The Ocean Power WPA Awards the Winners of its Fourth Edition in Cartagena

The city of Cartagena has hosted the fourth edition of the Ocean Power Watersports Photography Awards (Ocean Power WPA 2024), a contest that has broken participation records and reaffirmed the city as a key destination for water sports and sports photography.

Beatriz Sánchez, Councilor for Tourism of the Cartagena City Council, stated before the start of the gala: “It is a pleasure to be here tonight celebrating in Cartagena, the capital of tourism in the Region of Murcia, these international awards for water sports photography. This gala is held in a spectacular setting like the CIM of the UPCT, where we will have the opportunity to enjoy stunning images captured in the aquatic environment. Furthermore, thanks to the Port Authority, these photographs can be viewed for a month in the port of Cartagena. We thank all attendees for their presence at this very special event.”

The grand winner of this edition has been the prestigious American photographer Morgan Maassen, who has won the world champion title in water sports photography thanks to an impressive snapshot of Eimeo Czermak surfing, captured from inside the wave. His innovative perspective has made surfing the main protagonist of this year.

After receiving the award, Maassen commented: “I feel very honored and grateful for this recognition at the Ocean Power WPA. I did not expect this award, so it is truly moving that our work is valued in this way. The experience tonight has been incredible, from meeting all the attendees to seeing our photographs displayed in large format in the promenade plaza of the port of Cartagena. Additionally, I want to thank the treatment received in Cartagena, a city that has welcomed us with open arms and made this experience even more special. It has been a wonderful event, and I am deeply grateful for everything that has happened. Thank you very much.”

The Ocean Power Watersports Photography Awards are an initiative of the Water Sports Plastic Free Foundation, an organization that works to promote sports, culture, and environmental awareness around the sea. This international contest not only awards excellence in water sports photography but also drives a message of respect and protection of the oceans, promoting the link between art, sport, and the environment.

In this historic edition, the contest has gathered nearly 500 photographs from photographers from 27 countries and five continents, with images coming from places as diverse as Bangladesh, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Taiwan, Australia, Brazil, and Austria.

The award ceremony, held on March 8 at the Faculty of Business Sciences of the UPCT, was attended by 250 guests, including photographers, athletes, authorities, and water sports enthusiasts. During the ceremony, Antoni Forqués, co-director of the contest, highlighted the evolution of the contest and the great reception of the event:

“Seeing how this contest grows year after year and becomes a reference point for lovers of sports and photography is a true pride for us. This year we have gathered 250 guests at the awards gala, which demonstrates the growing interest and international projection of the event. I want to express special thanks to the finalist photographers who have traveled from places as far away as Australia, America, and Asia, as well as various European countries, to join us in this celebration. Their presence not only enriches the contest but also strengthens the global spirit of this community passionate about water sports photography. Cartagena has welcomed us with open arms and we are very happy to be part of the Cartagena Sports Destination universe.”

Following the award presentation, the macro exhibition with the 17 winning photographs in large format was inaugurated in the very promenade of Cartagena, achieving a milestone within the event by becoming the largest water sports photography exhibition in the world. This unique space will allow residents and visitors to enjoy the most striking images of the edition for the next four weeks, consolidating the contest as a world reference in the field of aquatic photography.

To close the day, the Water Sports Plastic Free Foundation invited photographers and authorities to a celebration dinner at the Cuarentaytres restaurant, where family, friends, and sea enthusiasts joined. The event brought together about 100 guests, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie where experiences were shared and the success of this edition was celebrated.

The winners of the different categories:

World Champion of Water Sports Photography 2024: Morgan Maassen (United States)

Best Underwater Activities Photography: Benjamin Yavar (Chile)

Best Water Skiing and Wakeboarding Photography: Andrea Hinterleitner (Austria)

Best Powerboating Photography: Andrea Francolini (Australia)

Best Swimming Photography: Alberto Díaz (Spain)

Best Fishing Photography: Muhammad Amdad Hossain (Bangladesh)

Best Canoeing Photography: Abel F. Ros (Spain)

Best Rowing Photography: Chien-yu Wang (Taiwan)

Best Lifesaving and Rescue Photography: Marta Meinardi (Italy)

Best Surf Photography: Morgan Maassen (United States)

Best Triathlon Photography: Jose Vicente López (Spain)

Best Sailing Photography: Samuel Cárdenas (Spain)

Additionally, the contest included special categories that recognized aspects such as aerial photography, nautical tourism, or creativity with artificial intelligence:

NUVE Best Nautical Tourism Photography 2024: Ryan Pierse (Australia)

DEMARFLY Best Aerial Photography 2024: Marco Montori (Italy)

MGO SAILING SHOP Best Photography of Falls, Capsizes, and Funny Moments 2024: Nick Green (Australia)

WSPF FOUNDATION Best Photography of Respect for the Marine Environment 2024: Wei-Cihih Wang (Taiwan)

ABC DE LA NÁUTICA Best Old School Photography 2024: Andrea Francolini (Australia)

GO PORT Best Artificially Generated Photography 2024, Whitewater Canoeing: Eva Miñana (Spain)

With four editions behind them, the Ocean Power WPA has become the world's leading reference in water sports photography, attracting the best photographers globally and consolidating its prestige on the international scene. Cartagena, with its unbreakable link with the sea, has not only warmly hosted this event but has also positioned itself as a global epicenter for sports photography and water sports. The city thus reinforces its commitment to becoming an essential destination for photographers, athletes, and ocean lovers within the Cartagena Sports Destination strategy.