Bluff bodyboarder captures beauty of the ocean
Darren believes it is important to never quit on what you want to achieve.
DARREN Simes, a bodyboarder and military veteran, is making waves in the photography industry with his amazing shots of surfers and breaking waves since developing his passion for underwater photography, capturing the coastline of the south.
The 42-year-old Bluff resident, who is no stranger to the ocean as he has been a bodyboarder since the age 10, took an eight year break from the surf and sea due to military commitments and never got the chance to compete as a bodyboarder.
He, however, says bodyboarding was most definitely the spark that saw his love for the ocean and capturing it turn into a story of world-class photography, right from the shores of Bluff.
“My passion for capturing the waves and ocean began with a camera on my helmet during surf sessions. On some days, I would lay in the shore-break, capturing breaking waves on the sand. That is when the photography bug bit and evolved to what it is today. It is an expensive hobby, but a passionate one at that,” said Darren.
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Besides bone crunching waves captured at Cave Rock or the south coast of KZN’s magical coastline, which offers pristine waves all year round, Darren says he found his favourite spot with scenery and waves that remind him of an oil painting.
“The most interesting shot I’ve taken is that of Ricky Basnett, a surfer at Cave Rock in the winter of 2019. The shot ended up as a double spread in Zigzag magazine and kick started my photography on a professional level. I served as a soldier for 22 years and most of the teachings transpired into what I do out there on the surf. It is important to stay calm and never quit on what you want to achieve. It pays to be a winner,” said Darren.
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