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A Look at Indonesia’s Incredible Run of Swell Through the Lens of Federico Vanno

Water photography specialist Federico Vanno is never in the wrong place in Indonesia. He gives us a look at the island nation’s incredible run of swell.

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“I believe in shooting the weather. This was a moody day of absolute perfection at Keramas. And to see that wave so uncrowded really lets a photographer capture the magic of that reef. The lack of crowds this year has given us all a chance to see the waves again as they are. And there is feeling of plenty to go around. That monsoon squall on the horizon moved in a half-hour later, obliterating a dream session.”

Italian by birth, Balinese in spirit, water photography specialist Federico Vanno is never in the wrong place in Indonesia. And he’s having a hell of a year. Thanks to the non-stop swells that have been hammering Bali and the Mentawai during the pandemic. With pinpoint local knowledge, technical mastery and an artist’s eye, Federico is the go-to photographer for locals and visiting surf stars alike. The following is a collection of his favorite moments of this season and his insights about them.

Editor’s Note: Photo captions as told to Matt George.