I tracked the surfer we saw in the previous two images as she was carried towards the shore upon a large wave. Suddenly, she lost her balance, and her ride came to an abrupt ending. This image captures that moment – her hand flies to her face, perhaps to prevent a mouthful of salty water. At 1/2000th of a second, my shutter speed reveals a layer of flying droplets hang in the air before the wave. The wave itself expresses the essence of this sport – pure energy – as it engulfs the surfer in its massive wall of water, spray and foam.