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This photo shares a more realistic version of Wedge... Local big wave charger Spencer Pirdy warms up for Maverick's by taking beatings like this at home. Photo: Benjamin Ginsberg
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This is not Greenbush. Photo: Joao Bracourt.
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Sunset soul glide. Marcus Lascelles at Lakey Peak. Photo: Richard Kotch
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Bobby Okvist and I link up for a number of shots here. This one of Bobby launching to mental heights over a mutant closeout is my finalist image from the 2013 Red Bull Illume contest. Photo: Benjamin Ginsberg
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Hanging out in the ceiling of a hefty one at Bank Vaults while Drew Meredith sets up for the run through the end bowl. Photo: John Barton
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A submissive solace. Photo: Jack Dekort
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Bobby Okvist is perfectly at home in the belly of the beast at the Wedge. Photo: Benjamin Ginsberg
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Sunrise colors. Photo: Matt Aden
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Slow shutter twins. Photo: Ian Tyley
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If you can just see a wave breaking above the steep bank from across the beach, you can bet it's close to a stand-up barrel. As heavy but breaking closer to shore and in shallower water, sometimes those can be more treacherous than the 25-footers. Photo: Benjamin Ginsberg
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No shortage of breathtaking beaches in Tasmania. Just need a good guide to get you into all the nooks and crannies. Photo: John Barton
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An unknown bodyboarder gets tossed in a backwash explosion. These guys take the hardest, most regular beatings of anyone out there. Photo: Benjamin Ginsberg
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Photo: Hayden O'Neill
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Matthew Burke lighting up the night. Photo: John Barton
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Epic morning at Greenbush. Photo: Matt Hoffman
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Right of left? Tough decisions. Photo: Matt Hoffman
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I think that a good duck dive is an act of such beauty that I sometimes obsess over capturing the perfect shot. There is so much going on beneath the surface, I often find that non-surfers are more excited over duck dive shots than actual surf shots! Photo: Richard Kotch
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Stephanie Gilmore at P-Pass. This is one of those moments that just happen. The rain stopped, the clouds parted and the sun burst through just as Steph took off….she pulled into a nice little barrel and as she came out the lip flared…The delight on her face is genuine, this is not her working the camera, she didn’t even know that I had this shot until later. Photo: Richard Kotch
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I really enjoy tropical storms. I love the drama and intensity as it hits and the calm once it’s passed. Photo: Richard Kotch
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Taj Burrow sitting pretty in a Yallingup vortex. Photo: John Barton
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Winter in New Hampshire produces. You just have to know where to look. Photo: Bryan Nicholson
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Taj Burrow feeling right at home in West Oz. Photo: John Barton
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Photo: Jack Dekort
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The now-famous Keramas. Photo: Joao Bracourt.
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Beautiful evening. Photo: Matt Aden
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A Noah left. The Aussie hunts for the waves you leave home for. Photo: Clem McInerney
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Jamie O'Brien came all the way from Hawaii to find out what Wedge is all about. Here he tries to find a safe way to exit out. Hint: there is none. Photo: Benjamin Ginsberg
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Lance's Left is one of my favorite places. Photo: Joao Bracourt.
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Yago Dora, Bankvaults. Photo: Joao Bracourt.
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Not a bad vantage point. Photo: Joao Bracourt.
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Photo: Tanner Rumsey
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Freedom. Middle of nowhere. Photo: Spencer Barnes
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Something about this is so peaceful. There is a silence under the water that is beautiful. Even when being pulled to the depths by a free weight. Photo: Anthony Dooley
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Sunrise in New Hampshire can look as good as anywhere in the world. Photo: Bryan Nicholson
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Xavier Quinn and Jon Kiskinis on a frigid walk to the next break. Photo: Bryan Nicholson
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Tyler McGill finding that morning light. Photo: Bryan Nicholson
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Ellis and I both had two weeks of treating ourselves to this! As you can see, he enjoyed himself. Photo: Jack Dekort
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I've been chasing this image for what seems like forever. So many conditions have to be perfect for it to be possible. Photo: Matt Aden
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Photo: Tanner Rumsey
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Ascending to the surface after reaching target depth. With each leg kick, getting closer to the surface. Photo: Anthony Dooley
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Photo: Tanner Rumsey
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Misty Zurriola Beach. Photo: Ale Romo
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A beautiful and empty wave. A rare sight. Photo: Shayla Chippendale
Now that Memorial Day Weekend is over, it sure as hell feels like summer. There’s a funny thing about summer, too. One minute you’re lusting for its warmth, the innate freedom that accompanies the season’s onset, and the happiness all that Vitamin D brings you. The next minute, you’re barely out the door, your clothes instantly stuck to you in a puddle of sweat, cursing the sun for following your every step, nary a respite for the sun-drenched and weary. It’s a polarizing season, no doubt. Wanna know what’s not polarizing, though? A heaping helping of some beautiful images we’ve had the pleasure of bringing to your eyeballs all month long. If there’s one thing we can all agree is delightful, it’s excellent photography. Enjoy!
We didn’t include the mini-portfolios from EMERGE, our celebration of the 11 best up-and-coming photographers, but we wouldn’t want you to miss out. Here they are.
