Another Day At The Office: Behind the Latitude 38 Cover Shot
When the March issue of Latitude 38 landed, the cover immediately caught our attention: a wing foiler gracefully carving lines in powerful big swell. But then…upon closer inspection, we recognized that graceful style — it was Jacob Rosenberg, our Tajima Direct co-founder and president!
Jacob isn't behind the camera; he's the one in focus! As an accomplished sailor, stand-out wing foiler and surfer, he's deeply involved in the water sports community. We caught up with Jacob to learn more about the story behind this striking cover shot.
“It was December 24th — Christmas Eve. The day prior, Maverick’s experienced its biggest day of the year. There were just three of us out, which made it feel even more special. I think most people were busy with family stuff, but we knew the swell was going to be all-time. Wind was looking pretty light at first, and we were a little nervous it might not be enough. We all grabbed bigger wings and decided to go for it anyway, just hoping we could make it work. Once we got out there, the wind filled in and the waves were even bigger than expected — solid 10 to 15 foot faces under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. One of those magic days.”
“I had just made myself a new pair of Rx lenses I wanted to test that day. I was riding in our Tajima Brown 15 Black Mirror prescription polarized lenses — my favorite combo for the day we had – harsh, glare-filled, low winter sun. The brown tint really boosts contrast and color so I can read the surface of the water and pick out the cleanest lines, especially when the sun is blasting the wave faces with glare like it was that day. The black mirror helps reflect that harsh light away without making it too dark, which keeps my eyes comfortable while still letting me see all the detail. It’s a super versatile lens for all-day performance, and it really performed in that session.”
“Bryan McDonald and Grace Towle just happened to be in the right place at the right time with the camera and boat positioning. I was just doing my thing, fully in the zone, and they snapped that shot. Pretty surreal to see it end up on the cover of Latitude 38... it was a total surprise!”
This moment encapsulates what Tajima Direct stands for: high-performance lens technology, tested and relied upon in real-world conditions by those who live and breathe the outdoor lifestyle.
As the wave season winds down, Jacob and the Crissy Field wing crew are shifting gears to their race equipment, preparing for the 2nd Annual U.S. Wing Foil National Championship hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club this June. After securing a third-place finish last year, Jacob is looking to the top of the podium this year, and Tajima Direct is also proud to give back as a sponsor the event.
For insights into last year's competition and how Tajima polarized lens technology made a difference for Jacob and eventual champion Johnny Heineken, check out Jacob's recap: Why Speed & Smarts Mattered at the US Wing Foil Championship.
Experience the Clarity
Every pair of Tajima Lenses is crafted to deliver peak performance, clarity, and durability — in prescription and non-prescription. Whether you're navigating massive swell, reading breeze, or enjoying a casual day on the water, Tajima Lenses are designed to enhance your experience.
At Tajima Direct, we customize our premium lens technology into any frame you’ve got — whether it’s high-end or budget, sport-focused or fashion-forward, prescription or non-prescription. Any frame. Any tint. Your vision, your way.