‘Best Drone Operator in the Game’ Releases Treasure Trove of Epic Cloudbreak Surfing

Some sessions are forever embedded in the calendar. Maverick’s in February 2010. Teahupo’o in August 2011. Jaws in December 2024. Cloudbreak, Fiji’s left-hand freight train off Tavarua, had had countless good and great days over the reef. Some that instantly spring to mind happened in the southern-hemi winter of 2011, 2012, and 2018. Nearly two years ago, another day got added to the history books: March 7, 2024. 

Tucker Wooding is no stranger to great surfers in great waves. But he couldn’t believe his luck when he found himself in the channel watching 20-foot barrels reeling down the reef. Being the consummate professional, he got out the drone, hunkered down in the boat and filmed the best waves he’s ever witnessed.

In the nearly two years since, Tucker’s work made the rounds in numerous surf edits that followed, including those featuring Soli Bailey, Nathan Florence, Billy Kemper, Jai Glindeman, Benji Brand, Parker Coffin, and Connor Coffin, all of whom used his shots for various projects. Snapt director Logan Dulien, who had several clips from this session in Snapt5, called Tucker the “best drone pilot in the game. Crazy talented and most importantly humble and cool as they come.”

Above, Tucker compiled his favorite moments from the swell (along with angles from Tim Bonython, Zoard Jankoand Nathan Florence). The result is some highly entertaining surf cinema. His ability to look into barrels and track the surfer as they move through it should not be overlooked. And Cloudbreak stamps another mark on the calendar.

Related: Is Soli Bailey One of the World’s Most Well-Rounded Surfers?