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Image 1 for Surf Photo of the Year – the finalists - 2024 Australian Surfing Awards

Nick Nairn-Smith - featuring Dan Ross

Image 2 for Surf Photo of the Year – the finalists - 2024 Australian Surfing Awards

(top) Nick Green - featuring Laura Enever. (above) Andrew Shield – lineup.

Image 3 for Surf Photo of the Year – the finalists - 2024 Australian Surfing Awards

(top) Sam Venn – featuring Lachie Rombouts. (above) Duncan Mcfarlane – featuring Shane Dorian.

Image 4 for Surf Photo of the Year – the finalists - 2024 Australian Surfing Awards

(top) Mark Onorati – featuring Corey Lawson. (above) Luca Salisbury – featuring Chase Hardaker.

Image 5 for Surf Photo of the Year – the finalists - 2024 Australian Surfing Awards

(top) Ben Jackson – featuring Noa Deane. (above) Joshua Tabone – featuring Kai McKenzie.

Surf Photo of the Year – the finalists - 2024 Australian Surfing Awards

26 November 24


While there’s not a single longboard shot in the top 10, however you look at it this is a pretty extraordinary bunch of images.

And apart from the amazing photo of Port Macquarie surfer Kai McKenzie returning to the surf recently after a great white took his right leg back in July, all the finalists feature heavy waves pretty much – and fair enough, they are so damn photographic!

Gold Coast-based photographer Andrew Shields actually has two photos in the top 10, but we were squeezed for space here so have only run one – his line-up shot (apologies Shieldsy).

So here's the news and 9 of the Top 10 (in no particular order) – as send to us by Surfing Australia:

The finalists for Surf Photo of the Year at the 2024 Australian Surfing Awards

CASUARINA, New South Wales (November 26, 2024): With the 2024 Australian Surfing Awards just around the corner, Surfing Australia is thrilled to reveal the finalists for Surf Photo of the Year, presented by Tracks.

The Top 10 includes images from seasoned professionals and emerging surf photographers, each with their own unique connection to the ocean and storytelling style. From self-taught photographers capturing personal triumphs, to career veterans documenting iconic surf spots and athletes, the finalists showcase a diverse range of talent and perspectives. The photos highlight the beauty and power of the ocean, mixing land and water based imagery, and were judged by an expert panel from Tracks, Surfing Australia, and independent judges.

Tracks Editor in Chief Luke Kennedy said: "In addition to their technical excellence, these 10 images invite viewers to appreciate the full spectrum of themes and emotions – fear, triumph, self-mastery, conquest, beauty, majesty, elation – those sensations are all there. You will have a favourite, but each crystallised moment conveys something profound about the surfing experience. If we can’t be in the situation ourselves, the photographers and the surfers have given us an opportunity to live vicariously through the moments they have captured together."

The Top 10 photos will be on display at the Australian Surfing Awards on December 7 at HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast, QLD.

Finalists for the 2024 Surf Photo of the Year, presented by Tracks – Top 10
(in no particular order)

* Duncan Macfarlane (featuring Shane Dorian)

* Sam Venn (featuring Lachie Rombouts)

* Luca Salisbury (featuring Chase Hardaker)

* Andrew Shield (lineup)

* Andrew Shield (featuring Lungi Slabb)

* Nick Nairn-Smith (featuring Dan Ross)

* Ben Jackson (featuring Noa Deane)

* Josh Tabone (featuring Kai McKenzie)

* Mark Onorati (featuring Corey Lawson)

* Nick Green (featuring Laura Enever)

About the Surf Photo of the Year:
A single, compelling photo featuring a surfer, lineup 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).

About the Australian Surfing Awards:
The Australian Surfing Awards honour the outstanding achievements of Australia’s top surfers and celebrate those contributing behind the scenes in areas such as event organisation, business, media, photography, and more.

This year, the awards will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at HOTA, Home of the Arts, on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

Hosted by surf media icon Vaughan Blakey, the night features 19 award categories,  culminating in the announcement of Luke Egan as the newest inductee into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame. The winner of the Hyundai She's Electric competition will also be revealed on the night.

 Read more about the finalists HERE

- AUTHOR: NATALIE SCHENKEN

- SOURCE: SURFING AUSTRALIA

The Australian Surfing Awards are proudly sponsored by ACCIONA, Jim Beam, Tracks, Surfers for Climate, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), Zuum Energy Gum, Hyundai She's Electric, the Hyundai High Performance Centre (HPC), and Surfing Australia High Performance Program.



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