{"id":125791,"date":"2026-03-30T11:31:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T00:31:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tracksmag.com.au\/?p=125791"},"modified":"2026-05-15T11:00:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T01:00:56","slug":"first-timers-lucas-chumbo-and-lucas-fink-slay-solander","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tracksmag.com.au\/first-timers-lucas-chumbo-and-lucas-fink-slay-solander","title":{"rendered":"First-timers, Lucas Chumbo and Lucas Fink Slay Solander"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lucas \u2018Chumbo\u2019 Chianca and Lucas Fink had only been in Australia for a little over 24hrs when a mean-looking east swell squared up on the Sydney coast. They were here, for their first time, to hang and surf with Dylan Longbottom, who Chumbo rides for. The two Lucas\u2019s are perhaps best known for their feats at Nazare, where Chumbo has won multiple awards for charging the biggest waves and throws snaps on 30-footers for fun. Meanwhile, Fink carves impossibly precise lines on his skim board. A day off the plane, Dylan Longbottom had them at Cape Solander where warping six-ten-foot slabs heaved a stretched legrope away from the rocks. It was a very different proposition to deep-water Nazare teepees, but the two, Brazilian Lucas\u2019s weren\u2019t going to die wondering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we spoke to Chumbo and Fink they were sitting on the point at Shark Island, enjoying a few Friday arvo beers to celebrate Dylan Longbottom\u2019s 52nd birthday. (Dylan was also charging on the day)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chumbo, who was riding one of Dylan\u2019s 5\u201910\u201d, Slab-Tow models, vividly recalls his first ever wave at The Cape. \u201cThe first one got really big, and I was kind of afraid a little bit because of the rocks. I didn’t know how it was, but the board worked perfect, and I could handle all the bumps\u2026 After that I was ready to rock and hoping I make Dylan super proud of me, because he was towing me so good\u2026 I rode about fifteen waves, and I just arrived in Australia and had one of the best sessions of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chumbo standing tall. Photo: Scott Fearnley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Asked about the key to riding a skim board at a wave like Solander, Fink suggested it was all about navigating the steps and backwash. \u201cThe slabs are very good on the skim board\u2026 Once I can lock into the base of the wave, since my board has not as much drag as a surfboards, I can keep my momentum for longer, I don’t need to pump as much. Just stay solid on my line. And then once you’re in there, I\u2019m more concerned about the backwashes\u2026 At first, I got worked but I figured it out. And then after that I just glided on my feet every time I saw them coming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chumbo conceded that the near-shore violence of Solander was an adjustment after a season at Nazare. \u201cThat’s the scary part. I’m used to deep water; I\u2019ve ridden some slabs but never as dangerous and critical like that. So, it was kind of shock for us on the beginning\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surfing backside at Solander is challenging enough but, on most rides, Chumbo elected to ride without clutching a rail, which generally adds a degree of difficulty. However, Chumbo claims he prefers to keep it \u2018hands free\u2019 when he\u2019s towing, \u201cThe no grab for me is easier than the grab with the straps.\u201d Chumbo indicated he\u2019d learned the no-grab technique from both his coach, and his brother Joao Chianca, who has made his presence felt on the CT in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lucas gets the nod of approval from the channel. Photo: Scott Fearnley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Chumbo, who is 6\u20193\u201d and around 87kg, insists he does a lot of training to make his legs the ultimate shock absorbers when he\u2019s dealing with bumps and steps. \u201cYeah, I do a lot of soccer training for my legs. After Nazare, I just realised my legs are everything.\u201d Although the training helps in all scenarios, he suggests the technique is slightly different for slabs like Solander. \u201cThose steps are really fun but it’s just different from Nazare, because I need to press the bump down, and here I just need to kind of surf the bump.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still fizzing with the stoke of yesterday\u2019s session Chumbo was quick to pay tribute to the contingent of regulars he shared the lineup with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cActually, I take my hat off to the boys, because they were charging the gnarliest ones\u2026 They’re pushing the limits, and they made a super welcome reception for us, sharing the lineup, sharing the waves, showing us how to paddle and how to tow \u2013 especially with Dylan, everybody just welcomed us like a brother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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