At this time Longbeachtubo is pleased to introduce long time friend, bodyboarder and water sports photographer Mauricio Ibacache aka Mau.
LBT: for people who do not know you tell us a little bit about youself.
Mau:I was born in Viña Del Mar, Chile I'm 33 years old and single ha ha.
LBT: How did you get introduced to bodyboarding? Why not choose conventional surfing?
Mau: I started bodyboarding back in 1995 in Arica, northen Chile. One day at the beach a friend loaned me his bodyboard, an old match 7-7 and something in me clicked. Since that moment on, I've kept going to the beach and it's what will keep me in the water forever. On the other hand I suck at surfing. In bodyboarding I like that you are able to preform more maneuvers than on a surf board. When you are on a bodyboard the waves always looks bigger also, in bodyboarding you can get barreled in almost any wave.
LBT: How is the bodyboarding scene in Chile right now compared to back when you started?
Mau: It's very competitive, there's a lot of talent at both the amateur and professional levels. The big difference now, is that Chilean bodyboarders are venturing out on to the international scene. surfing all kind of waves giving us more chances to get in to the world competitions scene, the other fact is that a lot of new waves have been discovered since i started and still there are more to be discovered.
LBT: Do you prefer any bodyboarding style in particular and what board do you use?
Mau: Yes, i am more more of a prone rider and i like switching boards i have a LMNOP mcfly bath tail and last summer i started using a VS Hardy crescent tail.
LBT: What are your favorites bodyboarders and what moves or techniques do you like best of each one?
Mau: My top favorites are Ryan Hardy, the Hubbard bros. Miyamoto, Tamega, Rawlings, and Spence Skipper and i like all of their techniques and moves.
LBT: As a photographer when and where did you started shooting water sports ?
Mau: I started four years ago here on the east coast since then i have been working my way up shooting and learning at the same time.
LBT: Tell us about your work, who have you been working with?
Mau: I have been working with the USBA (United States Bodyboarding Association) for about three years, i got work published in bodyboarder Magazine here in the United States also got published in different magazines from Chile and international web sites.
LBT: What cameras,lenses and housing do you use?
Mau: I use Canon 20D, Canon 40D and a SPL Housing, the lenses I'll keep it confidential ha ha!! if you know what i mean ha ha!! just kidding i use all Canon lenses except for a Fish EyeTakina that works great.
LBT: What is the hardest part of your work?
Mau: Dealing with the sun on ya face!!! Also big ass waves when shooting in the water and of course editing and getting the work ready to be sent out once is done.
LBT: What is in the future for you and most important what is your website address so we can see some of your work?
Mau: Well i am moving back to Hawaii to continue improving my water photography and of course continue bodyboarding all the time also I'll be coming up with an all new www.maurofoto.com website where you can check my latest work, trips etc... so be ready.
LBT: Thanks again from longbeachtubo for stopping by.
