ONE SHOT 

The stories behind the images

In an age awash in digital imagery, we decided it was time to celebrate the great surfing photo and the skilled artists who capture them. In this ongoing series, we highlight a great surfing image and ask the photographer to tell us the story behind the  photo – the random elements, the challenges, and the magical synchronicity that goes towards creating the memorable surfing moment. This time round we chat to WA lensman Andrew Semark about this frightening wipeout he captured of Jake Osman at the Right. 

Where: This photo was taken off the coast of Western Australia, a world-renowned slab known as the "The Right"

When: 28-07-2018 at 3pm on a cold winter’s afternoon where the sun only came out in brief moments to take the edge off the stiff offshore breeze that rolled through all day.

Surfer: Jake Osman. A good friend for a long time now. He is currently working in the remote Kimberly region and studying a Uni degree. A humble character whose warm nature makes chasing waves on this scale always a pleasure. I have shared some amazing experiences with this guy. I was there the first day he surfed this place, one of the biggest days I have ever seen in my time. Since that day he has pushed himself and others around him to achieve some amazing surfing achievements. 

Equipment: This was shot with the Canon 5d mk4 and 70-200mm lens. I was using the Aquatech sports shield this day to keep it all dry, Second body was in the Aquatech elite 2 housing. Late afternoon so I dropped my shutter speed to 1/800 of a second. Aperture was 6.3 and Iso 400.

The story behind the image: This wave will forever be burnt into my memory. The whole day actually was insane.  It started by getting to meet a big wave legend Ross Clarke Jones. He came up and introduced himself like he was just a regular punter coming to check it out. He had busted his ear drums a day or so prior and was still keen to get amongst it.  We set off for the day around 8am, swell still building with winds looking favourable with a 0% chance of any sun. Raining, cloudy conditions can almost always be guaranteed in winter at this particular spot. Zac Haynes was first into it when we arrived, followed by a few others. The day was all going well, the guys making the most of the conditions.

Things then started to shift, a dropping tide with a swell on the rise started to show. Brad Norris copped a two-wave hold down and just popped up with Zac Haynes dragging him out of harm's way just in time. We didn't really get a chance to take in the severity of what had happened to Brad. Conditions seemed to get better and better. Jake Osman and Zac Haynes were partnered up and local lads Chris Shanahan and Ben Rufus were scoring great waves.

Then it seemed like out of nowhere this huge lump popped up. Zac was towing Jake and put him in the perfect spot. He was deep, didn't have to wipe any speed off and was locked in. The wave just seemed to get bigger and bigger. The whole ocean was all unloading on a shallow shelf right in front of me. Jake held on for so long but was slowly dragged up the face, nothing you could do to avoid it. The nose of his board caught an edge and sent Jake tomahawking down the face, Jake slamming down with his board still getting dragged up into the lip. 

Miraculously Jake popped up with a huge smile on his face. Pure stoke.

FOLLOW: ANDREW SEMARK / BRAD NORRIS / JAKE OSMAN / ZAC HAYNES