Next Previous

Makua Rothman, Sunset Beach, Hawaii

Stab has been a gigantic fan of Mr Makua Rothman ever since we first met the bright and preternaturally talented 10-year-old on the North Shore. Two years before, he’d paddled out at Waimea Bay (as an eight-year-old) and taken a two-wave hold down. Makua is the eldest son of the North Shore’s most important public figure, Mr Eddie Rothman, and grew up, and still lives, in a house overlooking Sunset Beach.

Between learning the ancient Hawaiian language (such is his love of the land) and playing a ukelele exceptionally well, he also surfs Hawaii’s waves with intimate knowledge and braves. Yesterday, the first swell of the Hawaiian season hit, and hit with more punch than was expected. A NNW swell with the buoys clocking 11 feet at 15 seconds.

“Sunset was the spot holding the swell and the inside bowl was doing its thing,” says photog Spencer Suitt, who shot this. “Plenty of beach erosion as you can tell by the brown water in some of these photos. It’s also looking like more of this all week.” And, just as Makua was there to meet the first swell, you can bet he’ll be immersed in everything that hits for the rest of winter.

Photographer profile

Spencer Suitt

Spencer Suitt. Awesome alliteration and a kink for Dave Bjorn and Warren Bolster. Spence is only 34 years old, but has the game’s best specialist techniques: “Being able to shoot photos from the beach with both my four and two-year-olds jumping on me.” That in itself is an art. But let’s, for a moment, quicken the pace! Favourite shooting locale? “Where everyone else isn’t.” The future of surf photography? “Instant and live.” Favourite photo subjects? “Groms. So youthful and a few years on you look back at the images and they change so much.” What d’you regard as good photography? “Someone who has different ideas and looks to capture different angles.” And, the longest Spencer’s waited for an invoice payment? “Ha! From you guys! I lost track of how long it’s been.” Woops.

More photos from Spencer Suitt