20 Waves That Looked Better From Behind

Sunset through a stained glass window. Photo: John Barton

Underneath Teahupoo. I love how you can see the reflection of the reef and the mountains in the background. Photo: Adam Duffy.

Unknown, Teahupoo. Photo: Ben Thouard.

This is our good friend Swilly at P-Pass. To say that surf photogs tend to have “unique” personalities would be an understatement! He is a classic. The ultimate Pommy/Aussie pirate! I remember a few years ago when Mick Fanning came to Pohnpei with Swill, I was just starting to get a few shots run in magazines and was really amped on shooting as much as possible. Everyone was talking about the life of a pro surf photog, and Mick looked at Swilly then turned to me and said, “So you want to end up like this? You're f<#@ed!!! Haha!” Photo: Richard Kotch

If I am ever asked for advice on what else to pack for a surf trip I always say swim fins and a mask. It’s another world down there and this view is addictive. Photo: Richard Kotch

This Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (Honu in Hawaiian) barely gets under this pitching wave. Notice the bottom of the barrel less than an inch above the shell. The turtles come into shore to eat the seaweed off of the reef, which is where I strategically wait for them. Photo: Clark Little.

Underwater hand drag at Teahupoo. Photo: Tim McKenna.

A behind the scenes view of a Rifles tube. Photo: John Barton

This is a shot from Tahiti in 2010. Brett Simpson flying overhead. Image: Street

Secluded island from behind the shorebreak. Photo: Adam Duffy.

Photo: Richard Kotch Instagram

Tahiti from beneath. Photo: Jeff Flindt

Local lad Basi cutting through some Mentawai glass. Photo: John Barton

This surfer showed up on a boat with his own water photographer, who he was pulling in for. I didn't want to get in their way, so I took the underwater approach. Photo: John Maher

Looking from behind the barrel on an ultra glassy day at Makena Beach, Maui. Photo: Clark Little.

I put on a snorkeling mask and cruised around this afternoon snapping a few pix of my friend Ryan Armstrong before exploring the reef for some fish. The water clarity in Bali isn't that of Tahiti but it sure beats Santa Cruz. Photo:Ryan Craig

On a little corner of an outer reef, there lies a spot filled with small, shallow swell drainers. A savior for keeping both surf and photography stoke levels high. Photo: John Barton

I took this shot of one of the guests as he was getting barreled. Quad-fins work great in the fast, hollow waves in the area. Photo: John Maher

Tavarua, Fiji. Paradise imitates a kaleidoscope. Photo: Adam Duffy.

Joel Tudor from behind the curl. Photo: Ricky Lesser.