This is the stuff that could make you daydream everyday for the next year. Photo: Tyler Brundage
This is one of the best parts of “the job.” In fact, it’s so special to the family here at The Inertia that it makes coming into an office not feel like a job at all. Everyday we are flooded with images from around the world that sweep us away. They come from every corner of the globe on behalf of some incredibly talented people just eager to share their beautiful perspectives with us all.
Surf photography isn’t always the most lucrative pursuit, but it’s certainly one filled with passion. And because of that we’re gifted with moments that take us back to this morning’s best wave, or instantly transport us to a place where we cannot wait to find the next one. These galleries, just like so many others that came across our desks this past year, all gave us that same excitement and rejuvenation. So as always, much love and many thanks to all the talented folks out there who so graciously share their most beautiful moments with the rest of us. Here is a collection of the seven galleries that turned the most heads, shared the most stoke, and made us all daydream in 2015.
Pro tip: click on each image to see the original gallery from earlier this year.
- Half Frozen and Firing in February: Surfing in Nantucket by Brian Sager
Photo: Brian Sager
Nantucket’s not exactly the surfing capital of the world. And it doesn’t always look like this. But wow. If you can wait out the rest of the year, you just might luck into some of the best waves your eyes will ever see. What’s the catch? You’re going to freeze your ass off. But boy it must be worth it.
2. The 27 Craziest Teahupo’o Shots that You Really Really Need to See by Tim McKenna
DJ KK on an absolute monster that changed the surfing world in an instant. Photo: Tim McKenna
When things start churning in the southern hemisphere there’s one place you can count on seeing every big wave surfer each summer. We can always count on at least one swell that will march its way on over to Tahiti and slam into that open ocean reef, inevitably delivering some of the most amazing waves and rides any of us have ever seen. This July swell was no exception. Nicolo Porcella survived the heaviest wipeout anybody’s ever seen, only to surf later the same day. Keala Kennelly flung into one of the craziest waves we’ve ever seen. Period. This was a good one indeed.
3. 21 Images of Surf Serenity in Cornwall, Jersey and Cali by Robbie Dark
Photo: Robbie Dark
“I try not to think about it too much and just shoot what I’m interested in and let my natural curiosity lead me onwards.” That’s what photographer Robbie Dark has to say about his approach to shooting surfing. A browse through this gallery is proof that you can’t overthink the best, most simple moments of riding waves.
4. These Are What Bodies Built with Passion (Not Photoshop) Look Like by Alberto Gugliemi
Photo: Alberto Guglielmi
Earlier this year the active swimwear brand Calavera shared a photo project with us aimed at depicting female passion for the ocean. They didn’t want their models wearing make up and they didn’t put the final shots through Photoshop. The intention was simply to show how beautiful a woman is without all the touch ups and nothing more than a love for surfing.
5. Images from the Perfect Baja Trip by Tyler Brundage
Photo: Tyler Brundage
If you live in California you will hit a wall at some point each summer. Tired of the crowds. Bored with the status quo. And fed up with the traffic. This usually hits the hardest during a solid two to three week flat spell. And when a purple blob shows up on the swell maps your giddy ass will call up a friend and toil with the idea of a strike mission to Baja. You’ll go through all these steps year after year because there will always be the possibility of this: the perfect south hitting Baja.
6. 26 Images of Surfing in the Culturally Rich Nation of Israel by Ray Kazir
Photo: Ray Kazir
Surfing is a powerful pursuit for people all over the world, and in a war-torn region like the Middle East it can be a welcome escape. The sea is usually flat here. But anything that can provide people here a chance to forget about the ceaseless conflict with their Palestinian neighbors is worth battling the crowds and waiting out the flat spells.
7. The Best Views from Ocean Beach’s Epic Weekend: From the Water by Sachi Cunningham
Photo: Sachi Cunningham
Firing Ocean Beach. That’s reason enough to warrant a click. And if you’ve heard or know anything about Ocean Beach then you know just entering the water here is no small task. With currents that come straight from hell and will drag you down to Santa Barbara in five minutes if you’re not in tip top swimming shape, getting a front row seat in the lineup is kind of a big deal. Sachi Cunningham is one of the best at capturing this wave’s best moments, and I’d guess she can swim circles around, well…anybody.
