Yeh, I get the reluctance, but you don't have to get close. Film a variety of fixed elevations straight down, some with slow forward travel, parallel to the shore/break lines, ascending/descending, maybe some spins with elevation change. Never underestimate the power of the straight down shot. I could watch a down surf break shot forever, so don't rush it. They also add variety in cuts, breaking up similarity/redundancy.
Another good shot for that point and other POI's is the boomerang POI/spotlight, moving forward/backward during a POI/spotlight function and maybe accompanied with elevation changes. Take advantage of the cinematic drama of parallax, which is more pronounced as you fly lower and closer. Multi-input combination moves of gimbal, elevation, travel and turns will take your filming to the next level.
You're missing your best/easiest opportunity for dramatic shots by making use of the gimbal like at 2:24, but lower/closer for enhanced parallax. The gimbal tilt is the easiest way to create drama in forward/backward/ascend/descend shots. Pick your feature and do a variety of tilts, ascend/descend, forward/backward. A gimbal tilt down should start with ascent as you tilt down, slow forward travel progressively and maintain visual axis from point of rotation. As you pass over, descend and tilt back up until you reveal 1/3 horizon, ending your gimbal tilt move. If you want to add a challenge to that shot, do the turnaround 180. Requires lots of practice and multiple takes, but may be easier using spotlight (I need to try that with my
MA2). I call it the rollercoaster.
Another cool shot is the Thelma & Louise where you fly low enough for motion blur on the ground and tilt gimbal down as you go over the cliff. Slow forward travel and descend to enhance the driving off the cliff look.
The smooth gimbal rotation may require adjusting your advanced gimbal settings to reduce speed and increase smoothing. Make similar adjustments to yaw. My yaw is at the lowest speed for normal mode and it still requires the lightest touch for subtle turns.
