20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Orange Beach Surfer I

While vacationing in Orange Beach, Alabama, last Spring, I was hanging out on the beach late one sunny afternoon when I noticed a group of surfers nearby. The Gulf was very cold in early March, so I was amazed that this young man was surfing without a wetsuit. The other surfers weren't nearly as skilled, and I noticed that they were watching him closely as he studied the incoming surf waiting out the best wave. I didn't realize until that night when I uploaded my photos how good this shot was, and I wanted to get this photo to the unknown surfer. I went back the next day to find him, but he wasn't there. I asked the lifeguards if they knew him, and they suggested that I post the photo on the Orange Beach Facebook page. I was hesitate to do that without his permission, but they assured me that he would WANT me to post it. He was quickly identified, and he and his family were very supportive of me sharing this photo!

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2022
Date Uploaded: 10.2022
Photo Location: Orange Beach, Alabama, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D3300
Copyright: © Lynn Johnson