This week was amazing. There were so many sports lovers who came out to watch the best doing what they are good at. Saturday was the Big Air Kite Competition. I was going to only go for a couple of hours to get a few photos, but I ended most of the day up on the boat with my buddy Rod Parmenter who is an awesome filmmaker of all things sporty. We had those air crazed kiters jumping over us which made for some cool closeups at high speed…so I got some great pictures. Kiters were coming at us in both directions which made me wish for a helmet and 3rd eye on the back of my head. I just had a haircut few days ago and did not want to have it re-cut with one of the many fins on the kite board. I was ready to protect my camera gear with my body a couple of times when it looked like the kiter was going to join us in the boat. You can see more of the photos here

I’ve spend most of yesterday shooting and editing photos from windsurfing contest at the hatchery. It was fun to watch and take pictures of the best windsurfers in excellent conditions on the river. There wore many photographers clicking away all the great action. After about 9 AM you have to shoot directly in to the sun what makes it very difficult to get great photos. Here is a link to photos from the contest.

I’ve taken few hours of from editing yesterday to play in big swell at the hatchery. The current is now incredibly strong which makes the swell that much bigger. Here are a few photos of the Columbia River from the hatchery with windsurfers having the time of their lives. As a Photographer and windsurfer I’m torn between shooting or windsurfing when the conditions are just right. There is very little window of opportunity to get great windsurfing photos. You have to have good light (early morning or late afternoon), have the best windsurfers out there at that time and have lots of wind and waves. Here is a link to my favorites 100 windsurfing photos from last year. Many of the photos are published in magazines.

I woke up this morning ever so sore from an amazing windsurfing session in Arlington yesterday. Me ‘n the boys were on 3.7s in big waves for way too long. I will pay the price in the office today doing a mountain of editing and printing, but it was worth it.My first wedding of the season was last Saturday at the Columbia Gorge hotel. Erica and Karl were so happy and laid back that is was truly a joy to work with them, actually, not so much like work. I will post a few favorite images soon. Hey, can I get some coffee over here?