It was over a brew that we started to plan a new project to surf and photograph a technical and powerful wave off the Galician coast, known as the Rinlo Slab. I had been there once before with a group of bodyboarders and the session was amazing in terms of light, powerful waves and companionship in the water. A few days after our conclave I spotted a surf forecast which heralded big waves on this part of the coast and without a second’s hesitation I called the Asturian big wave charger. Once we’d double-checked the forecast and worked out the best time slot to maximise wave conditions as well as to fit around our family commitments, we met up at 8am the following morning to make our way to this beautiful, yet dangerous wave.
We arrived at our destination just after 9am and from the parking spot overlooking the Rinlo break saw a mouthwatering set of 2-3 meter hollow, spitting tubes. The adrenaline started to spike and I got on the phone to my friend Paquin, a local bodyboarder and photographer who knew this spot really well. We began to scope the area for the best place to get onto the wave and the best way to attack it on Jim’s 8.4ft RWP Source SUP. We also studied the area around the take-off zone to work out where I should position myself in the water. I had to be close enough to take some great pictures, but far enough away that I avoided getting caught in the impact zone.
