CALLING ALL ASPIRING SURF PHOTOGRAPHERS

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Going back to A.R. Gurrey’s 1914 The Surf Riders of Hawaii, the art of surf photography has inspired and been a guiding light in the development and evolution of wave-riding for more than 100 years.

With legends of the lens such as John Severson, Ron Stoner, Art Brewer, Tom Servais, Jeff Divine and Larry Moore all calling this area home, San Clemente and Dana Point have unquestionably played a super-sized role in this evolution.

With Surfer and Surfing magazines headquartered here, the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s were a high-water mark for the form. As the photo editor of Surfing, Moore, more commonly known as “Flame” (a nickname he acquired because of his red hair) turned the emerald-green tubes at Salt Creek into his own personal photo studio.

But more than that, he was instrumental in creating surf photography as a viable occupation, and perhaps most importantly, scouting young, new talent both in front of and behind the lens.

After a hard-fought battle with brain cancer, Flame departed the physical plane in October 2005.

Determined to keep his spirit alive, a group of friends and family formed the

BY JAKE HOWARD

The new Salt Life WSA Championship Tour season is here! The first event of the year kicked off on Aug. 5-6 at San Onofre Trail 6 and was packed with competitors ranging from the youngest pups to the grizzled old core lords.

With warm summer water and a contestable south swell running, for some kids, it was their first contest, and to get the season off on the right foot, we’d like to shine some much-deserved light on the youngest, fiercest division, the Under 7 Mini Groms.

Follow The Light Foundation to ensure his legacy of passionately supporting upand-coming surf photographers continued.

Follow The Light dedicated itself to honoring this next generation through an annual grant program, including an awards presentation ceremony. Bringing together our community of surf media, industry professionals, athletes and friends, honorees include some of today’s most important and talented photographers, including modern luminaries such as Chris Burkard, Todd Glaser, Ray Collins and Morgan Maassen.

The 2023 Follow The Light Surf Photography grant program is here, and the submission window is open through Aug. 31. This is an incredible opportunity for aspiring young surf photographers between the ages of 16 and 25 to introduce their work to the world and have a shot at a $5,000 grant, as well as real working opportunities.

“Being involved in Follow The Light has been an amazing experience all the way around,” said 2022 winner Kalani Cummins. “The grant helped me get on my feet a little more, and winning opened up some great opportunities, but more than that, it’s amazing to be part of this next generation of surf photographers and get the chance to meet them all and be part of something bigger.”

Recognizing that the arena in which surf photographers work today has changed dramatically since Flame was at the helm of Surfing, the Follow The Light organizing committee has focused its energies on helping up-and-coming lensmen and women get their start in the business and develop the tools and relationships necessary to take their careers to the next level.

“It’s never been easy to make it as a surf photographer, but it’s harder than ever,” explained Summer Chew Meek, who chairs the Follow The Light committee.

“With changing media landscapes and business models, what this next generation faces is really challenging, but it’s so important to support and foster their talents. Photography is how the sport, culture and community of surfing has thrived over the last century,” he continued.

In their prime, Surfer and Surfing magazines battled for cover shots, A-list talent and ace photographers. But that was then, and this is now.

If the art of surf photography is to survive for generations to come, it’s going to take amazing programs like Follow The Light and the support of surf media and business to keep the flame lit. For more information and to enter, go to usbrc.org/follow-the-light.

Jake Howard is a local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. A former editor at Surfer magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for several publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation. SC

Every ride starts somewhere, and for this crew of gremlins, this is it.

A huge tip of the hat to Oceanside’s Uriah McDonald, who took the win. San Diego’s Rio Abate took second, San Clemente’s Ocean Hennings placed third, while Bonsail’s Harper Daniels finished fourth, Carlsbad’s Mica Panichella landed in fifth, and San Clemente’s Maceo Lizzi rounded out the top six.

And, seriously, is this week’s Grom of the Week photo not the cutest podium shot you’ve ever seen?

A huge congrats to all the kids who pulled on a jersey and got out there. The future is wide open. Event No. 2 of the WSA season will venture northward to Surfer’s Point in Ventura this September.

If you have a candidate for Grom of the Week, we want to know. Send an email to jakehoward1@gmail.com. SC

Water Temperature: 64-65 Degrees

Water Visibility: 8-10’

Thursday: Mixed southerly swell sets up waist-chest high waves, (2-4’) for many spots, while best breaks hit head high, (5’). Light wind for the early morning, with building westerly wind in the afternoon putting bump on the water.

Outlook: Southerly swell mix continues Friday as similar size to Thursday. The surf should temporarily ease on Saturday before potentially starting to rebuild the end of the weekend and possibly more so early next week. The increased surf would be from Tropical Cyclone Hilary, which is now off the coast Mexico. A much weakened Hilary could bring wind and weather impacts to Southern California around Monday and Tuesday as well.