Red Bull Media House To Release “First In, Last Out” – A Powerful Documentary About Surf Photographer Christa Funk
- wgclients01
- Jan 21
- 4 min read
Red Bull Media House, in association with Free Fly Apparel, is proud to announce the release of its latest documentary, “First In, Last Out”. The film will premiere at Waimea Valley in Hawaii on January 23rd, followed by an exclusive Red Bull TV digital release on January 24th.
The film tells the inspiring story of Christa Funk, a competitive swimmer from Colorado who discovered surf photography while stationed on Oahu with the Coast Guard. On Oahu’s North Shore, she pushed herself into the most dangerous and crowded surf lineups, earning her place as one of the world’s most fearless and respected water photographers.
"First In, Last Out is about finding calm in chaos and trusting yourself to push through fear,” says Funk. “The ocean has taught me so much. Embracing the journey to capture something unforgettable is what makes it all worth it, even if it means getting pummeled by waves.”
Directed by Keith Malloy of Bimarian Films, the film showcases Christa’s determination to do whatever it takes to get the shot: to train, to study, to push through pain, to put in the time, and to draw inspiration from her loved ones. “Christa’s story is a testament to what can be achieved with passion and grit,” says Malloy. “First In, Last Out captures her unwavering tenacity and the barriers she broke as one of the few women in the field, inspiring us all with her commitment to her craft."
Christa Funk is a trailblazer, becoming the first female water photographer to shoot during the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational (with a minimum 40-foot wave height requirement) and at Jaws during Red Bull Magnitude. The documentary features breathtaking visuals and appearances from surf icons such as Carissa Moore, Jamie O’Brien, Molly Picklum, Mark Healy, Moana Jones Wong, Kala Grace, and Nathan Florence, while serving as a reminder to embrace the beauty of life’s challenges.
“Life can be so weird—it can be long, but it can also be short. That’s why it’s important to pursue our passions and what makes us truly happy in life,” says Christa. “Life gets to everybody in different ways. It’s about getting knocked down, figuring out how to get up again, and finding your way back into the light.”
The World Premiere will take place at 7:00 p.m. HST on Thursday, January 23rd at Waimea Valley—immediately following the Farm Lovers Market. At 7:30 p.m. HST, attendees are invited to stay for an interview panel featuring Christa Funk, Jamie O'Brien, Molly Picklum, Keith Malloy, Kimi Werner, and Mark Healey. From 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. HST, there will be live music and an opportunity for fans to meet the film’s cast. A silent auction will be held with limited edition prints of Christa Funk’s photography, with all proceeds benefiting the North Shore Lifeguards Association thanks to Free Fly Apparel.
To witness Christa Funk’s pioneering courage in motion, watch “First In, Last Out” beginning January 24th, available for free and on demand exclusively on Red Bull TV.
Watch the Film January 24, 2025 on Red Bull TV:win.gs/FILOFilm
ABOUT CHRISTA FUNK
One of the world’s leading surf photographers, Christa Funk is a force of nature. Born and raised in Colorado, she went to school at the Coast Guard Academy, where she competed as a distance swimmer. She was stationed with the Coast Guard on Oahu for five years, and it was there she discovered the world of surf photography, where she was able to combine her passion for swimming and photography into a career. Since then, Christa has climbed to the top of her field, making a name for herself as one of the toughest, hardest-working surf photographers in the world. And, notably, as one of the very few women out there.
ABOUT RED BULL MEDIA HOUSE
Red Bull Media House is an award-winning, globally distributed multi-platform media company on a mission to inspire ‘beyond the ordinary’ stories - both direct-to- consumer and through partnerships. With a focus on sports, culture and lifestyle content, Red Bull Media House offers a wide range of premium media products across TV, mobile, digital, audio, and print. Red Bull Media House produces and licenses a broad selection of global live broadcast events, compelling and inspirational local storytelling with original short and long-form programming as well as feature films from around the world.
ABOUT FREE FLY APPAREL
Founded in 2011, Free Fly was born on the water and built for adventure. As a family-owned business based out of Charleston, South Carolina, Free Fly delivers buttery soft performance apparel crafted with natural fibers and sustainably sourced materials. They keep their styles simple, and that’s why they stand out, offering distraction-free comfort when you’re out there doing what you love. From guide-tested hoodies and gear to everyday sun protection, Free Fly delivers next-level comfort for all adventurers. Shop Free Fly at any of 800 retail locations nationwide or online at: freeflyapparel.com.
ABOUT BIMARIAN FILMS
Bimarian Films is a small creative team based on the central coast of California made up of Keith Malloy, Andrew Schoneberger and Brett Williams. They work on location to help clients tell stories which inform, reveal, and inspire.