Faces of the Waves

10/21/2025

Hello! Thank you for following my page! Please visit and follow my Instagram Account where you'll find many more surfer stories and portraits. Have a great day. Hope to see you with my camera at the HB pier. Best, Gayle 😃

1,042 Followers, 827 Following, 221 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Gayle MacAllister Photographer ()

08/12/2025

Rest in Peace ... sweet angel Kolby.

When I started FACES OF THE WAVES, my hope was to honor the people who carry the spirit of surfing in their hearts and to create a visual record of the community that emboldens them. One of those faces was Kolby Aipa, a young man whose joy, kindness, and passion for others touched so many here in Huntington Beach. I believe legacy portraits can help us heal, remember, and stay connected with one another. When I shot this one Kolby was proudly facing the ocean on the Northside of the pier "in all his handsome surfing glory" (Val Aipa's words). - Gayle MacAllister FACES OF THE WAVES

Location: Sessions West Coast Deli

04/07/2025

Meet Kai!

We met this week at the Vans Jack’s Pro Surf Contest (qualifier for the World Surf League) in beautiful Huntington Beach, California.

How old are you Kai? I’m 18 years old.

Do you live in HB? No. I live in Manhattan Beach CA.

How old were you when you started surfing? My Dad taught me how to surf when I was 3 years old, but I did my first competition when I was 5 years old at the South Bay Board Riders.

How did you become interested in surfing? My whole family surfs and my Dad always went surfing when I was little which made me want to start surfing!

What do you love about the HB Surf Community? I love the surf culture in Huntington Beach and how everyone knows about surfing. Which is the reason so many good surfers come out of Huntington Beach!

How does surfing help you become the best version of yourself?

Surfing helps me become the best version of myself because I learn so much about myself every time I get in the water. Because I want to get better I’m learning from my mistakes which makes me become a better person too.

.qs

Welcome to Faces of the Waves where Gayle MacAllister steps into the world of surfing thru her lens, capturing rare still moments of surfers, transforming their portraits into masterpieces of black & white art.

FACES OF THE WAVES began as a celebration of Surfing in the Olympics in 2021, the following year it evolved into an outdoor floating exhibit at Pacific City in Huntington Beach. Today this project promotes Huntington Beach as a Surf Village candidate for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

If you’re in HB be sure to stop by Gayle’s OUTDOOR floating installation “Faces of the Waves” on the 2nd Floor of Pacific City next to the Surfing Wall of Fame in Huntington Beach, California.

04/07/2025

Meet Taylor!

We met this week at the Vans Jack’s Pro Surf Contest (qualifier for the World Surf League) in beautiful Huntington Beach, California.

How old are you? 17

Do you live in HB? No. I was born and raised in Newport Oregon and still live there.

How old were you when you started surfing? I first started surfing when I was 2 years old when my Dad got me my first wetsuit.

How did you become interested in surfing? I first became interested in surfing when my Dad got me my first Channel Islands shortboard previously owned by Jett Schilling! My Dad was the main reason I became interested in surfing because he was a former pro for the WSL and later became the head judge for the Big Wave World Tour!

What do you love about the HB Surf Community? I love the surf community in Huntington Beach because of the rich history of surf culture and the amazing people of Surf City USA.

How does surfing help you become the best version of yourself? Surfing helps me become the best version of myself by keeping me motivated to continue improving my mindset even on days where the waves are stormy and it improves my outlook on life by caring for our ocean.
.qs

Welcome to Faces of the Waves where Gayle MacAllister steps into the world of surfing thru her lens, capturing rare still moments of surfers, transforming their portraits into masterpieces of black & white art.

FACES OF THE WAVES began as a celebration of Surfing in the Olympics in 2021, the following year it evolved into an outdoor floating exhibit at Pacific City in Huntington Beach. Today this project promotes Huntington Beach as a Surf Village candidate for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

If you’re in HB be sure to stop by Gayle’s OUTDOOR floating installation “Faces of the Waves” on the 2nd Floor of Pacific City next to the Surfing Wall of Fame in Huntington Beach, California.

04/04/2025

Meet Owen!

I recently met up with 21 year old competitive surfer at the 2025 Jack’s Surfboards Pro in Huntington Beach.

Owen is from North Carolina, he began surfing when he was only 3 years old following in the footsteps of his big brother.

“I really like Huntington it has good vibes and I’ve been coming here since I was 10 so it’s always fun to come back!”

Good luck in the .qs contest this weekend Owen 🙌 Thank you for joining Faces of the Waves 🌊


Welcome to Faces of the Waves where Gayle MacAllister steps into the world of surfing thru her lens, capturing rare still moments of surfers, transforming their portraits into masterpieces of black & white art.

FACES OF THE WAVES began as a celebration of Surfing in the Olympics in 2021, the following year it evolved into an outdoor floating exhibit at Pacific City in Huntington Beach. Today this project promotes Huntington Beach as a Surf Village candidate for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

If you’re in HB be sure to stop by Gayle’s OUTDOOR floating installation “Faces of the Waves” on the 2nd Floor of Pacific City next to the Surfing Wall of Fame in Huntington Beach, California.

.qs

09/29/2024

Meet Jazz! (&Michael),

Do you live in HB? How did you become interested in surfing?

I started surfing in middle school at Blackies in Newport, but my real journey began about 7 years ago after battling post-partum depression. I grabbed an old board and paddled out at Cliffs, reconnecting with the ocean. Surfing daily helped me overcome a dark mental space. I joined the Huntington Beach Longboard Crew and started competing, shaped my first board and started Jazz Shapes Custom Surfboards 3 years ago. I also founded an all-inclusive surf school, helping people overcome water trauma and fear. My primary focus is helping women! Now 33 weeks pregnant, I still surf to stay connected with my baby and mama ocean. I met my partner Mike in the water at Bolsa Chica, we shared a few waves and our bond started with him offering to fix my board. We kept meeting up to surf and then we finally went out, we shared so much passion and many synchronicities and the rest is history. We are a blended family, I have a 10 year old and he has an 11, 14 and 17 year old and soon we will have our little boy, so be on the lookout for the next Northside grom, Wilder Blue. I still plan to keep shaping boards and run the surf school and just keep living the dream while raising this new little babe! So grateful!
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What do you like about belonging to the HB surf community?

I LOVE our surf community! The connections are incredible, and there's truly no place like home. We have some of the best people, full of talent and good vibes. The HB vibe is hard to describe, but the stoke and passion everyone has is so sweet. Heading down to the beach, seeing someone you know every session, parking lot talks, always having a buddy in the lineup, sharing waves with friends, hanging at the surf shops—it's all so rad! I can always count on my community. I love the events we host and how we come together, especially in times of need. I'm so thankful to live here and raise my babies here. I love traveling to magical corners of the world but nothing beats coming home and seeing everyone you know!
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How does surfing help you become the best version of yourself?

I am absolutely the best version of myself after I surf. The water heals your heart, body, mind, and spirit. I could be having the worst day, but after a session, I feel renewed and happy. Mama ocean just takes away all the negativity. Scoring waves, being in flow state, clearing your mind—it's the ultimate meditation. Surfing is my lifestyle, not just a hobby. I live and breathe all things surf, reflecting that in reducing plastic pollution, sustainability, hosting beach cleanups loving the gym, training daily, eating clean and living holistically to ensure confidence and strength in the lineup and in life in general. I have more and more compassion and gratitude because of the opportunities I’ve had to go on surf trips and travel around the world. Surfing has been the best teacher for my life, and I love sharing that with others, helping them become their best selves. My mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health thrives because of my surf lifestyle. I owe everything to the ocean, my sanctuary.
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08/24/2024

Meet Yago and his beautiful wife Coral! I loved photographing this adorable couple and thoroughly enjoyed learning about their destiny/meet cute love story...

Do you live in Huntington Beach?

Yes

How did you become interested in surfing?

I grew up in a beach-oriented family. My older brother was a surfer, and my mom loved the beach, so I spent a lot of time there during the summers. In the winter, I would play with skateboards because it was too cold for the beach. At around 10 years old, I got my first surfboard and haven’t stopped surfing since. By the time I was 12, I began competing in local contests in my home state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. In my first year of competition, I made it to a couple finals and brought home a few trophies

What do you like about belonging to the HB surf community?

Growing up in Brazil, I watched the US Open and never imagined I would be living here. It was a dream I didn't realize I had, but I’ve achieved it. Last year, I joined the HB Boardriders, which has been an incredible experience. We participated in many events, and it made me feel like part of the Huntington Beach family. Additionally, I’m currently an assistant surf coach at Marina High School, where I help kids improve their surfing skills and have fun. Everyday I am appreciative to be apart of the HB surf community!

How does surfing help you become the best version of yourself ?

Surfing means everything to me, and it has taught me a lot around the world. The main reason I am in the USA right now is because of surfing. I originally came for two surf contest in Florida and California. I didn’t know any English and had no money. Then COVID hit and I got stuck here. My flight back to Brazil was canceled, and with lockdowns everywhere, including in Brazil, I decided to stay a few more weeks.

After four months, I was still in the USA and met my future wife, Coral (an HB local). Our first date was us walking on the pier with Google Translate. She didn’t know Portuguese and I didn’t know any English, but that didn’t stop our journey. I extended my visa to stay longer, and after a year of dating, I extended it again. Three years later, we got married and we finally took our first trip to Brazil together in December 2023. I came to the USA for a 20-day surf trip and returned to Brazil four years later, married and with so many new experiences. I continue to surf as much as possible and I am grateful to call HB my home.

Surfing has taught me to be patient and remain calm. Surfing helps me become the best version of myself in and out of the water. Surfing will always be in my blood. 🤙🏻
Welcome to FACES OF THE WAVES where Gayle MacAllister steps into the the world of Huntington Beach’s surf community thru her lens, capturing rare still moments of surfers, transforming their portraits into masterpieces of black & white art.

FACES OF THE WAVES began as a celebration of Surfing in the Olympics in 2021, the following year it evolved into an outdoor floating exhibit at Pacific City in Huntington Beach. Today this project promotes Huntington Beach as a Surf Village candidate for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

08/21/2024

Meet Ryan! I shot these photos right after he finished surfing. I love the energy surfers share with me from the 🌊

Do you live in HB?

I live in Seal Beach

How old are you?

36

How old were you when you started surfing?

11

How did you become interested in surfing?

My uncle Mike Fitzpatrick had my cousin Taylor, my little brother Aaron, and myself on long boards at Blackies in Newport or 14th St in HB for Dawn Patrols; After bodysurfing and rolling in Sand, We got to play free Pool at Mutt Lynches. We also took frequent trips to Old Mans in his VW Bus. Surfing was always better than Tap Dancing with Mom.

What do you like about belonging to and surfing with the HB surf community?

It’s a true privilege to grow up in Huntington Beach! Our town is the Mecca of Surf culture and The original epicenter of high school surfing. Huntington Pier is The Colosseum of surfing and our beach is one of the most consistent breaks in North America. Our Town has pumped out some of the best surfers and surf coaches in the world. I am so proud to say I grew up surfing here on the High School Surf Team. It took me years to get to know the locals in the lineup and the nature of the seasons and sandbars at the pier. This is a tight-knit community where everyone takes the time to say Hello to each other, show Love and Aloha in and out of the water. I am very thankful to be a member of this community.

How does surfing help you become the best version of yourself?

There are a few activities as grounding as surfing. When I am surfing, I am fully present. I am operating at my highest form of self functioning. There is no subject. There is no object there is no past. There is no future. My mind is typically blank free from stress, anxiety dirt soil, grime pressure all those things wash away as soon as I take my first duck dive, but the second my feet touch the wax, that’s when everything disappears and I become one with source energy and there is no higher form of self functioning than that. Allowing the wave to dictate my movements. It feels like I’m dancing with God even if it’s a 1 foot Huntington hop slop chop pitter, patter ankle, slapper nugget of a wave , I still get the same joy.

Welcome to FACES OF THE WAVES where Gayle MacAllister steps into the the world of Huntington Beach’s surf community thru her lens, capturing rare still moments of surfers, transforming their portraits into masterpieces of black & white art.

FACES OF THE WAVES began as a celebration of Surfing in the Olympics in 2021, the following year it evolved into a permanent installation as an outdoor floating exhibit at Pacific City in Huntington Beach. Today this project promotes Huntington Beach as a Surf Village candidate for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

08/21/2024

Meet Hanieh!

She is a beautiful soul. I intuitively posed her just so in the first portrait before she told me the logo design she created for her surfboard and skateboard bags lines are practically the same pose 🙌 Check out her line

Do you live in Huntington Beach?

I live in Costa Mesa

How old are you?

42

How old were you when you started surfing?

36

How did you become interested in surfing?

Growing up in a country where women weren’t allowed to participate in water activities, I felt it was too late to start surfing after moving to the US. Despite the challenges, I made surfing a daily habit and now proudly consider myself a surfer.

What does the Huntington Beach surf community mean to you?

Vibe, friendly people, People are more chill and free

How does surfing help you become the best version of yourself?

Surfing helps me become the best version of myself in several ways. Mentally, it sharpens my focus, enhances mindfulness, and alleviates anxiety. Physically, it strengthens my body and builds resilience. Spiritually, being in the water reminds me of my smallness in the grand scheme of things and fosters a sense of awe and humility.

Welcome to Faces of the Waves where Gayle MacAllister steps into the world of surfing thru her lens, capturing rare still moments of surfers, transforming their portraits into masterpieces of black & white art. ��“I love creating these soulful portraits and sharing each surfer’s story of what it’s like to belong to a nurturing and healthy community!”

FACES OF THE WAVES began as a celebration of Surfing in the Olympics in 2021, the following year it evolved into an outdoor floating exhibit at Pacific City in Huntington Beach. Today this project promotes Huntington Beach as a Surf Village candidate for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Stop by Gayle’s OUTDOOR floating installation “Faces of the Waves” on the 2nd Floor of Pacific City next to the Surfing Wall of Fame in Huntington Beach, California.