Get set for the Splash In!

The St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve (VMR) is holding its annual underwater photography competition, The Splash In, which this year will take place on the August Bank Holiday weekend of 27th and 28th August.

Now a well established event on any diver’s calendar, the St Abbs and Eyemouth VMR Splash In is in its 24th year and every year the competition attracts hundreds of pounds worth of prizes from our generous sponsors.

There are 45 places in the competition and to take part divers must register in advance by completing the entry form available on the VMR’s website www.marine-reserve.co.uk or from the VMR Ranger Georgia Conolly (gconolly@nts.org.uk) and returning it no later than 1st August. Alternatively registration will be available on the morning of 27th August at The Old School, St Abbs from 8am – 10am, although divers are encouraged to register in advance as the places will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Registering for the competition in advance will speed up the check in process on the Saturday morning, giving competitors the maximum time possible to capture what they hope will be a prize-winning image.

The competition categories will be: Marine Life Portrait (close up photos of the Reserve’s inhabitants); Reserve Atmospheric (showing the VMR’s spectacular scenery at its best and these shots can include divers in the frame) and The John Goldie Most Humorous Shot (use your imagination!). Competitors will be spoilt for choice in terms of subject matter as the coastal waters off St Abbs and Eyemouth and teeming with wildlife. There are kelp forests; soft corals; wrecks; reefs and grey seals to photograph.

The entry fee for the competition is £20 which includes entry into the slideshow of all the images on the Sunday evening. Full details, competition rules and the advance registration form are available from the VMR website.

Clair Jubb's close up of a shanny won 2nd prize in the Marine Life Portrait category and best overall image in show in last year's competition.