The Ocean Power Watersports Photography Awards to Select the Most Impactful Nautical Photograph of 2

The city of Cartagena is gearing up to host the awards gala for the Ocean Power Watersports Photography Awards (Ocean Power WPA), an esteemed international water sports photography contest. The ceremony is scheduled for March 8th at the Faculty of Business Sciences of the UPCT, as part of Cartagena Destino Deportivo, an initiative aimed at establishing the city as a global hub for water sports and photography.

This eagerly anticipated event will bring together some of the leading figures in water sports photography, where the most striking images captured in 2024 will be unveiled exclusively.

After four editions, the Ocean Power WPA has become a must-attend event for sea lovers, photographers, athletes, and professionals from the audiovisual and nautical sectors. The gala will pay tribute to photographic excellence and the deep connection between the ocean, sport, and imagery.

The main day of the Ocean Power WPA will kick off on March 8th at 6:30 PM in the central courtyard of the Faculty of Business Sciences of the UPCT, with a welcome cocktail, a photocall session, and performances that will precede the awards ceremony. During this event, the winners of the best water sports images of the year will be announced live.

Following the gala, a large-scale exhibition of the awarded photographs will be inaugurated, located on the plaza of the Paseo Marítimo del Puerto de Cartagena, next to restaurant 43, where the gala dinner with the finalist photographers, authorities, and sea enthusiasts will take place.

This year's edition has broken participation records, with photographers from 27 countries across five continents, solidifying its status as the most prestigious contest of its kind. Finalists from Australia, Brazil, the United States, Italy, and the Netherlands, among others, have confirmed their attendance to find out if any of their images will be crowned as the best water sports photograph of 2024.

As the host country, Spain will have a significant representation with 14 finalist photographers specializing in disciplines such as surfing, underwater activities, motorboating, canoeing, swimming, fishing, triathlon, and sailing.

The Spanish finalists vying for awards in each category, as well as the ultimate accolade of the "world champion photograph of water sports," include:

• Enric Adrian Gener
• Abel F. Ros
• Alberto Díaz
• Javier Arcenillas
• Emilio López
• Mario Entero
• José María Vicente
• Jesús Renedo
• Samuel Cárdenas
• Nico Martínez
• Antonio Herrera
• Karycia Iglesias
• Eva Miñana
• Jon Walton

Abel F. Ros, a finalist photographer from Cartagena, commented after the presentation, “The fact that the WaterSports Photography Awards have come to Cartagena is an incredible opportunity and a great recognition of the visual and sporting wealth of our city. Cartagena is a place where the sea is part of our history and our identity, so hosting an event of this magnitude is a true honor.”

He added, “I discovered the contest through social media and have participated in the last three editions. In 2022, I won the award for best photograph in the wakeboard category; in 2023, I was a finalist, and in this 2024 edition, I am honored to have two images among the finalists. I decided to participate because sports photography has become a fundamental part of my professional life. Capturing the decisive moment and the emotion in any discipline is a challenge that I am passionate about. Moreover, this contest is an exceptional platform for showcasing talent internationally and connecting with other photographers who share the same passion.”

With its rich history and deep maritime tradition, Cartagena is the ideal venue for the Ocean Power WPA. This contest not only celebrates artistic talent and innovation in photography but also promotes the practice of water sports and fosters sustainable nautical tourism, reinforcing the commitment to conserving the marine environment.

During the event, Ms. Beatriz Sánchez del Álamo, Councilor for Tourism of the Cartagena City Council, commented, “Today, Cartagena stands as the great capital of ocean sports and photography, hosting this international event for the first time. We are committed to talent, effort, and maritime tradition that defines us, strengthening our legacy as a strategic Mediterranean enclave. With pride, we defend our heritage, our sea, and our identity, consolidating Cartagena as a world-class sports destination and a place where history and sport come together to look to the future.”

Additionally, Toni Forqués Isasi, Co-director of the contest, remarked, “It is an honor to bring the Ocean Power WPA to Cartagena for the first time, a city with a deep maritime tradition that today becomes the global epicenter of water sports photography. I would like to thank the Cartagena City Council, the Water Sports Plastic Free Foundation, and all the institutions and sponsors that have made this edition possible. This gala not only rewards the talent of the world's best photographers, but it also promotes the culture of the sea and sport as key elements of our identity.”

Moreover, Forqués emphasized, “This year, the Ocean Power WPA marks a milestone in the history of water sports photography with the largest outdoor exhibition ever held in this field. The exhibition, which will open after the awards gala, will be located in a privileged space in the city, on the Paseo Marítimo del Puerto de Cartagena, thanks to the support of the Port Authority of Cartagena in celebrating its 150th anniversary.”

“Additionally, this event serves as a platform for the conservation of our seas and sustainability in sport. Photography has the power to inspire and raise awareness about the importance of protecting our oceans, promoting responsible and environmentally respectful nautical tourism. Cartagena, with its natural wealth and commitment to sustainable development, is the perfect setting to reinforce this message,” concluded Forqués.

True to its spirit of accessibility and cultural dissemination, the organization maintains the free nature of the event, allowing free access to the welcome cocktail, the award ceremony, and the inauguration of the macro-exhibition.

For those wishing to attend the gala dinner at the Cuarentaitrés 43 restaurant, the organization has provided a reservation option at a special price for the general public.

Due to limited capacity, those interested in attending the gala or dinner can reserve their tickets through the official event website.

With the participation of distinguished international professionals and the support of local institutions and entities, the Ocean Power WPA promises to be an unforgettable event that will position Cartagena as a global reference in water sports photography.