Epic action photography wins Nikon Surf Photo Awards

Stu Gibson
Free Fall by Stu Gibson won this year's Nikon Surf Photo Awards (Image credit: Stu Gibson)

The winner of this year’s Nikon Surf Photo Awards has just been announced, with the title going to Stu Gibson for his shot Free Fall.

Twenty photographers were shortlisted for the annual award, with Gibson clinching the main prize with his photo of surfer Tyler Hollmer Cross taking on Shipsterns in south-east Tasmania. 

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The winning entry was selected by a panel of 13 judges from within the surfing world, including the seven-time world surfing champion and Nikon Brand Ambassador Stephanie Gilmore.

The annual Nikon Surf Photo and Video of the Year Awards are a partnership between Nikon Australia and Surfing Australia. Now in their ninth year, the awards continue to celebrate the best in Australian surf photography and videography.

Simon Connolly

(Image credit: Simon Connolly)

Jack Ogrady

(Image credit: Jack Ogrady)

Jordan Godley

(Image credit: Jordan Godley)

The judges assessed the submissions based on their innovation and creativity, dramatic effect and sensory impact, uniqueness and composition.

John Young, General Manager, Marketing for Nikon Australia, said, “Continuing to see the stories captured by the best surf photographers and videographers with such a high calibre of creativity has been awe-inspiring. Congratulations to all the finalists.”

Surfing Australia's CEO Chris Mater added, “Each year, we look forward to hosting such an esteemed event, where we recognize the outstanding achievements of the Australian surfing community and the creatives behind the lens who capture the action.”

The top three finalists of the Nikon Surf Video of the Year Award are Spencer Frost – A Corner of the Earth; Tom Jennings – Spirit; and Andrew Kaineder – First Name In The Water.

The winner of each category will take home a new Nikon Z6 II and Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S lens.

Lucas Martin

(Image credit: Lucas Martin)

Eddy Dallimore

(Image credit: Eddy Dallimore)

Peter Jovic

(Image credit: Peter Jovic)

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Laurence McJannet

Laurence is an NCTJ-trained journalist with nearly 20 years' editorial experience gained on a wide range of publications, from The Beirut Times in Lebanon to The Sunday Times, and including recent freelance engagements with Future's cycling and automotive portfolios, Outdoor Fitness, and The English Home. He has recently been undertaking a sports broadcast journalism MA at Southampton Solent, gaining valuable TV and radio experience, and am currently videographer for Frome Town FC soccer team. He is the author of Bikepacking (Wild Things Publishing, 2016).