2023 Surf Art Calendar
June
“The Wave”
By: Jason Waggoner
STORY BEHIND THE IMAGE
From the artist: I shot this photo in June of 2019, celebrating my wife’s 50th Birthday on the fantastical Fijian island of Namotu. One evening we motored out on one of the island’s two pangas to the legendary surf at Cloudbreak. The swell was huge that evening and I probably took 500 photos of the pro surfers dropping into the pumping surf. In between sets I looked over and saw this wave. The mix of turquoise water, pink swirling foam and setting evening sun made for perfect conditions to capture this idyllic wave. It was a lucky shot.
PERSONAL CONNECTION
As much as I love the act of riding waves, it is the people that you meet and the places that you go that make surfing so great and Jason speaks to this connection that surfers have to each other. I originally met Jason through my cousins Juan and Kristina, Jason’s neighbors in Playa Del Rey. Jason and his wife Molly were gracious enough to include Emilie and I in pool parties with their two kids (13 & 15) at their beautiful home to watch Dodger games, the World Cup, and share in summer fun. This connection has also led to road trips up the coast searching for waves in Ventura County, fun surf sessions out front in Manhattan Beach and bonding over raising our kids. He has a great eye for light and contrast and for this “Wave” image, I love how vivid it is. I really could have picked any of the ten that he shared with me, but happy to share this one with you all.
ARTIST BIO
Jason Waggoner is a Los Angeles local, born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. On his 16th Birthday he found freedom that came with his driver’s license. In a beat-up Volkswagen Thing, he began exploring the beaches and surf that lay just on the other side of Topanga and Malibu canyons. Now living locally in Playa del Rey, Jason is a father, husband and friend that has been lucky to capture some great photos by continuing to work on his understanding of photography.
Often found near the water, the Waggoner family's deep affinity for the beach has become a focal point for his photography. Through his lens, Jason captures the joy and connection shared by friends and family in these seaside settings.
Jason tries to infuse his photos with a genuine sense of warmth and authenticity, revealing the beauty found in the everyday. While luck may play a major part, it is Waggoner's artistic vision and honed skills that consistently result in breathtaking imagery.
