I’ve been fortunate to have surf lifeguarded at Namotu Island Resort for a decade or more (I’ll be honest I’ve lost count). Fiji is one of the most special places on the planet and I’ve enjoyed countless days of my life surfing some of the worlds best waves in this beautiful paradise. The last couple weeks there were a bit different as I didn’t even bring a surfboard and only packed my camera equipment to shoot photos.

What was once a annual 6 - 8 week stop over enroute to and from the New Zealand heli-ski season has now been cut down to a quick photography strike mission. Not to mention I’ve had to take a couple year hiatus as Triple Point has taken off and I’ve pursued other opportunities. It was really good to be back and I was super stoked for the new challenge of shooting photos in such a special place.
The first thing to hit you as you get off the plane in Nadi is the familiarity as well as the change. The airport is being re-done and looks amazing. The roads are bit more paved and the town has more traffic. But the Fijian locals still wave from the sugarcane fields as you drive by and the morning sunrise over Vita Levu as you walk off the plane is more beautiful than I remember.

Namotu is located on the Southern most tip of the Mamanuca chain and lies 5 nautical miles west of Viti Levu — Fiji’s largest and most populous island. It is truly a waterman’s paradise. The island is situated within striking distance of many of the best waves on the planet. Cloudbreak, Tavarua Right, Restaurants, Swimming Pools, Namotu Left and Wilkes Passage are all a short boat trip away and can accommodate anyone’s surfing abilities depending on wave size, tide and wind.

The waves have certainly remained the same since I was last back but it’s the amazing Fijian people and the new guests you meet along the way are etched in my memory. One cannot underestimate the beautiful Fijian culture with their amazing hospitality and true zest for life. The Aloha spirit is truly alive and well in the Fijian islands
Thanks to Scotty and Mandy O’Connor for their generous hospitality, the guests who were on the island for letting me share their holiday with them and all the amazing lifeguards who look tirelessly after each surfer knowing exactly where and when to be to get the best waves possible.
I can’t wait to get back. Vinaka Vakalevu!

​--Tucker Patton

​Typically I shoot from a jet ski especially at places like Mavericks and this trip was a challenge artistically and logistically in that regard. I picked up a new housing for my 5D Mark iii and had a blast using it in the surf especially when I need to scratch the creative itch. I’ve got a long way to go perfecting this skill but the Aquatech housing was easy to use and I found the controls and function to be exactly what I needed to explore this new artistic challenge.

Wrapping up my 13th heli-ski season guiding in Alaska gives me time to reflect and appreciate the amazing experiences we offer through Triple Point Expeditions. It is truly one of my favorite destinations and one that I plan my entire year around. I hope you enjoy this quick write-up, gear recommendations and photo compilation from my annual pilgrimage North.
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Alaska is the ultimate ski destination on all fronts. The coastal mountains wait patiently on the doorstep to the Gulf of Alaska. Trickling down from the towering peaks the gulf extends out to the Pacific Ocean’s never ending weather engine sending storms racing across from Japan and Russia. The mountains’ proximity to the Pacific and the sheer magnitude of the ranges that stand against the onslaught of weather allow us, as skiers and riders, to explore our personal snow centric dreams. Alaska’s vastness, beauty and solitude are unrivaled.

The season started with a major wind event across the entire state followed by unseasonably cold temps and sunny skies. Finding good snow was tricky at this point but we were able to sniff out some great runs and the clear skies allowed us to hunt for snow in the helicopter.
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It’s a strange feeling hoping for snow in Alaska as usually you want the weather to go away. But eventually the snow dances worked, the skies clouded over and it puked silver dollars for days. Inevitably though, after a couple days of snow, the emotions swing the other direction and you start hoping for sunny skies. Once they did, it was game on for the rest of the season.