When the waves are pumping along the North Coast, you’ll find this wave assassin tucked deep in the pit or busting big turns despite a battle-scarred knee that has seen its fair share of operations. And with a soundtrack always spinning in his head, he shreds with a style and flow that continues on land behind the lens – where he has worked his way up the list of the finest surf photographers in the country.

Meet this week’s Surf Ninja, Luke Patterson…

NAME: Luke Patterson
AGE: 31
LOCAL SPOT: Westbrook

BEST THING ABOUT SURFING?
The freedom to act like a weirdo after a huge shack.

WORST THING ABOUT SURFING?
Stitches.

TO MAKE A LIVING I..?
Do travel, surf, product, architectural, fashion, ‘Younameit’ photography and videography

THREE TRACKS THAT HELP YOU SHRED?
You just have to make sure that the last track in the car park is a banger. That one that loops well when you’re repeating it 160 times in the lineup while waiting for sets.

BEST SURFER IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW?
Still Andy Irons.

DAWNIE OR ARVO SESH?
Ahh, it has got to be a DawVo – make it an all-day affair if it’s pumping!

WHICH SPOT DO YOU HAVE TO SURF BEFORE YOU DIE?
One that I will only surf when I’m ready to die, like huge Teahupo’o or something (laughs).

WHEN YOU ARE NOT SURFING, YOU CAN BE FOUND WHERE?
In-between editing photos, I’ll be sitting on my balcony with a smoothie just scouting where I’m going to surf next.

GREATEST FEAR?
Losing my sight, or my girlfriend getting hurt.

BEST SURFING MEMORY?
Oooh, that’s a hard one. There’s too many good ones, so I can’t narrow them down to just one.