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1st Annual AR Gurrey Jr. Surf Photography Competition

1st Annual A.R. Gurrey Jr. Surf Photography Competition

This competition carries the name of A. R. Gurrey, Jr. (1874 – c.1927). He was the first person to photograph surfers in the early 20th century. A pioneer in water photography, he used boats and canoes to get closer to the action. He was also a surfer himself, so knew how and where to capture surf riders gliding across Waikiki’s waves.

Photo of Duke Kahanamoku c.1909-1910 by A.R.Gurrey Jr.

“A. R. Gurrey Jr. can really be considered the father of surf photography.”

~Joel T. Smith, author of The Illustrated Atlas of Surfing History

In an effort to encourage creative and marketable skills related to photography, the California Surf Museum invited local middle and high school students to participate by entering this competition with an original photograph to be reviewed by a panel of judges in one of six categories: Surf Action from the Land; Surf Action from the Water; Seascapes / Lineups; Portraits of Surfers; Boards, Equipment & Surf Cars; and, Environmental Awareness & Ocean Activism.

140 submissions were received from 14 different schools. Winners were selected by a committee of five judges. Congratulations to the award winners!

2023 Award Winners

First Place:

Fisher Rosete (Surf Action) Age 14, Grade 8, Valley Middle School
“King Tide Timing” shot at Terramar Beach
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Slater Todd (Seascapes & Lineups), Age 14, Grade 8, Saint Patrick
Untitled shot at Tamarack State Beach
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Vanessa Ahumada (Surf Portraits) Age 14, Grade 9, Oceanside High School
“Dawn Patrol” shot at Oceanside Beach
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Alyssa Mendoza (Surfboards & Equipment) Age 15, Grade 9, Oceanside High School
“The Seaboard” shot at The Seabird Hotel
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Bryan Knapp (Surf Cars) Age 18, Grade 12, San Dieguito Academy High School
“Drive-In Dreams” shot at Moonlight Beach
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Second Place:

Jade Valentine (Surf Action) Age 17, Grade 12, Carlsbad High School
“Passion” shot at Turnarounds Beach
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Max Singer (Seascapes & Lineups) Age 17, Grade 11, San Dieguito High School Academy
“Few in the Lineup” shot in Encinitas
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Lani Calderon (Surf Portraits) Age 17, Grade 12, Oceanside High School
“Surfing Sunset Dog” shot in Del Mar
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Blake Munoz (Surfboards & Equipment) Age 17, Grade 11, Oceanside High School
“Sundown” shot at Oceanside Harbor North Jetty
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Fabian Alvarez (Surf Cars) Age 15, Grade 9, Oceanside High School
“The Van Grov” shot on the Oceanside Strand
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Honorable Mention:

Kieran Johnston Age 14, Grade 9, Oceanside High School
“Lookout Point” shot on the Oceanside Pier
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Colin DuBois Age 15, Grade 9, Oceanside High School
“Sunset Surfing” shot at Cassidy Street Beach
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Augustine Lopez Age 18, Grade 12, Oceanside High School
Untitled shot at the Oceanside Pier
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Lauren Chua Age 15, Grade 10, Carlsbad High School
“Seaweed Sunset” shot at Swami’s Beach
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Surf Action from the Land

Submit a photograph in this category if your image focuses on the movement of the sport as it is happening. Successful images in this category will display dynamic action and will likely showcase the athletes on the ocean. Creativity is encouraged, and there are many traditional approaches to the practice of shooting action surf photos, however submissions in this category must be taken from a vantage point on land or out of the water.

Surf Action from the Water

Submit a photograph in this category if your image focuses on the movement of the sport as it is happening. Successful images in this category will display dynamic action and will likely showcase the athletes on the ocean. Creativity is encouraged, and there are many traditional approaches to the practice of shooting action surf photos, however submissions in this category must be taken from a vantage point on or below the surface of the water.

Seascapes / Lineups

Submit a photograph in this category if your image focuses on the beauty or intrigue of the ocean itself. Great seascapes and lineup photographs are usually a matter of advanced planning, weather prediction, and possibly getting on the road an hour or two before sunrise – or just blind luck. It’s the classic search for the perfect wave, a surf lifestyle tradition.

Portraits Of Surfers

Submit a photograph in this category if your image focuses on the people who surf. Who are these people? What are their stories? Friends, families, the employee who runs the local surf shop, even famous surfers are perfect subjects for this project.

Boards, Equipment, and Surf Cars

Submit a photograph in this category if your image focuses on the tools and objects associated with the sport. Even cars play a big role in the culture of surf. As the primary focal point of the museum’s exhibits and collections, surfboards are an important reason for the museum’s existence. How can you use light, angles, and composition to showcase these items in a manner that draws attention and celebrates their style and function? Consider approaching these subjects with a more creative or artistic approach.

Environmental Awareness and Ocean Activism

Submit a photograph in this category if your image focuses on the importance of the ocean or coastal ecosystem and the negative effects of the global climate crisis. Related photos might include images of the misuse of surf spots, or of activists and the positive actions they are taking to protect our shores.