Ren McGann | The Right
“No matter how many trips you do some waves always stand out amongst the rest.”
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.”
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.”
ASB MAGAZINE: Surfing Australia and Nikon Australia are pleased to announce the 2020 winners of the Nikon Surf Photo and Video of the Year Awards. Ren McGann was awarded the Nikon Surf Photo of the Year Award with his image ‘The Right’, while Andrew Kaineder was awarded the Nikon Surf Video of the Year Award for his piece ‘Flow State’. Capturing the true intensity and beauty of the surf, these winners represent the very best in Australian surf photography and videography.
Winner of the Nikon Surf Photo of the Year Award, Ren McGann said, “I would like to thank Nikon and Surfing Australia for making these awards possible. It is a great honour to have won amongst such talented artists for whom I have the greatest respect. I’m absolutely stoked to have taken out the title for 2020.”
Winner of the Nikon Surf Video of the Year Award, Andrew Kaineder said, “Russ and I have been working together extensively since 2016, when our first film ‘Bezerke’ was nominated for Nikon Surf Video of the Year. To win this year, with another film that we created together, ‘Flow State’, is a great uplifting achievement in an uncertain time in our lives. We’re lucky in Australia with our surf culture and it’s important we celebrate what we’ve got. Thankful to Surfing Australia and Nikon for hosting these awards year after year and cannot wait to get back creating in the ocean when the world is somewhat under control again.”
A panel of 10 high-profile judges from within the surfing industry including Nikon Brand Ambassador and seven-time World Surfing Champion, Stephanie Gilmore were tasked with selecting this year’s winners.
Stephanie Gilmore, Nikon Brand Ambassador said, “I really enjoyed being a judge for this year’s awards. As a photographer myself, I was inspired by the calibre of entries which really demonstrated the unique, creative approach to capturing our beautiful ocean. Congratulations to everyone that entered. I hope the viewers agree with our final choice.”
Ren McGann will be awarded with the Nikon Z 6 kit, while Andrew Kaineder will take home the Nikon Z 7. The awards will be presented in late April in an exciting television format that replaces the Surfing Australia Awards Night for 2020.