Next Previous

Owen Wright, baby Chopes, Tahiti

Owen Wright lost to Kelly Slater in the final of last year’s Billabong Pro, Tahiti. But, then he got the Champ back in New York. But, then Kelly got Owen back at Trestles. And everyone sang and danced about the blossoming rivalry, and then it disappeared. But Owen’s back in Tahiti, stuffing himself in barrels like this one, and Kelly’s there too, so maybe they’ll be in the final together. Maybe. If the swell picks up, as it’s promised to, on the final two days of the event’s waiting period (those being Sunday and Monday). And even though the swell’s been small this year, it’s ok, because it makes last year even more special. As Jeremy Flores says, “People will remember that event for a long time. We all hope to get it the same size, but I don’t think it would be special if the swell was like that every year.”

Photographer profile

Domenic Mosqueira

Domenic Mosqueira is 34 years old. If you ask him what the best non-surf photo he’s ever shot is, he’ll tell you it was one taken in a womens prison. If you ask him what the best surf photo he’s ever shot is, he’ll tell you it was the cover of Stab, which featured Bruce Irons storming through a Chopes cave – blindfolded. Why? It was his first surf cover. And, because Chopes is his favourite place to shoot. His favourite-ever shot is a war portrait taken by James Nachtwey. He likes James Nachtwey, Diane Arbus, Dan Eldon, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and, for water, Russo. He wishes Scott Aichner was still in the game. His speciality is water photography. But the thing that drives Mr Mosqueira more than anything, is to capture an image that makes the viewer want to keep looking. A task he succeeds at, repeatedly.

More photos from Domenic Mosqueira