Outdoor Focus Winter 2025 | Page 14

awards Sue Viccars

OWPG Awards for Excellence 2025 Introduced by Sue Viccars, Awards Officer

I am delighted to be able to say that running the OWPG Awards for Excellence for 2025 – my first year as Awards Officer – seemed to go pretty smoothly! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing what was submitted in each category, and was impressed, as ever, by the quality of Members’ work. This year we introduced a new category: the Members’ Award, selected on a one vote per Member basis. We hope that this category will become increasingly popular as Members realise that elements of their‘ non-traditional but outdoor-related’ activities qualify for inclusion.

We had a healthy level of entries across all categories apart from Technical Feature, for which we received an insufficient number to run the Award.

We have a wonderful team of judges, who every year take their responsibilities very seriously and provide well thought-out and constructive comments about both the overall category and the Winner and Highly Commended entries: thank you so much for your time and commitment. I would also like to thank all our sponsors for their continued support of the OWPG. Judges and sponsors are invited to the Awards dinner and ceremony every year, and we do appreciate it when any of the latter are able to present the Winner and Highly Commended certificates in person.

The categories( in brief) are as follows( full details of the Awards Rules can be found on the OWPG website).

Technical Innovation For excellence in the design / production / use of specific outdoors equipment / materials.

Guidebook For an outstanding guidebook that is inspirational, as well as informative and practical.

Outdoor Book For an outstanding book on an outdoor theme: a book that is both inspirational and informative.

Outdoor Feature Best professionally published feature in print or non-print media, relating to the outdoors.

Technical Feature Best technical feature: outdoor gear reviews, photographic and technical‘ how to’ articles.

Photography An outstanding portfolio of eight images that represents a professional body of work on an identifiable subject or theme.

Members’ Award An open category for wider creative work, such as illustrations, maps, animations, films, podcast, paintings, specialist design etc.

TECHNICAL INNOVATION AWARD

Winner Ombraz Armless Sunglasses

Ombraz sunglasses use a durable, lightweight, recycled nylon cord instead of wire or plastic over-the-ear arms. This system creates a comfortable, adjustable fit that’ s virtually wind- and adventure-proof. They’ re far less likely to break, fly off your face, or fall out of your pocket than any other pair.

Ombraz’ s commitment to sustainability is also highly impressive: the brand is a certified B-Corp, encourages customers to prioritise repairs over replacements, and plants twenty mangrove trees for each pair sold— resulting in more than two million trees planted so far.

https:// ombraz. com

14 OUTDOOR FOCUS Winter 2025