The first chapter:

I started out as a surf photographer, initially I submitted most of my work to Surfer Magazine. Jeff Divine and Steve Pezman were really good to me and I’ve had many of my pics published in that magazine. Zigzag was also a great canvas for my work. At the same time (pre DTP) I did a bunch of work with Instinct – designing their ads until they moved the account to Wilshire Bvd. outfit Dyer and Khan. Later I started a tabloid surf mag called ‘Wet’ which was probably the most fun of all. 

The second:

When the shutters went up on the eighties, I felt the need to challenge my skills in the main stream and went through the ad agency mill and later I marqueraded as a big shot (sic) marketer at an international retail outfit. So surf photography took a back seat. Eventually I moved to Johannesburg chasing bigger things. Well that didn’t quite work out and  in 2006 we moved back to Durban and having acquired a new skill set (Web design etc) and armed with my camera bag, my first port of call was the New Pier. I was back on the surf media road, albeit at the back of the bus. Thing had changed. I had qualified for relic status. In 2014, Graham Cormac and I started South African Surfing Legends, an organization that brings some significant surfers from yesteryear into the business of coaching junior surfers. All good. 

The third chapter: Approaching 72 years of age and still working everyday, I have less desire to chase the media dragon. Teaching photography  panders to my sense of fulfillment

In the last few weeks I’ve moved into the Midlands of KZN. The place is perfect for me and our business. Living in the country and working mostly on-line is a dream Ive had for some time.

Pat Flanagan 2020.