Stab Magazine | Brett Bircher, South of Sydney

Live Now — Episode 2 Of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

147 Views

Brett Bircher, South of Sydney

Point-of-view surf photography takes commitment. You gots to be willing to float around in the lineup for a long time, and depending on the place or conditions you might have to deal with either cold water, powerful waves, sea life, or all of the above. But something not everyone knows about this type of surf photography is that to really nail a shot, you may have to bite the bullet and go over the falls on that sucker. Rodeo Owen and Brett Bircher went hunting for waves south of Sydney, hoping the good forecasts would come true and deliver some decent swell. The forecasted conditions never came, so they settled for this place, which was their ‘back-up plan’. On this one, Rodeo let the wave kick him up over Brett, punched his arm out, and hoped for the best. What happened next was a blessing in disguise. “Just after this frame, I went straight over the falls and got flipped onto the reef. I landed ass-first, which was sweet as my camera was scratch free. This is definitely the most sought-after angle in fisheye surf photography – in my eyes anyway – and is always a tough one to pull off.”

full frame // Mar 8, 2016
Words by Rod Owen
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Point-of-view surf photography takes commitment. You gots to be willing to float around in the lineup for a long time, and depending on the place or conditions you might have to deal with either cold water, powerful waves, sea life, or all of the above. But something not everyone knows about this type of surf photography is that to really nail a shot, you may have to bite the bullet and go over the falls on that sucker.

Rodeo Owen and Brett Bircher went hunting for waves south of Sydney, hoping the good forecasts would come true and deliver some decent swell. The forecasted conditions never came, so they settled for this place, which was their ‘back-up plan’. On this one, Rodeo let the wave kick him up over Brett, punched his arm out, and hoped for the best. What happened next was a blessing in disguise.

“Just after this frame, I went straight over the falls and got flipped onto the reef. I landed ass-first, which was sweet as my camera was scratch free. This is definitely the most sought-after angle in fisheye surf photography – in my eyes anyway – and is always a tough one to pull off.”

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Britain’s First Wavepool Has Closed — What Really Happened?

Bankruptcy, social media meltdowns, and debts unpaid — with a reopening possibly in sight.

Jul 1, 2025

Watch: Was Matt Meola’s Air Actually Better Than Hughie’s?

Watch the full Swatch Nines highlight reel and decide.

Jun 30, 2025

Houshmand Bludgeons Field To Win Second CT — Molly Picklum Tastes Blood, Snatches World #1 In Brazil

You can't argue with big surfing — that's Saquarema wrapped.

Jun 29, 2025

37 Years Old And World #1 — What’s Changed For Jordy Smith?

On rediscovering decades old surfboard templates, having a personality on the CT, and why this…

Jun 27, 2025

Tom Lowe Stars in ‘Let Me Live’

The wild, improbable ascent of Britain’s best big-wave surfer.

Jun 27, 2025

Saq Wrap: Italo Celebrates Mid-Heat, Griff Drops A Freestyle, Jordy + Yago Continue BBQing 20-YOs

Top seeds sow ruin, Final 5 starts to crystallize.

Jun 27, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 2

Our seven surviving surfers confront an oddly large California beach break.

Jun 26, 2025

SEOTY: The ‘Once-In-A-Decade’ Caribbean Swell That Kelly Slater Passed On

Michael Dunphy stars in Jimmicane's 'Blue Veil'

Jun 25, 2025

Who Owns Bingin? Legal Fight To Stop Demolition Begins

Eviction notices served for all businesses built on state land.

Jun 25, 2025

Tony Hawk Just Named Hughie Vaughan’s Internet-Breaking Air Because… No One Else Can

89% of our IG poll respondents claimed the 'stale fish flipper' was the best air…

Jun 25, 2025

German Surfers: AN INVESTIGATION

Truth is the light by which the world can see. 

Jun 24, 2025

“I Lost Everything I’ve Ever Owned, But This Board Came Back”

One month after the LA wildfires, a surfboard washed ashore.

Jun 24, 2025

Shock Therapy: World 1 & 2 Eliminated Early In Saquarema

Gabriela Bryan and Caity Simmers fall victim on Day 1 of the Vivo Rio Pro.

Jun 22, 2025

German University Surf Contest Derails After Local Pushes Competitor Off Wave

The story behind the shove, and why wave-rental politics turned physical in Seignosse.

Jun 22, 2025

An Accidental 90-Minute Chat With Caity Simmers

A Stab Interview on life, individuality, and chimpanzee research initiatives.

Jun 21, 2025

No Tears In Saquarema

Can anyone other than Italo, Filipe or Yago win the Vivo Rio Pro?

Jun 20, 2025

Why Is One Of The World’s Longest Lefts Being Bulldozed?

Pavones residents displaced as excavators move in.

Jun 19, 2025

The Seven Surfing Conspiracies

Inside surfing’s shadow government: what they don’t want you to know.

Jun 18, 2025
Advertisement