Surfing a three-metre swell wave at Manly, NSW. Photo: Clive Williams “Waves can be great fun – but can also be powerful and dangerous and should be treated with respect,” writes columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS. I’VE spent a lot of time either in or on water, particularly the ocean, so my interest in waves of the watery kind is perhaps not surprising. Columnist Clive Williams. Many Canberrans spend time on the coast or visit the south coast (when not being made unwelcome by covid fears), so I assume they would also be interested in waves. People who fish from rock shelves should definitely take an interest in waves, if only for survival reasons.