Hawaii’s Back yard Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi

Dive with pros and
take winning photos

Avid divers, fishermen and boaters call the ocean fickle and unpredictable, but Kathy Knoll says one thing about it is certain -- it yields extraordinary images to those who explore its depths with a camera.

Knoll is the event manager for Sport Diver magazine, the nation's largest scuba diving magazine and the official publication of PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). Sport Diver and Body Glove (a manufacturer of wetsuits, swimsuits, apparel and snorkeling gear) are the main sponsors of the 2nd annual Kona Classic Underwater Photography and Video Festival set for May 10 to 17, which will give participants the opportunity to dive off the Big Island with world-famous underwater photographers, pick up valuable photography tips, receive daily critiques of their work, attend marine life seminars and vie for valuable prizes, including a diving trip to Tahiti.

Photo contest categories include Best Animal Portrait, Best Macro Image, Best Wide-Angle Image, Best Topside Image, Best Creative Image and Best Diver Image. First-, second- and third-place prizes will be presented for each category, along with one Best of Competition award. Sport Diver will publish the winning pictures.

With visibility usually running from 100 to 200 feet, Kona is regarded as one of the best diving locales in the Pacific. Its clear blue waters teem with intriguing marine life, including moray eels, scorpion fish, melon-headed whales, and bottlenose and spinner dolphins. Last year's Best of Competition winner, Janet Martin, from New York, captured her spectacular photo of a manta ray feeding on plankton during a night dive. Martin will be returning this year to see if she can create another blue-ribbon image.

Don't be shy or intimidated; it's not necessary for you to be an experienced scuba diver or photographer to join in the fun. "Last year, one participant got certified the week of the event," Knoll recalls.

"We gave him a point-and-shoot camera, and he wound up winning third place in the point-and-shoot contest for novices. It was a beautiful shot of a school of dolphins."

The competition's diverse categories inspire creativity.

"Last year, we had a humor category, which was won by the group diving with Jack's Diving Locker," Knoll says. "Their photo showed everyone lined up in hula skirts, dancing underwater.

In the topside category, we got some incredible photos of sunsets, birds and the volcano area. Participants really captured the beauty of the Big Island!"

According to Knoll, the Kona Classic accomplishes several things: It generates visitor traffic to the Big Island, spotlights Kona as a world-class scuba diving destination and binds the tight-knit seaside community even closer as they help organize and implement the fun, exciting and educational competition.

"Kona is the perfect venue for a scuba diving/photography event because the community works together so well," Knoll asserts.

"The Kona Classic also nurtures people's passion for diving and the art of underwater photography. They are able to have a wonderful time participating in a sport they love while learning new techniques and honing skills they never knew they had."

Kona Classic Underwater Photography and Video Festival Place: Various venues in Kailua-Kona, Big Island Dates: May 10 to 17 Call: 310-422-9300 Web site: www.sportdiver.com Event highlights >> Body Glove Kids Day, Kailua Pier: Children ages 6 to 17 dive into this snorkeling treasure hunt. Body Glove supplies a free mask, fin and snorkel to the first 100 youngsters who show up. They are split into different age groups (6-8, 9-10, 11-13, 14-15 and 16-17), then go snorkeling for little treasure chests or jewels, which can be redeemed for Body Glove bathing suits, rash guards, CD cases and other prizes. From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. May 14. >> Film Festival, Royal Kona Resort, Alii Surf Room: The work of renowned photographers and videographers Marty Snyderman, David Fleetham, Georgienne Bradley, Jay Ireland and Kona resident Jim Watt will be screened. At 7 p.m. May 14. >> Kona Brewing Company Party: Mingle with participating professional underwater photographers and videographers at Kona Brewing Company; get your fill of $3 beer and all-you-can-eat pizza for $12.50; and enter a raffle for valuable products, including dive gear, wetsuits and cameras. At 7:30 p.m. May 15. >> Grand opening and blessing of Kona Coast Divers' new store, located at Honokohau Marina. Enjoy refreshments, meet the photo pros and talk story with fellow dive enthusiasts. From 2 to 5 p.m. May 17. >> Awards Banquet, Royal Kona Resort, Alii Surf Room: The program includes a seafood buffet dinner, silent auction, announcement of the contest winners, and a presentation of the winning photographs and videos. $50 per person. At 6 p.m. May 17. For reservations, call 310-422-9300 or the Royal Kona Resort, 808-329-3111. Kona Classic packages >> Locals Only Photo Competition: The contest consists of photo and video categories, for which three prizes each will be awarded. If you're interested in entering this competition, you must register at the welcome reception, scheduled May 10 at 5 p.m. at the Royal Kona Resort. You have the flexibility of making diving arrangements on your own or with the operators listed below, and you can submit three entries for judging (must be taken the week of the event). Includes a T-shirt, welcome reception, sunset cruise, luau, admission to the film festival and seminars, Body Glove Kids Day, a wine and cheese party, and the awards banquet. The cost is $150. >> Dive Competitor Package: Includes everything listed above as well as diving with the photo pros, daily critiques, five days of two-tank boat charters, a one-tank night dive, demonstrations of dive gear, discounted processing and more. A trip aboard the Tahiti Aggressor, dive gear, marine cameras and dive computers are among the prizes. About 120 slots are available; Friday is the deadline to register. Call Eco Adventures 800-949-3483, Jack's Diving Locker 800-345-4807, Kona Coast Divers 800-KOA-DIVE, Kona Aggressor 800-348-2628, Kona Honu Divers 888-333-4668 or Hualalai Watersports/Sunseeker 808-325-8222. In addition to the photo prizes, awards will be given to the three video entries deemed the best. The cost is $700. For details about custom packages, including airfare, accommodations, a rental car and activities, call Mark Bader at Eco Adventures, 800-949-3483.