Big Wave Riders at Jaws (Peahi) December 8, 2009

[kenwae]

The largest swell to hit Maui in several years came in. Jaws was “going off.” Swells averaging about 30+ feet. It’s a three mile walk, or drive, from Hana Highway just outside Haiku, down a “cane” road to the overlook. If it rains, and it does, the cane road is a mess. This day was gorgeous; clear, light breeze, a magnificient swell and a friendly crowd. Also this day, at Waimea Bay, on Oahu, the The Quisilver Memorial Eddie Aikau (big wave surf) Contest was being held. Check out The 2009/2010 Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau - NEWS.

Here are a few of my shots from Jaws….

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There are 53 of over 200 I kept and of those I’ll probably cull more out. I was disappointed with the Sigma 50-500; the other lens in use was the 50-200 and was pleased with those results. You can see all 53 at the gallery
Ken Fields Photography | Jaws December 8, 2009

or a slideshow
Ken Fields Photography

Thanks for stopping by ….hope you enjoyed viewing. Feedback, comments, suggestions, critiques welcome.

[swampler]

Wow! Those were big waves. Where did you shoot from? Looks like you were even higher than the helicopter.

Were #4 and #5 the bigma? I had assumed they were cropped, hence the softness, but sounds like it was the lens?

[kenwae]

Thanks Steve; yes, 4 and 5, and 6,10 and 11 are the Bigma. I really like the reach it has; but, it is soft. These were mostly all shot at 1/1000 at f/8. I shot from the bluff overlooking the area and there were times when the helicopter was lower than the bluff.

[Jake Elizalde]

Wow gotta have respect for those guys. Really like 7, 12, and 15.

[kenwae]

Thanks Jake....They make it look easy....Even then, what we often don't realize is that these guys are super fit because should they wipe out and go down, they get pushed way down and tumbled around like a piece of cloth in a tornado. Although the jet skis tow them into the wave, should they fall, the jet skis are also there to grab them when they come up from down under.....

[KmH]

Did the guy in #10 and #11 make it out the back door before the wave closed out on him? Or did he go over the falls? (Not good from that position.)

[kenwae]

Originally Posted by KmH

Did the guy in #10 and #11 make it out the back door before the wave closed out on him? Or did he go over the falls? (Not good from that position.)

He had enough momentum going to get over; I don't like thinking about what would have happened had he not....

[wolfden]

excellent slideshow!

[kenwae]

Glad you liked it...