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Mitch Coleborn, Baja, Mexico

“This is a little spot I like to go shoot water shots at,” says photog Tom Carey of the wave down in Baja, Mexico that you see pictured here. If you’re in the zone, Baja’s the perfect snatch-and-grab spot for a weekend stint, or a little longer if you’ve got the time. It’s just another reason that Mitch Coleborn loves the US. Even though he just bought a house on his native Sunshine Coast, he loves that “everything in America is just so accessible. All the nice things in life for half the price of Australia. You stay in nice, big houses and everyone’s welcoming. It’s a real home away from home for me. If I could post up anywhere, that’s where it’d be.”

Tom shoots with Mitch a lot since they ‘re both employed, in different capacities, by Volcom. But he likes shooting with the goofy-footer, anyway. Tom says that Mitch has, whether he’s aware of it or not, a crucial talent for making himself visible. “He throws up a lot of water, which makes him really easy to shoot,” says Tom. “He knows how to do big turns and not spray himself. Whether that’s on purpose, I don’t know, but some guys drag their hands. I don’t think many guys are conscious of it, but it makes a big difference.”

Obviously this ain’t a big turn, but rather an interestingly-framed oop. It ain’t hard to see why Tom likes shooting water at this spot. And that’s not the place’s only drawcard, either. “The tacos are quite amazing as well,” says Tom. “I think we ate tacos about four times then went and saw a donkey show in Tijuana.” Adventures of the road, uh?

Photographer profile

Tom Carey

Tom Carey is, like, 31 years young. Things may change when he’s older, but for now he ain’t shot much he digs: “I get sick of looking at stuff,” he says. “But, I guess the first remote flash shot I had run of Nate Yeomans was pretty epic. People probably wouldn’t remember. But it was a game-changer to me.” That says a lot about Tom. He does things for himself and he’s honest. Just ask him about being ripped off by the industry: “Everyone wants to skim a few dollars off you. Its not coming out of their pockets but it’s sure as hell coming out of ours.” And since he was so thrilled to answer, Stab’s gotta include Tom’s fav retired shooters: “I love this question. No one asks it anymore. Maybe Chris Van Lennep. I don’t know, the list could go on. Tony Roberts f’sure. His shots really inspired me. His angles in the water were so ahead of his time.”

More photos from Tom Carey