Bombora is an
indigenous Australian
Indigenous Australians or Australian First Nations are people with familial heritage from, and membership in, the ethnic groups that lived in Australia before British colonisation. They consist of two distinct groups: the Aboriginal peoples ...
term for an area of large
sea waves
In fluid dynamics, a wind wave, water wave, or wind-generated water wave, is a surface wave that occurs on the free surface of bodies of water as a result from the wind blowing over the water surface. The contact distance in the direction of ...
breaking over a shallow area such as a submerged rock shelf,
reef
A reef is a ridge or shoal of rock, coral or similar relatively stable material, lying beneath the surface of a natural body of water. Many reefs result from natural, abiotic processes— deposition of sand, wave erosion planing down rock out ...
, or
sand bank
In oceanography, geomorphology, and geoscience, a shoal is a natural submerged ridge, bank, or bar that consists of, or is covered by, sand or other unconsolidated material and rises from the bed of a body of water to near the surface. I ...
that is located some distance from the shoreline and beach
surf break
Surf or SURF may refer to:
Commercial products
* Surf (detergent), a brand of laundry detergent made by Unilever
Computers and software
* "Surfing the Web", slang for exploring the World Wide Web
* surf (web browser), a lightweight web brows ...
. In
slang
Slang is vocabulary (words, phrases, and linguistic usages) of an informal register, common in spoken conversation but avoided in formal writing. It also sometimes refers to the language generally exclusive to the members of particular in-gro ...
it is also called a bommie.
As the wave passes over the shallow area its shape is raised and steepened, creating a localised wave formation. The size and shape of bombora waves makes them attractive to
surfers
Surfing is a surface water sport in which an individual, a surfer (or two in tandem surfing), uses a board to ride on the forward section, or face, of a moving wave of water, which usually carries the surfer towards the shore. Waves suitable ...
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.
The term Bombora was given wide circulation in 2009 on
ABC TV with the airing of a documentary title
Bombora - The Story of Australian Surfing which received a nomination for the 2010 Logie Awards in Australia. The documentary explored historical dimensions of the relationship between
surf culture
Surf culture includes the people, language, fashion, and lifestyle surrounding the sport of surfing. The history of surfing began with the ancient Polynesians. That initial culture directly influenced modern surfing, which began to flourish ...
and Australian cultural identity.
"
Bombora" is also the title of a popular music instrumental released in 1963 by Australian surf rock band
The Atlantics
The Atlantics are an Australian surf rock band founded in 1961. Initially, the band line-up consisted of drummer Peter Hood, bassist Bosco Bosanac, Theo Penglis on lead and rhythm guitar, and guitarist Eddy Matzenik. Matzenik was replaced by ...
.
The term ''bombora'' is also used for a sketchy surf spot where waves seem to break on the outside.
Well known instances
*
Cowaramup Bombora ("Cow Bombie") - near
Margaret River
The Margaret River is a river in southwest Western Australia. In a small catchment, it is the eponym of the town and tourist region of Margaret River.
The river arises from a catchment of just 40 square kilometres in the Whicher Range.
The ...
, Western Australia, location of the 2011 and 2015 Oakley Biggest Wave award-winning rides.
* Dobroyd Bombora - in
Sydney Harbour
Port Jackson, consisting of the waters of Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, North Harbour and the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers, is the ria or natural harbour of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The harbour is an inlet of the Tasman Sea (p ...
, New South Wales.
* Jibbon Bombora - at
Bundeena in the south of
Sydney
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
* Outer Bombora - at
Yallingup, Western Australia
Yallingup is a town in the South West region of Western Australia, south of Perth. Yallingup is a popular tourist destination because of its beaches and limestone caves, and proximity to Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.
History and industry
Y ...
.
* "The Bommie" - on the northern side of The Penguin's Head, Culburra Beach, New South Wales.
*
Killcare and
Maitland Bay bomboras in
Bouddi National Park
The Bouddi National Park is a coastal national park that is located in the Central Coast region of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The national park is situated northeast of Sydney. A section of the national park extends into the Tasman ...
, NS
* Queenscliff Bombora - in Sydney, New South Wales
See also
*
Surf culture
Surf culture includes the people, language, fashion, and lifestyle surrounding the sport of surfing. The history of surfing began with the ancient Polynesians. That initial culture directly influenced modern surfing, which began to flourish ...
References
External links
Jibbon Loop Track
Australian Aboriginal words and phrases
{{IndigenousAustralian-lang-stub