Red Bull Illume 2010 Image Quest winner Chris Burkard recently became involved with an exciting project involving an area very close to his heart – bodysurfing. The project, ‘The Torpedo People’, a documentary and photographic book about the bodysurfing culture was initiated by Keith Malloy, and feature contributions from Burkard.
He tells of how the project came about: “Keith wanted to document a type of wave riding that really hadn't been covered by any movie and was the antithesis of the consumer driven monstrosity that is board surfing. He had grown to love the bodysurf community and knew there were so many good stories within the subculture,” says Burkard.
“The Torpedo People is something that is within all of us who have ever swum in the ocean surf. Bodysurfing is one of the first type of ocean activities people enjoy and for some that is all they do their entire lives. This movie shows the joy that comes with just being in the ocean and that is really what bodysurfing is all about,” says the Red Bull Illume photographer.
As a surf photographer, Burkard has a natural affinity to bodysurfing: “It seems no matter the day I can always get some fun bodysurfing waves. Days when guys are out there frustrated with the surf...I always seem to be catching something and each time I go its nothing but smiles. Bodysurfing has a way of doing that to you,” says Burkard.
The still photography in the book captures the culture in electrifying freeze-frames: “The book really goes deeper into the experiences of the movie and gives a photographic perspective from the sessions and stories that took place within the movie,” says Burkard, “There are written stories and quotes about bodysurfing all tying into the art of riding of wave in it's simplest form.”
For more info visit torpedopeople.com where you can order the book, movie, and other merchandise. There will also be a book tour this spring at Patagonia stores throughout the U.S.
Seattle – Wednesday, 3/20
Portland – Thursday, 3/21
San Francisco – Friday, 3/22
Santa Cruz – Tuesday, 3/26
Ventura – Wednesday, 3/27
Santa Monica – Thursday, 3/28
Boston – Wednesday, 4/3
Freeport, ME – Thursday 4/4 or Friday 4/5
NY Bowery – Saturday 4/6
The Torpedo People
The Torpedo People

© Chris Burkard