Inside the Red Bull Ocean Rescue 2025: My Aquatic Photography Report from Biarritz
- Margaux Caillier
- Nov 17, 2025
- 3 min read
Biarritz, its Grande Plage, its waves... and the world's elite surf lifesaving athletes. On November 15th and 16th, I had the privilege of covering the Red Bull Ocean Rescue 2025 as a dedicated watersports photographer. This intensely competitive event brought together over 100 athletes from France, Europe (Spain, Italy, Ireland), and even the United States.
As both a photographer and an athlete myself, my goal was clear: not to stay on the sand, but to dive into the heart of the action to capture the athletes' drive and the beauty of this sport, literally from the liquid element. Here is the account of 48 hours of adrenaline and exclusive imagery.
Saturday: 7km Finned Swim Amidst the Qualifiers
The first day was dedicated to the qualifying rounds on Biarritz's Grande Plage. Heats followed one another at a frantic pace to select the finalists from the hundred lifesavers present.
For an aquatic sports photo report, you must be physically ready. I spent 4 hours in the water, covering over 7 kilometers with my fins. Despite the water being 17°C (63°F), my 5mm wetsuit and the radiant sun allowed me to remain comfortable and focused.
The technical challenge?
Anticipating trajectories. Between the paddleboard, swim, and kayak events, athletes often arrive in a group. I had to successfully isolate the subject, manage the spray and light, all while ensuring my own safety amidst the action and the shorebreak. It is this total immersion that allows for capturing shots that no long-range lens can get from the beach.
Sunday: The Grand Final Seen from the Jet Ski
Sunday brought a change of scenery and logistics for the grand final. The course was massive: starting from the Grande Plage, heading towards the Lighthouse, returning, then a technical route towards the Rocher de la Vierge (Virgin's Rock) and the Port des Pêcheurs (Fishermen's Port), including board, swimming, kayaking, running (barefoot!) and impressive cliff jumping.
Impossible to keep up with that pace while finning! Thanks to the Red Bull Ocean Rescue organization, I was able to ride a Jet Ski for scouting and during the race.
As soon as the start was given at 2PM, the 25 finalists (18 men and 7 women) set off. The race was explosive, lasting less than an hour. The Jet Ski offered me essential mobility to stay close to the leading men’s trio — Bob Whittaker, Alan Le Gall, and Sancho Etcheverry — while keeping an eye on the women's race, particularly the American Kelsey Cummings.
Red Bull Ocean Rescue 2025: More Than Just Sports Photography
What makes this job magical is the connection with the athletes. Over the course of the competitions, the lifesavers have become "buddies." Even during extreme effort, they know I am there. This rapport allows me to capture authentic looks and attitudes: they give their best in front of the lens.
I was particularly touched by the mother-daughter duo, Noa and Rachel Larralde, who competed together. It’s this kind of human story that gives depth to a sports report.
The weather conditions were ideal, offering perfect light to sculpt the bodies mid-effort and make the ocean shimmer.
An Exclusive View of Biarritz
Being an aquatic photographer offers a truly unique perspective. I am often the only one to see the competition from this angle: athletes in the foreground, sea foam, and in the background, the city of Biarritz standing majestically.
I put this immense privilege to the service of the image to tell the event's story with my own aesthetic, blending sporting performance and artistic vision.
📸 Looking for a Photographer for Your Aquatic Event?
Whether for a lifesaving competition, swimming, triathlon, surfing, or a private event in the water, I put my fins and expertise at your service for submerged and impactful images.
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