Throughout human history, the story of our exploration of the world has been recorded. Whether on high mountains with thin air, in arid and scorching deserts, or across perilous oceans, explorers have bravely faced all challenges. With unwavering conviction and indomitable perseverance, they have pushed the boundaries of human capability. The spirit of exploration is an inexhaustible driving force behind global progress. It is precisely because humans continuously challenge the limits of possibility that our understanding of the unknown continues to expand. With this in mind, MAX Outdoor, a leading domestic outdoor sports platform, officially launched the "MAX Exploration Awards" on October 30, 2019, aiming toset industry benchmarks, promote healthy development within the outdoor sector, and elevate overall standards in outdoor activities.Aftermore than a month of preparation, the list of MAX Exploration Awards judges and the award categories have recently been announced, marking the official start of the nomination and selection process.
The MAX Exploration Awards adhere to evaluations based on the principles of “innovation, exploration, and value,” using “fair, just, open, and professional” selection criteria. Combining offline expert judge opinions with online public voting, the winners will be jointly determined. The first phase, from now until December 31, 2019, is the open public nomination period; from January10to January18, it will be the online voting period; on January 19-24, 2020, the judging panel will deliberate, and the final award results will be announced during ISPO Beijing.
The main awards of the newly announcedMAX Exploration Awards include:
Best Outdoor Record Creation Award,awarded to athletes who achieve new records in a specific outdoor sport, pushing the boundaries of human capability and elevating the level of the discipline;
Best Outdoor Newcomer Exploration Award,selecting the most proactive and exploratory newcomers or teams under the age of 30, representing the next generation of Chinese outdoor enthusiasts;
Best Outdoor Innovation Exploration Award,aimed atrecognizing creative projects in a specific field of outdoor activity,encouraging thosewho try new approaches, dare to do what others have not, and expand the imagination of what is possible in the outdoors;
Best Outdoor Visual Exploration Award,awarded to emerging photographers who have made breakthroughs in outdoor photographyas well as thosehigh-quality video works themed around outdoor activities;
Annual Communication Event,honors thoseoutdoor personalities or events with the highest social media buzz of the year,whohave drawn widespread public attention and played an important role in spreading the spirit and philosophy of outdoor life to the general public;
Best Mountain Exploration Award,selects the most pioneering activities and individuals from all climbing endeavors of the year, promoting the approach of free climbing (Alpine Style);
Annual Nature Exploration Award,recognizescivil organizations and environmental volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to advancing ecological civilization, spreading environmental awareness, practicing Leave No Trace principles, safeguarding public environmental rights, as well as in the discovery and exploration of nature through public welfare efforts;
Annual Travel Influencer Award,honors the most popular travelers of the year, representing the new generation’s attitude toward travel and the philosophy of life exploration.
The MAX Exploration Awards’ categories not only embody the sporting spirit of "higher, faster, stronger" but are also closely aligned with the broader development context of outdoor sports in China. They reflect the highest domestic standards, covering all areas of outdoor activities, emphasize the spirit of exploration and pushing limits, and focus on influential figures and communication events that promote photography, environmental protection, and outdoor sports. This fully embodies the original intention of the MAX Exploration Awards—to advance outdoor sports, reward innovation, and celebrate exploration and challenges.
In addition to the announced awards, this year’s judging panel roster is also quite impressive, featuring a gathering of industry heavyweights. It includes renowned athletes and thought leaders in fields such as climbing, rafting, and running, as well as heads of adventure and tourism associations and organizations, experts and scholars in natural science and environmental protection, along with well-known photographers, producers, founders of outdoor film festivals, and key figures from the industry’s major media.
Currently, the online nomination submission method for the “MAX Exploration Awards” has also been announced. Eligible individuals or photo and video works can be submitted at any time via the MAX Outdoor Selection WeChat official account. We also look forward to the upcoming shortlists and selections for the various award categories.