The view from Dick’s.
A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Dick Hoole, legendary photog, surf filmmaker and genuinely amazing guy. Dick has been gracious and generous with his time, allowing me advice and access to his extensive collected works.
Dick lives on acreage above Byron Bay. The view he has taken in over the last 25 years is simply breathtaking. He shares his life with his animals, a couple of housemates and his great friends from across the world.
Working with some of his contemporaries, Albie Flazon, Jack McCoy and Dan Merkel, Dick shot/filmed some of the most radically progressive, carefree, optimistic and hard core periods in the development of the sport we love. A time of competing tensions: corporatization vs. individuality; freedom of expression vs. market conformity; the free ride vs. free life… Dick and Co. captured these moments – the birth of professionalism, the emergence of the major surf brands, the evolution of the free surfer.
Dick’s place is difficult to describe without overcooking the superlatives, so I’m not even going to try. The best I can offer is an analogy for those that came in late. Imagine bumping into George Lucas or Steven Speilberg, having a chat with them about the idea of Star Wars and then having the opportunity to wade through their basement, picking through their stuff. The stuff we grew up with, the stuff that has shaped a generation, the stuff that has shifted from pop culture to the main stream, the stuff that means so much to so many worldwide. This is Dick’s basement… an Aladdin’s Cave rich with surf history, surf treasure, and surf memories.
MP, taking the casual approach. Photo: Dick Hoole
What struck me in spending time with Dick, is that for a guy that has such an array of golden memories captured, he is clearly focused on what is in front of him, living in the moment, being present. I guess there is no other approach to life, when it is played out in front of you and your job is to be there, ensuring that it is recorded.
Playing the hand you are dealt is a personal philosophy, we all have our challenges, concerns, stresses. If I have learned anything in my forty-odd years – and this is something that Dick radiates – is you do the best with what you have got, and try not to worry about what might make things better.
For me, spending time with Dick is always a pleasure. I end up taking away a lot more than a few digital images.
MP, DBah jamming. Photo: Dick Hoole
