This incredible catamaran surfing video shows the moment Australian skipper Ian Sloan decides to take on the notorious waves of Australia’s Gold Coast to try to make it into harbour. Sloan was attempting to get his 46ft cruising cat through Southport Bar’s breaking waves, near Surfers Paradise on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

He could have sailed north to Brisbane and back down inland by sailing around North Stradbroke and South Stradbroke islands – but decided the two days of extra sailing that might involve was not worth the trouble.

Sloan’s gamble pays off, but was it worth the risk? Anyone who’s tried surfing a dinghy in a swell will know how easily and frighteningly quickly you can lose control.

He is one lucky skipper. Don’t try this at home…

Ian Sloan’s 46ft catamaran surfs into harbour in Southport, Queensland