Tow Surfing Photography

posted by Brunatka, Jan 3, 2006 5:04 PM — 4 comments

Todos Santos is almost a few times a month. We try to go out only if it’s above 40 ft and MY GOD is it amazing. I have caught some great shots out there. Also, in December, I went to Cortez bank; an underwater island 100 miles off the coast of San Diego where the biggest waves in the world have been seen. When I went, it was breaking at most around 80 ft. Never in my life have I seen anything like that

When the surfers and I go out to Todos we leave San Diego at about 1am and arrive some time after 3am. Painfully, I change into my wetsuit and make sure all my photo equipment is sealed to my standard in waterproof bags. Then, we launch the wave runners and do the painfully cold trip to the islands. There are a few spots out there to surf and they have all brought me the opportunity for great photos.

And here is the best part. These spots are no local hang out where the boys kick it. Pros such as Brad Gerlach, Scott Chandler and Mike parsons are the locals and often seen there when the waves are promising. A woman photographer there is not an often seen thing, though you see one out there time to time. It’s a rough trip and you and your equipment can be caught in the way of one of these monsters. So I’ve got that unique factor about me. But also, I’m only 17. So that I’ve seen, I’m always by far the youngest out there. Already, some local so cal surf shops have posters of what I have caught out there and websites such as www.azhiaziam.com have featured some of the airs and other amazing riding done out there of Eddy and Scott that I had personally shot. Every trip out there is an adventure and I really do love getting that phone call 10 at night on some random day by eddy asking me what my plans are for the next day cause its gunna be big. When I hear of a big swell I don’t know who’s more excited, me or the surfers. When I look in my view finder and see these guys on the wave I’m getting the same rush as them.

I have tons of awesome shots from my trips, feel free to email me and I would love to share them!

Who knows where this will go… :)