UWOL #24 "WaveRiders" by Finn-Erik Faale

[Finn-Erik Faale]

I have made a film showing people interacting with nature and with each other.
The shots are taken at the end of the first autumn gale.
This small place attracts wind-surfers and kite-surfers who seeks challenges.
The sea is rocky, so the surfers must have full control on the board.
An action-cam would be nice to use on the surfers. I really miss it in my collection.
Safe on shore I was handling the camcorder.

WaveRiders on Vimeo

[Simon Wood]

I like the part where you say "it might look easy..."! I think it looks positively lethal; being so close to those rocks!

As you say, a small GoPro would have brought in a whole new dimension to this films; mounting one to the top of a mast looking down at the rider (or even under a kite!) would bring the action into perspective. Everyone should have a GoPro in their bag for these quick POV opportunities.

You captured the action well though, and this video would have easily fit into last UWOLs theme as well as this one!

[Markus Nord]

WOW! I really liked the jumps in the end, I would have liked to see more of those. I really liked how you mix the wildlife and the humans in the film and showing how (Stupid?) man challenge them self and animals are crouching or fleeing.

For me I don’t miss close action shot in this piece, for me at was more of an animal looking from the shoreline..

Well don Finn-Erik

[Trond Saetre]

Hei Finn-Erik,

Your film fits the theme spot on! Amazing how the surfers and kiters manage to remain on their boards in those huge seas.
Seeing the bird at 1:40 kinda made it feel like we watch the surfers from the bird's point of view. Pretty cool.

Well done!

[Steve Siegel]

Beautiful production, Finn-Erik,

The movement of the waves and the riders was hypnotic. Everything sharp and perfect timing. I watched it twice and was spellbound both times. Who ever thought you could do that practically in the Arctic!

[Finn-Erik Faale]

Thanks for nice comments.
Simon: Maybe I should wish me a GoPro for Christmas?
Steve: It's not so unthinkable. The Norwegians are blessed with the Gulf Stream.

[Paul Wood]

Very enjoyable, Finn-Erik,
A good subject, and nice story - I would perhaps have cut a little bit the middle section - in the absence of your GoPro shots (maybe next time!), so as not to repeat so many similar shots.

Very good work!

[Toni Dolce]

Hi Finn-Erik,

This was my most favorite video of the bunch. I loved the way you were able to capture the danger, the sound of the waves, the excitement of the ocean and the interaction between all.

I think I agree that it would have been interesting to get another POV with you either in the water, on one of the boards, the surfers, or the kites.

Amazing video and beautiful capture.

Toni

[Mike Sims]

Howdy Finn-Erik. It’s great to see more of your work. I remember the first time I saw people sail boarding. I thought they were crazy. (And I was perturbed that they were scaring off all the birds I was trying to record.) They were riding over sandy sea grass beds in water about 20cm deep. No waves or rocks. The guys you showed us must be world-class crazy! (Which is not to say that they are not highly skilled.) I like that all the shots were from the shore. Shots from the boarder’s perspective might have been visually interesting but including them would have told a different story, I think. This is an interesting take on the theme and very different from what the rest of us did. Good show.

[Bill Thesken]

Nice one Finn, I felt right at home. I like the transition around the 2:00 mark where audio quietly goes from natural sounds to guitar. If you can get a go pro camera, you can attach it to the top of the mast or the front or back of the boom for a great view. I've been meaning to do that for a couple of years now.

[Ruth Happel]

Finn-Erik,

I have to agree with Simon that "it might look easy" was pretty much the last thing that came to mind watching this. I am amazed how they seemed to take all the hazards in stride and be out enjoying themselves as the rest of us might enjoy a stroll through a meadow.

As others have said, I liked the perspective as if from the birds on the shore. That said, if you get a GoPro, it would be amazing to watch from the point of view of someone right out there in the middle of the rocks and waves.


Ruth

[Andrew Bove]

Great shots! I loved the jumps at the end. Those guys are crazy.

[Geir Inge]

You have captured how humans can interact with the forces of nature, in this case with wind and waves.
Many spectacular clips, but one of my favorites is where the ducks swim in front of the wave riders.
It is important for a wave rider to have an audience, right?
Opening comments are enlightening and fun, where you do not quite want to reveal the creature that your story is about.
Then the revelation comes that this is about wave riders, a great thrill for me as a viewer.
Colors, editing and sound are good and I liked the guitar melody at the end of the video.
A GoPro camera had done the trick in this video; put it on the wish list for Christmas.
You always deliver videos of high quality, the same this time.

Great delivered, Finn-Erik and thanks for sharing.

[Finn-Erik Faale]

Thanks again for nice comments and advices. I understand that I must seriously consider to acquire a GoPro.
Actually, it's already on the wish list.

[Dale Guthormsen]

Finn-Erik,

I really like this one because it shows a positive interaction betwenn man and nature. It seems so many just want to portray the negative. I think this film had excellent pace and the story line was first rate, one of my favorites to be certain!!!

Great job Finn-Erik
thanks for sharing!!!


dale