2008

August Bank Holiday Weekend saw St Abbs & Eyemouth Marine Reserve hosting its 23rd annual underwater photographic competition � the Splash In, which was organised by National Trust for Scotland Ranger for the Reserve, Liza Cole. Things were a little tense running up to the competition, as the weather was less than clement. Torrential rain in the middle of the week and grey tossing seas topped with white-caps being the order of the day on the Friday. However, Saturday morning dawned with blue skies and the sun glistening off a calm sea. Never the less, condition were still challenging for the 35 entrants as there was still a fair swell running and the rain had carried a lot of soil into the water so reducing its clarity.

The photographers had the whole of Saturday to capture what they hoped would be a prize-winning image. The competition has three categories: Marine Life Portrait (close up images of the Reserve�s amazing marine life); Reserve Atmospheric (wide angle shots showing the stunning underwater landscape); and Most Humorous Shot (where the photographers use their imagination in an attempt to raise a titter). The winning images are then chosen by the audience of a slide show on the Sunday evening.

Although the conditions were tricky, the competitors took some fantastic images. The Marine Life Portrait category was a close run thing, with David Stephen�s image of a velvet swimming crab and a dahlia anemone just pipping Cathy Lewis� close up shot of a prawn on a dahlia anemone to the post for first prize. Third prize went to Jason Gregory for a picture of a scorpion fish and 13 year old Robert Grieves was awarded the prize for best beginner. David�s image was so well liked by the audience that it also won the prize for best image in the whole competition.

It was a good day for Cathy Lewis, as she also came first in the Reserve Atmospheric category with her shot of a diver looking at a sunstar on a reef. Richard Hall took second with an image of an oval window in a reef festooned with sealife, and Shane Wasik was awarded both third and best beginner for his moody shot of a swim through dive site called the letterbox.

As usual, the Most Humorous Shot category stimulated some most entertaining entries. Mike Clark won with his image of an underwater gardener, Sam Bean came second with her �Fun Down Under� and Shane Wasik took third (and his third prize) with �Starry Eyed�.

Apart from the prestige of taking a winning image, there were nearly �1,500 worth of prizes to fight for; anything from a romantic meal for two to dive equipment. All prizes were generously donated by local, national & international businesses and were presented by Sarah Goldie (the most humorous shot category being in memory of her dad).

Marine Ranger, Liza Cole said: �The Splash In not only provides a fantastic opportunity to promote the work that has been going on in the VMR for over two decades, but also highlights the beauty of the underwater world to those who are not able to go and see it for themselves. Participants come to St Abbs from all over the country & the event is an enjoyable weekend for participants and locals alike.�

�The unique thing about the St Abbs Splash In, compared to similar competitions, is that young beginners like Robert compete alongside experienced photographers, some of whom have won national competitions. And because the winners are chosen by the audience of the Sunday night slide show rather than expert judges, images that are pleasing to the eye have as much chance of winning as those that are technically excellent.�

The winners in each category are shown below.

Thanks to this years sponsors:

• AP Valves
• Apeks
• Aquapress
• AquaStars Dive Centre, Eyemouth
• Beaver
• David & Irene McIntosh, Springbank Cottage Bed & Breakfast
• Edinburgh Diving Centre Ltd
• Lawson Wood
• Lazy-G-Diver, Coldingham (MV Lazy-G-Diver)
• Marine Conservation Society
• Marine Quest & Harbourside, Eyemouth
• National Trust for Scotland
• Newcastle Dive Centre
• Rhona Goldie
• Rock House Dive Centre, St Abbs, (MV Tiger Lily)
• Scoutscroft Dive Centre
• SDS Watersports
• St. Abbs Boat Charter, St Abbs (MV Selkie)
• Suunto
• The Anchor Inn, Coldingham
• Whittles Publishing
• Best Non Gamstop Casinos UK 2025
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2008 Digital Competition Results

You can also now view the Splash In entries on our stream on