SLAB Average Surfer Interviews - Sam Howard

Still in lockdown... and our ability to surf and mix with each other still curtailed. We thought we would interview some average surfers, and see how they’re getting on.

Sam Howard @samhowardphoto

Sam is a surfer and photographer from Aberdeen who balances his day job with floating around North Coast lineups, camera in hand, ready to get the shot.

 

Hey Sam, how’s things?

Yo Slab boys, I’m good thanks! I managed to get some sessions in shooting and surfing on that north swell so I'm a happy man!

How did you first get into surfing?

I had a couple of lessons on family holidays when I was younger but didn't really get into it until part way through uni. I’d tag along with pals from uni, here and there, when I could scaff a suit and board. I was a swimmer growing up so I felt pretty comfortable in the water. This usually led to sessions of me getting wrecked trying to follow what everyone else was doing, maybe catching a couple of eagle stance bad boys in between.  

My pals ended up buying me a wetsuit for my birthday four years or so ago, and that opened up the door to surfing for me. I was super lucky to be around mates who were keen to teach and show me the spots around Scotland. Very grateful for that lads!

Last surf trip you went on?

The last trip I went abroad for was portugal. Such a sound wee crew. We went september time and scored some good waves and had a class gaff near the beach where beers and good scran were always on the go.

We also scored some good waves up north before lockdown. I have really missed getting up there, adventuring along that coast and shooting bigger swells.

When did you make switch from paddling out with a board, to paddling out with a camera in hand? And do you enjoy both as much as each other?

I first bought a camera when I went on a surf trip to South Africa late 2018. I cut my foot pretty badly and it wouldn't heal so I ended up shooting quite a bit of surfing that trip. Then a year and a half ago I got my water housing. Shooting in the water is definitely where I caught the photography bug.

Yeah I love both as much as each other, it's always a hard choice. I’m still a kook at heart and on the waves, so it’s always good to shoot other surfers and learn from them. 

Seen you’ve been doing some dawn days sessions, what motivated you for it? And did anything about it surprise you? 

Yeah I have really enjoyed the dawny sessions! Although I'm really not a morning person.

The images captured by Mike Guest and Nick Pumphrey during the first Dawn Days of May project were insane! They grabbed my interest. I think, in a way, I didn't really feel comfortable giving it a go back then. I was worried how my shots would look compared to these lads that have been shooting for years and felt like I was half arsing it if I couldn't get out everyday. But I was totally missing the whole point of the project. 

I bumped into Mike up in Thurso last year and we have had a couple of good natters since. I really appreciate the advice he has given me. He, probably without realising it, helped change the way I think about photography. I gained a way better perspective on why I shoot and what it is about photography that makes me happy over the past wee while.

I found a good balance with Dawn Days and headed out once or twice a week when I could. I was really surprised by the shots I came away with, even when the conditions often looked so terrible from the beach. The light at that time of day goes through so many changes. When you are submerged at eye level and can freeze what is going on around you the details become so much more apparent. 

For you, how does being in the water benefit your mindset and mental health?

I ended up drifting into a pretty bad place throughout last year. I felt a lot of embarrassment and guilt around my mental health and it was something I didn’t really discuss. If I'm being completely honest I ended up in a situation of complete uncertainty where I was questioning all my decisions and my brain was constantly over thinking leading to lack of sleep and a bit of change in my personality. All of this built up and started making me paranoid and down a lot of the time. I ended up going to Glasgow to see my girlfriend and ended up staying there for a month after having some pretty intense thoughts. That's when I first spoke about things with someone properly. I ended up telling my family and work  which was a massive relief. I decided to take some time out of work, seek some professional help and also decided to start giving Dawn Days a go. 

Being in the water has had a massive positive impact for me. Getting out to shoot in the mornings brought some routine and gave me a better understanding of how key balance is to a happy life and mind. It showed me how important it is to make time for those things that make you feel better, even if you don't feel like it's what you want to do at the time. It definitely helped me find a new love for photography and a place where my mind could process things at a slower pace.

I would be lying if I said I enjoyed getting out of my bed and into the car for each dawn shoot. But once I'm out in the water by myself I become engrossed in what's going on around me. I end up hunting for the details, trying to time the ripples on the surface with the shot, or catch interesting segments of the lip or weird patterns in the sky and sea. In between shots if a thought comes into your head it is easier to acknowledge that thought but not dwell on it. You then get distracted by what's going on around you again and your mind goes back to the surroundings. I don't meditate but i think In a way it's kind of similar. Acknowledging thoughts then returning to the present. I always leave the water and start my day feeling like I have already achieved something. It sets you off with a good mindset.

I’m currently working on a couple of projects with the aim to raise discussion around the positive impact creative and outdoor activities can have on our mental health. The aim will be to introduce people to new activities and hopefully help them find a good headspace. I will also take a dive into the Scottish surf community, the diversity of people, crafts and businesses behind the scenes. It’s been a slow burner but I’m just taking it easy or it ruins the balance and fun.

What motivates you to put on a wetsuit in the middle of winter?

I think it is just the fact that I really love surfing, photography and all the good times and people that go with it. The wetsuits and the cold don’t really bother me anymore. In a way I really enjoy the element of adventure it adds when it's not tropical and perfect waves. You have to chase harder for the good days. The feeling of gliding across the water is so absurd too. It's something I doubt I will get bored of!

Cheers lads and good luck with Slab and the rest of the articles!

 

Cheers Sam, all the best.