There’s nothing worse than child prodigies.
Unencumbered by cynicism and the harsh hand of reality, they go about wrestling their dreams into their arms in a straightforward, naïve fashion. Meanwhile, the rest of us oldies, long ago hardened by the bitter pill of past failures, lead our lives amidst a grandiose, ramshackle framework of excuses. We dodge our childhood goals by wisely identifying the many rational reasons we should not pursue them.
This week’s Photo Dispatch comes from Morgan Maassen, an 18-year-old Santa Barbara surfer who’s been “shooting photos for almost a year, full-time for about 6 months.” I stumbled across Morgan's site, , and sent him an email asking what he's going for with his photos.
"i don't set out to accomplish anything at all, except capture the slivers of beauty i hunt for and treasure so much. i shoot 99% water as i am a lifelong surfer, spearfisher, bodysurfer, etc. and cannot stand being stationery and distanced from action... shooting waterhousing, whether video or stills, is an artistically-gratifying extension of bodysurfing, which to me is the only athletic movement purer than surfing."
Oh, to be young and earnest. Check out for more of Morgan's photos and films.
Morgan’s photos are sick.
Speaking of Mailman, just saw him on the chicks’ Bells comp on Fuel. Best announcer excitement ever. Well done, Mr. Mailman.
Yeah Morgan! Brilliant shots! Especially the grey left on the bottom to the right with the storm close by. Black glass magic.
Genius post Lewis. This morning I woke up grumbling about having to go do a job I don’t like. My daughter laughed as she bounced around the house giggling while getting ready for a fun filled summer day with her friends. ” You are a grown up daddy. You aren’t supposed to like what you have to do”, she teased me.” And if you hate it so much then why don’t you make a living doing something that you love. Like commenting on Post Surf.”
You are the man Morgan. I hope you have a great summer day spearfishing and bodysurfing and taking killer pictures.
P.S. I agree with Stu about Mailman. He is one of my favorite announcers and perhaps my favorite commenter on this site. His awesome attitude just seems to radiate through the computer screen whenever I read his words.
@ Stu
You are spending Saturday morning watching a girls surf contest on t.v. when there is a south swell running? That explains a lot.
great images morgan.
Lewis, great shots from Morgan. Spot on. Stu and Mark, thanks for the props (Stu, that’s if you were being serious, of course! I’m gullible.)! Mark, remember the “kittens” post. The chicks are hot, and quite a few of them can even surf reasonably well. Silvana ripped the final. So, go easy on Stu. The baby is crying! Got to go take care of daddy duties! Later! Play nice.
I LIKE THESE WAVES!!! I LIKE PARROTS AND OTHER EXOTICS TOO. I SEE YOU LIKE PICTURES OF SHINY WAVES AND OCEANS. CAN I SEND YOU A PICTURE OF MY EXOTIC FISH TANK? I HAVE A AFRICAN SICLID COLLECTION. MY FAVORITE THAT I HAVE A PICTURE OF IS NAMED ZOMO 2. MY EXOTIC FISH ARE ALL FRIENDLY BUT NO NEW FISH ARE ALLOWED BECAUSE THEN THEY DON’T GET A ROCK AND THE OTHER FISH EAT OUT THIER EYES. DEAD FISH!!! I AM AT THE LIBRARY TODAY!
At first, I wasn’t sure if that is the same Gary Leonardi. Now that I’ve thought about it a bit, I’m still not sure… If it’s not a cheeky plagiarism, I think Mr. Leonardi needs to get out of the house (and the library) and find some friends other than his four legged, or four finned ones. Mike, you free to help our brother out? Maybe you could introduce him to everyone at Mark’s reunion!?! Just a thought. Don’t worry. Be happy, Gary!
Sheez, Mark, always trying so hard… out here we’ve got this thing called a DRV. The show made for fun watching last night before dinner. As for waves, it’s so-so. Waist+ at 54th with too little tide hurting my early today. Thanks for caring.
@Mailman - was being serious. Love to see a guy who enjoys what he does… Mark should be so lucky!
Great Post Lewis. I am big Morgan Maassen fan. It’s been fun watching him evolve
Paipo says “sick!!”.
chuckle. my life sucks.
Paipo board says “sick!!”.
Thanks, Lewis. It is good to give the young guys props.
Now, here’s a guy who after absolute multiple decades of absolute hard core surfing, diving, fishing, and everything ocean related, and still has the positive stoke of a grom. The experience of a master.
Give him a call, Lewis.
He’s a Godan of everything surf related.
….kid s amazing…
Morgan, it’s Elton. Call me. Wine tasting time.
fantastic shots.
Morgan Top row middle. Great shot!! Keep it up
Killer new angle of Sandspit that was probably tough to get. Another epic post Lewis. You always tighten it up at the perfect time. Thanks for the stoke bump.
I’ve been in Newp’s for the “swell”, close outs interrupted by eddie wind. Stu has nothing better to do, trust me…. him.
Dave the Mailman, I can’t help some moron who writes in all capitals about birds. Parrots are a gay fascination and dirty fucky rats with wings. Stu and Mark seem quite enamored with your delivery, so I’ll look into this Dave the Mailman schtick. Cynical, party of one, your tables ready.
Once again, our esteemed posters have strayed from Lewis writing. Yeah, the kid has captured some shots. But the point, boys, is that without the stated cynicism creating preconception, the world can look fresh. Kids are free to explore that which we think we already know. Then some shit like Morgan shows us the beauty we fail to see. Or Marks daughter.
Great observation Lewis.
@ Mike
Thanks. I think.
Well done.
Morgan has some mad skills. Big fan of his work. Big ups Morgan! Keep bouncin, rockin, and roller skating.
Child prodigy might be the understatement of the year with this kid. Insane talent and you might want to check his birth certificate like many of the MLB players from the Dominican Rep.
MM-Good job getting er done and living the dream.
Morgan Maassen has been posting incredible ocean images on his flickr galleries for some time now…his water shots are outstanding and all his work is quite inspiring…i never tire of checking out his latest uploads!
cheers
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