Dreamy pictures by surfers that make you want to escape into the outdoors

One perfect moment with friends can create a world of inspiration. “To me a great photograph provokes curiosity and interest,” says Cornish surfer and photographer Nick Pumphrey. “The best pictures come from hitting the road with an eclectic crew of creative individuals, heading up to somewhere like the Arctic circle of Norway in the golden months of spring, documenting the journey there and whatever the crew get up to in such a colossal and majestic destination.”

Nick, along with Chilean pro Catalina Hotz and British surf legend Alan Stokes, is part of a generation of waveriding documentarians whose wanderlusty work will make you want to explore every corner of the globe. Their adventures – filled with bluer-than-blue seas, dramatic skies, drifter friends – are the perfect inspiration for people to hit the road and experience the real thing for themselves.

For Nick, it’s a way to show a different side to a place that people may not have seen before, like his seaside home. “I think my main love for Cornwall is the people. The Cornish are a jolly lot that like to travel this fine planet, they have open hearts and don’t take life too seriously… After that comes the raw beauty and deep ocean-faring history of our little corner of the world. I love how wild it is and I love the seasons and the winter storms. Getting into my 5/4 mm hooded wetsuit in January when the rain is sideways and the sea dark and moody is amongst my happiest moments!”

Chilean surfer Catalina Hotz is equally as passionate about sharing the wonders of the place she grew up with others. “I love Chile’s geography which is extremely diverse and inspiring,” she says. “The Atacama desert to the north, the snowed Andes Mountains to the east, Patagonia to the south and what I love most, the Pacific Ocean with beautiful waves to the west. A country full of natural beauty.”

Alan Stokes always has something interesting to capture as he spends so much time on the road. But it’s the moments at his local breaks, drinking an icy Corona with the people he knows best, that shine through. “I’ve travelled all over the world surfing and have visited some amazing places but Cornwall is unique and very special,” says Alan. “It’s where I have grown up and for surfing it’s great. The sea gets really cold in the winter but that keeps the crowd down and you can still surf on your own in some beautiful coves.”

It’s this mix of finding the exotic at home and also finding the local abroad that makes these three adventurers amazing conduits for an exploratory lifestyle, one that inspired Huck to share their spirit of discovery. Just ask one of these guys about their bucket lists to fill you with inspiration. “A little island somewhere in the south Pacific would be something insane to experience,” says Nick.

“Crystal clear oceans with abundant sea life would be a photographic dream. Otherwise maybe checking out the coastlines of Italy, surfing a little bit on funboards but mainly hunting down the finest Italian cuisine. Iceland looks very interesting… I can never choose just one! I love to be in and among stunning natural beauty. But I enjoy those quiet places too.”

Follow @corona and @catalinahotz @nickpumphreyphoto @alan_stokes to discover more #ThisIsLiving moments.

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