I have been a local surf photographer in Ponce Inlet, Florida for 14 years. I’ve had the privilege of capturing amazing shots of surfers from all across the globe. From pro’s to grom’s. It all began when I had my little Kodak point-and-shoot with me during one of my bike rides to the jetty. This small but powerful camera had a 10x optical zoom which allowed me to capture some pretty amazing shots. In May 2010 my surf photography was published in Local’s Only Surf Magazine founded by Larry Hill, a local photographer here in the Daytona Beach area. Since then I have created “The SURF Life of Ponce Inlet, Fl” a surf page showcasing our local and visiting surfers here in Ponce Inlet.
During one of my photography sessions of local surfers I had the opportunity to capture shots of pro surfer Cory Lopez. Cory has been a “top ranked” contender on the ASP world surfing circuit (ASP World Tour) for many years. Cory and his older brother Shea Lopez grew up surfing the Gulf Coast of Florida and began competing in the ESA Menehune Division.
Cory travelled for many years on the ASP World Tour with brother Shea and best friend, Andy Irons. Andy and Cory shared the podium on more than one occasion, including the legendary “All Star” 2006 Pipeline Masters Final, when Andy beat Slater for the win and Cory placed 3rd ahead of Rob Machado.
Cory stunned the surfing World in 1999 and again in 2003; winning two Surfer Mag ‘Guts for Glory Awards’ by pushing the limits and “defining” what was possible at Teahupoo Tahiti. A perennial Top 10 presence in the Transworld Surf Media ‘Exposure Meter’ Rankings; Mr. Lopez won Surfer Magazine’s Tube of the Year award in 2009, for the discovery of the “mile long” left point at Skeleton Bay, Africa. Cory placed #10 for over-all editorial exposure in the 2010 Transworld Surf Media Exposure Rankings; besting 2X World Champ, Mick Fanning, at #11.
In December 2011, Mr. Lopez received yet another ‘Top 5’ Nomination for Surfer Magazine’s ‘Barrel of the Year’; for his ‘no straps’ death defying tube ride at Teahupoo Tahiti, during the 2011 Billabong Pro (infamous ‘Code Red’ Day). Once again demonstrating Cory’s tube riding skills are as relevant today, as they were when he first made history at the same venue in 1999.
Cory’s sponsors include: O’Neill; Rockstar Energy Drink; Anarchy Eyewear; Freestyle/Shark Watches; Placebo/Mayhem Surfboards, WaveJet and Nekton Surf Shop.
Information provided by: Cory Lopez-Wikipedia
For more photos Like my page at: Nina Tidwell Photography
More Surf Photography Like my surf page: The SURF Life of Ponce Inlet
