News

Hugues Oyarzabal, a surfing legend who pioneered photography from inside the barbell of the wave, died on February 21st. He was 39 years old. The New York Times reports that Oyarzabal took his own life after a lifelong battle with bipolar disorder.

“His physical and psychological suffering took its toll,” his parents told The New York Times. “He has chosen to leave us, to rediscover the peace and serenity he has been unable to find over the last few years.”

In an era before the ubiquity of GoPro and other “action” cameras, Oyarzabal led the innovative charge on bringing the viewer as close as possible to the action. As early as 2001, the French-born surfer captured images from inside the tubes of waves by strapping a mini-DV camcorder in a jury-rigged waterproof housing to the front of his surfboard.

Other notable highlights from Oyarzabal’s career include becoming one of the first to take on the big, dangerous waves of Teahupo’o, Tahiti and Western Africa. The Times has a great profile honoring his life.