Teahupo’o in all her glory. Photo: Conor Hegyi
Editor’s Note: #My5Lineups is a new series highlighting five of a featured photographer’s favorite lineup shots. The sixteenth in the series is Australian ocean videographer Conor Hegyi.
First time I had the pleasure of witnessing Teahupo’o, my boat was the first one out there in the morning, and I remember thinking, “Where is everyone? It’s pumping!” It was so crazy to finally see it in real life. The sun had just peaked over the mountains, giving the wave an amazing glow. I was so happy to be out there feeling the vibes from all the locals and trying to take it all in.
My final day in Tahiti I slept in and got out to the lineup mid-morning thinking that we’d already blown it. But being out there the day before from sun up to sun down didn’t really help. I was just so glad to be back out there again. It was so mesmerizing. I was in my element.
Golden hour very close to home. I completely avoid this wave when it’s on because of the crowds pouring in lately. Although, if the winds die late in the afternoon, you’ll see me swimming out to sea, always chasing the light.
I spent the afternoon hanging out in our Tahitian bungalow watching the swell die. Then, my good friend Ray Collins rocked up on a jet ski with photographer Ben Thouard. They said they were going to shoot some photos of an outer bombie on sunset. I got out there and the light just turned into one of the most amazing sunsets I had ever seen. Then this perfect wave rolled in. I was speechless. When I turned around, I could see that the boys were just a bit too far out on the ski to see into it. Ray was going, “That was a sick one. You get that?!”
This wave would have to be one of the most mesmerizing things to watch. I just can’t get enough, and I would sit in the water for hours trying to capture all of its beauty. This day was one to remember. The sun just peaking over the lip, creating a green lantern light. Getting up early for this beats going out the night before any day of the week!
See more of Conor’s photography by visiting his Instagram.
