SAN DIEGO, California - After a year of amazing entries and hundreds of beautiful photos, we are very stoked to announce the 2013 Supconnect Photo of the Year. (Scroll to the bottom of the article to see the judging criteria.) The whole Supconnect team would like to thank everyone who submitted photos, voted and shared images. It's an honor to publish these pictures and we look forward to seeing all the amazing thing you do in 2014!

Photo of the Year Results

1. Soupart Fredrick - "Abatan River Sup Tour"

Caption: "This photo was taken on one of our stand up paddle tours in the Phillippines. The Waterfall's name is Kwasan Fallls, in Balilihan."

Judges comments: 

We loved the combination of nature, travel and adventure in this image. It made us all want to clear our calendars and go find paradise.

2. Joao Palhas - "Classic Day SUP, Porto Santo Island"

Caption: "Great Day for Sup at our Spot // Great Barrels."

Judges Comments:

The SUP-surfer to non-surfer ratio here in the office stands at 50/50, and those of us who are so-inclined frothed over this image. It looks so glassy and fun - and what's more, there's nobody flapping around in Joao's way as he sets up for the tube. With the most number of public votes, this was the leader heading in the final. But the fact remains, SUP surfers don't speak for the majority,

3. Billy Rossini - "Amazing sunset paddle in the Florida Keys"

Caption: "The Nocqua team capturing some amazing images during a recent photo shoot outside of Key West."

Judges Comments:

This is an amazing image that combines the beauty of a Key West Sunset with the SUP lifestyle and great use of the Nightsup lights. It's hard not to love this photo.

4. Carlos Oliveira - SUP Surfing

Caption: "SUP Surfing in a point break Porto Santo Island."

Judges Comments:

This photo of Carlos recieved the second highest public vote and tied with the overall #2 image for March's Photo of the Month award. We really liked how you could imagine being in his place - pushing yourself into that wedgey little left, setting up for a big carve. 

5. Katie Love - Thousand Petaled Lotus

Caption: "With the salt water below, the bright sun above, and the sound of the waves and palm trees swaying in the wind, Yoga is everywhere. This posture, Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, is an expression of love which comes from experiencing this Union: Oneness."

Judges Comments:

Katie Love made us feel like a bunch of old squares with squeaky joints. SUP Yoga continues to grow at an impressive rate and it's beause of beautiful, inspiring images like this that the mainstream media are startingto pay close attention. Who knoiws, maybe we'll see Andre and the team darning speedos and trying the lotus pose in 2014. 

Click here to see all the Supconnect Photo of the Month Winners.

Judging Criterea 

Selecting the winner came down to two different factors:

1) Public Vote - this determines the Top 5 shortlisted finalists.

2) Panel Votes - Once the final five has been decided, the panel of judges at Supconnect gather around the community table and enter a long and drawn-out discussion over which photo best encapsulates the spirit of Stand Up Paddle Boarding for the year. The final decidion needs to be unanimous, which means the afore mentioned 'discussion' can take some time...

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