SCUBAHUB
Haunting scene wins UPY 2024
A REMARKABLE IMAGE OF A freediver examining a whale skeleton under the Greenland ice sheet has scooped one of the most prestigious underwater photography awards .
Alex Dawson from Sweden was named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for his evocative image ‘ Whale Bones ’. His photograph , which starkly examines the aftermath of whaling , was selected out of over 6,500 entries worldwide to be crowned the winner .
Chair of the Underwater Photographer of the Year ( UPY ) judging panel , Alex Mustard , said the winning photograph raised significant questions about human impact on our wildlife .
“ Whale Bones was photographed in the toughest conditions ,” he explained . “ The composition invites us to consider our impact on the great creatures of this planet . Since the rise of humans , wild animals have declined by 85 %. Today , just 4 % of mammals are wildlife ; the remaining
96 % are humans and our livestock . Our way needs to change to find a balance with nature .”
Based in the UK , the Underwater Photographer of the Year is an annual competition that attracts entries from all around the world . This year ’ s winners were announced at an awards ceremony in Mayfair , London , hosted by competition sponsor , The Crown Estate .
For more information and to view the full UPY 2024 winners ’ gallery , go to underwaterphotographeroftheyear . com or check out our feature on page 24 .
Welcome to our world
A NEW WELCOME PRESENTATION template has been created by the BSAC team to support clubs in their new member recruitment drives .
Branch Officers can download the PowerPoint welcome presentation from the BSAC website , ready to use for their club ’ s next recruitment evening or new member welcome session .
Available in two aspect ratios , this versatile presentation covers all the essential information potential new members need to know about club diving with BSAC . And it can be easily edited and personalised so clubs can tailor the information to make it specific to them .
Templated slides include club activities , key people in your club , how new members can keep in touch and how they can get started with their scuba or snorkel training .
BSAC ’ s Head of Community , Debbie Powell , said the welcome presentation had been designed to support the significant effort clubs already make to bring in new members .
“ As an extra in a club ’ s recruitment ‘ toolkit ’, the welcome presentation is another opportunity to give potential and new members everything they need to know about your club . From what they can expect from their training to the adventures they can enjoy , you can provide all the key information to inspire them to take the next step .”
Clubs have already begun using the welcome presentation . Mick Barraclough , Chair at Bradford Sub-Aqua Club said : “ It is a great piece of work and I am sure that it will be a big help in converting try dives into recruiting new members .”
As well as an editable download , the fullcolour presentation can also be printed off to be used as handouts . The new welcome presentation is available on the Grow Your Club section of the BSAC website - bsac . com / growyourclub
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