As part of Carve Collective, we are catching up with surfers, shapers, photographers and all round local legends across the UK and Ireland.
Making our way along the coast, we catch up with Bournemouth photographer Gary Knights to talk surf, photography and life behind the lens. Known for capturing the energy of the UK surf scene, Gary has spent years documenting sessions, surfers and the culture that surrounds them.
Give us the basics - who are you, where are you based, and what’s your lane?
My name is Gary Knights, I’m from Christchurch on the South Coast of Dorset. Currently living in Southbourne, a suburb of Bournemouth. I’m a heating engineer, surfer, surf photographer, occasional writer and also enjoy nature photography mainly underwater whilst free diving.
What does a normal week look like for you right now?
My weeks recently have been filled mainly with work, winter is always a busy time for me as its heating season so missing surf is unfortunately inevitable but with spring looming the nights and mornings are getting drawn out and I feel like I’m able to look at weather charts again without getting the hump.If there’s no surf I do try and get out mega early in the mornings looking for some of my favourite species to photograph if the weather is good, the few hours either side of dawn and sunrise are always amazing and I love nothing better than hiking through the amazing countryside with just a camera and no one around, the best thing… its all before my 9-5 starts.
What keeps you hooked on surfing at this stage?
I do still love surfing and always have since my first introduction to it whilst on a family holiday in Freshwater West in Wales aged 11, the weather was blowing a hoolly, raining and I remember battling against the horrendous winds in just a pair of shorts and king polystyrene board tucked under the arm I can still remember it flexing so badly in the wind I was just waiting for a board ending snapping noise!
After a few days of some impressive belly rides and some of the worst chest and rib rashes known to mankind it soon led to the next phase… a shopping trip with my Dad down to the local surf shop to find a “proper” second hand surfboard, leash and amazing smelling block of wax, and that was it …I was hooked for life! The feeling never left and its shaped my life in so many ways on the journey that is surfing.
I think the thing that keeps me hooked is everything that comes with surfing… friends, travel, nature, (some of the most amazing wildlife experiences I’ve ever had have happened whilst surfing) being out in ever changing environments, both weather and waves, often challenging and other times just quiet a serene, I do also love board design and trying different surf crafts keeps things fresh and most importantly fun!
What are you working on or trying to improve?
I still like to keep fit for surfing a I have always been trying to improve generally. I like good waves but my motivation has dropped a bit over the last few years for below average waves, which living on the South Coast doesn’t help. Bournemouth has really suffered recently surf wise, crowds, sand banks in winter being washed away and pollution have really put me off so that’s hit my mo-jo a bit so I think that’s something I need to improve. Ssaying that I also feel pretty content too and know if it's good I will still get some waves.
What or who has been inspiring you lately?
Just recently I saw Russ Winter absolutely smashing a couple of heats against full time professionals out in Barbados, Russ has always had the bulldog spirit within and has had some pretty challenging times over the years after being one of the most successful European surfers ever.
Seeing what he has achieved fitness wise this year and surfing that well in that contest at the age 50 is inspiring. I also get inspired by people who go after their dreams and create a lifestyle or job that can mean living outside the norm.
Just wanted to give a massive shout out for one such person that has always lived like this… Cam Treble. In July Cam broke his spine in a paragliding accident and was told he would never walk again, the following is just a small excerpt from from one of his recent FB posts “I’m in a wheelchair now. But I’m still here. Still breathing. Still fighting. And more determined than ever live fully and with purpose. Everyday, I choose resilience over regret, growth over grief, and power over pain. This isn’t the end, far from it. Its a new chapter. Maybe even a whole book.” Cam Treble.
Now thats inspiring! That’s it in a nutshell.
What are your plans for the future, near or far?
I really want to try a find some blue fin tuna this coming summer season down in Cornwall and try
and get some good underwater shots of them. Tuna are back in the UK with a bang now, in recent
years mainly in the South West and also here in the English Channel.
Generally I want to get more free diving in this summer and also try and get away later in the year
to somewhere with some bigger fauna, although I saw humpback whales in Australia a few years
ago I still would like to get somewhere like Tonga to see them and get some dream photos looking
into their eyes, that’s definitely on my bucket list.
Surfing wise I hope to get to France again later this summer. Ive never had a bad trip down there,
food, wine, surf…every time I’m back I always think to myself “why have I left it so long”
Shout out one local spot, person, or brand that deserves more love.
Just wanted to shout out the Boyz at FOAMLIFE a local to Bournemouth surf brand with some incredible comfortable flip flops with a commitment to sustainability and eco-concious products. The brand is going from strength to strength and now available worldwide. Timo and Karl havedone such an amazing job.
Any closing remarks?
A BIG thank you to you guys Guys!… CARVE magazine… still in print and keeping the stoke alive. Its still great to be able to have shots and stories printed and thanks for your support over the years.
Keep up to date with Gary's work:
