This was taken at Mavericks a famous spot in northern California where a few insane individuals will surf giant waves. I happened to venture out to this spot during while an incoming storm was generating extremely large surf. I scampered up a 40-60 foot cliff to shoot this surfer who was out about a 1/4 of a mile or more. The less than ideal visibility is due to rain and mist created from these giant waves. If you look closely you'll see a white trail across the face of the wave. At the base of the wave is our insane surfer. He looks more like a speck than a person in comparison to that wall of water.
The wall of water towering above, the thundering he hears in his ears is his own heartbeat as he races, twisting and turning, trying to stay ahead of the crushing cascade that surely must come, deafening in it's power... the ultimate ride...
He most certainly survived. Most surfers attempting this are towed out by a friend on a jet ski. If they get in trouble their buddy swoops in as fast as possible to save them from the next wave.
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{K:30678} 2/25/2004