A Collection From Patrick “Tupat” Eichstaedt

Air surfing is what the majority of young hot shots are doing, but this Godfather was in the air long before the new tadpoles. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

I have known this little dude since he was two days old. His knowledge of the ocean and surf technique is like a seasoned veteran. Shane and Sofia, Noah's parents are filled with love and soul, which translates into Noah's sparky personality. Here he takes a chip off the old block. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

This past October has been some of the most pristine conditions and consistent swell in years for New Smyrna Beach. This shot is a perfect reminder of why I love where I live. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

My brother Hopper had been traveling to mainland Mexico for years and would come home telling me about its power and perfection. This is a shot from my trip down there in 2008 of Brian Conley. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

While shooting Rocky Point, sometimes you catch yourself staring down at Pipeline, and sometimes the backlash at Pipeline is very dangerous due to the shallow reef. This shot was taken during the 2009 Pipe Masters. Reminds me off a Portuguese Man O War. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

When the salt content and mist lay low, and the sun shines through, you have a open canvas studio for a natural lit image. Seabass airing at OTW. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

The Beschen's open arms and hospitality is more than generous, and so are the grinding barrels in front of their home. Shane staying shaded on a perfect Hawaiian day. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

This Ventura local turned Mainland Mex cowboy enjoys a small tube under the rainbow and across the border. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

Florida has brown water and then you get days like this, when you might think you're in the islands. Shea Lopez giving a Ponce Inlet lip a lesson. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

Last October was a swell for the ages, which brought many different emotions abroad. The North Eastern seaboard had it the worst with mass destruction. The Southern seaboard enjoyed some of the most incredible waves in the last 40 years. Here Shea Lopez enjoys one of the last tubes before it all ended. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

As I mentioned earlier, Shea Lopez is my fall alarm clock, and yet another great moment came from that early wakeup call. Spray on the horizon, Fire in the Sky. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

Ever since I was young, my family would always watch the Space Shuttle launches. As I evolved with my photography, I began shooting the launches. This was shot with a fisheye lens and Canon 40D utilizing a time exposed technique. As looked at this image more and more I knew I wanted it to be seen in the public. I was surfing the net one night and came across a National Geographic competition online for a worldly event. I submitted this image and then forgot about it for almost a year. Looking through my emails I came across one from National Geographic placing me in 8th. This is one of my all-time favorite images. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

Here in Florida our fishing industry is very big. Also many locals and visitors fish recreational. As the fall begins, the fishing and sunsets do too. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

In the mid to late 90's, I was practically living at this beach filming the likes of Cory and Shea Lopez, Bruce and Andy Irons, Chris Ward and whoever else had the balls to drop in over this not-so talked about break. This is the trail wave at Log Cabins with no takers. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

I always grew up surfing with rail and putting as much power into every turn I tried. This image I can just stare at and feel that power. Tommy O'Brien demonstrates a proper use of rail and power. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

This was a shot from 2005 during dusk at Pipeline. I never found out who this was and never submitted it to the magazines. I guess it finally has a home for the public. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

Chris has always been one of my favorite surfers to watch and shoot. This year we all were bunked up at the Beschen compound and were surfing 24/7. I remember Reno being around a bunch and giving Chris this board to ride. It was a 6'1'' pintail and the rails were really foiled out. He rode this board from Sunset to Haliewa and anywhere else that was ridable. Here is Chris in the moment riding a board shaped by a revolutionary of our sport. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

This is probably the most interesting shot with a story behind it as far as my history of shooting goes. This image was actually the last image on my card that I was using. Andy had made a huge drop out the back and as he rode the wave through the midsection while Kelly was paddling back out watching him navigate the mid-section at Waimea Bay. I wake up every morning staring at this image on my bedroom wall. Thank you Andy for inspiring us again and again. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

This Image just ices the cake for the kind of stoke Andy had in his blood. It was pure, fierce and real all the time. He wore every bit of his colors on his sleeve and his compassion was deep. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

This was such a random shot for me. I was actually looking through my 600 to see who that guy in the shot was when all of sudden this huge flock of birds flew by the screen. I guess luck was on my side for that moment in time. The shot gives such an essence to how it feels sitting in the lineup waiting for waves. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

I took this image just shortly after getting my GoPro Hero 3. I remember helping out Shea Lopez at his surf camp last year and we had five or six days of the clearest water I can ever remember in Florida. It really shows in this image. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

Cory Lopez has always been one of my favorite surfers and very close friends. He really helped me map myself out when he was first on the scene in the mid 90's. Cory is a humble man and yet so progressive with everything he does. This shot stokes me out, because of the height, colors and the fact that Cory always just goes for it. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

About five years ago while on the North Shore I decided to just go drive around for the day and shoot the beauty of the island. As I was driving through a certain area of the island, I looked over and saw this beautiful wave rifling off. I stopped for a few minutes and took a few lineups. Later that night, I realized the cross in the shot and was really drawn to this image. I never knew what had happened at that particular spot but the image always makes me think. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

I was shooting Shea Lopez this day at Log Cabins on the North Shore of Oahu and kept looking down at Backdoor. Waves were in the 4-8 foot range and the conditions were perfect. I didn't want to miss any of Shea's waves, so I dug a big hole that I could sit low in and rotate left to right to get both angles. I remember seeing this bump come in and watching this unfold while holding down the trigger. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

For the past few years now, Evan has been tinkering with different surfboards. As of late he has really nailed down what works best for him through the help of his Dad, Greg and West Coast shaper Matt Biolos. This particular shot was from a day of testing one board after another, hence the fact the board is blank. I've watched and filmed Evan since he first started surfing and his passion is deep. The WCT will be a very good place for his talents to shine bright like a diamond. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

I shot this image is Bethune Wall, named after Mary McCloud Bethune. She played a vital role for young black women to receive equal rights with education. This is my home break as well and where I surfed many years with Gorkin and even more-so, his father Dale. He's my surfing mentor. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

This was a classic day at Ponce inlet and Taj Burrow happened to be in town surfing. I remember telling my brother to go out there and throw some big tail with lots of spray…. I guess the little brother listened to the big brother this time. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

Last year I wanted to try something new with exposed shots and it just happened to be the 4th of July. Here in Florida, we always do big firework shows and down in Bethune Beach the tourists and folks from Orlando spend a pretty penny on the supplies. Here is a epic moonrise in celebration of 4th of July. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

This was one of the most perfect days I have ever witnessed at The Banzai Pipeline. Waves were stacking so deep and the horizon was nowhere in sight. As I was focusing through my lens watching Kainoa paddling viciously to get into the wave, the beach was hooting and hollering with excitement. As he got to his feet the wave jacked onto to the reef and never let him him. There's just something about him standing looking out the back that draws me in to this shot. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt

My home spot has a fun bar when the swell is up. Also a lifeguard tower under the rainbow. Photo: Patrick Eichstaedt