It has been a slow start to the winter swell season, but with the biggest waves in a long time expected to hit this weekend, we thought it would be fun to see how our readers capture the action along the O.C. coast.

Break out your cameras for the “January Big Wave Photo Contest” and submit photos taken from this latest swell, showing strong Friday and Saturday, dropping on Sunday. The photo submission period starts Thursday, January 5 at 6 p.m. and ends Sunday, January 8 at 5 p.m.

We’ll have two winners: A popular vote, and judges’ pick. The popular vote winner will be decided by the number of “likes” by the end of the contest deadline. The judges’ pick will be decided by a panel of judges. Voting begins Sunday, January 8 at 5:01 p.m. and ends Wednesday, January 11 at 5 p.m.

We’ll publish both photos in the Outdoor section of the Orange County Register newspaper. The winners will also receive Spy eyewear.

Need inspiration? Check out some shots the crew at OC Register and OrangeCounty.com during Friday's swell

There’s no doubt going to be plenty of big waves to shoot — get creative and have fun with the contest! Feel free to let us know where the photo was taken, but if it’s a secret surf spot a vague description is acceptable. While you can submit images from anywhere there are waves, we’ll give more consideration to photos taken at local beaches.

The winners will be announced on the OC Beaches Facebook page by Thursday at noon. Good luck!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO OR TO ENTER AND WIN! 

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