Riding a wave of emotions with Australia’s best surf photos

The finalists have been announced for Surfing Australia’s photo of the year. Ten crackers. Ten moments in time captured for eternity and the living room wall.

Duncan McFarlane’s underwater shot of surfer Shane Dorian.

What is surfing?

I have a towel wrapped around my waist as I write this. Feel like a million bucks. I function better after my morning waves. I act better, I talk better, I walk better, I eat better, I think better, I behave better, the coffee tastes better, I write better, perhaps, probably debatable, but the world just seems an infinitely better place after a surf.

Surfing is …

Fear.

Triumph.

Self-mastery.

Conquest.

Beauty.

Majesty.

Elation.

And bliss, pure bliss.

Andrew Shields’ photo of Lungi Slabb at Froggies Beach, on the Gold Coast, is one of the finalists for the Australian Surfing Awards’ photo of the year. Picture: Supplied by Surfing Australia

Surfing is moments in time you struggle to remember afterwards. Surfing is light-headed and happy and colourful and challenging and free but sessions come and go in the blink of thy eye. Which is why surf photography is spellbinding. Snapshots captured for eternity and the living room wall. The best of the best were unveiled on Tuesday as finalists for the Australian Surfing Awards’ photo of the year.

Surfer Lachie Rombouts. Picture: Sam Venn

The Surfing Australia blurb says: “The Top 10 includes images from seasoned professionals, 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 spot 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 (magazine), Surfing Australia and independent judges.”

The surf at Lennox Heads. Picture: Andrew Shields

Tracks editor Luke Kennedy, a heck of a surfer himself, says: “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.”

What is surfing?

Fear.

Triumph.

Self-mastery.

Conquest.

Beauty.

Majesty.

Elation.

And bliss, pure bliss.

Sounds about right.