Kirsty Andrews reports from this year ’ s Torbay BSAC Splash-In , which challenges photographers to ever more creative heights
KIRSTYANDREWS
Torbay – the great leveller
Kirsty Andrews reports from this year ’ s Torbay BSAC Splash-In , which challenges photographers to ever more creative heights
Kirsty ’ s night-time barnacle-covered mussels were commended in the Wide Angle category
I
’ m writing this column still buzzing from one of my favourite events of the UK SCUBA diving calendar , the Torbay BSAC Splash-In . Each year , underwater-loving types from near and far descend upon Devon to put their hat in the ring - or more specifically in the geographic area of Torbay , between Babbacombe in Torbay and Cod Rock near Brixham , to take photos , whether on fancy cameras or more modest ones . During a tightly controlled 19-hour window from 10pm on Friday , splash-in entrants can dive , snorkel , dip their toes in rock pools et cetera before handing in their chosen photos by 5pm on Saturday . Merriment follows : drinks , dinner and a show of everyone ’ s shots , before winners are crowned .
For the past several years , long-renowned and respected underwater photographer Peter Rowlands has performed judging duties , and there ’ s also a popular vote ; it ’ s always interesting to see what ’ s a crowd pleaser . Although it ’ s not the main motivator for me , the competition has a range of decent prizes and I particularly appreciate that the best prize is the beginners ’ category , sponsored by O ’ Three .
What is it that gives this competition its winning formula ? To a large extent , it ’ s the level playing field . Everyone is in the same boat , not literally , thankfully , but we all have
Chairman Richard Blair congratulates Malcolm Nimmo , left , and Terry Griffiths for winning Wide Angle and Macro categories respectively to make the best of the same conditions ( which , in Torbay , often include a smattering of silt ). Unlike other competitions , there isn ’ t an in-built advantage to being able to wait for the best conditions or travel the world or even the best UK sites - very few would claim that Torbay is the best UK diving , but it does have its excitements , and this is a good opportunity to show those off .
Having the best , shiniest , most expensive gear isn ’ t the key to success either . Of course , it ’ s a factor , but I really appreciate that there is a compact category and also a beginners ’ one . There are other ways to give yourself an edge and these are things like dedication , planning , creative thinking and , of course , luck .
Then there ’ s the social side . Personally I can ’ t wait to see what others have come up with on the day , talking excitedly of our finds by the bar , and being wowed by others ’ efforts . This year there was a species I ’ d never seen before in Torbay , and an impressive iPhone panorama that really caught my eye ( unlucky I ’ m not the judge , Dave Peake ). The whispers of , who was up at midnight trying a night dive and is now really quite bleary eyed ( that was me ); who was it who clambered along the coastal path and scrambled down a rocky ravine to shore-dive an exciting arch ( also me , two years ago ; it was worth it ). Did one diver try to hide their best subject from their buddy ? (… definitely not me , although he may claim I intentionally didn ’ t show him four bobtail squid but it was an accidental omission …)
Torbay BSAC have always been a lovely welcoming bunch and I thank Richard , Tim and their fellow divers for great hospitality on the evening . I imagine if every BSAC member across the country is inspired to enter next year that could be a bit of a shock to their entry system , but I genuinely think that they ’ d welcome other keen divers along to share in the fun , especially beginner ‘ togs ’, as we keen photographers say .
I ’ d encourage other clubs to run their own splash-ins too ; maybe just to add another dimension to a normal diving weekend - it doesn ’ t have to be quite so organised as those Devon pros but it does bring a new level of interest , friendly competition and challenge to our favourite sport . Get snapping and splash in ! �
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