Bombora

Bombora is an indigenous Australian term for an area of large sea waves breaking over a shallow area such as a submerged rock shelf, reef, or sand bank that is located some distance from the shoreline and beach surf break. In slang it is also called a bommie.[1]

For other uses, see Bombora (disambiguation).

As the wave passes over the shallow area its shape is raised and steepened, creating a localised wave formation.[2] The size and shape of bombora waves makes them attractive to surfers willing to take the risk of riding what is generally considered a hazardous pursuit.

These formations can pose a significant danger even in good weather as a bombora may not be identifiable because it may not always have breaking waves.[3]

The term Bombora was given wide circulation in 2009 on ABC TV with the airing of a documentary titled Bombora - The Story of Australian Surfing, which received a nomination for the 2010 Logie Awards in Australia.[4][5] The documentary explored historical dimensions of the relationship between surf culture and Australian cultural identity.[6][7]

"Bombora" is also the title of a popular music instrumental released in 1963 by Australian surf rock band The Atlantics.

The term bombora is also used for a sketchy surf spot where waves seem to break on the outside.

Well known instances

See also

References
  1. Collins Dictionary. Example, "Manly itself has [...] the offshore Queenscliff “Bommie” (bombora), joy for big wave riders.", Australia's 8 greatest surf spots Archived February 3, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Australian Geographic.
  2. Bird, Eric (2008). Coastal geomorphology: an introduction. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 17. ISBN 978-0-470-51730-7.
  3. "Boating Handbook: Safe Operation" (PDF). NSW Maritime. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
  4. "Bombora". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  5. "Bombora - The History of Australian Surfing". ABC Commercial. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  6. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-12/big-wave-competition-winner-jarryd-foster/6089000
  9. http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Australia_Pacific/Australia/WA/Margaret_River_North/cow_bombie/index.html
  10. Arjun Ramachandran (25 August 2008). "One dead as boat hit by wave". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 June 2009.


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