Underneath the Golden Gate Bridge

Matt Rohrer shares some of the highlights of his conversations with Bay Area surfer Jimmy Holt, focal point of one of the few surfing photos to ever appear in National Geographic Magazine. Selected photos: Jim Shaw

Jimmy Holt managed to work his way into one of the few surfing photos ever to appear in National Geographic. This photo of him surfing Fort Point was included in a feature on the SF Presidio in the National Parks issue from 1978.

Jimmy: “My wife came across this National Geographic photo in the dentist's office. I didn't know anyone was taking pictures that day. She recognized my style. Another guy likes to tell his girlfriends that this is him. He can say that if it works for him but I recognize my style and the resin tint on my longboard.”