Kona Gallery Features Surf Photo Legend 'Mad Man Merk'

The Kona Gallery showcased famous surf photographer and San Clemente local Dan Merkel’s portfolio at a Wednesday opening.

Merkel’s show consisted primarily of photographs from the surf film Bustin’ Down the Door, a film about Australian surfers taking over the Hawaiian surf scene on the North Shore of Oahu.

“It’s a great honor to have Dan in the gallery,” said Kona Gallery Director Scott McKiernan. “He is a legend who brings you back to a very specific time in surf history.”

Merkel’s talent for shooting photos from the water perspective put the photographer among the A-list in surf photography in the 1970’s, when Oahu’s North Shore experienced its “Aussie invasion,” as well as a general surf culture boom.

Merkel’s full-color photos date back to 1975 and depict  a roster of surf legends such as the late Hawaiian Eddie Aikau, Australian Mark Richards, Australian Pete Townend and South African Shaun Tomson.

“He was one of the first photographers to give you the water perspective,” said A Frame Media Director/CEO Jeff Hall. “He literally put you in the action.”

Known by some as “Mad Man Merk,” Merkel oftentimes took high risk in large Hawaiian surf to take a great shot. Dedicated to his profession, Merkel spent over ten years shooting on the North Shore and other tropical locales shooting in large surf.

“Until they hear that click, they don’t move and then suffer the consequences,” said Surf Legend Pete Townend. “Merkel was so particular about his shots, if he saw even a little light ray, he’d throw the picture in the trash.”

All proceeds from this event are donated to the Surfing Heritage Foundation.

For more information about the Kona Gallery’s happenings, click here.