Ocean Power Watersports Photography Awards, the big night for water sports photographers

The Denia Marriott La Sella Golf Resort & Spa Hotel hosted last 2nd December the awards gala of the international watersports photography competition, where the Chilean Benjamin Yavar was crowned as the best photographer by winning the award for the best photograph of the year thanks to the spectacular snapshot presented in the category of underwater activities.

The Ocean Power Watersports Photography Awards evening kicked off in the gardens of the Denia Marriott La Sella Golf Resort & Spa hotel, where photographers, their companions and the general public were treated to a welcome cocktail and a show of oriental dance and fire juggling.

While enjoying the cocktail prior to the awards ceremony, the finalist in the powerboat category, José Luis Villaescusa said: "This is the first time I have taken part in the competition, I didn't know about it. I have been collaborating for many years with the Federación Murciana de Motonáutica and they recommended me to participate. I have been lucky enough to be selected among the first three, so I am very excited and looking forward to seeing if I end up winning and also to enjoy the work of all my colleagues. 

After enjoying the welcome cocktail, the 150 or so attendees entered the auditorium to begin the Ocean Power Watersports Photography Awards gala. 

The gala, enlivened at all times by the performance of pianist Aroa Blanco, began with the Mayor of Denia Vicent Grimalt demonstrating the support and commitment of the City of Denia to the event and highlighting the importance of caring for the seas and oceans.

Afterwards, the director of the hotel, Jerome Gateau thanked the organizers of the Ocean Power Watersports Photography Awards for their confidence in the hotel and highlighted the importance of this type of events promoted by young people and which highlight little-known professional sectors such as water sports photography. 

After the words of Grimalt and Gateau, the awards ceremony began where personalities such as Grimalt, Gateau, the director of the Spanish Surfing Federation Fernando Labad or the director of the sailing school network of the Sailing Federation of the Valencian Community Luis Faguas, had the honor of presenting the prizes to the winners of all categories. 

After the awards ceremony, the director of the Ocean Power Photography Awards, Toni Forqués, thanked the audience and photographers for their support of the event and led a charity auction of a print of the best photograph of the year.

At the end of the gala, an exhibition of the winning photographs was opened to the public and the attendees were able to enjoy a five-course tasting dinner in the Montgó restaurant of the hotel.

Competition categories and winners

• Best photograph of the year: Benjamin Yavar, Chile
• Underwater Activities: Benjamin Yavar, Chile
• Water Skiing and Wakeboarding: Markus Berger, Austria
• Motor Boating: Jose Luis Villaescusa, Spain
• Swimming: Ion Zugasti, Spain
• Fishing: Emilio Lopez, Spain
• Canoeing: Maarten Van de Velde, Belgium
• Rowing: Anthony Benoit, France
• Lifesaving and Rescue: Fred Pompermayer, Brazil
• Surf: Ryan Pierse, Australia
• Triathlon: Wouter Roosenboom, Germany
• Sailing: Jesús Renedo, Spain
• Special Category "Denia Marriott La Sella" Audience Award: Ainhoa Muñoz, Spain
• Special Category "Watersports Plastic Free Foundation" respect for the marine environment: Vicente Seco, Spain
• Special Category "Go! Port" nautical tourism: Felix Diemer, Germany
• Special category "Go Sailing Shop" aerial photography: Jesus Renedo, Spain
• Special Category "Gipsy Gin" Old School: Tobias Meier, Austria