Better Days / by craig levers

Taking photos, or more pompously; making images, in the water is what I love. Been doing it since 1994. I get frustrated when it hasn't happened enough. Surfing [that's the best reason], work, responsibilities get in the way. Residing on the West Coast of the Auckland region is not the best place for a water orientated shooter. The swims are long, the currents and rips strong. Then again, out west, we wouldn't have banks if we didn't have rips. In a way it makes the images more hard earned, more satisfying.

The last few days have been big swims. Not 8-10 foot, but a very respectable 4-6. Big enough, and round enough to be a work out. These are the better days, the days we froth on getting barrelled, that doing a turn means you got the wrong wave. Ironically these aren't the best images from the sessions this week. I'm under firm instruction from Warren Hawke not to post my A's to social platforms, save them for the next book. You're killing me Was!!! But fair call.

Ex Surfing NZ Prez Chris Fougere ....so, so close to triumph!

How perfect is that wave!

Cheeky little 5 foot foamy

Speaking of foamies; Jayden Cooper on his MR twin fin Foamy...I think it's like a 6'0?

The after work posse

Maaate! Email me back

got a couple of bombs of ya

Shane Kraus got the howlers of the session and fall into the aforementioned Warren Hawke issue...ie this is a B roll one of Shaneo

He paid though!

Connor Pere threaded past me on this nuggie

insert yourself here

...Or there...

Good to see ya westside Jordo! Jordon Barley made the cover of NZSM a mere 20 years ago at the age of 16. One the most chargingest, nicest surfers you'll ever share a line up with.

....AND Deeeeen.... 

OH yes the judging is done...wait till you see Randy...so f@cken good!!! It's the 10 year of the Aotearoa Surf Film Fest. I'm a founding judge, man I've watched some crap so you don't have to. But I've also seen some gems, some diamonds in the rough. Nick Stevenson, the driver of the ASFF is passionate about helping new Kiwi film-makers, kudos to Nick for his 10 years of graft. Well done mate.

The dates for the nationwide roving festival are HERE


From The Book Shop

Oh yes you good thing! Over 2/3 of the print run are sold. To be really honest that's about right for a book project; sell that 66% in the first 1/4 and then the remaining 33% will go over the next 12 months. So its a proven seller I guess right??? Anyway, wanna pick it up and not pay for P&P...well you can HERE