Back On The Rock

​All Photos by Tucker Patton. All Photos ©.

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

Gear I Loved Using:

Aquatech Imaging Solutions Camera Housing

​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.

Cloudbreak from below.

DJI Mavic Pro Drone

I think the images in this blog speak for themselves and I must say it was great to add this little camera to my quiver. The size of the copter and th image quality are the two standout features for me from this awesome tool. I would mention to beginners that trying to land it on a rocking boat in the middle of the ocean is next to impossible and takes a lot of practice. I’d recommend trying it on dry land until you are 100% confident in hand launching. The fear of failure to control the drone while flying over endless ocean is a seriously scary proposition! I was admittedly conservative and luckily managed to not lose the drone to the South Pacific.

Canon 100–400 mm Lense

As mentioned above on a jet ski I can place myself where I want to be giving myself the ultimately flexibility on who and how I shoot. Shooting a massive lineup stretching multiple football fields like Cloudbreak you have people all over the shop as well as a boat driver who is trying to put you in the best position all while avoiding waves, other boats and surfers in the water. This is no easy task and I found quickly that a longer lense than I’m use to was required. As a substitute on my next trip like this I would probably bring the Canon Extender for a 400 mm lense to use with myF2.8 70–200 mm as this will give me a bit more focal length range and save on dramatically on weight.