Island Hopping, No Stopping

Words can't do this justice. Magical moment in Tahiti. Photo: Seth de Roulet

Billy Kemper getting spat on half way through a big second reef, Teahupoo bender. This is nowhere near the exit and that means Billy is going to have to negotiate the warping west bowl blind. Photo: Seth de Roulet

There are not many waves where you can do bottom turns like this. Andrew Bennett enjoying the use of his rail. Photo: Seth de Roulet

I first met Josie Graves in Nicaragua a few years back and he invited me to come stay with him in Puerto Rico. With a big swell on the radar I figured it was a good time to take him up on that offer. This was the final session of a week that looked like this the whole time. Josie had this wave so dialed it was truly fun to watch. Photo: Seth de Roulet

Josie Graves getting drained during the peak of the swell. Photo: Seth de Roulet

Sometimes you just have to stop and take in the beauty. Photo: Seth de Roulet

This dock has a perfect wave in front of it. It made me say, "Look at that one!" a lot. Photo: Seth de Roulet

Morning sunrise behind the tower and an eight-foot bomb rattling the reef. Needless to say it got my heart pumping. Photo: Seth de Roulet

This is so much better than a cup of coffee. Sunrise from the Cloudbreak greenroom. Photo: Seth de Roulet

For me Peter Mel was the standout of the swell. This was not one of his crazy big tubes, but I love how relaxed he is and how the wave split the frame. Peter you were inspirational to watch that day. Photo: Seth de Roulet

Even when you are swimming through the back at Chopes you better hold your breath. There is a lot of water between you and the surface and you never know whats going to be looming on the other side. Photo: Seth de Roulet

Tuhiti is one of the best local surfers out at Teahupoo. He has style that reminds me of A.I. and when the waves get big, he will charge like A.I. too. Photo: Seth de Roulet

Rob Brown charges big waves around the world and I heard him yell when he came out of this barrel so you know it was a crazy one. Photo: Seth de Roulet

Cloudbreak is not an easy wave to shoot. It's a big playing field and it's always a challenge to line up. After a long morning of swimming and a few trips getting beat down the entire reef, I managed to be in the right spot for this beast that Gade locked into. It was the only good shot of the session. Photo: Seth de Roulet

You can't see him in this frame but Wade Goodale is in that barrel. The heaviest thing I have ever seen. Tahiti at twenty foot is next level and these guys go on waves that don't even make sense. Heroes in my book. Photo: Seth de Roulet

Up close and personal with Andrew Bennett. Shooting Teahupoo at this size is so fun. While you can still get slammed on the reef, there isn't the same fear that a ten foot or larger day brings. Photo: Seth de Roulet

I love this dock. It has so much character. I sit on it every morning and watch the sunrise. When I leave Tahiti, I miss this dock. Photo: Seth de Roulet