Kevin T McHugh Photography

paddling out in sunset light watching the set roll through, it's a combination of critique and envy watching someone else drop in and alter your own mind surf.

there is always a sandbar somewhere with the right swell, offshore breeze and proper tide to make you salivate and contemplate paddling out even in the fading light.

the beach is full of characters. from all backgrounds and headed towards all variety of futures. love sharing a beer and a laugh with all of them and talking story. @ventuckybeachlocal not only is a character but a great neighbor next to my mom's house and i couldn't help but capture this portrait of him with that sketchy looking mustache. looking forward to sharing more waves with ya bud!⠀

goodbye sweet sun, thank you again for another day of your warmth and energy. no better way to send off the day than with an evening surf session.⠀ ⠀ #surf #surfing #beach #beachlife #exploreca #california #sunset #surfphotography #nikon #ktmfoto

Running on auto-pilot... I've lived near the ocean my whole life and I still watch in amazement when pelicans delicately glide just millimeters above the rolling swells and waves, deftly maneuvering nonchalantly as though it's all been preplanned. My favorite certainly is when out in the lineup and they cruise by right at eye level. These two flying by during the morning glass while the early winter swells are pounding along the beaches in southern california.⠀ ⠀ #socal #explorecalifornia #beach #beachlife #blackandwhite #pelican #flyby #ventura #surflife #california #pacificocean #ktmfoto

as much as i love the long days of summer the colors and latitudes of light during the short winter days are unparalleled. the way the orange glow of the fading sunlight on the sky intersects with the ensuing blues of night always draw me in the same way a campfire sucks me into a mindless zone. after eeking out the last moments of light for that final wave of a surf session it's time to pack it up and make the long walk across the beach. ⠀ ⠀

as the first series of autumn storms begin to roll in, the warmth of summer is quickly fading. those warm sunsets are quickly giving way to the cooler blues of cloudy days. these evenings still provide a great time to catch some bait fish, even as eager seagulls are ready to poach some dinner. watching these guys throw their nets made me realize, it's no easy task! i feel i would be wrapped up in the net as the seagulls mock me.⠀ #pacificocean #pnw #upperleftusa #washington #storm #autumn #fishing #beachlife #winteriscoming #explorewashington

Changeout races are upon us! Longer distance, tougher conditions, bigger water... requiring more determination, focus and stamina. This weekend is the PNW Long Distance Championships and it's forecasted to be brutally hot with minimal winds. In a few short weeks is Catalina Crossing and in October it's time for the grandaddy of them all, Molokai Hoe. Here Laci Budjos is bailing out of seat 1 while @goto1784 reaches up to the gunnel and gets his legs ready to kick himself up to take over as stroker while crossing the Kaiwi Channel a few years back under similar conditions to what we should see this weekend, hot and flat. Good luck to all the crews racing this weekend!

Aaron Napoleon cruising through Swell City during leg 3 of the 2016 Wildside. Another gorgeous day of downwinders, surf, warm water and sun in the Gorge. It was amazing to watch Aaron connect and link bumps all while looking sublime and at ease. Whether it was the smaller bumps at the start or bigger waves through the corridor it was certainly impressive. Can't wait for more classic gorge conditions.

@jpspoto milking the bump through the narrows during the 2016 Wildside race aboard the new @puakeadesigns kahekai. This years race started with mild conditions yet quickly ramped up and produced great surfing conditions all the way through to the finish.

After an eternity waiting for the next set even the smallest bump gets the excitement going.

We are already thick into the outrigger racing season. It be only early June yet plenty of big races have already taken place with plenty more to come. In September will be the Catalina Crossing taking place in some of the bluest waters I have seen on this planet. 32 miles from Avalon to Newport and generally without classic downwind conditions seen at Moloka'i and Pailolo, it is still one of the races many crews mark on their calendars to do their best at. Here Outrigger Team California mid-way through the race during a water change. Each time I look at this image I can feel the full body effort it takes to quickly get into the canoe, and then the real work begins. #stoked #otc #outrigger #outriggercanoe #paddling #outriggerteamcalifornia #california #catalinacrossing #racing #pacificocean #water #nikon #paddlinglife #ktmfoto @aquatech_imagingsolutions @kialoapaddles @officialmauijim @hinano_tahiti

Is it adventure time yet? I have had this vision of British Columbia burned into my mind from the first time I was lucky enough to head to the south Chilcotins years back. I'm ready for the next adventure soon. #canada #bc #britishcolumbia #explorecanada #adventure #explorebc #frothing

the short wintry days are slowly dwindling into the past giving away to longer and sunnier days of summer. looking forward to more sessions in the warm waters and sharing waves with my friends. @aquatech_imagingsolutions

spring may be just around the corner, but the mountains are still getting all time snowfall making for an inspiring late winter. combined with some great spring weather down in lower elevations it’s shaping up to be all time!

one last rip for the day. can't beat a day of powder, sun breaks and awe inspiring views. thank you mt baker for providing the snow and epic terrain!

making the walk across the beach while mind surfing the waves you're frothing to get into. more offshores. more swell. more exciting winter action from the northwest. #wasurf #pnw #pnwsurf #surf #surfing #coldgold #surflife #washington #nikon #frothing #winter #waves #upperleftusa #stoked #ktmfoto