Somewhere along the way we’ve all gazed in wonder at a surf photo. It might have been a shot that added up to the sum total of your surfing dreams, or a monster wave that inspired awe and immediate respect for the rider, or an image that immortalised one of your favourite surfers. These great surf photos play an integral role in shaping and defining our surfing culture. Sometimes they even change the course of a life.
Whether it’s the framed print that hangs on your wall, your favourite shot in a mag or the image that prompts you to steady the screen in your daily Insta scroll; the surf photo is a powerful and evocative medium. For decades photos have helped power our daily sessions, crystallise the benchmark for performance and supply the imaginative fuel for surfing adventures.
On 7 December Tracks will present The Surf Photo of the Year at The Australian Surfing Awards, which will be held as an evening of celebration on the Gold Coast. After sifting through thousands of images, submitted by photographers from around the country, the judges will come up with a single photo that best celebrate the contribution of Australian surf photographer on both a national and/or a global stage.
Australian surf photographers have historically been world leaders and this award acknowledges the skill, creativity and hard work associated with the craft. Last year’s award was won by Ben Jackson for his shot of Darcy Piper. You can check out an interview we did with Ben here.
The criteria for the Australian Surf Photo of the Year award is:
A single, compelling photo featuring a surfer, line-up or lifestyle shot that captures the essence of Surfing. The photo can be taken anywhere in the world, by an Australian photographer, in 2024 (Maximum THREE photo submissions per photographer).
Please note your photos will be shared with external surf media as part of the promotion of the awards.
Please submit your photo via the link below and name the photographer in the file name. (all photographers are allowed to nominate their own photos). Photo’s need to be supplied in JPEG format at 300DPI
Click here to submit your photo.
The other categories for this year’s awards are:
- Male Surfer of the Year, presented by Boost
- Female Surfer of the Year
- Mick Fanning Male Rising Star Award
- Stephanie Gilmore Female Rising Star Award
- Female Para Surfer of the Year
- Male Para Surfer of the Year, presented by Urbnsurf
- Heavy Water Award
- Shaper of the Year, presented by Blackroll
- Coach of the Year Award
- Surf Clip of the Year
- Surf Film of the Year
- Peter Troy Lifetime Achievement Award
- Simon Anderson Club Award, presented by Jim Beam
- Surf School of the Year
- Greater Good Award, presented by Kennards Hire
- Breakthrough Surf Brand of the Year, presented by QMS
- Indigenous Surfing Community Celebration Award
- Sustainability Award, presented by Acciona
