A surfer in a black wetsuit rides a surfboard across the face of a massive, curling wave. The towering wall of dark blue water crests into a heavy white foam above them.

Patrick Trefz' brilliant Surfers' Blood captures both sides of board culture

Words: Rob Alderson
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Date: 20 July 2012; Work
Photography

To put a positive spin on the miserable July we have had here in Britain, it has at least allowed us to indulge in two of our favourite national pastimes – weather chat and moaning. But it’s getting a bit silly now if we’re honest and so minds are starting to drift to faraway beach fantasies.

This kind of escapism is facilitated by books like Surfers’ Blood, the new monograph from photographer and filmmaker Patrick Trefz who has spent decades documenting this waterworld. According to the press release surfing is about “mankind’s intimate connection with the badass energy and beauty of nature” but while there are many stunning action shots included, Patrick is also a wizard at capturing the quieter, less adrenaline-fuelled sides of the surfing culture and is equally at home dealing with these serenely simple moments as he is with high-octane thrills and spills.

Surfers’ Bloodby Patrick Trefz, published by powerHouse Books is out next month.

A black and white photograph of a massive curling wave. Two surfers wait in the water below the crest, with the words “SURFERS’ BLOOD” and “PATRICK TREFZ” laid over the scene. — Above
Patrick Trefz: Surfers’ Blood

A black and white photograph of a person surfing inside the barrel of a large, curling wave. In the background, a steep, rocky cliff rises against a dark sky. — Above
Patrick Trefz: Surfers’ Blood

A vintage pickup truck is piled high with surfboards, stacked precariously across the roof and in the back. The black and white photo shows the vehicle parked beside a wooden building and lush trees. — Above
Patrick Trefz: Surfers’ Blood

A shirtless person stands behind a large, glowing white sphere in a dark room. Their head is obscured by shadow as they lean over the object, hands resting on its surface. — Above
Patrick Trefz: Surfers’ Blood

A large hourglass shape is drawn into the sand of a wide beach. The figure stretches from the shoreline to the base of a grassy cliff. — Above
Patrick Trefz: Surfers’ Blood

A person surfs across the face of a breaking wave. The bright sun creates a high-contrast silhouette against the splashing white water. — Above
Patrick Trefz: Surfers’ Blood

A shirtless person stands with their hands on their hips in front of a towering surfboard. A large palm tree frames them against a backdrop of the ocean and a breaking wave. — Above
Patrick Trefz: Surfers’ Blood

Further Info

www.patricktrefz.com
www.powerhousebooks.com

About the Author

Rob Alderson

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Rob Alderson is a freelance writer, editor and strategist. He was previously editor-in-chief of It’s Nice That and WePresent, and editor of Design Week. He publishes the newsletter Undo, which tries to make sense of how AI is changing design work, the design process and the design industry.

Patrick Trefz' brilliant Surfers' Blood captures both sides of board culture

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