Home / “Waves of the UK” Photography Competition 2025 – Terms and Conditions

"Waves of the UK" Photography Competition 2025 - Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions – Waves of the UK: Photography Competition 

Hosted and owned by The Wave, Bristol 

Competition Period: 9th December 2025 – 11th January 2026.  

 

  1. Promoter

The promoter: Sea Level Wave Co Limited, registered office at The Wave Washingpool Farm, Main Road, Easter Compton, Bristol, England, BS35 5RE (“The Wave”) (“Promotor”)   

 

  1. Eligibility

2.1 The competition is open to photographs of the coast and surfing taken in the UK.  

2.2 Both amateur and professional photographers may enter. 

2.3 Under-18 entrants must have parental or guardian consent to enter. 

2.4 Employees of The Wave, their immediate families, or anyone connected to the administration of the competition are not eligible to enter.  

 

  1. Competition Categories

Entrants may submit one photograph per category across the following: 

  • The Joy of Surfing – Capturing the joy, community and culture. 
  • Surf Action – High-quality surf action showing skill in the sport. 
  • Surf Landscape – Surf scenery, landscapes, waves.  
  • Under-18s Photographers – Open category for entrants aged under 18. 

 

  1. Entry Requirements

 

4.1 Entries must be submitted via the official form page owned and operated by The Wave. 

4.2 Each entrant may submit one photograph per category (maximum four total). 

4.3 All photographs must be taken within the United Kingdom. 

4.4 Entrants must have obtained permission from any identifiable surfer(s) featured in their photograph before submission. 

4.5 Images must be the entrant’s own original work and must not infringe the rights of any third party. 

4.6 Entries submitted after 23:59 on 11th January 2026 will not be considered. 

 

  1. Selection and Prizes

5.1 There will be one 1st Place Winner and one Runner-Up for each category. 

5.2 Prizes: 

  • 1st Place (each category): 5-Surf Bundle at The Wave and display of winning photograph at The Wave for one year.  
  • Runner-Up (each category): Surf and Wave Merch Bundle and display of winning photograph at The Wave for one year.  

5.3 Winners will be contacted via email within 14 working days after the competition closes. 

5.4 If a winner does not respond within 10 working days of being contacted, The Wave reserves the right to award the prize to another entrant. 

5.5 Prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and no cash alternative is offered. 

 

 

  1. Copyright, Usage Rights & Display

6.1 Entrants retain ownership of their copyright. 

6.2 By entering the competition, entrants grant The Wave a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to: 

  • Use, reproduce, display, publish, and share the submitted photograph(s) on The Wave’s digital channels, marketing materials, press materials and social channels. 
  • Exhibit winning photographs in physical displays at The Wave for up to 12 months. 

6.3 Winning entrants will be credited wherever reasonably possible. 

6.4 Entrants confirm they have obtained model permission from identifiable surfers and that the image usage by The Wave will not infringe any rights. 

 

  1. Judging

7.1 A panel appointed by The Wave will assess entries based on creativity, technical quality, relevance to the category and overall impact. 

7.2 Judging is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. 

7.3 Entries containing inappropriate, unlawful or offensive content will be disqualified. 

 

  1. Under-18 Entrants – Additional Terms

To comply with UK child protection and data-handling regulations, the following applies: 

8.1 Entrants to the Under-18s Photographers category must be under 18 years old on 31 December 2025. 

8.2 A parent or legal guardian must: 

  • Provide consent for the child to participate; 
  • Agree to these Terms & Conditions on the entrant’s behalf; 
  • Consent to any processing of the child’s personal data required for administering the competition; 
  • Be the primary contact for prize arrangements if the entrant wins. 

8.3 Images taken by under-18s must still comply with all rules regarding permissions for identifiable subjects. 

8.4 Under-18 winners will be credited using first name and last initial only unless explicit parental permission for full naming is provided. 

 

  1. Data Protection

9.1 Personal data provided will be processed by The Wave in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. 

9.2 Data will be used solely for the purpose of administering the competition, contacting winners, and promoting the competition as outlined above. 

9.3 For under-18 entrants, data will only be processed with parental consent. 

 

  1. Liability

10.1 The Wave accepts no responsibility for entries lost, delayed, misdirected, corrupted or not received due to technical reasons. 

10.2 To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Wave shall not be liable for any loss, damage or injury incurred in connection with participation in the competition or use of the prize. 

 

  1. Cancellation or Amendment

11.1 The Wave reserves the right to cancel, amend or suspend the competition where necessary due to events beyond its reasonable control. 

11.2 Any changes will be communicated via The Wave’s official channels. 

 

  1. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts