As summer gives way to fall, the number of surf contests in Southern California start to ramp up. The NSSA, WSA, SSS, West Coast Board Riders and others start their scheduled events before the first winter swells even grace our shores. Read on…

This is where the groms have a chance to shine. Can you imagine being 14 years old and having Lowers all to yourself for a solid 15 minutes at a time? How about Seaside Reef with only 4-5 other kids in jersey’s shredding the best sets? Believe me, these kids take full advantage of these opportunities.

Capturing their on-wave acrobatics is an event in and of itself. The mornings are cold and the afternoons are windy. Finding the perfect angle for the lighting and the wave presentation takes some doing. I may shoot 1000 images in a two hour stint, but only a dozen are worth keeping. Yet, it’s a lot like golf: the perfect image keeps you coming back for more.

I have found my preferred camera settings along the way. I shoot at f/8 and target my shutter speed between 1/1000 and 1/2000 as the lighting provides. Adjusting the ISO is, of course, necessary to make it all work right and where the lighting changes due to clouds or a dark pier in the background, I find that putting ISO on auto is a great solution.

And of course there is the issue of lens power. I have been shooting at 700mm for the most part as I am really drawn to the tight action, expressions, and spray. It’s a fast moving sport, but one where the critical moments of each ride can be anticipated enough to get the shot!

So if you are hitting the contest circuit in San Diego County this season, be sure to say hi on the beach and tell me your heat time. I’ll be the guy with the red camera!!!