Press Release

April 26, 2007, San Francisco, California – The Northern California Underwater Photographic Society, proudly announces the 2007 California Beach Dive Photo Competition, Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27, 2007.  On these dates, scuba divers from Seattle to San Diego will converge on Monterey, California and compete for top prizes in one of the most unique underwater photo contests in the United States.  This is a one-day competition open to underwater photographers of all experience levels, where all photos (film or digital) must be taken from beach dives along the Monterey coastline (Point Lobos and boat dives are not allowed). 

The competition starts with registration on the morning of Saturday, May 26 and contestants spend the day scuba diving and shooting images.  Images are then turned in at the Backscatter Underwater Video and Photo Shop on Cannery Row on Saturday afternoon, May 26, before divers and guests gather for dinner and a show on Saturday evening.  A panel of judges, comprised of regional professional underwater photographers, select the winners on Sunday, May 27, and the winners are announced and prizes awarded Sunday afternoon.

Divers will compete for over $35,000.00 in top prizes consisting of scuba and photographic equipment and dive trips to exotic tropical destinations.  Top travel prizes consist of trips provided by Reef N Rainforest to Indonesia’s Lembeh and Kasawari Lembeh Resorts and to Papua New Guinea’s Tawali Resort, a Kararu Dive Cruise aboard the newly launched Voyager, Odyssea Divers, and Micronesia’s Kosrae Village.  Equipment and service prizes include items from StormCase, certificates for gear, annual servicing or classes from Backscatter Underwater Video and Photography of Monterey, SanDisk memory, clothing, and more.

The $60 entry fee (if postmarked on or before May 18, 2007, $75 thereafter), includes two rolls of color film, processing, (digital entrants must supply their own digital media), Saturday evening dinner, the featured presentation, T-shirt, and an opportunity to win a door prize at the awards show on Sunday, May 27.  Non-participants may also enjoy the dinner and show for $7.

The Northern California Underwater Photographic Society promotes conservationism and environmental protection through the membership’s shared passion in underwater photography and videography.  Established in 1957, and celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2007, NCUPS sponsors educational events on both underwater photography and video while promoting awareness of the underwater environment and pertinent ecological issues. 

For more info or to register, please visit: http://www.ncups.org/beach.html.