The high art of surf photography is alive and well. With the submission window for the 2026 SURFER Photo Contest presented by SwellCo.com in the books, we’ve been absolutely blown away by how many images were submitted, as well as just how dang good they all are. In the one-month submission period, there were over 700 photos submitted from around this beautiful, blue planet.
Coming up with five finalists was a daunting task, but the SURFER edit team got to work and have whittled it down to images submitted by Anuanua Lucas, Brown Cannon, Connor Trimble, Jake Ewe, and Mike Nelson. All very different images in regards to their subject matter, composition, and locations, collectively the images below embody the spirit of surfing and demonstrate exactly why surf photography is so vital to our community and culture.
A huge thank you to all of the photographers that took the time to submit to our humble photo contest, and even greater thanks for keeping your lenses pointed out to sea. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, November 18.
2026 SURFER Photo Contest Finalists
Photographer: Anuanua Lucas
Instagram: @anuanualucas
Surfer: Matehau Tetopata
Location: Teahupoo, Tahiti
Behind The Photo: “At the 2026 Trials, the ocean, movement, and the shot aligned perfectly. A wave sculpted by power, a surfer carried by his instinct, the motion blur that extends the energy, and the birds tracing their paths across the sky. Much more than just an image, it’s a moment frozen in time where nature composes its masterpiece and where the locals’ dreams take shape, on the road to the Main Event alongside the greatest. A fleeting balance between mastery, freedom, and power.” – Anuanua Lucas
Conner Trimble
Photographer: Conner Trimble
Instagram: @connortrimble
Surfer: Nique Miller
Location: Queens, Waikiki
Behind The Photo: “A sunny and small two foot day in Waikiki is the perfect stage for Nique Miller to show off her dancing moves.” – Conner Trimble
Mike Nelson
Photographer: Mike Nelson
Instagram: @Fullnelson_photo
Location: Long Beach, New York
Brown Cannon
Photographer: Brown Cannon
Instagram: @browncannoniii
Surfer: Lachie Rombouts
Location: Teahupoo, Tahiti
Their Story: “Sometimes you just lock in and everything comes together. The timing of the trip, the swell, the light, the boat’s position, the framing, the focus. Australian surfer Lachie Rombouts knifed through this west bowl drainer in a style all his own.” – Brown Cannon
Jake Ewe
Photographer: Jake Ewe
Instagram: @whoisyewe
Location: Pipeline, Hawaii
Their Story: “On January 13th of this year, Pipeline didn’t need an introduction. Out past the third reef, mountains rose and folded over themselves before anyone cleared the first wall. Surfers climbed, dropped, disappeared behind spray. From where I stood, everything felt composed. Until the ground translated what the horizon was doing.” – Jake Ewe