So there I was, sitting on the bottom of Kailua Bay trying to preserve the air in my tank and keep my camera dry in it’s housing like I have on the first week of October in the years past. To get the underwater mass swim start photo from the Kona Ironman World Championships, I’ve always had to wake up about 4:30am to get into the water with my full scuba and underwater camera kit and watch fish go by until the cannon blast starts the swimmers at 7am. But the difference with this year and past years was the fact that the large surf a couple days before raceday kicked up sand and mixed up the water making it more cloudy, which didn’t lend to the clearest water with the best visibility for photos. However, these conditions brought larger schools of fish that I hadn’t seen in the past, swimming in the shallows of the bay looking for food.

So as I was sitting there at about 6:59 am, 30 feet on the bottom of the bay, trying to line up schools of fish, below schools of man, without getting too many of by bubbles from my mouth and regulator in the frame, and getting the correct exposure/focus as well, when I noticed in the corner of my eye the battery was blinking. All I could think was “shit my camera is going to die before this start, and I’m gonna miss it all”, and less than a minute later I could hear the muffled cannon fire, the surfboards holding the line of swimmers open, and the mass of humanity swim overhead. Click, click, cli… and I got about 2.5 frames in the first second of the race before my camera crapped out. All I could do was swim back to land and pray that I got one usable frame out of all the time and preparation that went into that morning.

A week later as I entered the office of LAVA, the official publication of Ironman, to show my images from Kona to the Publisher and Editors of the magazine, I had one image in mind from the 60+ I was showing that stood out in my as the strongest contender as the cover. It wasn’t a classic image of Chrissie Wellington crossing the finish line, nor one of Craig Alexander crushing the course record becoming the first man to win the 70.3 and Ironman World Champs the same year, but rather an artistic frame of anonymous swimmers amongst a school of fish in the Bay. I’ve shot all but one of the cover photos run by Lava, and they are usually lit, stocky, tight action or portrait shots; so this scene setter from Kona was a long-shot by those standards. The fish frame was one of those images and moments you get once in your lifetime, where all the elements line up, and preparation meets opportunity. The Editor Brad Culp went to bat for me on this one, and after a couple heated debates over what the best cover image should be, they went for it. It’s my favorite cover shot yet and it’s for the best as all the other triathlon magazines will have that stocky image of the finish line or running,  while LAVA will have that different shot that no one else runs.

LAVA Cover Dec/Jan 2012. (Photo by Donald Miralle for LAVA)

I was recently in Denmark as a keynote speaker at the Union of Danish Photojournalist Conference. If you don’t know anything about Danish photography, for a country slightly less than twice the size of the state of Massachusetts, it produces more great photojournalists than any other comparable country I know of. And they know how to have a good time. That’s why over the years  the conference has had some of the finest people from the world of photojournalism speak there including Sebastiao Salgado, James Nachtwey, David Turnley, Kenny Irby, Brian Storm, Sally Mann, John Moore, Tim Hetherington and many others.

I spoke after Pulitzer and Emmy Award Winning Photographer Barbara Davidson and before Magnum photographer Antoine D’agata, which was a good contrast of styles as I crammed about 16 years of sports photography into about an hour and a half that was well received by the Danes. All in all, I was in Copenhagen for a little over 48 hours, and enjoyed every minute of it even though next time I will have to see some sights and take in some culture. The Union of Danish photojournalists has a web-site www.pressefotografforbundet.dk and the conference has a sub-site http://www.pressefotografforbundet.dk/tema.php?tag=pf-konferencen_2011.

As doze off on my return flight home from the XVI Pan Am Games in Guadalajara Mexico, it seems like yesterday when I was coming off no sleep from my best friend’s wedding in LA, and stepping off the plane running directly to the swimming pool to shoot the swim finals and set up the underwater remote cameras. Through the sleep-deprived haze of two straight weeks of nonstop shooting and editing I’m trying to recollect some of my memories. Shooting for my good friend David Leah’s agency Mexsport (formerly Allsport’s Latin America agency) as the official photographers of the Games and COPAG, was definitely a highlight of the trip.

Here’s a view of me setting up underwater remote cameras on the bottom of the competition pool. You have to give yourself a couple hours before the event to setup and test, and a couple hours after the event to pull camera and edit, which makes for a very long day. (Photo by Christian Palma)

But well worth it for frames like this…

And this…Amazingly both shot with a relatively slow frame rate of the Canon 1D Mark II that I use for the full frame sensor, great color reproduction and low grain at high ASA’s.

This is my fourth Pan American Games, and after Rio in 2007 David landed the contract for Organizing Committee for Guadalajara and immediately asked me to be part of his team. I jumped at the opportunity to work with him knowing not only did it mean great access including rockstar parking at each event venue and pool photo positions (a.k.a. best photo positions reserved for the largest photo agencies) but also good times hanging out with an old friend. Our excursions to the Argentinian Steakhouse La Matera, and the “Nightcaps” consisting of beer in our hotel suite while we watched Austin Power clips before having to wake up a couple hours later to work an 18 hour day, helped me forget we were actually there for work. Shooting beside good friend Al Bello made time fly by as we helped each other while we chased the light on the ground or in the water. Watching Al get blind-sided and pummeled by a rogue wave at the Puerta Vallarta Open Water Swim, loosing his dive mask and still managing to out shoot me is a memory that will always make me smile. Catching up with photographer friends that I only see every 2-4 years at either the PanAms or the Olympics and meeting some new faces and names is always a pleasure.

“SHARK-MAN” –  World Record Holder and Olympic Champion Caesar Cielo of Brazil swims to win the Men’s 50M Freestyle in a New Pan American Games Record during Day Five of the XVI Pan American Games at the Scotiabank Aquatics Center on October 20, 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico.  (Photo by Donald Miralle for Mexsport/COPAG)

“THIS END UP”  - Team Brazil warms-up for the Technical Routine Preliminary Synchronized Swimming during Day Four of the XVI Pan American Games at Scotiabank Aquatics Center on October 19, 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico.  (Photo by Donald Miralle for Mexsport/COPAG) 

As my plane bounces and wakes me up in my connection in Phoenix Skyharbor, I can still hear the overly repeated mantra of the Games yelled by a man with a bad accent, “Come Celebrate the Fiesta of the American’s!!!!” Still ringing in my head like some form of Chinese Water Torture, he should have said come “celebrate the photographic free-for-all of the America’s”! With very loose photographic rules and positions and photographers running all over the field of play it felt like an event held decades ago that was wide open and  set up for unique photo opportunities that you normally couldn’t get at a large multi-sport event today. With some risk comes reward, and the PanAms were a breath of fresh air and made my year for shooting editorial sports. Here are some of my photos that hopefully show that, and a gallery on the bottom of the page with my favorites…enjoy and your feedback is always appreciated!!!

“DARK SERVE” –  Christina McHale of the USA serves against Team Brazil in their Semi-Final Doubles match during Day Four of the XVI Pan American Games at Telcel Tennis Complex on October 20, 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Donald Miralle for Mexsport/COPAG) 

“HIGH FLYING” –  Josue Louis of Haiti  competes in the Men’s High Jump Competition during the Athletics Competition on Day Thirteen of the XVI Pan American Games on October 27, 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico.  (Photo by Donald Miralle for Mexsport/COPAG) 

“TRIANGLE RUNNERS” –  Runners compete in the men’s 5000m final during Day 10 of the XVI Pan American Games at Telcel Athletics Stadium on October 24, 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Juan Carlos Romero of Mexico went on to win the gold medal. (Photo by Donald Miralle for Mexsport/COPAG) 

Approaching Copenhagen with the sea windmills

Youngest pilot in United’s fleet

Cirrus cloads at 30,000 ft.

London airport

Trees at Amsterdam Airport

Random dude at Copenhagen train station

Kona coast on approach

But we will always remember…

Moby Dick nearly takes me out when he comes up for air within feet of my 18′ BARK paddleboard at mile 20 just off the R10 bouy in Palos Verdes. (Photo by Tom Candelaria)

The 36th Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race once again took place like it has on and off since 1955, under beautiful blue skies, 70 degree water with a bit of crossed up current, and a great vibe from the competitors and families. Of all the physical and mental challenges I have had in my life, crossing the Catalina Channel is right up there as one of the hardest. Ontop of loosing my breakfast at mile 20, I nearly got upended by a 40ft (possibly adolescent blue whale) that came up for air right in front of me just outside of the R-10 bouy off PV. My boat captain and solo boat crew Tom Candelaria captured an amazing photo while steering the boat and giving me nutrition. It was such an amazing feeling having that beautiful creature coming up to meet me at such a grueling point of the race, and from that point on I just decided to stay within myself and soak it all in. It was a blessing because of that I think when I arrived at Manhattan Beach, I felt great, really enjoyed the race this time around, and was coherent and not delirious like last year. But I still couldn’t be happier to see my family and be on dry land again!

Mid-channel chasing the leaders (Photo by Tom Candelaria)

Kyle Powers passing me on the high line right before the R10 bouy. Kyle is an amazing paddler and has spanked me in every race this year. Hope to have some more races against him next season where we both feel better. (Photo by Tom Candelaria)

Passing the R10, where it’s supposed be all downhill but feels the worst (Photo by Tom Candelaria)

The water conditions were a bit crossed up this year, so we didn’t get the section of glassy water like we did in the middle of last years race, but the times were a bit faster. Stoked for Dr. Brad Thomas who smoked the field (and this entire season) with a time of 5:22, followed by Hawaiian Brian Rocheleau, 50 year-old Aussie phenom Michael Porra, George ”The Czech” Plsek, Kyle Power, and then myself. I think Brian Zeller once said that the guy who wins the paddleboard races is the guy who works the hardest, and Brad defintely put the time in this year and deserves it more than anyone. I was happy to just finish in the top 6 after partially tearing my brachialis muscle in my left arm 4 weeks ago, which nearly ended my season. But I knew I had to at least start the race as it was part of a personal fundraiser for the American Cancer Society I have had the pleasure of doing the last two years. It was a great feeling to hear fellow Loyola Cub Kyle Daniels mispronounce my name but mention the ACS and hear the spectators on the pier and beach cheer for the cause. Between the last two races I have raised nearly $10k through donations of my family and friends in the memory of my Dad, father-in-law (his 4 year anniversary was the day of the Catalina Race) and other family members who have succumbed to the disease. Thank you all for your support and below is the list of the donors the last two years who have given time and funds to the ACS.  Special thanks to Kyle Daniels and all of the Catalina Classic Committee who volunteer so much of their time and effort to put on this great event, to my friend and boat captain Tom Candelaria for keeping me company the last two years for two safe crossings, all the guys I train with at Cardiff Reef especially George Plsek and Deon Lourens, and most especially my wife Lauren and my kids Luke and Micah who have put up with my training schedule all summer. Thanks and hope to see you again next year!

My biggest supporter, my wife Lauren gives me a hug and kiss when I get to shore (Photo by Jonathan Moore)

My youngest Micah (3) comes to greet me and tell me he “loves me all the time” (Photo by Jonathan Moore)

The finshers of the 36th Catalina Classic (Photo by Jonathan Moore)

Micah sneaking in with the Buckingham brothers, who kicked ass on their 1st crossing  (Photo by Jonathan Moore)

Results

More results withe the perpetual trophy

Special thanks to all who donated to the ACS:

Joshua Aliesch

Ray Anderson

Thomas Applegate Family

Clayton Begrin

Al Bello

Doug Benc

Linda Bonenfant

Aaron Boone

Cheryl and Barry Boone

Jesse Bowman

David Breen

Brewer Family

Octavian Cantilli

Ken Chamock

Xiaojing Chen

Joanna Coulter

Jason Curry

Steve Curry

Jon Cuban

Deborah Dadlani

Ross Dettman

Dirk Dewachter

Katrina Ducis

Dustin Edwards

James Escher

Deanne Fitzmaurice

Dom Furore

Gina Genis

Jonne Goncalves

Jody Grober

Jeff and Jenny Gross

Rick Hall

Leon HJalip

Jeff Haynes

Darrell Ingham

Harry and Rebecca How

Daniel Inskeep III

Linda Inskeep

Eric Isaacs

Jed and Lika Jacobsohn

Beth Johnson

Jeff Julian

Darcy Katris

Meghan Kaumaya

Robert Laberge

Michael Levitt

Ursula Liang

Victor London

Brandon Lopez

Claire Lopez

Rick Loughery

Amanda Lucidon

Clive Mason

Ross Mason

Daniel Megna

Stein Metzger

Janet Milack

Dawn Miralle

Grace Miralle

Joe Morahan

Jonathan Moore

Steven Mullensky

Allen Murabayashi

Atsushi Nakamura

Thomas Oed

Christian Petersen

Michael Picotte

RJ Poston

Lara Potter

The Powell Family

Joe Raaen

The Ritter Family

Quinn Rooney

Daniel Root

The Sage Family

Erik Schelkun

Dave Schmidt

Erich Schlegel

Ezra and Jen Shaw

Lisa Short

Paul Spinelli

Eclipse Sportswire

Paul Stackhouse

Mitchell Stringer

Vince and Erin Taylor

Kevin Terrell

Dori Traynham

April Tse

Dilip Vishwanat

Fred & Sheryl Vuich

Karl Walter

Michele Warner

Stephen Warner

Justin Weiss

Bruce Wigo

Marcus Williams

Maxx Wolfson

Iris Wong

Kathleen Wright

Shannon Delaney

Collin Erie

Brandon Bert

Brian Boone

Shaun Botterill

Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images

I can do without MLB, NBA, and NHL, but a world without the NFL would be a very sad and boring one. The gridiron is back, thank god as I couldn’t imagine fall and winter without it. Barbeques, fantasy leagues, monday nights, cold beer, Madden, Al Michaels, and of course….THE CHARGERS!

Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images

Living in San Diego you can’t help but love the Chargers and eventually no matter where you are transplanted from you end up being a Bolts fan. Ironically, San Diego is home for many professional athletes and some of the fittest people per capita, but other than the Chargers the city lacks a professional sports team to follow (sorry Padres). And even though the Chargers seem to fall short of their talented roster every year, I am looking forward to this year’s team starting off fast and hopefully taking the AFC West and beyond.

Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images

I think with some key veteran pickups on defense (Takeo Spikes, Bob Sanders) and some young talent as well (Liuget, Gilchrist, Mouton) the defense will be tougher than last year especially on the run. And since the offense will actually start the year with their two potential Pro-Bowlers Jackson and McNeill, Rivers’ should be dropping some long-bombs early on. Here are some of my pics from the Chargers first home preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. Great to be back in the endzone, thanks for looking, and please feel free to comment!

Competitors join hands in a prayer circle immediately before the start of the Molokai to Oahu, World Championships of Paddleboarding on the island of Molokai, Hawaii on July 31, 2011. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

Well I guess it’s one more thing to check off the bucket list.  Paddling across the Ka’iwi Channel or the “channel of bones”, the 32-mile expanse of deep rough water between in islands of Molokai and Oahu in the Hawaiian archipelago, was truly a humbling experience. Not because it was my first time or because we were paddling besides some of the greatest watermen on the planet including 10x champ Jamie Mitchell, but rather just the energy and “mana” of the place. A massive, living, turbulent expanse of deep water (sometimes over 1km deep at points) that has an aura of a place that has taken the lives of many men, including the legendary northshore lifeguard and waterman Eddie Aikau. My teammate Deon Lourens and I had a blast crossing the channel and soaking it all in literally, en route to placing 2nd in the Men’s Team Classic Paddleboard Stock 80-99 Division, despite partially tearing my brachialis the week before. The Australian team of Blair Thorndike and David Ward beat us by 10 minutes over the 6 hour race, further solidifying the Australian domination of the event with records by countrymen and women Mitchell and newcomer 17 year-old Jordan Mercer who crushed the women’s course record by over a half hour! Special thanks to our boat captain Allan and Ryan for the safe crossing, Shannon and crew for putting on a great event, and Deon for splitting the mileage and handling all the logistics of our race.  Together with the Catalina Classic later this month (body-willing), I am paddling for the American Cancer Society and have raised over $6k for cancer research and prevention. You can learn more or make a donation by going to my sponsor page here. Please enjoy the short video below of our POV of the crossing, thanks for looking!

Rory hits a stiff shot for birdie with inches on the cup on the signature 10th tee at the Final Round of the 2011 US Open. (Photo by Donald Miralle for GolfWorld/Golf Digest)

Well there was no Tiger Woods, but there was some serious domination by another young and talented golfer at the US Open at the Congressional in Bethesda, Maryland. For the second straight year a golfer from Northern Ireland won the hardest test in golf with a record-setting 16-under par, and 22-year old Rory McElroy steamrolled the field with ease and grace that emulated the Tiger of past championships. But the Irish sensation collected his first mug from the US Open 3 years earlier than Tiger, and with the British right around the corner this kid has momentum on his side. It was great to be there for a bit of history, but from the gallery and photographically it was a pretty boring weekend due to the fact that McElroy’s domination of the field took all the steam out of the tournament by the weekend. Everyone was just playing for second place and it was the Rory parade. Still it was great to cover another golf major for GolfWorld/Golf Digest and always good to travel to DC to see friends. Here’s some pics from a long hard week, pick up your copy of  GolfWorld & Golf Digest to see it in print, including the great photos edited by DOP Chirstian Iooss shot by the photo team of Dom Furuore, Steve Szurlej and J.D. Cuban.