by Heidi Trilling

Photographer Ed Grant with his iconic image of surfer Russell Smith. Photo: Heidi Trilling.

Ed Grant is a gracious master of ceremonies.

As curator of the wildly popular Mavericks: Everest of the Seas photography and surf memorabilia exhibit at the Coastal Arts League in Half Moon Bay this month, Grant is giving the public what it wants: another chance to get up close to the art and excitement of big-wave surfing.

The exhibit runs from Feb. 6 to 28; the opening reception is on Feb. 11.

“We had such an extraordinary response to last year’s show, we’re doing another,” Grant says, referring to the national media coverage, streams of gallery visitors, and crowds of surf-world luminaries who attended last year’s glittering reception.

This year’s lineup includes the return of Jeff Clark and his spectacular surfboards. Clark, whose visionary surfboard shaping and legendary solo-surfing of Mavericks has won him international acclaim, says: “Each board’s an adventure: shaping it, surfing it. … I love every step of the process. It’s a rush for me, so much fun!”

"Mavericks: Everest of the Seas" exhibit poster. Photo courtesy of Ed Grant.

Also in the lineup: respected local photographer Tony Canadas, whose striking water-angle and aerial photographs are sought after by companies as diverse as Quiksilver, BMW, Tag Heuer and the Discovery Channel. “Shooting from the jet ski is all about timing,” Canadas says. “You have to predict where each wave will break and you have to have knowledge of the reef  underneath to know exactly where that sweet spot will be, so you can get that one magic shot.”

Emmy-award-winning filmmaker and photographer Elizabeth Pepin will also be spotlighted. Lyrical images taken by Pepin during the years she filmed One Winter Story — documenting Sarah Gerhardt, the first woman to surf Mavericks — will be on display, alongside Pepin’s other breathtaking shots. Magic enters into it for Pepin, too: “It’s exciting following surfers with my lens, trying to anticipate their moves. The challenge is capturing the split second where the magic happens, and sharing that moment with the viewer.”

Curator Grant adds: “These people are astoundingly multi-talented. ”

As is Grant, himself.

A former high school teacher and coach for 38 years, Grant is also an accomplished sportsman with over 100 triathlons to his credit — which includes competing in an Iron Man World Championship. This annual endurance event for mega-athletes in Kona, Hawaii, incorporates a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run. “A long day, but memorable,” Grant says, with his usual understatement.

He’s a talented photographer, too. “They say our family can be traced back to a court photographer for a Hungarian king,” Grant says. “Picture-taking must be in my blood!”

Nathan Fletcher at Mavericks. Photo courtesy of Tony Canadas.

Grant’s photography has been featured at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, at Longboard Vineyards in Healdsburg, at the Half Moon Bay Big Wave Surf Film Festival, in the San Mateo County History Museum’s interactive Mavericks exhibit, and on the DVD jacket of Riding Giants. His photocards are available at the Coastal Arts League and local Coastside shops.

His powerful image of Grant Washburn serves as the Mavericks: Everest of the Seas poster, and his iconic image of Mavs surfer Russell Smith — among other stellar shots — will be part of the exhibit, as well.

About the Russell Smith image, Grant says: “NBC has that wave on their video, and I’ve watched it a number of times. Smith is in that particular position for about 1/1000th of a second — wow, did I actually capture that?!”

Chalk this up to the drama that is Mavericks.

“Mavericks is a wonder of the world,” Grant says. “It’s everything you’ve heard about and more. The dangers: the rocks, the sharks, the gigantic sets with waves the size of office buildings … the deafening sound of it. … Mavs surfers make it look easy, but they’re awesome athletes dealing with truly fearsome conditions.”

Sarah Gerhardt, on her way to surf the monster waves of Mavericks. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Pepin.

And Grant knows. He’s been out there, shooting the Mavericks Surf Contest and other sessions. “I’ve had the opportunity to be aboard the helicopter; I’ve shot from the cliffs; I’ve also been on the jet ski with Jeff Clark. But the media boat is where I’m most confident I’ll be able to get the shots I want.”

So, what’s it like out there on the media boat?

“There are 20 or 30 or 40 other vessels out there,” Grant says, “and hundreds of media people. Because of wave conditions, and everything constantly changing, we’re re-positioned all the time.”

Grant laughs and continues: “It’s like a herd of animals, really — like zebras in Africa! Ever see how they are separate and dispersed … but then, all of a sudden, something catches their attention and they all act in unison? That’s what it’s like on the media boat when a monster set comes in! You can absolutely feel the energy start picking up! All the cameras start clicking, there’s pushing and shoving, and negotiating one’s space! And remember, we all have these huge lenses — one of my lenses is the size of a VW engine! Then the frenzy calms down, and we wait for the next set. It’s a blast!”

"Meaty Left." Photo courtesy of Eric W. Nelson.

Grant adds, “Mavericks is awe-   inspiring, and this exhibit is bringing all of that energy into the gallery.”

As for the photographs themselves, Grant is emphatic about the power of these images: “They’re exciting, they’re compelling, they inspire people, they reach people. … These photographs  will bring you right into the wave!”

Tyler Fox (right) at Mavericks. Photo courtesy of Don Montgomery.

Danilo Couto on top of the world. Photo courtesy of Fred Pompermayer.

"Mexican Blanket," one of the many spectacular Jeff Clark surfboards on display at "Mavericks: Everest of the Seas." Photo courtesy of Ed Grant.