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Rifles. If only I had a dollar for every time someone dropped an F-bomb when they saw this one. And yes, he made it over...just. Photo: John Barton
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A moment of clarity amidst the chaos. Photo: John Barton
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A behind the scenes view of a Rifles tube. Photo: John Barton
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Sunset through a stained glass window. Photo: John Barton
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A water-level view of Pitstop Hill owner Paul Clark on a Bank Vaults bomb. Photo: John Barton
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If you can throw yourself over the edge and aren't phased by the less-than-knee-deep end section, this wave can offer some pretty unbelievable tubes. Photo: John Barton
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At 30 degrees Celsius and this clear, water doesn't get much better than this. Photo: John Barton
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Making light of a heavy situation at the Bank Vaults end bowl. Photo: John Barton
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Kandui has the ability to throw wave textures so perfect that even DaVinci would have a hard time recreating them. Photo: John Barton
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Speed lining out the front at Pitstops. Photo: John Barton
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Makes you want to go catch a few. Photo: John Barton
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Matt Wilkinson grabbing a couple out the front. Photo: John Barton
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Evening light at Hideaways. Photo: John Barton
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Chippa Wilson. Pulled back punt. Photo: John Barton
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Justis St John riding in the first class carriage of a Kandui freight train. Photo: John Barton
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A picture may be worth 1,000 words, but this happy punter still looks speechless. Photo: John Barton
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Who needs a flash when you have water so clear it does all the lighting for you? Photo: John Barton
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And in the blue corner, we have Kandui. Paul Clark squaring up to his heavyweight opponent only 30 minutes before suffering a horrific shoulder dislocation and almost a year out of the water. Photo: John Barton
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This guy was kindly acting as a measuring stick on our approach to Bank Vaults. Definitely well overhead...and boat. Photo: John Barton
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Crouched behind the curtain. Photo: John Barton
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A lone surfer at Keramas, Bali. A rare sight these days. Photo: John Barton
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Unknown locked in the Vault. Photo: John Barton
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Peak hour evening traffic in the Mentawai Islands. Photo: John Barton
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Black and white rays of light. Photo: John Barton
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Shark sightings and heavy wipeouts didn't stop these ladies from putting their bodies on the line for the sake of art. Photo: John Barton
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One of the locals doing his best Jackie Chan impersonation. Photo: John Barton
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My camera assistants taking a well earned break...from putting smudge marks on my lenses. Photo: John Barton
John Barton
Sure, I may not be Rudyard Kipling, but this is the first chapter of my Jungle Book. Three years ago, I was taken in by my tropical family here at Pitstop Hill in the Mentawai Islands where I’ve since worked as a photographer and surf guide. My days are spent putting people into the waves of their lives, trip after trip. Being out here full time, I don’t get the chance to follow pros much, but I do get to capture the moments as everyday guys push their personal limits in extraordinary waves. In my opinion, that’s just as rad. While I may not be off fighting Shere Khan and other tigers, getting these shots has certainly cost me and my equipment a fair share of battle scars. So I hope it’s a page turner.
Check out John’s website for more of his work and be sure to keep up with his daily barrage of Mentawaian perfection on Instagram: @johnnyjungle
