JBay in July

Another mission to Jeffrey’s Bay.
This time around I was there to start working on a new project for an overseas publication, to catch some of the Jeffery’s bay open of surfing (click link to view post on the event) and to (hopefully) shoot some editorial quality images.

July is traditionally pretty consistent for waves as it is mid winter down here. In the weeks leading to my departure for the fabled right hand point break, I had been dreaming of the perfect long waves running down the point.
Sadly this time around it was not meant to be. At best the waves were average.
Disappointed, I took this opportunity to be more creative in my image making.
From pre production to post production I was constantly looking for something new, something different. Always asking, “how can I make this interesting”?
Whether I was shooting long-lens water out at supers or fisheye at some other break in the area I was trying to make the conditions work for me.

Smaller Waves allowed me to be more creative

Soon as I arrived in Jbay, the marginal swell began to improve and I was amped to swim after a long drive.
I quickly organized to shoot with the Smith sisters but true to form, Emma and Gina took flipping ages to get ready.
It took them about 2hours to get their act together and during this excruciating wait I was forced to give Emma her first “strike” of the trip (a new record for her) …

 Sunrises were epic

Getting into the water, for what was to be my first outing to the Supers lineup, a little later than I would have liked, ended up being a blessing!
While shooting with the sisters and a couple of other guys, including Shane Thorne, I got to swim with Dolphins!
Three large pods of dolphins swam down the point during this shoot. My first priority was to capture an epic shot of this occasion. This was rather difficult to pull off as these guys were moving with such haste and none were jumping through hoops…

 An over excited Emma Smith enthusiastically points out the passing dolphins

When the third pod arrived, Emma had moved down the point and we were sitting fairly close together.
They were everywhere! Streaking beneath and above the waves, these grey torpedoes were an exhilarating combination of poise and vigor and to share one of natures most exquisite moments with such a good and close friend like Emma made this very special.
Not being too lost in this epic moment I still was able to shoot and came away with a couple of awesome images in epic sun setting light.

 Early Morning boost with Matt Bromley

The Downside of my swim with the dolphins was it was getting dark (and fast!) and we had to make our way down the point to the channel which is a bit of a swim, not made any easier when carrying a big water housing.
Exiting Supers is not easy and by the time we got to the channel it was dark and this was not good news for my first attempt.
Emma, a little bitter about the strike she was “awarded” earlier, got out first and then kindly guided me into a big rock. Lucky there was no damage done. Gina also attempted to ride me over which was a little scary.

 Benji Brand Smashes one

Emma’s malicious “directions” into a rock were not the only “issues” I had with this trip.
1 cup of coffee kept me up for TWO days and made the shoots on day 2 a little unpleasant (for the surfers!)
My housing leaked a couple times but no major damage was found.
There was a hectic stomach bug (or food poisoning) that knocked me down (and out)
And
While out at Supers on a high tide, small swell I decided to be clever and follow Max Armstrong over the rocks to get out (looked way simpler than a swim to the channel)
This went bad! Got pretty cut up on my hands (while protecting my housing) on the rather sharp rocks.

 Sarah Baum rotates early

In between all the “fun and games” there was some epic surfing going on.
Yeah, the waves were not epic but the surfing did not disappoint.
Besides the beautiful Smith sisters who were hugely impressive and nailed shots at every opportunity, I was also impressed with Crystal Hulett. Crystal is a natural talent and one to watch going forward.
It was great to catch up Dylan Lightfoot again. Dyl rips and is always good to work with him. He is just such a talent and fun guy and a pleasure to work with.
I was also stoked to have caught up with Matt Bromley. I have hardly seen Matt in the last couple of years and was good to have had a few good sessions with him.
Benji Brand and Max Armstrong were also tearing into the fun waves while Sarah Baum destroyed sections on her backhand. Sarah surfing was quick and lethal and we nailed some good shots.

 Another attempt at creating something different

Despite the poor waves and little “mishaps” this was another awesome mission.
From swimming with the dolphins, being spoilt by the Smith family (again) to the fun surf sessions this was highly enjoyable and the 10 days went by way too fast.

Galleries of random surf and lifestyle images.

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