Blue Vortex

This image is one of several images in my collection from the North Shore of Maui. I encourage you to listen to the Audio Track for the image Pe’ahi’s Revenge for the full account of my experience at Jaws during a huge swell in December of 2024.

When not dodging giant set waves, my ski driver and I explored the boundaries of the break as he kept us just out of harm’s way. The power of beauty and the unridden waves was like a siren’s song luring us closer despite the perilous circumstances. 

As this wave thundered through the break, I was glued to my camera while I captured an entire sequence. I simply exclaimed, ‘wow” as it unfolded. I choose this specific image because I love how you can see into the barrel and how the wave is bending in on itself. I also like how at 1/3200 of a second, this shot freezing the curl just as it is being throw forward in a way that seems to defy gravity.