As expected, submissions for the 2021 UIM Photographic contest were significantly reduced as a result of pandemic constraints for organisers, competitors, and photographers alike.

James Wright, the Judging Panel Chairman is confident that 2022 will enable more to enjoy UIM sports at all levels and he looked forward to seeing submissions for next year’s photo contest return to more normal numbers.

Despite this, Wright offered his thanks to those who not only managed to get out to photograph our exciting and dynamic sports, but who went to the effort of selecting and submitting their entries. He announced that they are currently reviewing initiatives to encourage more submissions and to keep an eye on your usual UIM communication channels for more details.

Professional Photographer Simon Palfrader seen here in Sardegna, Italy was judged to have submitted the overall winning image (see main image) which he took at World Aquabike Grand Prix in Olbia, Italy.

This image of the pre-race circuit inspection at the UIM European Championship GT30 – Grand Prix of Trzcianka, Poland, taken by Wiktor Synoracki won the Atmosphere category.

Another image taken on a drone, this time at the UIM F1H2O World Championship – Grand Prix of Figueira da Foz, Portugal, piloted by Joao Mexia Lobo from Portugal won the Circuit category.

Storm clouds over Mercury Bay provided the perfect backdrop to this image taken by the New Zealand Photographer Jeremy Ward when he was shooting the Whitianga round of the NZ Offshore Powerboat Series. Ward who shoots for Shot360 Photography has photographed events both big and small for the last 15 years. Some of their clients include Acceleration on Water Ltd, NZ Jetsprint Association, NZ Grand Prix Hydroplane Club, and Hydro Thunder – GP Hydroplane Series. This image was awarded the gold medal in the Open Category.

This monochrome image of the F-500 driver Cezary Strumnik was submitted by Irene Aksenova from Poland. It was awarded a gold medal in the Retouched Category.