La Jolla Cove

This shot was taken was during a stretch of steady, macking surf during the El Niño winter of 1997-98. Spots like Blacks and La Jolla Cove had some epic sessions leading up to the day this was shot, February 16, 1998. The swell was big once again, and the Cove was breaking at even the highest tide. In the late afternoon the tide was steadily dropping out and surprise sneaker sets way over 10 feet were thundering in; the big crowd of observers along the roadside cliffs gasped as the huge walls caught most of the sitting duck surfers inside. The atmosphere in and out of the water was electric, with both surfers and onlookers alike buzzing over thrilling takeoffs and hideous wipeouts.
This shot with three riders streaking (and one guy about to be pulverized) elicited a huge roar from the spectators. I distinctly remember being really excited shooting this wave while documenting this incredible day at La Jolla's sleeping giant of a surf spot. It was definitely the best show in town.