The Surfer Magazine photographer gives us an inside snapshot of the pro circuit.
A lifelong surfer, photographer Grant Ellis has found the next best thing to going pro; capturing iconic images of his beloved sport for Surfer Magazine. "I have always loved the ocean and this job was a way to make sure I was always connected to it," he says. "I think most people that have spent a lot of time in the ocean almost need it after a few weeks; without salt water, you start to feel strange." The South African-born Ellis currently lives in Cardiff by the Sea, California, but travels the globe to shoot the industry's biggest names and the world's most epic swells. In the slideshow below, he shares the stories behind some of his favorite shots.