The British Splash-in Championship - 2008

Organised by the British Society of Underwater Photographers in association with the National Marine Aquarium  

People 

The Mount Batten Centre and the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth, Devon, 12th July 2008

Alan James, an award-winning photographer, has often scooped the top prizes at British Splash-In Championships. During an emotional farewell speech at BSoUP a few months ago, Alan told the audience that he and his wife Heather were now stepping back from underwater photography and scuba-diving, although they will still plan to do the odd dive. This year's competitors will therefore be privileged to have Alan on the panel of judges for what could be one of his last public appearances with BSoUP.

Alan chaired both the 'On the Day' and 'Prints' panel of judges.

Paul Cox is Head of Science and Learning at the National Marine Aquarium.  He came into Marine Biology as a career through overseas SCUBA experiences and, having moved to Plymouth to study, discovered the wonders of diving in the South West. 

Paul has been working for the Aquarium for the past 5 years and, during that time, has met and worked with many underwater and terrestrial photographers.

He bought his first digital SLR before a trip to the Arctic four years ago and has been trying to use it ever since.  It has not yet made it underwater!

Paul was of member of both the 'On the Day' and 'Prints' panel of judges.

Emma Wright is a Director and Head of Marketing at Oonasdivers. One of her responsibilities is the organisation of overseas photo workshops. A diver for ten years, Emma has been known to take a compact camera underwater, although she prefers to enjoy the photographic successes of others! Oonasdivers are generously sponsoring this year's Prints competition for the first time by donating a one week diving holiday in the Red Sea. for the overall winner of the Prints competition.

The Prints competiton is now closed and the entries are on display at the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth, Devon until midnight Saturday 12 July 2008.

Emma was a member of the 'Prints' panel of judges.

Neil Hope is Deputy Picture Editor of the Western Morning News, Plymouth, and a regular contributer to diving publications.

Since qualifying in 1989 in the North-East of England, Neil has lived and dived extensively throughout the UK eventually settling in Torpoint, Cornwall some five years ago.

Well aware of the challenging conditions which the underwater photographer often faces along our shores he is looking forward to see.

Neil was a member of the 'On the Day' panel of judges.

Neil Hope, Western Morning News

Cathy Lewis. Winner of the Close-up category

BSoUP President, Brian Pitkin, presents Cathy with the Sport Diver Trophy and an Olympus Mju 1030 digital camera donated by Olympus UK.

Helen Wehner. Winner of the Animal Portrait category

BSoUP President, Brian Pitkin, presents Helen with the BSoUP Trophy and an Olympus Mju 1030 digital camera donated by Olympus UK.

Charles Erb. Winner of the Wide-angle category

BSoUP President, Brian Pitkin, presents Charles with the Alan James Digital Image Trophy and an Olympus Mju 1030 digital camera donated by Olympus UK.

Steve Lawes, Best Beginner, with Maria Munn

Mari Munn, Ocean Visions, presents Steve Lawes with Ocean Visions Trophy and either a canvas print of one of their images or a free place on a one day course run by Maria Munn of Ocean Visions.

A copy of ‘Reefs Revealed’ by Alex Mustard, donated by the publisher Constable & Robinson
or ‘REEF’ by Scubazoo, donated by the publisher Dorling Kindersley.

John Souness. Winner of the Humor category

BSoUP President, Brian Pitkin, presents John with the AP Valves Trophy and Buddy stab jacket, donated by AP Valves

Helen Wehner, Splash-in Overall Winner

BSoUP President, Brian Pitkin, presents Helen with the grand prize of a one week liveaboard trip to the Red Sea kindly donated by Tony Backhurst Scuba and a copy of 'Wyland: Visions of the Sea', donated by the National Marine Aquarium

Robert Cuss. Winner British & Irish Prints

BSoUP President, Brian Pitkin, presents Rob with the Ocean Optics Trophy, a £250 voucher to spend at Ocean Optics Ltd, and a year's family membership to the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth.

Trevor Rees. Winner Advanced British & Irish Prints

BSoUP President, Brian Pitkin, presents Trevor with the Alan James Photography Print Trophy, an Olympus SP-570 UZ camera from Olympus UK, and a year's family membership to the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth.