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BSoUP's Splash-in Competition 1985

by Brian Pitkin

Reproduced from in focus 10 (June 1985)

Some of the 68 participants in the BSoUP Splash-in 1985. [Photo: Colin Doeg]

Front row: (kneeling, left to right) Georgette Douwma, Bob Bray, Kevin Cullimore, Linda Pitkin, Ray Breach, Geoff & Irene Senior, Tracey Gough.

Middle row (left to right) Peter Scoones, Denise Bray, Jan Maloney, Brian Humphreys, Philip Koniotes, Tony Rood, Martin Edge, Alan Gough, Sylvia Edge, David Clift, Christine Osborne.

Back row (left to right) Colin Doeg, David Nardini, Warren Williams, Peter Funnell, Peter Bignell, Mike Maloney, Charles Hood, Jean Allier, David Cooper.

The BSoUP Splash-in is an Annual Underwater Photographic Competition held at Fort Bovisand Underwater Centre, Plymouth, It differs from all other similar events in that, in addition to classes for Colour and Black & White Prints, there is a special 'On the Day' class for 35 mm Slides taken in Plymouth waters on the day of the competition.

This year a record number of 68 entrants participated in the 'On the Day' class, each collecting a roll of 100 ASA Ektachrome from the reception area at the Fort during the morning. Considering the unpredictability of our British weather and the even more variable in-water conditions this was a remarkable turn out. In fact, despite strong north-easterlies. the day was bright and sunny and the sea reasonably calm, although the underwater visibility could have been better.

Above: Tompot blenny by Kevin Cullimore. The original colour slide won the 'On the Day' category.

Above : Kevin Cullimore receives the BSoUP Trophy for the Best slide 'On the Day' from Peter Rowlands.

Prints submitted for the Colour and Black & White classes were displayed in the reception area at the Fort throughout the day. All guests and visitors to Bovisand were invited to come and vote for their favourite three prints in each class, in order of preference. Their choice was not an easy one as the standard of many entries was very high.

The 'On the Day' participants, who had dispersed to dive sites as far apart as Salcombe, Rame Head and Jennicliffe Bay, had until 5.OO p.m. to return their film for processing. The majority concentrated their efforts on the abundant marine life, including fish, sea slugs. urchins, starfish, anemones, cup corals, sea squirts and kelp. or on other divers. A few. hoping to win the trophy for the best contrived / humorous shot 'On the Day' had come along well prepared, with props ranging from a mask of Maggie Thatcher to a telephone and a Walkman' radio. The rock pool below the Fort, scene of many a winning shot in previous years, took on a festive appearance as one photographer produced Christmas tree decorations to adorn the thong weed! A Yellow Tang, deep frozen since it had passed away twelve months earlier, fooled a few of the voters who obviously took it for a native species of fish.

Above: Male couckoo wrasse, which came third 'On the Day'.

Above: Steve Birchall is congratulated by Peter Rowlands for coming second 'On the Day'.

One group, diving on the 'Likely Lad' out of Salcombe, were diverted by a 'May Day' call and had to forego their second dive. More importantly. at least for the photographers. they also missed the opportunity of finishing off their films. Nonetheless 63 films were returned and duly processed.

That evening the processed films, a few unfortunately fogged following a minor electrical fire in the darkroom, were returned to their respective photographers. Each participant was given slide mounts for their best two shots. These were then projected to an appreciative, if somewhat crowded audience, each voting for the three overall winners and the best contrived shot.

Above: Jenny Giddy receives her medal for coming third 'On the Day' from Peter Rowlands.

Above: Jewel anemones by Jenny Giddy, which came third 'On the Day'

After counting the votes the results of all three classes were announced in the bar, which thanks to Tracey. stayed open later than usual. Only 27 entries had been received for the Black & White class. Third place and a bronze medal went to DAVID OLDALE for his print of a Pike. Second place and a silver medal went to IAN GODDARD for his print of a Wolf fish. The winner of the Ocean Optics Trophy and a gold medal was BOB BRAY for his print of a school of Eagle Rays.

Above: Rays by Bob Bray, which came first in the Black & White Prints category.

Above Bob Bray receives the Ocean Optics Trophy for the best Black & White Print

A total of 66 entries had been received for the Colour Prints class. Third place and a bronze medal went to BOB BRAY for a natural light shot of a fan coral in a gully. Second place and a silver medal went to IAN GODDARD for his print of a Wolf fish eating an edible crab. The winner of the Greenaway & Morris Trophy and a gold medal was LINDA PITKIN for her print of a Coral Trout.

Above: Wolf fish by Ian Goddard, which came second in the Black & White Prints category.

Above: Pike by David Oldale. David's shot came third in the Black & White Prints category.

The best Contrived shot 'On the Day'. of a diver seemingly with his eyes popping out at the site of a string of pearls, was taken by RAY BREACH, who carried off the Aquamatic Trophy and a gold medal.

Above: Peter Rowland presnts the Greenaway Marine Trophy and Gold Medal to Linda Pitkin for the best Colour Print.

Above: Coral Trout by Linda Pitkin, which came first in the Colour Prints category.

Third place overall 'On the Day' and winner of a bronze medal was JENNY GIDDY for her macro shot of Jewel Anemones. Second place and a silver medal went to STEVE BIRCHALL for a close up of a Cuckoo Wrasse. Winner of the BSoUP Trophy and a gold medal for the best slide was KEVIN CULLIMORE for his macro shot of a Tom Pot Blenny.

Above: Wolf fish by Ian Goddard, which came second in the Colour Prints category.

Above: Natural light shot by Bob Bray, which came third in the Colour Prints category.

The Society is grateful to Peter Rowlands, who transported the display stand to and from Plymouth; Brian & Linda Pitkin, Christine Osborne, David Clift, Ros Popel, Jenny Compton-Bishop, Mark & Susanna Webster, Joan Funnell, Jan & Mike Maloney, David Nardini, Charles Hood, who manned the reception and counted votes; to Georgette Douwma, Peter Scoones, Alex Double, Tamara Keiller for processing and sleeving all the 'On the Day' entries; to Bob Bray for driving into Plymouth to buy more film at the last minute; to Jane Rowlands for buying and arranging engraving and delivery of the medals; to Alan and Mary Bax for use of facilities at the Fort and to all the staff at the Fort for making us welcome, especially Tracey and Kim who kept the bar open late on Saturday night / Sunday morning.

BSoUP SPLASH-IN WINNERS