Regular Joe Surf Festival 2016 - Sebastian, Florida

The Regular Joe Surf Festival continues all day today at the Sebastian Inlet in Sebastian, Florida . Heats run up until the awards ceremony at 6:30pm tonight.

Yesterday, I was able to start the day with a sunrise shoot and caught a couple hours of surfing heats. Below is what it's all about.

"Sebastian Inlet Surf & Sport and the Sebastian Inlet chapter of Surfrider Foundation are proud to announce the 4th Annual Regular Joe Surf Festival.
Taking place on Saturday and Sunday in Florida’s prime surf season, the Regular Joe Surf Festival promises a unique opportunity for dedicated recreational surfers to enjoy all the trappings of a big time contest … without big time surfers!
Mix in a raging Surfer Stomp with live music, unique awards, a chance to put together your own heat and Florida’s most famous wave and you have all the ingredients of a great weekend, smack in the middle of hurricane season. Join us for a contest for the rest of us."

See you at the Atlantic Surfing Championships - October 8-11 also at Sebastian Inlet State Park, Sebastian, Florida.

Mulligan's Skim Jam - The World's Largest 1 day Pro/Am Skim Contest

The 9th Annual Mulligan's Skim Jam competition happened today at Mulligan's Beach House in Vero Beach, Florida. The event was hosted by Shore lb. [shore pound - def: surfer slang used to describe how waves crash directly on the beach] out of Ft. Pierce, Florida. Unfortunately, I was only able to stay for warm ups but it was a great way to kick off the first day of the long Labor Day weekend.

Congratulations to the winners:

Pro division Winners

  1. Zach Carter

  2. Ryan McFarland

  3. Troy Rhoten

  4. Derek Shenton

I'm Turning Pro Tommrow

  1. CJ Lugo

  2. Nicholas Seire

  3. Brandon Rollan

  4. Ryan Mietz

I'm Better Division

  1. Tyler Ferris

  2. Jake Grigas

  3. Jacob Carter

  4. Perry Cohen

I'm Good Division

  1. Shane Antalick

  2. Ryan Hooker

  3. Kolby Taylor

  4. Corey Kiltz

I Suck Division

  1. Nathan Carter

  2. Code Katz

  3. Sterling Myers

  4. Eli Barin

The First year Ever - The Shore lb. Triple Crown Winners

  • Pro Tomorrow: CJ Lugo

  • I'm Better: Tyler Ferris

  • I'm Good: Corey Kiltz

  • I Suck: Nathan Carter

Next up is the 4th Annual Regular Joe Surf Festival in Sebastian, Florida on September 17-18. Then, the Atlantic Surfing Championships - October 8-11 also at Sebastian Inlet State Park, Sebastian, Florida.

Below is the full Florida - Atlantic Surfing Federation schedule:

  • September 10-11, 2016 (Paradise Park / Melbourne Beach)

  • CHAMPIONSHIPS October 7-9, 2016 (Sebastian Inlet)

  • November 12-13, 2016 (Spessard Holland / Melbourne Beach)

  • December 3-4, 2016 (Paradise Park / Melbourne Beach)

  • January 14-15, 2017 (Fort Pierce / Fort Pierce Inlet)

  • February 11-12, 2017 (Spessard Holland / Melbourne Beach)

  • March 11-12, 2017 (Paradise Park / Melbourne Beach)

  • April 15-16, 2017 (Ponce Inlet)

  • May 6-7, 2017 (Sebastian Inlet)

Large Panorama's Installed at Yahoo Inc. Playa Vista, California Office

A couple of months ago I was contacted by Yahoo Incorporated out of Los Angeles, California. They were interested in a few of my images for their Playa Vista, California office.

Today, I received word that the install is complete along with a couple of snapshots to share. Both are panorama photographs; one is located in the cafe and the other in the hallway. Top image is Port of Los Angeles and bottom photo is of Catalina Island.

Was hoping to visit the Yahoo Los Angeles office during my scheduled trip to California in September. Unfortunately, that trip has been postponed, but I hope to see them in person very soon. Big thank you to Yahoo Inc.

Cabrillo Beach Photo Painted by Award Winning Artist Tony Podue

Late last year I received an email from an artist out of California requesting permission to paint one of my photographs. It just so happened to be award winning artist Tony Podue.

I was very excited and interested to see how one of my photographs would translate into a painted piece of art. How honored I was to have one of my images selected. Wow! After a few emails back and forth, Tony was off and painting.

Just this month, Tony shared the painting with me via email and posted it to his San Pedro Gallery on his website. I was very impressed and thrilled to say the least. Just got word that a Giclee' of the painting is on it's way and I cannot wait to see it. Thank you Tony!

The photo - Cabrillo Beach is in San Pedro, California and was one of my go-to places while living in the area. Cabrillo Beach in particular is in decent alignment to photograph sunrises and sunset seascapes throughout the year. Not too many places you can do that.

This particular location is where I found myself during my last two years of living in Southern California. I went there often, not only for great photography opportunities, but was able to find myself again; spiritually and emotionally. Lifetime friends were made in San Pedro, California. I'll never forget the place, the people, the times, and this painting will only make it all the more special. ♥

The artist - Tony Podue is a second generation artist that prefers to paint in acrylics and oils. His artistic style of choice tends to favor photo-realism. He is an award winning artist and has won more than 500+ awards in local, national and international juried art competitions. His art is part of several personal collections, and soon to be on permanent display in planned new museum which will be located in Los Angeles, California.

Be sure to check out more of Tony Podue's work at www.poduestudio.com.

Artist statement:

“I generally select images to paint that both capture my attention and hold it, are genuinely unique and posses aesthetic appeal. As someone who lived in San Pedro most of my life, this image brings out the best of what the town has to offer. A friend of mine who is a fisherman that frequents the area, was surfing the web saw your image, and brought to my attention. I was captivated and felt it would be something I’d want paint and hang in my home. What I like is most about the image is it was taken early morning, perhaps the most interesting part of the day, coupled with the spectacular explosion of colors, in a setting I’d never get tired of. I tried to do it justice, if others like it too, well, that is all the better.”
— Tony Podue

New Blues Revolution CD Released

The latest release by Long Beach, California based blues band, New Blues Revolution, "To Hellendale and Back" hit the streets last week prior to their performance on the NAMM kickoff party stage. NAMM is the largest music convention in the world.

It's a privilege that my image was selected for the cover of the new CD. I shot the image during their set at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California. To learn more about the band or pick up the new CD go to www.newbluesrevolution.com and connect with them on Facebook.

Coming soon... Music and Sounds Page.