Standerd Slides

Subject: Darin Shapiro
Photo: Joey Meddock
TSQ Location: Book 2.1, Profile, Page 60-61

With one shot in mind, Darin, Jeff Weatherall and myself headed for the beach in the early morning. We were in Mexico visiting some friends at Acapulco Getaways. We got up at sunrise and were just fed a hearty Mexican breakfast. As we were eating, we couldn’t help but notice the increased thumping sounds of the waves crashing on shore.

Originally we wanted to get some tow in shots but the surf was too big. Tow ins, with the Jeep, that is. Depending on the break and how big the surf is, as well as the time of tide, usually you can hook the rope up to the hitch and just drive down the beach. It wasn’t in the cards that morning but using the Sea Doo to whip the rider in to the wave was.

Jeff went out first and Darin drove for him. I was perched out on the sand, shooting beneath my sombrero on shore. Being the first one to go, and to get a good feel for the size of the waves, Jeff stuck to his comfort zone by grabbing the surf board first. Darin, however, saw the potential and grabbed a wakeboard.

We wanted to get a “tube” shot but didn’t exactly know how it was going to happen. The break was inconsistent and the lip was heavy. Darin loosened up his bindings so it would encourage a faster exit after the wave dumped on his head. He pulled into this one as I sat on the trigger from shore. I don’t think he nor I realized how quick it was going to take shape. The few frames after this one, you can still see the bindings and edge of the rail as the wave closed in around him.

Between Jeff and Darin, I sat there on shore for about three hours while they caught wave after wave. Surf, then to the wakeboard, then to the surfboard again. It was an endless rotation of board swapping and hollowed fun.

- Meddock