underwater australasia Photo Competition 2008-09 Winners

Contributed by Tim Hochgrebe

underwater australasia is very excited to announce the BIG WINNERS of our 5th annual Photo Competition. In a tough year of competition we have seen some amazing entries from all over the world. 1000s of photographs were entered, many of them are in the underwater gallery now ... but only 12 in each category could make it to the finals. And only 3 of those 12 could win.

Please thank our esteemed judges Mathieu Meur, co-author of a number of very popular underwater photography books, Richard Vevers form the Underwater Australia Gallery, as well as the Underwater Team score. The judges decisions we pretty clear this year - the OPEN winner got the top score from ALL judges - this has never happened before.

Before we do the drumroll, we would like to give THANKS to our generous sponsors for their support ! Thank you Traders Ridge and Fish'n Fins - Thank you Apollo - Thank you Cocotinos - Thank you Mike Ball - Thank you Le Mahe Liveaboards!

OK - to the winners of the 2008-09 competition ... drum roll

Open category

1st PRIZE - - A 2 week trip to Yap and Palau in Micronesia sponsored by Traders Ridge and Fish'n Fins
Yap.
David Henshaw with what must be the best Blue Ribbon Eel shot I have ever seen taken in Manado, Sulawesi, Indonesia.

2nd PRIZE - the NEW EDGE drysuit from Apollo - The new 4mm Microcell neoprene offers warmth and flexibility without bulk, adjustable neoprene seals, strong nylon jersey material inside and out.
Goos van der Heide with an amazingly coloured Juvenile Squid from Komodo, Indonesia.

3rd PRIZE - 6 days and 5 nights at Cocotinos Resort in Manado, North Sulawesi.
Matt Curnock with a magic Dwarf Minke shot from the Ribbon Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia .

Novice category

1st PRIZE - 3 nights / 12 dives on the Great Barrier Reef - world famous Cod Hole and pristine Ribbon Reefs with Mike Ball Expeditions.
Andrew McLeod with his small crab hitching a ride with jellyfish. Bicol, Philippines.

2nd PRIZE - Stay 4 days/4 nights on Similan liveaboard MV Le Mahe (double/twin cabin) - Includes 14 dives, full diving equipment, meals, return transfers from Phuket.
Isabelle Dechamps with Scary Blenny - Racha Yai, Phuket, Thailand

3rd PRIZE - The S-Sun 1800 Candlepower dive light. Thanks to Apollo.
Jun Tagama with Gotcha Translucent at Marinduque, Philippines.

Again: Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all the sponsors - an awesome result !

All monthly winners from the 2008-09 competition and earlier comps are at our Photocomp Winners Page
So ... after looking at all these awesome shots - go diving, keep shooting and keep submitting your best shots to the underwater australasia photo comp and tell all your friends about it if you dare!