A Maui Memento: 21 Images of Surf Paradise

Here’s Kain Daly tail-high and inches from my face. This photo is meaningful to me as it’s from my first session shooting water shots after receiving my first SPL housing. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Deep country. This was another session to remember for sure. After this wave, a set blew up on my head and sent me all the way inside. My housing ripped out of hands and I’m glad it didn’t hit me in the face. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Albee. I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say this may be my favorite shot of 2014. He has the greatest relationship with the west bowl. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Meola flying high and tight somewhere. After this wave I jumped in and shot in the water to get a different perspective. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Ian again, adding to his frequent flyer miles even though he's at home. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Matt again. I love the simplicity of this one. It’s just him, the wave, and sky. First time swimming at this spot and it was all worth it after checking the shots. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Matt coming off the bottom. We linked up on this one not too long after I jumped in to swim. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Twiggy on a Pe’ahi bomb. This swell was unreal and the level of performance just keeps getting higher and higher out there. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Matt during a little photoshoot we put together for REV’D a couple weeks back. Big board for big waves. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Granger Larsen tearing into a pretty one on the west side. Fun waves and nice conditions made this day one to remember. Photo: Nicks Ricca

This one’s from my first day in the water, also. I’ve always thought that looking back at the wave from the lineup was a unique angle, so this was my take on it. Photo: Nicks Ricca

My good friend Chaz Kinoshita paddling back out for another one. This session was just pure fun. Photo: Nicks Ricca

The sands of time. I like this shot because I feel that it really captures the feeling of coming in from an evening surf and looking back at it one more time. Pure stoke. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Ian Walsh demonstrating speed, power and flow, moments before detonating an explosive off the lip off this wave. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Kai Barger has some serious leg power. After this turn he got absolutely drained. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Maui Gold. I remember this was a hazy evening at Ho’okipa, as a new swell was coming in. The strong offshore winds made the spray look pretty cool. Photo: Nicks Ricca

I shot this during the Target Maui Pro at Honolua before the event started. Got there early and managed to snag a few shots. I believe this is Alessa Quizon. Photo: Nicks Ricca

This was a crazy moment. Seeing Steph win the World Title was insane, and I’m stoked I was there to capture it. She was killing it all year. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Another one of my recent favorites; Albee getting spit on. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Here’s my good friend Tyler Larronde. The water was really clear this day so we decided to try some underwater shots. This is the result. Photo: Nicks Ricca

Matt Meola adding some color to this cloudy overcast day. Photo: Nicks Ricca