Record Participation in the Ocean Power Watersports Photography Awards

The Ocean Power Watersports Photography Awards (WPA), the international competition that brings together the best in water sports photography, has closed its registration phase with resounding success, setting a new record for participation.

Photographers from 27 countries and four continents have submitted their best images in this contest that covers the eleven water sports disciplines recognized by international federations. The finalists will be announced on October 18.

Established as a global benchmark, the Ocean Power WPA has seen extraordinary growth this year. The number of photographs submitted has nearly tripled compared to previous editions, which underscores the growing prestige of the competition and its importance on the international sports photography scene.

The competition has attracted a remarkable diversity of participants, with photographers from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Chile, Taiwan, Bangladesh, and Cyprus. This wide representation not only enriches the competition but also reinforces Ocean Power WPA's mission to recognize and promote the art of photography in water sports.

The jury has begun to carefully evaluate the images received, selecting finalists in 17 categories, which include underwater activities, water skiing and wakeboarding, power boating, swimming, fishing, canoeing, rowing, lifesaving, surfing, triathlon, and sailing. Additionally, the competition includes special categories such as Nautical Tourism, Aerial Photography, Respect for the Marine Environment, Old School, AI Photo, and Falls and Funny Moments.

On October 18, the list of finalists will be revealed, who will compete for the prestigious title of Best Water Sports Photography 2024. As is tradition, the winning works will be announced at a gala ceremony, where finalists, sea enthusiasts, and industry professionals will gather to celebrate creativity and passion for water sports.

In this edition, the Ocean Power WPA have added two new special categories: "Falls and Funny Moments," which highlights the most extreme and humorous moments of water sports, and "Made with AI," an innovative category that allows participants to create images using artificial intelligence under the theme of white-water canoeing. Additionally, with the introduction of these categories, the total cash prize has increased to €4,500.

Finalists will have the opportunity to exhibit their works and compete in 11 water sports categories and 6 special categories. The award ceremony, which will be the most anticipated moment of the competition, promises to be an unforgettable evening, where photography, spectacle, and maritime culture will come together to honor the best talents in water photography internationally.

Toni Forqués, director of Ocean Power, comments: "We are very pleased with the response from the international photographic community this year. We have received extraordinary works from countries participating for the first time in the competition, and it is impressive to see how the quality of submissions rises year after year. We are very excited about the development of the voting and are eagerly looking forward to the award ceremony."

With each edition, the Ocean Power Watersports Photography Awards reinforce their commitment to promoting and recognizing the audiovisual industry specialized in water sports. The organization works tirelessly to ensure the competition continues to grow, providing a platform that not only allows professionals to showcase their work but also fosters collaboration, networking, and professional development in a learning and fun environment.