struggling with relevance

Sorry, I'm not seeing this as a silhoette?

This is a front lit subject. That is exactly the opposite of a silhouette.

I agree the subject is darker than it's background, but it is in front of the photographer AND the light source, and therefore I wouldn't describe the subject as a "silhouette".

If the sun were on the other side of this guy, and the entire shape of the guy, his shorts, the wall, and the surfboard was rendered near black as a result, that would be a silhouette.

I like the high-contrast of the shot, but don't think this isn't clearly relevant to the theme.

Spectacular shot! Love the huge contrast.

Wow, I really dig this shot. I'm not going to lament whether its a shadow, silhoutte or such. It is an image that tells a story, shows much imagination and is well executred. Fives across for my ratings.

This is a well rendered image