Rare Image of Surfing God Riding ‘The Cradle of Storms’ That Took 2 Years of Planning

Photographers exert their best potential in capturing the most breathtaking surfing images. They experience high-rising waves, varying weather conditions, and potential mishaps, just to click beautiful surfing frames. However, Chris Burkard, a one-of-a-kind self-taught photographer stepped out of the regular photography spree in 2013. He explored Alaska, to capture the God of cold water surfing, Josh Mulcoy. Surprisingly, the surf photographer prepared for two years to capture his life’s most incredible surfing frame.

During a 2022 interview with The Guardian, the Californian photographer shared his experience working at the Aleutian Islands also known as The Cradle of Storms. He revealed the extreme weather conditions there and how he managed to click a magnificent still of legendary surfer Josh Mulcoy.

Chris Burkard on capturing the most iconic image of his life

In 2013, Chris Burkard visited the wild and windy Aleutian Islands, a raw chain of islands connecting Alaska to Russia. Famously known as The Cradle of Storms, they are a treeless region with big active volcanoes. Moreover, the region is susceptible to ruthless weather conditions making it difficult for tourists to thrive. As a result, Burkard took two years to plan his expedition with free surfer Josh Mulcoy.

50-year-old Josh Mulcoy is a 1989 Cold Water Classic champion. After professionally surfing for 18 years, Mulcoy gave up on competitions and followed his real passion for surfing at the world’s remotest locations. From Alaska to deep south Mexico, he has loved enjoying solitary surfing.

Talking to the Guardian about his Alaska experience, Burkard revealed in the interview that he visited Unmark, an island among the Aleutian Islands with Josh Mulcoy on a small aircraft. They stayed on the island for 14 days carrying ample food for themselves and devices to charge their different types of equipment.

During those two weeks, they got only one “single clear morning” which was icy cold and below freezing. On a vehicle, they covered 15 to 20 miles of the terrain to reach the beach where they knew a new swell was emerging. As they began clicking pictures, Burkard took many photographs while being in the water, but he was most proud of the one still that he took from the land.

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He explained, “I was crouched below rocks on the shoreline, trying to compress the wave into the background. ” Moreover, that one picture made to the cover shot for Surfer magazine. Burkard described the Josh Mulcoy picture that he took, “He’s on a right-hander, on a beautiful point break we found. The volcano in the background is Mount Vsevidof, the only volcano on this island.”

How did Chris Burkard begin shooting at exotic locations?

During his interview, Burkard also talked about how he developed an interest in exotic surfing photography. Born in Pismo Beach, California, the 37-year-old grew up surfing. He developed a passion for surfing photography knowing that it was not easy. During his early days as a professional photographer, he explored beautiful surfing locations, but eventually realized that he wanted to go beyond surf hotspots.

That’s when he found his passion for working as an unconventional surf photographer in cold environments. Since then, Burkard has worked in several places like the Faroe Isles, northern Norway, the Kamchatka Peninsula, and the Kuril Islands. The photographer finds it interesting to work in the most unpredictable weather conditions to click mesmerizing photographs.

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Indeed, it’s commendable how photographers like Chris Burkard take extreme risks and bring the best out of a still frame. What do you think of Burkard’s passion? Tell us in the comments.