Follow the Light Foundation (“FTLF”), the organization that hosts the action sports industry’s most prestigious surf photography award presents a new award format, ceremony and location. This year’s program will take place at the Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach, Tuesday August 3, 2010 at 7:00pm in conjunction with the week-long US Open of Surfing calendar of events.

“Relocating the FTLF event to Huntington Beach (Surf City USA) during the US Open of Surfing will allow both the world’s best surfers and the global surfing media to participate,” says Bob Hurley, a FTLF sponsor and founder of Hurley Clothing. “This is an incredibly exciting move. Larry Moore had a vision that including inspiring and elevating young talent. This is a perfect platform to showcase the artist’s work.”

This year marks a significantly unique change to FTLF’s call for entries submission, guidelines. FTLF added a digital audio and video element to the submissions to allow even broader expression from the artists. The idea for evolving the format of the awards ceremony came from world renown action sports and lifestyle photographer Aaron Chang. “Advances in digital equipment and the sophistication of artists have given surf photography and imaging new ground to break,” Chang said. “FTLF sees this as an outstanding opportunity to use a new medium to showcase another dimension of the artist’s talent, while also exposing our finalists not only to industry decision-makers but to the general public as well.”

This year there will also be a new onsite “People’s Choice” voting format and award during the evening’s festivities. The 2010 event’s presenting sponsor is SWELL, with support from Hurley, Surfing, Oakley, and Surfline. Stacy Clark, FTLF sponsor and CEO of SWELL says, “For the last three years, it has been Swell’s honor to sponsor the prestigious Follow the Light Foundation award. We are excited to be involved in the process of discovering new talent and proud to support the next generation of surf photographers.”

“Over the past several years, the foundation has recognized some of the best up-and-coming talent in the industry such as Chris Burkhard, Matthew Clark, Todd Glasser, and Ray Collins.” commented Candy Moore, Founder, FTFL. “We felt it was time to expand the recognition of these artists by inviting surf photography fans and consumers to join in the celebration!”

The reception begins at 7:00PM, The Shorebreak Hotel, 500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, www.shorebreakhotel.com. A limited amount of VIP tickets can be pre-purchased for $20 each. General admission is limited and seating is first come first serve. Please RSVP on Facebook at FTLF-Facebook

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