Dude, so stoked! Monster waves, gnarly barrels and epic airtime: Incredible photographs capture the best surfing moments of the year

  • A total of 23 photographic entries were selected by panel of 13 high-profile judges, including Steph Gilmore
  • Criteria for submitted photos included dramatic effect, composition, sensory impact, innovation & creativity
  • Photos can be drawn from action, water, lifestyle, or portrait photography with winners announced on April 2

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The finalists for the highly anticipated 2019 Nikon Surf Photo have been officially revealed.

Recognising the best single surfing-themed image taken during 2018 by an Australian photographer, the annual awards follow strict criteria for all entrants.

Focus for images is placed on dramatic effect, sensory impact, composition, innovation and creativity.

Photographer Russell Ord submitted this terrific up close portrait image of surfing legend Tom Carroll over in Indonesia during a tropical rainstorm

Photographer Russell Ord submitted this terrific up close portrait image of surfing legend Tom Carroll over in Indonesia during a tropical rainstorm

Currumbin based photographer Ted Grambeau has three images shortlisted - he captured Laurie Towner taking on this monster 'swell of the year' at Cloud Break in Fiji

Currumbin based photographer Ted Grambeau has three images shortlisted - he captured Laurie Towner taking on this monster 'swell of the year' at Cloud Break in Fiji

Jan Waineright-Wilson photographed Australian surfing legend Mick Fanning at Bells Beach during the traditional Aboriginal landowners ceremony

Jan Waineright-Wilson photographed Australian surfing legend Mick Fanning at Bells Beach during the traditional Aboriginal landowners ceremony

Matthew Tildesley submitted this image as part of his project 'The Nocturnal Series' where he photographed exclusively at night

Matthew Tildesley submitted this image as part of his project 'The Nocturnal Series' where he photographed exclusively at night 

Experienced photographer John Respondek captured a local surfer 'Harry' from the NSW south coast 'mid speed pump' in 2018 at a 'secret spot'

Experienced photographer John Respondek captured a local surfer 'Harry' from the NSW south coast 'mid speed pump' in 2018 at a 'secret spot'

Ed Sloane photographed seven-time women's world champion Steph Gilmore mid-barrel during round three of the Maui Pro in Hawaii

Ed Sloane photographed seven-time women's world champion Steph Gilmore mid-barrel during round three of the Maui Pro in Hawaii

Duncah Macfarlane was overjoyed after capturing Anthony Walsh on a 'perfect dreamy wave' when Hawaii was pumping

Duncah Macfarlane was overjoyed after capturing Anthony Walsh on a 'perfect dreamy wave' when Hawaii was pumping

Photographer Angus Sheridan was buzzing after capturing a local 'airing' through the middle of a picturesque Indonesian sunset

Photographer Angus Sheridan was buzzing after capturing a local 'airing' through the middle of a picturesque Indonesian sunset

Experienced photographer Andrew Kaineder managed to capture an intense swell of over 10m battering the coastline of Ireland

Experienced photographer Andrew Kaineder managed to capture an intense swell of over 10m battering the coastline of Ireland

Nominated photos can be taken anywhere around the world and can be drawn from action, water, lifestyle, line up or portrait photography.    

Seven-time women's surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore was among the judges. 

Veteran snapper Ted Grambeau has three images shortlisted, and the Currumbin based photographer told Daily Mail Australia he is hopeful of hearing his name read out next month.

'Over the years I've been fortunate to be a finalist a few times, but I've never managed to walk away with the prize,' he said.

'I would be stoked to win, the talent in the Australian photography arena is obvious.' 

Other photographers in the running for the main gong include the likes of Stu Gibson, Russell Ord and Scott Bauer. 

The finalists for the Video of the Year are talented trio Jack Robinson, Chippa Wilson and Nathan Oldfield.

Winners of the Nikon Surf Photo of the Year as well as the Nikon Surf Video of the Year will be announced at a gala evening on April 2 on the Gold Coast.

Currumbin based Ted Grambeau photographed Lucas Silveira at the Island of Nias, off Sumatra in Indonesia in July of 2018

Currumbin based Ted Grambeau photographed Lucas Silveira at the Island of Nias, off Sumatra in Indonesia in July of 2018

Simon Williams captured Hawaiian charger Matt Meola mid-air in Indonesia in June of 2018 - Meola is best known for learning to surf with his father aged just two

Simon Williams captured Hawaiian charger Matt Meola mid-air in Indonesia in June of 2018 - Meola is best known for learning to surf with his father aged just two

Paul Smith took this image from a helicopter showing Noosa Heads in all its glory - as Smith says the 'perfect lines remind me of the lines on sheet music, with surfers representing the notes'

Paul Smith took this image from a helicopter showing Noosa Heads in all its glory - as Smith says the 'perfect lines remind me of the lines on sheet music, with surfers representing the notes'

Photographer Scott Harrison was aided by 'some amazing morning light' - he chose not to disclose the location of his 'secret spot'

Photographer Scott Harrison was aided by 'some amazing morning light' - he chose not to disclose the location of his 'secret spot'

Scott Bauer photographed commercial diver Shanan Worrall at a 'very special' north swell in Western Australia - nursing an injured shoulder, Bauer snared the image on the water's edge

Scott Bauer photographed commercial diver Shanan Worrall at a 'very special' north swell in Western Australia - nursing an injured shoulder, Bauer snared the image on the water's edge

Ray Collins photographed this amazing image in Mexico - he described it as 'swimming on the line between order and chaos'

Ray Collins photographed this amazing image in Mexico - he described it as 'swimming on the line between order and chaos'

Matthew Tildesley entered a second photo as part of his 'Nocturnal  Series' project from an undisclosed location last year

Matthew Tildesley entered a second photo as part of his 'Nocturnal  Series' project from an undisclosed location last year

Emerging photographer Trent Mitchell submitted an image with a focus on ' investigating the interconnection of humans with nature'

Emerging photographer Trent Mitchell submitted an image with a focus on ' investigating the interconnection of humans with nature'

Queensland's Ted Grambeau said it was a 'golden moment' - big wave surfer Mark Healey taking on a massive swell over in Indonesia

Queensland's Ted Grambeau said it was a 'golden moment' - big wave surfer Mark Healey taking on a massive swell over in Indonesia

Stu Gibson photographed his good friend Mikey Brennan, again at a location the shooter did not want to reveal to the public

Stu Gibson photographed his good friend Mikey Brennan, again at a location the shooter did not want to reveal to the public

Stu Gibson then shifted his focus to a wild dark storm, capturing a lightning strike hitting the ocean at the perfect time

Stu Gibson then shifted his focus to a wild dark storm, capturing a lightning strike hitting the ocean at the perfect time

 

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