Today’s guest is Christa Funk better known as "C Funk" one of the world’s leading water photographers, celebrated for her breathtaking images from the legendary Banzai Pipeline. Whether it’s small waves or heavy second and third reef Pipe, Funk is always in the mix, driven by discipline, courage, and her background as a competitive swimmer and Coast Guard officer.

Her work has been featured in Freesurf Magazine, Surfline, and across countless feeds, where her images capture the raw beauty, chaos, and perfection of the ocean. Known for her relentless work ethic, she’s often paddling out before sunrise, staying in the water longer than anyone, and training with hardcore fitness routines to handle the most extreme conditions.

But Christa’s story didn’t begin at Pipeline. Her first brush with photography came in 2003, when a classroom assignment sparked her passion behind the lens. After graduating from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and serving on Coast Guard Cutter RUSH in Hawaii, she discovered surf photography as the perfect combination of her two passions: swimming and shooting. Eventually, she transitioned to life as a full-time photographer, capturing unique perspectives from inside the lineup and documenting stories that few others ever witness.

In this episode, we dive into:

- How Christa went from Coast Guard officer to world-class surf photographer

- The discipline and fitness that keep her ready for Pipeline’s heaviest days

- Behind-the-scenes insights from Freesurf, Surfline, and more

- Why storytelling is at the core of her photography

- How faith, resilience, and humor fuel her creative life

From the gladiator pit of Pipeline to her blog sign-offs like “Keep on Funkin’ On!”, Christa Funk embodies passion, creativity, and dedication. Her inspiring story is proof that hard work and heart can set you apart in the water and beyond.

Visit Christa:

Instagram: @instaclamfunk

Web: www.cfunkphoto.com

Documentary: First In, Last Out

Visit Me:

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Podcast Partners: 

Harlowe

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Field Made Co

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Very Good Presets

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Music: IOMH Built For This (Feat. Melody Val)

Licensed Through Audiio