Crankworx Whistler Deep Summer Finalists Announced
Pinkbike Wildcard Contest Open June 25
The lens is about to shift to full focus. Crankworx is thrilled to unveil the five invited photographers for the 2025 Deep Summer Photo Challenge, with one coveted wild card spot still up for grabs through the Pinkbike Deep Summer Wildcard Contest, launching June 25.
This year’s confirmed finalists – Drew Boxold, Hector Saura, Natalie Carriere, Taylen Louise, and Tanner Stephens – represent a dynamic mix of global voices in mountain bike photography. From analogue artistry and grassroots storytelling to race-born perspectives, each brings a unique lens and creative firepower to this year’s stage.
The Deep Summer Photo Challenge invites six photographers – five invited and one wildcard winner – to craft compelling, original slideshow stories over just three intense days of shooting. From Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August 10, they’ll capture the essence of the Sea to Sky corridor, including the Whistler Mountain Bike Park and Crankworx festival grounds. The final presentations will debut live at Whistler Olympic Plaza on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, with one standout taking home a $5,000 cash prize and the title of 2025 Deep Summer Champion.
For photographers who weren’t selected in the initial five, there’s still a chance to join the lineup. The Pinkbike Deep Summer Wildcard Contest, opening on June 25, is open to both emerging and established shooters, offering one final opportunity to compete on a world-class stage and share their vision with a massive live and online audience.
2025 Deep Summer Invited Photographers:
- Drew Boxold – A San Francisco-based cinematographer and editor blending analogue and digital storytelling in the MTB space
- Hector Saura – Barcelona-based creative behind Bicycle Nightmares, shining light on underserved corners of mountain bike culture
- Natalie Carriere – A Pemberton-based action sports photographer passionate about connecting women and youth with the mountain bike community
- Taylen Louise – Multi-sport athlete and creator capturing raw, authentic stories from the heart of mountain culture
- Tanner Stephens – Former World Cup racer turned freelance producer, offering a visceral, lived-in perspective through the lens
More about the 2025 contestants here.
“We are honoured to once again partner with the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and to host this event on the traditional and unceded territories of the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh and Líl̓wat Nations,” says Brittia Thompson, Deep Summer Project Manager. “This year, every participating photographer will take part in an immersive guided tour of the SLCC before they begin shooting. It’s a powerful way to ground their creative process in a deeper understanding of the stories, stewardship, and culture of the original peoples of these lands. Our goal is to inspire not just visual excellence, but also storytelling that reflects the diverse and rich heritage of the Sea to Sky region.”
With a renewed focus on meaningful community engagement, Crankworx is encouraging participants to explore themes of diversity, inclusivity, and connection within mountain bike culture. Submissions will be judged across six key criteria: Theme, Storytelling, Community Integration, Technical Composition, Originality & Creativity, and Audience Engagement.
In addition to the Deep Summer Photo Challenge, Dirt Diaries also returns to the Crankworx Whistler festival to celebrate creative storytellers in the mountain bike world, showcasing the magic of riding in the Whistler valley, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park, and beyond. Submissions will be presented at Whistler Olympic Plaza on Thursday, August 14 at 8:00pm. More details can be found online.
Crankworx Whistler gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Resort Municipality of Whistler in the production of Dirt Diaries and Deep Summer.
As Crankworx gears up to celebrate the 20th edition of the ultimate experience in mountain biking, fans are invited to join the biggest mountain bike party of the summer right where it all began. From August 8-17, the festival will feature an action-packed schedule of events including elite racing, Kidsworx competitions, community rides, and expo & demo zones. Athletes from around the world will like up alongside amateurs and up-and-coming riders, continuing a celebration of mountain bike culture that spans disciplines and generations.
VIP experiences are available in limited numbers for the RockShox Canadian Open Downhill (August 15) and Red Bull Joyride (August 16) – they can be purchased online.