Bodyboarding Photographer Capturing Tahiti’s Heaviest Waves
After seeing so many amazing Cornish bodyboarding images posted on his Instagram feed (@atlantic_surf_photography), then seeing him pop up with stacks off sick shots from Tahiti, we had to find out more about one of the UK’s fastest emerging photography talents!
Even in this world of incredible bodyboarding action movies, AI enhanced cinematography and multi angle video’s, we still love the beauty and simplicity of an amazing still image.
As a result, we keep a close eye on emerging photography talent from around the world. A fixture on our Cornish shores, who has really stepped things up over the last few years is 44-year-old Lukasz Kowalski.
After a recent flurry of images from Tahiti popped up on our social feed, we caught up with him for a chat to see what he’s doing in the South Pacific and how he has honed his skills to nail so many amazing images from the UK and beyond.
Rob Barber and Lukasz sync’d up the Newquay and Teahupoo time zones for a Whatsapp call. This is there conversation.
Let’s start at the beginning, how did you first end up living in Cornwall?
I’m from a place called Gniezno, the first capital of Poland. I was born into a country where back in those days the travel was restricted, that’s why I always wanted to go away and see the world. As soon as I was old enough, I wanted to explore. This began with Germany, I met a girl, and she moved to Cornwall. It’s a bit of a love story really, I followed her to the southwest of England and found myself living on the coast, the rest is history.
How did you get into photography?
My nan always had a camera in her hand, taking photos of family events and other things. This was quite rare, as the film and processing was expensive back in that time, but it really inspired me to get into photography. When I got to Cornwall, I got in to bodyboarding quickly and really enjoyed it. I started shooting Go Pro in the water and found that the perspective really helped me to improve my riding and to understand waves more.
Then you started working at the beach?
Yes, I was spending all my time at the beach, mainly Portreath and Porthtowan. One day I saw some people getting into trouble in the water out on the reef section at Portreath. I rescued them and got them to safety. Then the week later I rescued a lady whose dog got swept out to deep water at Porthtowan. The owner jumped in and tried to save their dog and I ended up rescuing the dog and the owner! I decided that I should become a lifeguard. So, I took my qualifications and have worked on the beach for over 9 years now, I was based at Portreath, Poldhu, Praa, Chapel Porth and Porthtowan. It’s been a great job. I loved it.
What is your favourite kind of bodyboarding photography and why? Land/Water/Air?
I love been in the water, being in the action. It takes more skill than the others and I love the connection with the riders. I don’t shoot land as often and when I shoot with the drone I have a DJI Mini, which I find really great to use. It’s incredibly useful on surf trips for flying around to check waves that you can’t see without the angle from the air. You can also see where the currents are in the water, and it gives you a totally different perspective before you paddle out. Saves you a lot of scratches as you can see where the reef is and where is the best place to paddle out, where to come in etc.
Where are your favourite places to shoot in Cornwall and Why?
In Cornwall my fave places to shoot are Portreath, that’s where my journey started and that’s my home. I love shooting at Porthleven as it’s such a fun reef. Then the third spot I love is Kynance. That place is so beautiful.
Who are your favourite riders to shoot in Cornwall?
The local lads, Danny Catten, Eldred Hawke, Alex Winkworth, Brooke Mason. He’s super stylish and great to shoot. It’s great to be in the water with experienced riders like these guys as you can learn from them. They’ve got great timing, style, it all makes for better pictures!
How have you found yourself living in Tahiti and how is life going over there?
My appetite for travel is always growing, I’ve always wanted to see Teahupoo. I was in Morocco last year and I got to know a Tahitian surfer called Tahiri Tehei. We got friendly and stayed in touch. He let me know that his sister has a lodge here. It’s 400m from the beach at Teahupoo. I’m staying here now and when I have the window open I can hear the waves breaking. I am here until around December 17 but may have some work opportunities so that may change. I’m loving it here, it’s absolute paradise.
What is it like bodyboarding and shooting Teahupoo?
The power is amazing, I’ve never swam in anything like it before, super powerful. Many people call it a glorified close out as it runs down the reef and there is a small channel where you can pull out before it shuts down on nearly dry reef. I surfed it on a 2-metre swell, the waves were around 3 metres. I got really lucky and had it with one other local out for 3 hours. It was an incredible experience. This place commands respect, it’s not for the novice rider, you need to be on your game all the time. It’s not really big swell season while I’m here but I’m hoping for some bigger swells over the next month.
What are the local crew like and have you seen many of the top bodyboarders ride yet?
The local crew are amazing. This is the home of surfing. And by surfing I mean that there is no real distinction between bodyboarders, surfers, bodysurfers. Just wave riders that all respect each other. It’s about 50/50 bodyboarders and surfers which is cool. The riding level is incredible and as the crew have been surfing here since they were kids they just play with it. Riding on their surfboards in the prone position, going Switchfoot, the bodyboarders busting off any section that they like, it’s a really fun atmosphere in the water, they are amazing to watch and shoot. I’ve loved shooting the locals and it didn’t take long for them to all start recognising my helmet when I take the 25-minute swim from the shore to the line-up. It’s been amazing for the locals to all start saying Hi! I’ve already made some great friends. Their knowledge of the reefs is amazing. Tahiri has a boat and we have been out on that to surf some of the other reefs, there are some amazing waves here, it’s not just Teahupoo.
Thanks for your time, good luck with your trip and keep the awesome shots coming! Where can our followers see more of your work?
Follow me on Instagram here @atlantic_surf_photography
Thanks for your dragging yourself away from the waves to chat to us!
No worries, thanks for reaching out.
