Jeff going big to fight cancer

ERIN PEARSON
TORQUAY surfer Jeff Rowley is taking on the biggest waves in the world with his bare hands to raise $1 million for charity.
Rowley, 32, has pledged to surf a 50-foot, or 15-metre wave, without the usual help of a jet ski in giant surf to raise the money for Breast Cancer Foundation.
He began his fundraising mission after four close female friends were diagnosed with cancer last year.
“Charge for Charity is my way of giving back to people less fortunate than me while doing what I love.
“It’s such a massive challenge. A lot of people have told me I’m crazy but it’s not as challenging as facing cancer.”
Rowley initially set his mark at eight metres but lifted the bar after surfing a larger wave at Fiji’s Cloudbreak earlier this year.
“Surfing a wave that big unassisted by a jet ski is like having a five-storey building moving at you at 60km/hour and trying to catch it.
“When you wipe out it’s the scariest thing.You feel like a rag doll being hit by a Mack truck.”
Rowley said he was undergoing intensive training to meet his challenge, which could take place anywhere in the world.
“The most important thing is to keep your nerves under control, otherwise you go into fight or flight mode.”
Rowley said readers could support his fundraiser at jeffrowley.com.