The Atlantic Current

The cover of the Photo Issue, and the story goes like this. Cold front swell, genuinely frigid temps by Florida standards, and a warm-ish ocean putting steam over the horizon at sunrise. The kind of morning that separates the committed from the comfortable. Matt Bucelli was out there, and we’re damn glad he didn’t hit the snooze button.

Grab a copy to see what other talented photographers made it into print. Link in bio to find a spot near you.

Cover by

Most people squeeze their passions into the margins. Matt Oberman and Skeeter Zimmerman built their whole lives around them.

Good waves are hard to come by in South Florida, but that hasn’t stopped these two watermen from scoring world-class waves. Matt with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and Skeeter with the Boca Raton Fire Department — they run a 24-on, 48-off schedule that gives them the freedom to move when the swell lines up.

Their story goes back decades. Both grew up chasing every wave they could find, competing, landing sponsors, and living the early surf life. Skeeter rode with Quiksilver for years and launched Living Water Surf School before joining the fire service. Matt stacked up sponsors of his own and spent time as a lifeguard before stepping into his role as a firefighter.

Now the rhythm is simple: when they’re on duty, they’re serving the community. When they’re off, they’re tracking buoy readings, swapping shifts, and heading wherever hollow waves are breaking.

“What Matt and I are doing is a young man’s game and we have to stay fit,” Skeeter said. “You can’t just say, ‘I’ll do it when I’m in my sixties and retired.’”

For them, it’s never been about money or fame. It’s about the pull of the ocean — and making the most of it while the waves, and the years, are still on their side.

Photos:
Maena Fabisch
Boris Martinet
Gaetan Charlin
Atlantic Current Media

Written by Darien Davies.

~

Read “Blue Collar Barrel Chasers” in The Water People Issue — on stands now.