Arto Saari for Slowtide

Arto Saari has been an inspiration to us for years before we were lucky enough to become friends with him over the past few years in Hawaii. His all-in and curious personality shines through with his career in skateboarding, to his passion for photography and surfing.

Originally born in Finland, Arto Saari has established an international name for himself as one of the most respected athletes in the skateboarding community. Awarded the Thrasher magazine “Skater of the Year” award back in 2001, he has since proven himself to be a driving force in the cultural movement that blends art and skateboarding together. Beyond his career as a professional skateboarder, Arto has also amassed a prolific body of photographic work. From portraiture to landscapes, his images are arresting snapshots that seem to flawlessly capture the effervescence of a singular moment.

Five years ago, Arto and his family moved to the North Shore of Oahu where he developed a newfound passion for all things revolving around the ocean. We are honored to feature a few of his favorite ocean images from his time in Hawaii. Each image comes with a deep backstory of things like how the swell was on that day, what surfers were out in the water, and what camera and lens he chose to shoot with on that day.

Produced by: Dario Phillips
Shot and Edited: Alex Kilauano