3rd Byron Underwater Festival coming close – what is happening
Monday and Tuesday, 27–28 April 2009
These pre-shootout days are to help people prepare for what lies ahead. Neville Coleman is offering a full Underwater Naturalist course to teach you how to identify those critters underwater and to spot unusual creatures that might have you walk away with the big prize in the photo competition (this can be a PADI specialty if you’re into collecting cards).
Mathieu Meur, author of several book on underwater photography will host two days of pre-shootout photo clinics: one day for beginners and one day for advanced photographers. The skills you will learn during these clinics can become very handy during the competition and Mathieu will give tips on how to select your most suitable photos to win an underwater photo competition.
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Shootout competition starts and the day ends with a night dive at Julian Rocks where you can trial the amazing new LED lights from AUNOC at no charge. Following the night dive is the traditional PLANULA welcome BBQ for shootout participants, with MadFish wines and Byron Bay Premium Brewery. Make sure you don’t go overboard as there are many days of diving ahead!
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Second day of the shootout with another night dive opportunity at the end of the day. In the evening there will be presentations by our very special guests: Neville Coleman, Mathieu Meur and David Harasti.
Friday, 1 May 2009
Third day of the shootout. The evening will see a pre-Marine Visions III launch dinner and sneak preview of the Marine Visions III Exhibition, which will be launched to the public at 7:00 p.m. This event has seen over 300 people attend last year and promises to be a great night again this. Of course there will be entertainment, speakers, prizes and MadFish wines!
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Fourth and final day of the shootout. At the end of the day all photo and video submissions are due to be handed over to the judges, including Sol Foo (editor at Scuba Diver AustralAsia), Neville Coleman, Mathieu Meur, and Dave Harasti. More presentations in the afternoon during which you learn about marine life, photography and diving.
The evening will celebrate the end of the shootout at the Underwater Party at the famous Buddha Bar in Byron Bay, home of the Byron Bay Premium Brewery. The Underwater Party will have some great entertainment, loads of prizes and best of all, it will be totally free. (Free beer will be limited to UF’09 shootout participants of course.) So think of your best underwater outfit, as there will be prizes for the best (and worst) dressed.
Also that night will see the World Premier of David Hannan’s new film Coral Sea Dreaming II in High Definition. Screening will be at the Byron Lounge Cinema, right next to the Buddha Bar.
Sunday, 3 May 2009
The judges go to work to decide who wins what; over AU$30,000 in prizes.
Activities offered throughout the day include a guided seabird walk and, like every day of the festival, you can go kayaking with the dolphins in the bay, snorkel the wreck of the Tassie II (which lies in 5–8m just off the main beach), or fit in another dive at Julian Rocks.
After a sleep-in from the Underwater Party the night before, all photographers gather at the Byron Bay lighthouse for a group photo session and posing in Underwater Festival T-shirts. The evening will see the Underwater Festival finale with film screenings and the presentation of the winning images and films of the shootout, as well as the all important handover of prizes.
For more information on the festival, visit the official Web site. Many events are free, but to purchase festival tickets and shootout passes, Marine Visions entries, and any other financial transactions visit the Event Shop.
