Jess DiPierro Obert

Photographer

A Surfing Destination Failed To Live Up To Its Promise, 2021

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Location: Brooklyn, New York

Nationality: American

Biography: Jess DiPierro Obert is a visual journalist and filmmaker based between New York and Haiti, where she has lived for 5 years (2016-2021). She is focused on reporting on stories related to women, abortion rights, human rights, immigration, identity,... MORE

Samuel Jules, 23, a member of S...ticipated in surf competitions.

Samuel Jules, 23, a member of Surf Haiti and has participated in surf competitions.

Michael Jules, 18, cleaning a board with wax.

Surf boards lined up on Kabick beach in Jacmel.

Early morning sunrise on Kabick beach in Jacmel where people surf.

Michael Jules, 18, heads onto K...here surfers are known to surf.

Michael Jules, 18, heads onto Kabick beach in Jacmel where surfers are known to surf.

A few of the members of Surf Ha...early in the morning in Jacmel.

A few of the members of Surf Haiti go surfing early in the morning in Jacmel.

Early morning surfng in Jacmel

Youth play on the beach and with the surfboards in the water.

Frantzy Andris (Japipo), 22, Sa...n the water waiting for a wave.

Frantzy Andris (Japipo), 22, Samuel Andris, 13, and Samuel Jules, 23, hang out and talk on their surfboards in the water waiting for a wave.

Samuel Andris, 13, hands on his surfboard in the water.

Michael Jules, 18, Frantzy Andr... leave the ocean after surfing.

Michael Jules, 18, Frantzy Andris (Japipo), 22, Samuel Andris, 13, and Samuel Jules, 23, leave the ocean after surfing.

Youth play on the beach and with the surfboards in the water.

Michael Jules, 18, heads out to surf in the early morning.

Samuel Jules, 23, a member of Surf Haiti and has participated in surf competitions.

Frantzy Andris (Japipo), 22

The surfers hang out together on their boards waiting for a wave.

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Thumbnail of Samuel Jules, 23, a member of Su_rticipated in surf competitions.

Thumbnail of Michael Jules, 18, cleaning a board with wax.

Thumbnail of Surf boards lined up on Kabick beach in Jacmel.

Thumbnail of Early morning sunrise on Kabick beach in Jacmel where people surf.

Thumbnail of Michael Jules, 18, heads onto Ka_where surfers are known to surf.

Thumbnail of A few of the members of Surf Hai_ early in the morning in Jacmel.

Thumbnail of Early morning surfng in Jacmel

Thumbnail of Youth play on the beach and with the surfboards in the water.

Thumbnail of Frantzy Andris (Japipo), 22, Sam_in the water waiting for a wave.

Thumbnail of Samuel Andris, 13, hands on his surfboard in the water.

Thumbnail of Michael Jules, 18, Frantzy Andri_, leave the ocean after surfing.

Thumbnail of Michael Jules, 18, heads out to surf in the early morning.

Thumbnail of Frantzy Andris (Japipo), 22

Thumbnail of The surfers hang out together on their boards waiting for a wave.

Private Story

A Surfing Destination Failed To Live Up To Its Promise, 2021

Copyright Jess DiPierro Obert 2024

Updated Jan 2022

Location Jacmel, Haiti

Topics Conflict, Culture, Culture stories, Documentary, International Stories, Journalism, Photography, Portraiture, Poverty, Swimming, Water

Photographed for Buzzfeed News. Surfing was a profitable enterprise in Jacmel, as locals rented out boards and hosted lessons. But the project’s recent struggles reflect the difficulty of obtaining resources in a country battered by a series of catastrophes.

Jess Obert / Haiti

May 27, 2020

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