A freelance sports photographer covering Caithness and the far north has been "highly commended" for an action shot he took at a surfing festival in Thurso.

James Gunn received a Highly Commended mention from the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society (SMS) for an image he sent in to the Shipwrecked 2021 photography competition.

"I took the photo during the Highland Surf Festival in Oct 2018 (women's open semi-final)," said James.

"It was taken at Thurso East and Holborn Head lighthouse is in the background – the surfer is Bonita Whitelock. I spent all day taking photos in cold conditions and it is not often that a combination of a skilled surfer, good breaking wave, bright sunshine and a nice background, all come together for a split second.

"I am really chuffed at getting a highly commended award. Hopefully the photo will increase the profile of the sport and also put Thurso on the map as a destination for spectacular surf action. It is particularly significant this summer as surfing became an Olympic sport for the very first time in Tokyo."

National maritime charity, the SMS, held its ninth annual photography competition, showcasing images relating to all aspects of the UK’s historic relationship with the sea. James's image was part of the People and Recreation category with the winner of that being Hopeman Happiness by Jacky Pratt.

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This year, the charity’s annual competition received more than 1500 entries from amateur and professional photographers alike, with the judging panel awarding the overall prize to Michael Marsh for his entry, The Fisherman's Wake, showing an aerial shot of a fishing trawler taken in Whitstable, Kent. The image won the amateur photographer a £500 prize voucher for photographic equipment.

The SMS, which provides financial support to former seafarers and their dependants, encouraged photographers of all abilities to submit pictures that captured the essence of the UK’s enduring connection with the sea, including merchant ships, fishermen, coast, harbours and ports.

To view a full gallery of this year’s winning images, visit: shipwreckedmariners.org.uk/photography-competition-2021/

If you are in the position to donate to the SMS, you can find out how to do so at shipwreckedmariners.org.uk/support-us/donations/

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