2020 NIKON SURF PHOTO OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Gergo Rugli | Warrior “Motion blur photo of a surfer riding a large wave at sunset, Bronte Beach, Sydney, Australia.”

Peter Wilson | Portugal Sunset “Post surf catch up after a late session near Peniche.”

Matt Dunbar | Duck Dive “This is from my first trip to Tahiti I really wanted to walk away with a shot that was different. I was swimming with a big dome port to try and shoot “over unders”. The water clarity was a dream and I got lucky to shoot back as a surfer duck dived. Easily the favourite swim of my life.”

Ren McGann | The Right “No matter how many trips you do some waves always stand out amongst the rest.”

Travis Johnson | Froth Monster “I was shooting little Harry at a bit of a secret spot the groms love to frequent on the Gold Coast for shallow little drainers and close out barrels. As he took off I moved across the front of him and heard him yelling out as the barrel began to encase him, his eyes wide and looking up at the roof of the wave almost in awe. As I passed through the wave my only thought was “did he make it?” I surfaced on the other side I heard an ecstatic voice yell out “I made it! I made it!”

Peter Jovic | No Looking Back “Some heavy water during a solid Indian Ocean swell and an un-named local charger racing the gauntlet as the sun begins to set in the west. There’s no helicopters, no fan fare. Just an individual dealing with what mother nature has put in front of him…or behind him. The prospect is (apart from drowning) a long swim in waters that are very lively with large marine creatures.”

Jamie Scott | I cant hear you – Mick Corbett – The Right “Mick blew his eardrum on the wave before this one, but in true Aussie spirit he climbed back on the horse and slid into this behemoth…”

Tom Pearsall | An unusual relationship “On a deadly wave were most would be in their most critical survival stance Matahi Drollet seems to be greeting an old friend. His face and posture shows no sign of fear or apprehension, just pure joy. A unique spiritual connection between a wave and a man. Shot with 70-200mm whilst swimming in the channel. What a sight to see.”

Ray Collins | Cascade “Flowing with great rapidity and force.”

Tom Pearsall | Jack in a Box “Jack Robinson gritting his teeth and holding his line through a deadly section in remote Western Australia. Shot at f3.2, a 16 thousand of a second and 160mm creates a frozen moment that in real time was violently fast, with an interesting depth of field. As the wave roared past it almost grabbed me and my housing and ground us into the reef.”

Ray Collins | The Big Bang “A violent ignition of hydrogen and oxygen.”

Stu Gibson | Danny sunset stern “Picture perfect arvo at Shippies.”

Trent Slatter | Empty “Solo sessions.”

Simon Punch | Breathing. Surfer Scott Whip Dennis “A perspective from deep behind the surfer riding the barrel as the wave breathes back before spitting.”

Trent Slatter | Empty “Epic.”

Peter Jovic | Gun Barrel Highway “This is an image of local shredder, Kael Walsh shot in the South West of W.A.. I was really lucky to have someone who’s so unflappable in challenging conditions taking aim straight into the barrel and seemingly doing it with complete disregard for their own well being. It’s always a really good feeling when shots like this come off.”

Jamie Scott | In the thick of it – Brad Norris – The Right “In the thick of it, sometimes you just got to sit back and say WOW, 17th April 2019 was one of those days.”

Paul Smith | Flume “Taken at Sunshine Beach on the Sunshine Coast while most people were still sleeping. It was one of those perfect swells, and all the elements lined-up wave size, an offshore wind, and just enough light to illuminate the sea spray.”

ASB MAGAZINE: In partnership with Surfing Australia, Nikon announced the finalists for the 2020 Nikon Surf Photo and Nikon Surf Video of the Year Awards. The Nikon Surf Photo of the Year and Nikon Surf Video of the Year awards showcase the finest work taken by Australia’s best surf photographers and filmmakers during the past year. 23 outstanding entries have been selected by our panel of 13 high-profile judges from within the imaging and surfing industry, including Nikon Brand Ambassador Stephanie Gilmore.

The Nikon Surf Photo of the Year Award is a prestigious award recognising the best single surfing-themed image taken during 2019 by an Australian photographer.

The photo can be taken anywhere around the world and can be drawn from action, water, lifestyle, line up or portrait photography. This year presented some outstanding entries featuring the best-of-the-best in Australian surfing photography.

View the finalists above.