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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Carol Kender
scuba.one@hotmail.com
or 614-226-6709
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IN UNDERWATER IMAGES
COMPETITION IS APRIL 1, 2008
April 1, 2009 is the deadline for entries in the 12th
annual Underwater Images Photo/Video Competition. The
Underwater Images competition is a non-profit corporation
registered in the State of Ohio with all proceeds from this
competition going to marine conservation, educational, and
scholarship purposes. For complete details on eligibility,
rules, and entry forms visit the official competition website
at www.UWIMAGES.org.
Categories include Conservation, Majestic, Togetherness,
Macro (Open & Novice), Wide Angle (Open & Novice), AND two
video categories. One of the two videos categories is an
exciting new development and a cooperative venture with the
Imaging Foundation. "We have an army of fantastic
videographers and photographers patrolling our oceans every
day. We want to harness that energy" says Georgienne Bradley,
its director. "Divers can use their work to stand witness to
the state of our oceans"
Georgienne Bradley and Jay Ireland will be the judging
chairs of the 2009 Underwater Images competition. Imaging
Foundation will launch a dedicated environmental imaging
contest this spring.
Although based in Ohio, this competition is international
and the prizes reflect an international flare. Included among
the prizes is the Best of Show prize sponsored for the 12th
year in a row by the MV FeBrina and Walindi Plantation in
Papua New Guinea. First Prize awards also include dive trips
to other resorts in Papua New Guinea, Honduras, the Solomon
Islands, the Cayman Islands, Bonaire, Hawaii and Indonesia. In
addition there are numerous awards of diving equipment and
gift certificates from sponsors.
The major international charities that the Underwater
Images Competition has supported for over a decade include
Mahonia Na Dari and Pro Peninsula. At DEMA 2008 Roger Roth and
Carol Kender presented a check for $4000 to Mahonia Na Dari.
Max Benjamin accepted the check on behalf of the non-profit
group. Mahonia Na Dari ("Guardians of the Sea") is a Nature
Conservancy program, which has been working to protect Papua
New Guinea's abundant biodiversity by teaching their own
instructors and students the importance of sustainability of
their own natural resources through hands-on experiences. Pro
Peninsula is a conservation organization dedicated to
empowering communities in Baja California, Mexico to protect
and preserve their environment, with their main focuses being
on a Sea Turtle Conservation Network which has gained
international attention. Since 1998 Underwater Images has
contributed significantly to each of these organizations. The
third beneficiary for 2008 is DiveHeart, a not-for-profit
organization that facilitates scuba training for physically
challenged children and adults.
A partial list of other prize sponsors includes: Bilikiki
Cruises Ltd. In the Solomon Islands, Tufi Dive Resort and
Loloata Island Resort in PNG, Anthony's Key / Bahia Tours in
the Bay Islands of Honduras, Captain Don's Habitat in Bonaire,
Divi Flamingo Dive Resort in Bonaire, DiveTech and Cobalt
Coast Resort of Grand Cayman, Nekton Cruises, Stuart Cove's in
the Bahamas, Wakatobi and Pelagian Dive Resort, Matava
Eco-Adventures Resort in Fiji, Kungkungan Bay Resort and Tasik
Ria Resort in North Sulawesi, SMY Ondina, Kararu, Maluku Dive
Resort, and Archipelago Resorts & Fleet in Indonesia.
Manufacturers who have consistently supported the competition
include: Ikelite, Ultralight Control Systems, Diving Unlimited
International, ReefNet, Sherwood/Akona, Exploration Design,
Omega Aquatics, Gates Video Housings and Pinnacle Aquatics.
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