The inspiration for this film, Oahu’s North Shore |The Seven Mile Miracle, came from my first experience of surfing Pipe about three years ago. I’d never thought I would have the capability to capture amazing beauty like this. I would sit on my computer in Ohio or during my freshman year at Airzone State seeing these incredible waves. After transferring to the University of Hawaii to swim I found myself surfing three to five times a week and was absolutely hooked. After a few months, my friends took me to Pipeline on a head-high day. I went for six waves, got sent over the falls on three of them, and ate it on the other three pretty hard. When I finally made it on one wave I screamed my way down the line and had the chills, hooting and hollering. Looking back, it’s pretty funny because it was probably a pretty small wave and I didn’t even get barreled. But from then on I was hooked.
During this time I was getting pretty creative with my GoPro and realized how much my footage inspired people. I saved up money over then next two years, kept gaining experience in the water, surfing and filming, and eventually bought a camera and a housing. Guys like Zak Noyle, Laserwolf, Ryan Moss, Shane Grace and other surfers and photographers all inspired me with what they were creating, but it was all this classic surf style. I felt there was an opportunity to do a major project for my capstone portfolio and I wanted to mix my style of fast cuts and cool transitions with the classic surf video aesthetic. This video was my first major surf project and has me itching to get out and make some more after learning so much while making this one.
Editor’s Note: You can find more from the author on Youtube and Instagram.
