became desensitised to what was going on around me. Now, I do it more purely for enjoyment, but there’s (still) a sense of wanting to push myself further.

“I feel like every single wave I’d ever caught up until that point, every person who had helped me along the way, had led to that one moment.”

“That whole journey just hit me at once, I felt so out of body.”

Directed by Caddy himself, contributing filmers include Cameron Staunton, Chris Bryan, Mark Bramley and Tim Bonython.

Following the film’s release last month, Caddy booked a last-minute trip to WA after seeing that The Right—one of the world’s most dangerous waves located 1.6km off the coast of Walpole—was the best it’s been in five years.

“I booked the flight (to Perth) the day before and we drove towards Walpole, we got to meet the local crew who regularly surf it. It hasn’t had a proper day since 2018, it’s not something that happens all the time so you have to be on high alert,” he said.

“WA is so exposed to open, raw ocean and to me, some of the pinnacle waves and best slab surfing are located over there.”

Much of Caddy’s life is about keeping an eye out for when conditions are the best at renowned surfing spots.

“Everything is down to the final hour, checking waves all over the world and Australia, you have to be ready to go at a moment’s notice,” he said.

As a teen Caddy moved from Ulladulla, on the NSW south coast, to Kurnell, near Cronulla, where surfing mentors and the location’s waves helped shape his skills.

He was a rising star among the Aussie big wave scene who had visibility in magazines from a young age for his success at Tasmania’s Shipstern Bluff and other heavy reef breaks.

Other than making sure he is physically fit, Caddy has learnt how to control his mind and panic while a mammoth wall of water curls over him.

“Those first wipeouts were a shock to how serious it can be, I don’t think it’s for everyone,” he said.

Now Caddy has his sights set on big waves around Europe.

“I want to take my skills learnt here and present them on a global stage, it’s about throwing my hat in the ring with some of the best guys around the world to see how I fair up,” he said.

“I want to experience new places, cultures and new waves.”

Desensitised can be watched for free on YouTube here.