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After 5 years of trying I finally was able to make it to the Mavericks
Big Wave Surf Competition. I had been thinking about the competition
for sometime this winter, but thought it had passed me by yet again.
Through a stroke of luck I found out about the competition the night
before. Note this particular competition is announced 24-48 hours
before it occurs in an effort to get the best big wave conditions
possible. Surfers from all over the world then must find their way
to this amazing northern California surf spot to compete.
Being a huge big wave surf fan I could hardly sleep the night before. I have long been a surf enthusiast and have frequently enjoyed movies such as The Endless Summer, 100ft Wednesday, Riding Giants, Step Into Liquid and even the campy North Shore. With a couple hours sleep I set out towards Half Moon Bay, which is about 20 miles south of San Francisco.
Arriving extra early I was able to park my car in a decent location. I packed light carrying only my camera, my longest lens, a 2X extender, a tripod, an extra battery and extra storage cards. I then sprinted out to the point to claim my spot on the famous bluff overlooking the competition that was soon to start. Getting to the bluffs was the easy part. Climbing the slick muddy slope turned out to be exhausting. I came prepared with hiking shoes that should have handled the slick slope well, but mud caked shoes on muddy slopes rendered my shoe treads useless. Considering that this event is usually timed between storms I should not have been surprised when I saw a 1 1 1/2 foot wide stream of water coming down the bluff. This made getting to my vantage point all the more challenging and I even slipped, dipping my camera in the mud. Eventually I was able to settle in on the edge of the bluff wedged between other onlookers and photographers.
| The Bluff |
click to enlarge |
| Photographers & Surf
Fans catch a View of the competition |
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A photographer's
perspective
After catching my breath and cleaning off my camera
I was able to enjoy an amazing California coastal view from my 50
ft perch. What made today different was this amazing view was cluttered
with Jet Ski, boat and air traffic all centered on incredible athletes
paddling into mountainous waves. The day started off slightly misty
impeding my ability to get super clear shots, but this was offset
by the incredible size of the waves rolling through. As the day wore
on the light mist cleared and the size of the waves decreased slightly,
intermittently being broken by sets of large waves rivaling those
seen earlier.
The scene was amazing and I was in awe. I was very fortunate as I
captured numerous sequences of surfers streaming down the face of
20, 30 and even 40-foot waves. Most competitors were breaking to the
right and getting rides of a lifetime, but occasionally there would
be what seemed to be a gruesome wipeout. Even more amazing was witnessing
the awe of those around me. In any direction you looked people were
amassing to catch a view of the events. The bluff was packed. Lenses
peeked through every/any opening in the crowd. People were settling
in the beach and bluffs below to take it all in. Off to the left of
the surfers beyond the surf break was a media boat packed with press
photographers. In the air helicopters buzzed carrying film crews and
photographers alike. Even the Coast Guard grew curious hovering and
swooping above the competition for the best seat in the house. Surfing
isn’t a sport where there is non-stop action. Sets of waves come in
intermittently allowing ones eye to wander across the scene and around
you. It was during these breaks that I quickly developed not just
surf skill envy, but lens envy. I knew my lens setup was modest by
photography standards. At best with the magnification factor of my
camera I was capturing images at an equivalent focal length of 560mm.
Not too bad, but with surfers 1/2 mile off in the distance it hardly
seemed to be enough. Around me were photographers with 300, 400 and
even 500mm lenses each with a 2x extender attached. Breaking into
conversation about ones camera/lens setup was possible, but slightly
awkward as everyone was eagerly keeping an eye out for the next photo
opportunity. Those that I did talk to were easy going and open to
talking about their photography endeavors and camera settings. In
many ways I yearned for the luxury of using a longer lens to capture
the action, but in reviewing my shots I was more than content with
the results as I was able to capture more of the surrounding environment
adding to the scale of the waves breaking over the tiny surfers. After
the fact seeing the shots of others who had been shooting with 300
and 400mm lenses with 2x extenders I remained mildly envious. Seeing
greater detail of the surfers helped, but it wasn’t to the degree
you were seeing facial expressions. For that you had to be on the
media boat and use equally long lenses.
All in all it was a fantastic experience and I can’t wait to do it
again. The next time a big swell hits the coast I’ll again be ready
at a moments notice. I can’t wait to find my way out to the sand,
water, mud, rocks and mist to photograph the locals riding these giant
waves. Perhaps next time at this competition I’ll catch a break and
find myself on the media boat and/or have the luxury of using a longer
lens. Regardless I’ll be there with my camera in hand making the best
of the situation.
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