The art of immortalising surfing legends

Here is the man in the water who captured the moment Jordy Smith powered into his legendary aerial manoever clinching the near perfect 9.73 score, securing the 2017 Ballito Pro title.

‘Looking through a window, pushing a button’ is the slogan of the World Surf League photographer Kelly Cestari, who captured those split seconds of the wave wizards’ magic during the Ballito Pro presented by Billabong this last week.

The South African born photographer spends about six months of the year traveling around the world on the championship tour and has worked in some of the most exotic waters.

The nomad, who was born in South Africa with his home base in Australia, said he is always looking for a new angle and a different shot.

“I never get tired of the ocean, but I do not like cold water,” said Cestari, who got his first waterhousing in 2007.”

As if getting that perfect shot on land is not difficult enough, Cestari chose the ever-moving, deep blue as his playground.

“There are a lot less people shooting in the water than on land and it is closer to the action which makes me feel connected to it.”

The 37-year-old is cool as a cucumber and despite a rather nasty shark scare during the 2015 J-Bay Open, he said he has always been aware of what lives in the ocean.

“I had been free diving with sharks a few times before then and I still enjoy diving with them.”

When he is not shooting, he enjoys fishing and diving or relaxing with his two Cocker Spaniels, Harley and Leila.

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