WindsurfingUK Issue 9 December 2018 | Page 93

91 my first year that was all I knew. Then I started listening in and watching the guys talk about their favourite riders. I feel very lucky that I actually found windsurfing or in some respects it found me because it all still feels fresh and exciting. What’s your favourite piece of equipment and why? Recently my underwater housing has become my new favourite. Taking a camera in the water and under the water is like learning from scratch again. When a challenge like that presents itself and the first thousand photos don’t come absolutely amazing it drives me to keep shooting until I capture a real corker. Ever tried shooting from the water (swimming)? Haha yes! I was swimming in the waves in Cape Town trying to shoot the action when a seal popped up about an arm's length away to say hello. Not experiencing something like that I had a meltdown and swam to the shore as quick as possible hoping a shark was not nearby. In hindsight I over reacted and a couple of days later I got back in the water convincing myself that seals are just inquisitive and not always surrounded by sharks. What about utilising technology such as drones and action cams – do you do this? I'm a big fan of drones, the tech in those things these days is remarkable and an asset to any photographer or film maker. Some of the shots you can get with a drone are incredible. Action cams such as GoPro can be easily underrated by bigger budget film makers but I think they there are a unique piece of kit that capture images from a variety of interesting angles. Any final thoughts on windsurfing or photography in general? It’s definitely clear to see that windsurfing is a growing, popular and exciting sport because every day we capture images of people trying it for the first time. Describe your ultimate situation and where you see yourself in five years. That is a tricky question. Whatever I’m doing I will always hope to be surrounded by new experiences and travelling to new places. I'll always be looking to meet new people in the sports and creative community and working with them. Who are your windsurfing heroes? Let me be honest here, before I started PROtography I didn’t even have the wider world of windsurfing on my radar. My friends who were instructors at CV were my heroes because in It’s definitely clear to see that windsurfing is a growing, popular and exciting sport because every day we capture images of people trying it for the first time. It’s great to see kids learning and even some people who haven’t had a go in 30 years. Creating visual content is so important to windsurfing and keeping people inspired to ride. So photography and windsurfing go hand in hand (we agree and why we feature photographer profiles – ed) and for as long as someone wants to show off for the best shot possible I’ll want to be there capturing it. I’m keeping my eyes on the progression of my friends that are in the PWA circuit and I’m most excited for them because in the next five years I might look back in comparison and say look at the level your at now let’s take some photos! Thanks and praise? My mum and family for all their positive support. All the instructors and staff from the Neilson, Wildwind and Club Vass camps who have been the staring subjects of so many of our photos. Ollie Scott; obviously Louis and Claire, and some close friends who I’ve collaborated with over the years. Well done to all my friends. Keep pursuing your passions guys and chase your element! www.protographyofficial.com uk WIND SURFING