Taming the Tide: Dylan Graves and Anthony Walsh Tackle the Deadly Rapids of Horizontal Falls

For Dylan Graves, a Puerto Rican-born surfer, the goal isn’t just to find the biggest waves, but the strangest. Graves has built a career chasing “novelty” surf spots—the kind of anomalies that most surfers wouldn’t even consider rideable. However, his latest expedition to the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia may be his most rare and dangerous mission yet.

Teaming up with big-wave surfer Anthony Walsh, Graves set his sights on the Horizontal Falls. In this remote stretch of coastline, extreme tidal surges create powerful rapids that occasionally produce semi-surfable waves. For Graves, the mission was the culmination of a long-held curiosity and a passion for the world’s most unusual aquatic features.

The Challenge of Horizontal Falls

The journey began with a simple search. Graves recalls discovering videos of the Horizontal Falls online and wondering if the features were actually rideable. While the idea initially felt farfetched, the mission became a reality after he connected with Anthony Walsh, who had obtained visual evidence of a surfable wave in the area.

Given Walsh’s extensive background in big-wave surfing, Graves knew the experience would be intense. The environment at Horizontal Falls is notoriously volatile, characterized by massive volumes of water being pushed through narrow gorges, creating the illusion of a waterfall lying on its side.

What Exactly is a Tidal Rapid?

Not all moving water is surfable. To understand the difficulty of this mission, it’s important to distinguish between a standard river and a tidal rapid. According to Graves, a tidal rapid occurs when tides are so extreme that they transform still water into a moving force that behaves like a river.

While tidal movements are common, the formation of a surfable rapid is incredibly rare. It requires a extremely specific seafloor shape to allow the water to peak and break in a way that a surfer can actually ride. There are very few places on the planet where these conditions align.

A High-Stakes Mission in Western Australia

Once Graves and Walsh reached the site, the reality of the environment set in. The visual beauty of the Kimberley region masked a terrifying set of conditions. Graves describes the experience as “highly concerning,” noting that there was nothing comforting about the rapids located behind the wave.

The team faced a series of daunting logistical questions before they could even attempt a ride:

• How do they actually enter the wave given the immense volume of moving water?
• What specific angle must the jet ski take to approach the wave safely?
• Is the wave actually rideable, or is it simply a chaotic surge of water?

Despite the risks and the intimidating nature of the rapids, the duo pushed forward. Reflecting on the experience, Graves didn’t mince words: “That was the most intimidating wave I’ve ever surfed. Hands down.”

Key Takeaways: Surfing the Horizontal Falls

• The Location: The mission took place at Horizontal Falls in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia.
• The Phenomenon: They surfed a tidal rapid, a rare occurrence where extreme tides and specific seafloor topography create rideable waves in otherwise still water.
• The Team: The expedition featured novelty-wave seeker Dylan Graves and experienced big-wave surfer Anthony Walsh.
• The Risk: The mission was characterized by unpredictable currents and intimidating rapids, making it one of the most dangerous waves Graves has ever encountered.

As Graves continues his “Weird Waves” chronicles, the successful navigation of the Horizontal Falls stands as a testament to the intersection of exploration and extreme athletics. While most surfers look to the open ocean for their next challenge, Graves and Walsh proved that some of the most thrilling—and terrifying—rides are found in the most unlikely places on Earth.