Extreme sports and adrenaline junkies around the world are now making a living off of filming, traveling, writing books, and sharing with the world their dare devil experiences. I have always had a deep appreciation for people who push the limits in extreme sports, like Shane Dorian in big wave surfing or Travis Rice in making some of the worlds best snowboard films. These guys do the unthinkable, but still have some sane part of them keeping them out of danger and taking necessary safety precautions to save themselves and think about their loved ones. 

Last month I was on the search for a solid extreme sports documentary to watch on Netflix or amazon. I came across a film about one of the worlds greatest climbers, Tom Campbell. I was instantly drawn into the lifestyle of climbing and so fascinated by those that do it. I ended up watching another film, called Free Solo featuring Alex Honnold. The film was unlike anything I have ever seen before, filmed by his friend Jimmy Chin and others [1]. Alex has taken climbing to the next level, that only a few people in the climbing world dare to try. “Free Soloing” is when climbers opt to not use ropes, harnesses, or any protective equipment to keep them from falling to their death.

 Throughout the film, the producer Jimmy Chin and other filmers are brought in to be apart of the story. There are various conversations about how they feel about Alex Free Soloing as they film him going up El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The film keeps you on the edge of your seat, and makes you wonder how ethical filming such an extreme event is. Alex could fall thousands of feet at any point, a small slip and it is all over. The film ending up winning an Oscar this year for best documentary [2]. All I could think about is what if Alex didn’t make it on this climb. The chances of him making one tiny mistake on that massive four hour climb were so extremely high. I do not know how these producers had the guts to take the chance of having their friend fall to his death as they film it. Alex has conquered El Capitan and even made a film about it. What is next for Honnold, and how ethical will his next endeavor be?

1. Honnold, A. (March, 2019). “No Big Deal”. Retrieved April 15, 2019, from, http://www.alexhonnold.com/about#bio

2. Slavsky, B. (Februrary 25, 2019). Free Solo Wins Oscar for Best Documentary. Retrieved April 15, 2019, from, https://www.climbing.com/news/free-solo-wins-oscar-for-best-documentary-video-photo-gallery/

Surf photography is my biggest passion, especially swimming and shooting from the water. I’ve had many people ask me over the years how I do it, what equipment I use and how to get started. I thought I would write up a little guide with tips and things to know if you want to try it out for yourself. If you are a surfer or simply a photographer that enjoys shooting surfers from land, here are some things you need to know before upgrading your equipment and slipping on the swim fins:

1. Get yourself a reliable camera and water housing 

To be able to get a good housing without breaking the bank, you will want a popular camera body such as a Canon or Nikon [1]. It could be difficult to find the right housing for a lesser known camera body. I have a Canon 5d miii and it has been reliable for years now. The best housings on the market in my opinion are SPL water housing and CMT housings. These are both custom made housing to fit your camera and your needs. Some other housings are either strictly for diving photos, or are just not reliable. I have heard many stories of people losing their camera from Aqua-tech housings because there are just a few clamps to put it together that can easily come undone. 

2. Invest in prime lenses

Prime lenses are the best for surf photography, they create amazing depth of field and it is less likely that you will need to buy multiple ports. My top three lenses for the water are my 24mm, 50mm, and 85mm. I usually decide on what lens to use based on how big the waves are or how bad the current is. For example, on a really big day or if there is tons of current I will not use my 24mm because I know I won’t be able to get close enough to the surfer. 

3. Go to your local surf shop and try on different swim fins

Comfortable fins that fit you correctly are a game changer, and this took me years to realize. Make sure you try on all the different brands from Dafin to Churchills. The right size and fit will limit the chances of getting cramps in your feet and moving fast to get the right shot. 

4. Start swimming laps

To shoot surf photographer in the water, you must be a good swimmer and always know what the ocean is doing. If you have access to a pool, start swimming laps to get your endurance up, or just go out on flat days and practice. You have to know where to sit in the inside of the waves to get the right angles when the waves are good. This means constantly kicking and swimming under sets to  get the shot. It takes some serious physically ability. 

5. Find some talented surfers to photograph

Lastly, check the report and get some people to photograph! I find it much easier to get good photos of surfers that know what they are doing. You are less likely to get in their way, or mess up a shot. Shooting surfers that aren’t as comfortable in the water could be dangerous when you are going right up to them to get a shot [2]. 

1. Arney, M. (January, 2015). A Guide to Getting Started at In-Water Surf Photography, with Damea Dorsey. Retrieved April 10, 2019, from, https://surfsimply.com/surf-photography/a-guide-to-getting-started-at-in-water-surf-photography-with-damea-dorsey/

2. Moniz, S. (n/d). 5 Tips for Surf Photography. Retrieved April 10, 2019, from, http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/5-tips-for-surf-photography

Seventeen year old Caroline Marks just became the first women ever to win 100 thousand dollars in a surfing competition. This past summer the World Surf League (WSL) announced equal prize money for both men and women starting in 2019 [1]. The Quicksilver Pro on the Gold Coast of Australia this past week was the first stop on this year’s tour. Caroline was a force to be reckoned with, the young surfer and Florida native was the youngest girl to qualify for the WCT at the age of 16, and now she is beating the world’s best like Stephanie Gilmore, and Carissa Moore, on the biggest stage there is [2].

It is not a surprise since Caroline was throwing airs at Kelly Slater’s wave pool in the 2018 contest. She has such a competitive mindset, saying that “I ain’t scared I can beat anyone” [2]. Florida can be easy to make fun of, and isn’t exactly the place for the most consistent waves. Although the facts are the facts, and some of the best surfers in the history of the world have come out of the sunshine state. In the past 30 years, every U.S. champion from the women’s side of surfing has been from the state of Florida [2]. 

The 2019 season for the women on the WSL is going to be the most exciting yet. The girls are definitely feeling the pressure to perform their absolute best with prizes as big as 100k for winning a single event. Marks is blowing the minds of viewers around the world and we cannot wait to see what she will pull next. 

1. Press Room. (September 5, 2018). The World Surf League (WSL) Announces Prize Money Equality. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from, http://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/345569/the-world-surf-league-wsl-announces-prize-money-equality

2. Haro, A. (April 8, 2019). Caroline Marks and Italo Ferreira Won on the Gold Coast; Both Are Going to Be World Champions In 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from, https://www.theinertia.com/surf/caroline-marks-and-italo-ferreira-won-on-the-gold-coast-both-are-going-to-be-world-champions-in-2019/