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Competition Report: NUPG Splash-In 2014

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System Wide-Angle Winner John Spencer

The Northern Underwater Photography Group held their annual Splash-In competition on Saturday 16th August. A record number registered for the event, which was held in conjunction with the Anglesey Scubafest. Conditions on the day were particularly challenging for even the most experienced underwater photographer, with visibility reduced to less than 1m, but this did not deter those taking part. The idea of the Splash-In competition is that everyone has the same conditions to deal with and everyone has to capture their images on the day, in the sea, around the North Wales coastline. Each competitor then has to make their way back to the Anglesey Outdoor Centre to submit their images into the appropriate category: System Wide Angle, System Macro; Compact Camera Wide Angle or Compact Camera Macro. The competition only allows for very minor editing of the images, with no cropping or spot removal allowed. There was also a new special category included this year, to capture the mood of the event, above the surface, at Scubafest. This category was open to divers and non-divers alike.

Alongside the Splash-In competition, the NUPG 2014 Print Competition was also being judged. Competitors were invited to submit prints of their best images taken within the last 12 months into the following categories: British Wide Angle, British Macro, Overseas Wide Angle & Overseas Macro.

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Winning Scubafest Image by Nick Robertson-Brown

The competitors, along with an enthusiastic group from Scubafest, filled the room, which meant that the judging of both the print and splash-in competitions were voted for by a packed room of over 70 people. Over 80 images were entered into the Splash-In, and they were projected anonymously for the whole room to see. Once all these votes had been counted up, the runners-up and winners were announced. Each category winner received a trophy sponsored by a supporter of the event. Trophies included donations from AP Diving, Apeks, DiveLife, Dive Quest, Equator Diving, Frogfish Photography, Frogsborn Diving, INON UK, Mares and Underwater Visions.

Nick Robertson-Brown (the NUPG Chair) said, “It was great to see so many people involved with this event. The room was buzzing and the prizes went to underwater photographers that are just starting out, as well as to those with years of experience. The event just keeps getting better each year.”

The very last bit of judging that the crowd were asked to do was to crown the overall Splash-In winner. This was done by a vote off between the 4 splash-in category winners and was won by Jim Garland who had taken a lovely image of 2 nudibranchs whilst diving in a sheltered corner of the Menai Strait. The current was running at around 7 knots, so keeping in the lee of the island was paramount. Jim got a trophy to keep as well as the NUPG Championship trophy to put on his mantelpiece for the next 12 months. The results for the categories, with the individual sponsors, were as follows:

Overall Splash-In Winner 2014 (INON UK) – Jim Garland

Splash-In System Wide-Angle 2014 (Mares) – John Spencer (Runner-up John Spencer)

Splash-In System Close-Up 2014 (Underwater Visions) – Jim Garland (Runner-up Yo-Han Cha)

Splash-In Compact Wide-Angle 2014 (Apeks) – Sue Chapman (Runner-up Sue Chapman)

Splash-In Compact Close-Up 2014 (Frogfish Photography) – Jason Melton (Runner-up Alex Tasker)

Scubafest Image 2014 (AP Diving) – Nick Robertson-Brown (Runners-up Elaine White & Tony Gilbert)

Print Overseas Wide-Angle 2014 (Equator Diving) – Elaine White (Runner-up Nick Robertson-Brown)

Print Overseas Close-Up 2014 (Dive Quest) – Anne Medcalf (Runner-up Phil Medcalf)

Print British Isles Wide-Angle 2014 (Frogsborn) – Nick Robertson-Brown (Runner-up Caroline Robertson-Brown)

Print British Isles Close-Up 2014 (DiveLife) – Caroline Robertson-Brown (Runners-up Elaine White and Ken Byrne)

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Print Overseas Close-Up 2014 Winner Anne Medcalf

The Northern Underwater Photography Group (NUPG) is a friendly club based in Manchester that welcomes all underwater photographers. The club meets every month (on the 2nd Monday of the month) where they host talks by well-known photographers, get ideas and tips from fellow members and have a fun monthly competition, as well as holding more competitive competitions like the Splash-In, twice a year. Members range from the newest photographer just putting their first compact camera into the water to professionals with DSLRs – everyone is welcome. For more information visit www.nupg.org.uk. The NUPG’s Facebook page can be found here.

Main Photo: Overall Splash-In Winner 2014, Jim Garland

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Palau Resurfaces! Visit Us at boot 2025 in Duesseldorf and Discover Why!

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Following a period away, Palau – a dream destination for countless divers – is excited to rejoin the boot water sports show in Duesseldorf, Germany.

This prestigious water sports show, taking place from January 18 to 26, 2025, provides Palau with a platform to showcase its unique offerings in diving, snorkelling, and sustainable tourism.

Located in the western Pacific’s Micronesian region and part of the Caroline Islands, the Republic of Palau comprises over 340 picturesque islands. Although small in landmass, Palau is a natural wonder both above and below the water.

Palau is renowned as a global leader in environmental conservation. Years ago, the nation implemented forward-thinking measures to preserve its natural resources. In 2009, Palau became the world’s first national shark sanctuary, banning commercial shark fishing. To further protect its marine ecosystem, home to over 1,500 fish species and about 700 coral species, Palau established a fully protected marine sanctuary spanning 193,000 square miles in 2015.

Palau’s return to the boot shows marks a significant moment for the island nation, celebrated for its crystal-clear waters, pristine coral reefs, and extraordinary marine biodiversity. Visitors to the Palau booth will discover a vision of sustainable tourism, as environmental stewardship is deeply ingrained in the islanders’ way of life.

“We are thrilled to return to Germany and share the beauty and diversity of Palau with the world,” says Kadoi Ruluked, Managing Director of the Palau Visitors Authority, who will lead the delegation at the trade show. “boot provides an outstanding platform to position Palau as a premier destination for sustainable tourism and a true paradise for underwater adventures.”

Amid growing global efforts toward eco-friendly tourism, Palau continues to set benchmarks with initiatives such as the “Palau Pledge.” By signing this pledge, visitors commit to respecting and protecting the environment during their stay. These and other measures will be highlighted at the event to raise awareness of marine ecosystem conservation.

The boot water sports show offers a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Palau’s culture and natural beauty while planning unforgettable diving and snorkelling trips. The Palau Visitors Authority warmly invites all attendees to explore their booth and experience the unspoiled charm of Palau.

Learn everything there is to know about this extraordinary destination at
Hall 12, booth nr. E42.

The exhibition runs from January 18 to 26, 2025, in Duesseldorf.

For more information or to schedule interviews and meetings, please contact: Judith Hoppe, WhatsApp: +49-151-5523 1966, e-mail palau@tourism-unlimited.com

For more information about Palau, please visit: www.pristineparadisepalau.com or follow us on social media at https://www.instagram.com/visitpalau/ or https://www.facebook.com/pristineparadisepalau/

Photo credit: © Judith Hoppe

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Gear Reviews

Gear Review: SurfEars 4

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SurfEars

Let me get this out there at the start… it is not possible for me to write an unbiased review on SurfEars! Why? – because they saved my diving career. That may sound over-dramatic, but it is true. I had been told by my ENT specialist that I should stop diving. Repeated perforations, including a stint of 4 infections causing ear drum ruptures in a single year, meant that things looked very bleak. Until a friend recommended that I get in touch with the team at SurfEars and to try them out.

That was over 5 years ago, and I have not looked back. Not a single ear infection in all the dives since. If you want to read my initial review of SurfEars then you can find it here: https://www.scubaverse.com/gear-review-surfears/

So, I was more than pleased to receive the latest SurfEars 4 to try out. I took them on a recent trip to The Bahamas where I was filming for a new project all about sharks. SurfEars come in a handy pod that I secure to my BCD so that I am sure not to forget to take them on the boat and to put them in before I head into the water. The new model comes in 2 new colours and have a range of fittings to ensure a perfect fit. Once in, you can still hear what is going on around you. Vital for any last-minute instructions for your dive.

SurfEars

Underwater they do their job in keeping water out. It is still just as easy to equalise the pressure, as air movement is not restricted at all. The new fittings mean that I can change to a slightly smaller fitting to wear under my hood for cold water diving. Once in, I just forget all about them, and enjoy my diving (snorkeling and swimming) with complete peace of mind.

The new version of SurfEars is now using recycled ocean plastic and repurposed silicone so are more eco-friendly. They are said to be even tougher and will last longer. Although my previous set were still going strong.

Whatever your chosen water sport – I cannot recommend SurfEars enough. Whilst they literally enabled me to continue diving, I would suggest using them to protect your ears before any unwanted trips to the doctor. I never go in the water without them. They are at the top of my packing list for any trip.

For more information head to: https://surfears.com/

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