For the past 6 years I’ve been fascinated with cold water surfing. The frigid Atlantic along the Jersey Shore where I cut my teeth swimming my camera in the dead of winter often before, during and after a heavy blizzard. Donning a 5 mil wetsuit, hood, gloves and boots I’ve swam my camera in water as cold as 36 degrees and windchill as frigid as below zero. When ducking underwater as a set approaches, a dull ice cream headaches creeps into your eyelids and settles into your forehead. Take a bad enough beating from a heavy wave and your cognition fades ever so slightly. Documenting the sport of surfing in wintertime has been an incredible experience where I’ve made friends, celebrated waves and pursued my passion on my own terms.

Please see my entire Surf Portfolio here: RyanStruck.com