Some days announce themselves as special. Others only reveal their significance years later, when you’re scrolling through old photographs and suddenly realize what you were lucky enough to witness.
May 5, 2023 was one of those days.
It was a quiet Friday morning at 11:00 AM inside Skudin Surf at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. There were no crowds, no contest jerseys, and no elaborate production. Just a private surf session that somehow brought together one of the most unique groups of people I’ve ever seen share the same lineup.
At first glance, it almost didn’t make sense.
Standing on the pool deck were a world champion surfer, a Grammy nominated musician, a rapper, a world renowned artist, big wave legends, a professional skier, New Jersey surf icons, and members of the Hurley team.
But while most people would have seen a collection of celebrities and accomplished athletes, I saw something different.
These weren’t strangers brought together for a publicity event. They were people I’d gotten to know over the years through photography, surfing, and countless adventures. Many of them had become genuine friends. Seeing everyone together in one place made the morning feel less like an event and more like an unexpected reunion.
Leading the lineup was Filipe Toledo, one of the greatest competitive surfers of his generation and a multiple time World Surf League Champion. Watching Filipe surf a wave pool is something special. He made every wave look effortless, and at one point launched completely airborne above the lip, reminding everyone why he’s considered one of the best surfers in the world.
Then there was Will Skudin, whose passion for surfing has taken him from the beaches of Long Island to some of the biggest waves on Earth. More importantly, Will has always had a unique ability to bring incredible people together, and this session was proof of that.
Sharing waves with him was Andrew Cotton, the legendary British big wave surfer famous for tackling the enormous walls of water at Nazaré, Portugal. Seeing someone who regularly surfs some of the most intimidating waves on the planet laughing through playful sessions in New Jersey was a reminder that surfing, at its core, is supposed to be fun.
Representing New Jersey’s surf community was Paul Francisco, a respected surfer whose passion for the sport has influenced generations of East Coast surfers.
The creative world was just as well represented.
Mark “Madsteez” Deren, whose unmistakable murals and artwork can be found around the world, traded paint for a surfboard. The same creativity that defines his artwork showed through in the relaxed energy he brought to the water.
Matisyahu, known worldwide for blending reggae, rock, and spirituality into his music, was simply another friend enjoying a few hours in the waves.
Then there was Action Bronson.
Known for his music, television shows, and unmistakable personality, Action may have provided the highlight of the morning. Instead of grabbing a surfboard, he picked up a boogie board and somehow managed to thread himself clean through the barrel. The entire pool erupted in laughter and cheers. It perfectly summed up the vibe of the day. Nobody cared what they were riding. Everyone was simply having fun.
Professional skier Justine Blanc brought another perspective altogether. Although her world is usually covered in snow instead of water, she fit right into the lineup, proving that the love of board sports crosses every discipline.
From behind my camera, I couldn’t help but appreciate how surreal the morning really was.
A world champion surfer.
A legendary big wave rider.
A rapper.
A musician.
An internationally recognized artist.
Professional athletes.
Friends.
All sharing waves inside a surf pool tucked away inside a shopping mall in New Jersey.
There were no egos.
No VIP sections.
No competition.
Just laughter between sets, conversations on the pool deck, high fives after good rides, and friends enjoying each other’s company.
As a photographer, I spend a lot of time documenting events where every minute is planned. This wasn’t one of those days.
Nothing felt staged.
Nobody was performing for the camera.
The smiles were genuine. The conversations happened naturally. The photographs became more than action shots. They became memories.
Looking back now, I realize how fortunate I’ve been. Photography has introduced me to people from completely different worlds. Some started as assignments. Others became clients. Many became friends.
That’s what makes this day so memorable.
It wasn’t just the incredible lineup of names.
It was seeing artists, musicians, professional athletes, and surfers leave their titles behind for a few hours and simply enjoy being together. Watching Filipe fly above the wave, Action Bronson get barreled on a boogie board, Will bringing everyone together, and friends laughing between rides reminded me why I love documenting moments like these.
Some photographs capture history.
Others capture friendship.
Somehow, this day managed to do both.
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