First Annual Clif Cold Shot Challenge Recap!

Clif Cold Shot Challenge Results!

Thank you to all the photographers who have shared their photos and the stories behind them. It is your love and passion that has made the Cold Shot a testament to the dedication it takes to be a New York and New Jersey surfer and photographer. Special thanks to CLIF Bar who has not only been a huge supporter of the Cold Shot Challenge but also the New York and New Jersey surf communities. #feedyouradventure

Surfer

First Place: Ryan Mack, Surfer Mike Gleason

“I’m Very honored to have won the Cold Shot challenge, means a lot to me because there are so many good photographers from Jersey and NY it’s hard to keep up these days. The contest is one of its kind for the east coast and to get the best image from the crucial months of winter that counted the most is insane! Reminds me of steep and deep or wave of the winter. Anyway very stoked to have won this year and can’t wait for next year !” Ryan Mack

“I’m honored to win the cold shot challenge. There are so many talented to surfers and photographers in NY and NJ. Very thankful to NYSEA for putting on such a great contest !” Mike Gleason

Second Place: David Nilson, Surfer Rob Kelly

Third Place: Mike Nelson, Surfer Thor Larson

Empty Wave

First Place: Matt Clark

“Considering I didn’t even walk up to stand with the other finalists as I thought I had no chance, this was a huge surprise to me. I didn’t even think my photo would make it through the first round of the competition and when it did I truly didn’t think I would even place and wanted to watch as the other finalists and winner were announced from the audience and participate that way. I was excited to see everyone else up there and totally impressed by their work. Everything looked so good on aluminum and there were a few standouts to me walking through the room. The photo I took was the 10 year anniversary of shooting the original which ran in Surfing Magazine in 2006. I hadn’t capture the same angle in 10 years and found myself back up on the roof shooting in the pouring cold rain alone the same as I did back in 2006. The jury that judged the photographs were among the most prestigious in the surf world whether they be East Coast surfing legends or masters of photography so this was truly a sweet feeling to have my work looked at and then voted on by those people. It’s always a surge of confidence when you are recognized for the hard work you put in and to have won this award felt the same. Thank you to everyone who voted for my work and to the judges for their support. I can’t wait to be a part of this next time this runs and see everyones amazing work! This was an amazing idea that really came together that night at the awards show. Top notch stuff NYSEA!” Matt Clark

Second Place: James Parascandola

Third Place: Jake Krum

Surfer finalists in no particular order: Ryan Mack, David Nilson, Jake Krum, Even Conway, Ben Currie, Mike Nelson, Roland Mounier, Dan Przygocki, Shawn Casey, Tim Torchia and Jason Belsky.

Check out their photos below with surfers names!

: David Nilson, Surfer Rob Kelly

: Ben Currie, Surfer Rob Kelly

: Ben Currie, Surfer Brendan Tighe

: Jason Belsky, Surfer Myles Mule

: Jake Krum, Surfer Brendan Tighe

: Jake Krum, Surfer Brendan Tighe

: Shawn Casey, Surfer Pat Shmidt

: Ryan Mack, Surfer Mike gleason

: Dan Przgocki, Surfer Conor Willem

: Shawn Casey, Surfer Mike Gleason

: Tim Torchia, Surfer Jude Clark

: Roland Mounier, Surfer George Gorayeb

: Mike Nelson, Surfer Thor Larson

: Evan Conway, Surfer Mike Gleason

: David Nilson, Surfer Ben Gravy

Empty wave finalists in no particular order: Teddy Reinhard, Brendan Dempsey, Ryan Kain, Jake Krum, Joe O’Connor, Brian Shannon, Matt Clark, James Parascandola, Roland Mounier, Ryan Moore, Mike Nelson, Neal Campbell, Even Conway and Mary Dunham.

Check out the photos below!