Al MacKinnon on *that* photo

@almackinnon is not just a great #surf #photographer, he is also a wonderful #storyteller.

Yesterday @finisterreuk, he recounted his time as a young #rookie #surfphotographer on his first travel assignment. With 2 days left and no defining shot in hand, he got blessed when the #swell dramatically picked up. Rushing from Jeffreys Bay to CT, he landed at the @redbull #bigwave Africa (or RBWA), contemplating the mythical #wave of #Dungeons. 

Managing to unwittingly insult @garylinden (then contest director, now VP of @wsl #bigwavetour) for calling the green light, it is only after missing the main contest day and finals that he got his break: on the dawn of the after-party, as contestants were nursing hangovers or packing, the swell doubled. A local surfer & boat owner grudgingly accepted to take him to #Dungeons on the roughest seas. The stars aligned, wind turned and the most perfect waves started breaking. Al was in position as @gerglong took a 65ft wave that would win the 2007 @billabong #XXL biggest wave award. When they collected their awards and in true #aloha spirit, Greg shared his prize money with his #jetski man, and Al, with #ShaunTimoney, his boat driver. 
Only #surfing can create such tales where #commitment #humility and #gratitude win the day: Greg picked up a lasting sponsorship with @billabong and continues to be one of the most inspiring #bigwaveriders, only just winning the 2015/16 #bigwavetour #champion title this week; Al went on to establish himself as one of the best #surfphotographers around; and surfing's most enduring #bromance was born. 

One story out of many retold yesterday, thank you 📷 @almackinnon for sharing!

Greg Long at Dungeons