Ocean Artwork » Surfing

Living on the beach

admin — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:41:17 +0000

I just recently moved from the high rise Ive been living in to a classic little place opposite the beach.

One of the great things about that is when the conditions are right, I can just grab my housing and walk out the front door in my wetsuit and shoot a few … pretty cool

These are some of the little beach breaks out the front yesterday 20th June 2010.

Water shots and waves at Froggies beach

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:11:23 +0000

I love shooting in the water … its so much fun.
Even on an average day of surf you can come up with some good results.
These shots are taken at a little beach close to Duranbah and Snapper Rocks.
On Monday the 11th January 2010
Its usually just a close out with heaps of backwash waves off the rocks.
Which makes it even more fun and interesting.
cheers
Dan

Surfing at Dream World, Gold Coast, Australia

admin — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 03:09:46 +0000

Pro surfer Samantha Cornish gave me a ring recently and invited me along on a Promo shoot for her soon to be released clothing brand.
Award winning film maker Angus Muir of Firestorm Films also along as well shooting video
Of course I started the day off running late but managed to make it to Sam’s in time for a coffee and a ride up to Dream World with her.
First stop was White water World where we were to meet the crew from Get Wet Surf School with a bus load of learner surfers and another women’s pro surfer Stacey Holt, from North Stradbroke island.
After introductions, the crew hit the water and got the lesson underway.
Scotty from get Wet was running the lesson….. I don’t know how many coffees this guy has before work, but I bet they’re all triple shots!!
He definitely loves his job and his infectious enthusiasm was on show when he would hoot every one of his pupils waves!!.In fact I swear he was so excited he would hoot anything that moved.
“Yeeeeeeeew good wave Josh!!”…..
“Wooooooooo what a wave!!Wooooooooo…..
Yeeeeew!!! Did you see that seagull!!!!
Woooooooo …I need to go grocery shopping on the way home!!!!!!
Just kidding……….
The enthusiasm from Scotty and the rest of the Get Wet’s Surf School crew was incredibly infectious and before too long, those along for the lesson were hooting and laughing just as hard as they were..
Sam and Stacey fitted right in as well and couldn’t wipe the smiles from their faces as they pushed some of the kids on to the waves.

The wave pool itself is a great set up but not really for the serious surfer, more for beginners and waders.
The ankle to knee high waves are perfect for the ‘first time ever surfer’ to get a feel of what a wave will feel like underneath his feet and a surfboard.
It also takes out the unpredictability factor of the ocean.
If you’re interested in having a go at surfing, but are bit worried about giving it your first go in the ocean, then these lessons are for you.
It’s perfect for building confidence before having a go on an ocean wave.
And it’s definitely a hoot!!
We said our goodbyes to the Get Wet crew and were snuck through a back gate into Dream World where we had the Flow Rider booked for an hour.
Sam and Stacey had a go and went ok, having more wipe outs than success, but both declared ‘Its way different from Surfing and more difficult than you think.’

A young lady named Renee, who worked there, gave the girls a few quick lessons and tips.
And after that she laid down some huge moves that blew everyone away. I would love to see how she goes on a wave because I can tell you she absolutely rips the bag out of that Flow Rider!!!!

After a quick bite to eat we headed down to Snapper Rocks to try and get some surfing footage. But the summer crowd was already maxed out and the waves were tiny so we went for the better option of Duranbah.
The waves were average but I stilled scored a nice sequence of Sam’s round house cutback and re-entry off the white water
Over all it was a great day and I scored hundreds of great photos.
I’ve picked a few out and posted them here in this gallery below.
Enjoy

Wooden Surfboards.. Wood is alive! Foam is dead!

admin — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:10:50 +0000

We’ve all heard the claim ‘He could ride an ironing board or a door he’s such a good surfer’.
In Taj Burrow’s Video from a few years ago called ‘Fair Bits’. Taj, Kelly and a few others surf an assortment of wooden crafts such as doors and even a coffee table!
It seems that in the last 1-2 years there has been resurgence in riding these old style wooden planks. (Not so much the coffee tables! Ha ha ) They look just like the old Hawaiian wooden boards from centuries ago. Basically these boards look like a plank of wood with a rounded nose and rails.
And incredibly, there are guys out there ripping on them!!!

Heres an amazing shot of a guy in Barbados in the ’80s riding a piece of ply

It’s a different style of surfing that’s needed, especially with the boards that have no fin. But it really seems to be catching on with surfers all over the world getting into it. Of course there are subtleties in the design that aren’t obvious to the average punter.

You have to admit there is something so aesthetically pleasing about a wooden surfboard.
Balsa, Hollow ply, or solid wood of any variety, It doesn’t matter………when you pick up a wooden surfboard it feels …as Tom Wegener says “Alive!!”
Tom Wegener is a surfboard manufacturer from the Sunshine Coast who has been experimenting with wood in surfboard construction for several years and seems to be having a lot of success with a type of wood called Paulownias . Which is readily available in Australia, does not absorb water and is recyclable.
Tom uses any sawdust and woodchip waste that comes from the construction of these surf craft as mulch in his veggie garden. The leaves of the tree are edible and are being used to feed to cattle.
Yes, Tom is an environmentalist.
Patagonia Surf put together this 4 part video series, which is amazing to watch. It’s all about his involvement with wooden surfboard shaping.
The surfing in these videos is incredible, especially the surfing and style of one Dave Rastovich and Tom doesn’t do too bad himself, with a few long nose rides
In particular he talks about the different styles of wooden boards, single fin longboards, hollow boards and the traditional Alaia design.
Part 4 is my favourite
Check it out below.. Enjoy.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four