Beneath the Sea

Type: Trade show / consumer dive expo
Frequency: Annual (typically late March/early April)
Location: Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, NJ (10 minutes from Manhattan)
Founded: 1975
Founder: Armand “Zig” Zigahn ([1])
Organization: Federally tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, incorporated in the State of New York ([2])
Website: beneaththesea.org

Overview

Beneath the Sea (BTS) is the largest consumer scuba and dive travel show in North America. Held annually at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, the show draws hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees from the diving, underwater photography, and marine conservation communities. The 2007 show, its 31st, set a record with 15,663 attendees. ([3])

Unlike DEMA, which targets the dive industry, BTS is oriented toward consumers and enthusiasts. The show features over 300 exhibitors covering dive travel, equipment manufacturers, conservation organizations, and underwater imaging companies. ([4], [5])

BTS’s mission is to (1) provide continuing education to the recreational diver community, (2) educate the public in the benefits of protecting the ocean environment, and (3) support ocean and environment related projects and charities. ([6])

Key organizers include JoAnn and Armand “Zig” Zigahn, and Maria Hults and Bob Ricke, who handle publicity. ([7], [8])

International Imaging Competition

The BTS Worldwide Underwater Photography/Video Competition is one of the show’s signature events. Open to photographers and videographers worldwide, it draws international entries across multiple categories. Results are announced at the Saturday Night International Film Festival during the BTS weekend. ([9])

Named Awards

Competition Categories

The still photography competition has included the following categories over the years: General, Marine Life, Macro/Close-up, Underwater Behavior, Conservation, Novice/Point & Shoot, Shipwrecks, and Creative. ([11], [12])

The video competition includes full-length video and Video Snapshot categories. ([13])

The entry deadline is typically December 31 of the preceding year. Beginning in 2010, the competition was opened to both amateurs and professionals for the first time. ([14])

Grand prizes have included live-aboard trips to destinations such as Papua New Guinea (M.V. Telita), Fiji (Nai’a), Cocos Islands (Undersea Hunter), Tobago (Peter Hughes Wind Dancer), Indonesia (S.M.Y. Ondina), the Maldives (Manthiri), Australia (Mike Ball Expedition), and Yap (Manta Ray Bay Hotel). ([15], [16], [17], [18])

International Film Festival

The Saturday evening Film Festival is a highlight of BTS weekend, featuring presentations by leading underwater filmmakers and photographers. The 2016 festival was the 40th edition, with host Bill Evans and presenters including Jonathan Bird, David Doubilet, Jen Hayes, Howard and Michele Hall, Ernie Brooks, and Richie Kohler. ([19])

In 2010, MC Mike deGruy introduced films including the first color underwater video from 1924 by Jack Williamson, excerpts from Sensational Seas Two, and a deep sea exploration segment. Phil Nuytten was honored with a carving of himself in a Newtsuit. ([20])

BTS also offered the BTS/Howard and Michelle Hall “Artist-in-Residence” Grant, a $1,000 award to support underwater video projects. ([21])

Special Honors and Events

BTS hosts the annual “Diver of the Year” awards, “Legend of the Sea” recognition, and the Women Divers Hall of Fame inductions. The show also features the “Meet the Fish and the Famous” banquet and various seminars on underwater photography, diving medicine, and conservation. ([22])

Wetpixel at BTS

Eric Cheng and the Wetpixel team had a significant presence at BTS throughout the 2000s and early 2010s. Wetpixel members frequently swept the photography competition. ([23])

In 2009, Eric Cheng called for volunteers to help cover BTS for Wetpixel, offering a free 1-year subscription to Wetpixel Quarterly as incentive. ([24])

In 2010, Wetpixel had booth #109, staffed by editors Eric Cheng and Elijah Woolery, moderator Abi Smigel, and volunteers Tony Granata, Drew Wohl, and Sandrah Gurash. They sold Wetpixel Quarterly subscriptions, boxed sets, and t-shirts. ([25], [26])

Drew Wohl provided show coverage for Wetpixel in 2011 and 2012. ([27], [28])

History

2004 (28th Annual)

Held March 26-28. Eric Cheng provided a detailed expo report. Exhibitors included Aquatica (Blake, Norma, and Jean Bruneau demonstrating the I.C.U. Illumination Control Unit for E-TTL strobe compatibility), Sea & Sea (Brad Lally), Light & Motion (Dan Baldocchi with the Titan D100 housing), Ikelite, Ultralight Control Systems (Dave Reid and Terry Schuller), Underwater Photo Tech (Fred Dion and Dave Marsh), Ocean Brite (Jim Bullitt showing a Canon Digital Rebel housing prototype), SeaLife (Reefmaster cameras), and Ryan Canon at Underwater Camera Pros. Todd Essick displayed his new book of underwater nudes. Shark Research Institute’s Alex Antoniou was present, as was marine artist Wyland painting live. Stan Waterman was spotted at the SRI booth. ([29])

Wetpixel members swept the photography competition. The David Doubilet Award Best in Show for digital photography went to Mark Snyder of Astoria, New York for “Goby and Wire Coral.” ([30], [31])

2005 (29th Annual — 25th Anniversary)

Held March 18-20. The 25th anniversary of BTS. Over 400 entries from 18 countries in the competition. Larry Oberlander reported that the show had over 300 exhibitors, with a strong emphasis on dive travel. The Nikon D2X generated significant buzz; Aquatica was the only exhibitor with a D2X on the floor. ([32])

DivePhotoGuide.com launched its beta at BTS 2005, with Jason Heller introducing the site alongside marine artist Wyland. ([33])

Exhibitors included Aquatica, B&H Photo, Berger Bros. Photo, Ikelite, Light & Motion, Ocean Brite, Reef Photo & Video, Sea & Sea, Ultralite Control Systems, Underwater Camera Repair, Underwater Photo Tech, and Amphibico. ([34])

Competition winners: David Doubilet Award to Dmitry Rudakov (Saint-Petersburg, Russia) for “Jellyfish.” Jim Church Award to Gregory Sweeny (New Zealand/Florida) for “Shockwave.” Stan Waterman Award to Steve Douglas (California) for “Nocturnal Nebula.” James Wiseman received an Honorable Mention in Macro/Close-up. ([35])

2006 (30th Annual)

Held March 24-26. Competition winners included Wetpixel members Rand McMeins, Linda Cline, and Joe Belanger. Rand McMeins won Best in Show with “Too Many Choices.” ([36], [37])

2007 (31st Annual)

Held March 23-25. The most successful show in BTS’s 31-year history, with 15,663 attendees. Stan Waterman was celebrated as a “Legend of the Sea” — the show featured a historic reunion of the surviving cast and crew of “Blue Water, White Death” (1969), including Stan Waterman, Ron and Valerie Taylor, Rodney Fox, Tom Chapin, and James Lipscomb. The documentary was being digitally remastered. ([38])

Douglas David Seifert provided an extensive show report for Wetpixel. Highlights included the “Diver of the Year” award to Rodney Fox (presented by Richard Ellis), Women Divers Hall of Fame inductees, and a private reception attended by Sylvia Earle, Wyland, Bob & Ronda Hollis, Ernie Brooks, and Wendy Benchley. Bret Gilliam presented and artist Viktor surprised Stan Waterman with an 1,800-pound granite sculpture of himself. Zale Parry of Sea Hunt fame hosted the film festival. ([39])

Exhibitors of photographic interest included Aquatica (Mauricio Handler showing a new 9-inch dome), Reef Photo & Video (Ryan Canon with compact Canon XTi housing), Shark Diving International, and various conservation organizations including Oceana. Seifert noted a controversial vendor selling great white shark teeth, which he identified as a potential CITES violation. ([40])

2008 (32nd Annual)

Held March 28-30. David Doubilet Award Best of Show went to Mark Melnick for an image from the cenotes of Mexico. ([41])

2009 (33rd Annual)

Held March 27-29. David Doubilet Award Best of Show went to Wetpixel member Cal Mero for a photo of a leafy sea dragon. Eric Cheng called for Wetpixel volunteers to cover the show. ([42], [43])

2010 (34th Annual)

Held March 26-28. Wetpixel provided extensive three-day coverage from booth #109, with Eric Cheng writing detailed daily reports covering dozens of exhibitors.

Day 1: Eric Cheng visited Arenui (new luxury Indonesian liveaboard), REEF (Ned and Anna Deloach showing Sensational Seas Two DVD), Epoque (video housings for Sanyo HD cameras), Misool Eco-Resort (Marit Miners), Worldwide Dive and Sail, Sea & Sea (Christian von Stetzsch showing the new D300s housing and YS-01 strobe with GN 20), ReefNet (Kris Wilk family showing redesigned SubSee macro diopter), and met filmmaker Mike deGruy. ([44])

Day 2: Covered Olympus (PT-EP01 housing for E-PL1 PEN), DivePhotoGuide (Jason Heller and Matt Weiss showing relaunched site), Dive Damai, Ikelite (Jean Brigham), Aditech (Mangrove video housings with 4,050-lumen video light), Reef Photo Video and Nauticam USA (Chris Parsons, Subal CD7 housing, Nauticam T2i housing preview), Fisheye FIX S90 housing, Aquatica (improved HD WAVE video housing, port locks, TLC tripod), Light & Motion (SOLA600 light), Ultralight Control Systems, and Backscatter (Jim Decker, Russ Sanoian, and Sterling Zumbrunn showing INON insect eye adapter). The evening film festival honored Phil Nuytten. Bret Gilliam donated 1,250 copies of “Diving Pioneers and Innovators” and called Eric Cheng onto stage alongside industry pioneers. Carl Roessler was present. ([45])

Day 3: Visited Equinox (video housings), Canon (Chucki Luzier and Stephen Frink showing Canon Rebel T2i), SeaLife (DC1200), XIT404, Pacific Housing Repair (Devon Tompkins), and the team met Eugenie Clark. Eric Cheng posed with a vintage Rollei housing. Wyland was again present. ([46])

Competition winners: David Doubilet Award to Yeang H Chng (West New York, NJ) for “Salt Water Crocodile.” Jim Church Award to Bartosz Strozynski (Poznan, Poland) for “Cosmos.” Stan Waterman Award to Sharon Wada (Snohomish, WA) for “Beauty in the Beast.” International entries came from Germany, Spain, Israel, Australia, Belgium, Singapore, Estonia, Poland, Russia, and more. ([47])

2011 (35th Annual)

Held March 25-27. Drew Wohl provided show coverage for Wetpixel. Exhibitors included Backscatter (Jim Decker showing Sea & Sea MDX-D7000 and YS-02 strobe), Reef Photo (Ryan Canon with Nauticam products), Bluewater Photo and Video (Scott Gietler debuting at BTS with Recsea mirrorless housings and Dyron accessories), and Light & Motion (Sola 500/600/1200 lights and prototype 4,000-lumen Sola 4000). ([48])

Competition winners: David Doubilet Award to Keri Wilk for “Flying Fish.” Jim Church Award to Heru Suryoko for “Bait Attack.” Stan Waterman Award to Edward Snijders for “Dutch Estuary.” Adam Hanlon received an Honorable Mention in Marine Life for “Seal In Kelp.” ([49])

2012 (36th Annual)

Held March 23-25. Drew Wohl again covered the show for Wetpixel. Competition images were displayed on monitors for the first time instead of prints. Robert Schrager coordinated the imaging competition. Exhibitors included Equinox (XTC action cameras, HD5 housing), Aquatica (working on housings for Nikon D4, D800, Canon 5D Mark III, and RED), Backscatter (Jim Decker with Canon 5D Mark III and GoPro housing at $119), Reef Photo and Nauticam USA (Chris Parsons previewing Nauticam D800, D4, and 5D Mark III housings around $3,600), Light & Motion (Sola 2000-lumen video light), Bluewater Photo (Scott Gietler), DivePhotoGuide (Matt Weiss, Keri Wilk, Joe Tepper), and conservation groups including Sea Shepherd and Diveheart. BTS also introduced the Dick Anderson Award for humorous entries. ([50], [51])

2013 (37th Annual)

Held March 22-24. David Doubilet Award to Peter G. Allinson (Kingsville, Maryland) for “The Hunter” (hunting sailfish). Jim Church Award to Filip Staes (Mechelen, Belgium) for “Must Be An Angel” (winged model underwater). Stan Waterman Award to Erick Higuera (La Paz, Mexico) for “Baja.” Many winners were active Wetpixel community members. ([52])

2014 (38th Annual)

Held March 28-30. David Doubilet Award to Uwe Schmolke (Germany) for “Macho.” Jim Church Award to Karen Sweeney (Bokeelia, Florida) for “Must Be An Angel.” Stan Waterman Award to Timothy Blanton (Roatan, Honduras) for “Our Fragile Seas.” ([53])

2015 (39th Annual)

Held March 27-28. Competition entries solicited with a December 12, 2014 deadline. ([54])

2016 (40th Annual)

Held April 1-3. David Doubilet Award to Edwar Herreño for “Turtle Love.” Stan Waterman Award to Nicholas Dean for “What Would Wallace Think.” Jim Church Award to Massimo Giorgetta for “Mirror in a Tunnel.” The 40th International Film Festival featured host Bill Evans and presenters including Jonathan Bird, Leandro Blanco, Ernie Brooks, Andy Brandy Casagrande, David Doubilet and Jen Hayes, Jack and Sue Drafahl, Howard and Michele Hall, and Richie Kohler. ([55], [56])

2017

David Doubilet Award to Renee Capozzola for “Sharky Sunset.” ([57])

2018

Held March 23-25. Competition entries solicited with December 31, 2017 deadline. ([58])

2020

Scheduled for March 27-29. Competition entries solicited with December 31, 2019 deadline. ([59])

Notable Competition Winners (David Doubilet Award)

YearWinnerImageLocation
2004Mark Snyder”Goby and Wire Coral”Astoria, NY
2005Dmitry Rudakov”Jellyfish”Saint-Petersburg, Russia
2006Rand McMeins”Too Many Choices”Edmonds, WA
2008Mark Melnick(cenotes image)—
2009Cal Mero(leafy sea dragon)—
2010Yeang H Chng”Salt Water Crocodile”West New York, NJ
2011Keri Wilk”Flying Fish”Mississauga, ON
2013Peter G. Allinson”The Hunter”Kingsville, MD
2014Uwe Schmolke”Macho”Germany
2016Edwar Herreño”Turtle Love”—
2017Renee Capozzola”Sharky Sunset”—

Exhibitor Presence

BTS has consistently attracted major underwater photography and videography companies as exhibitors. Recurring exhibitors across the years covered by Wetpixel include:

References

Sources

  1. Wetpixel article, Feb 5, 2004: Wetpixel Members Sweep Beneath The Sea Competition ↩
  2. Wetpixel article, Feb 16, 2010: Winners Announced For Beneath The Sea Photo Video Competition 2010 ↩
  3. Wetpixel article, Mar 29, 2007: Beneath The Sea 2007 Dive Show Report ↩
  4. Wetpixel article, Mar 26, 2004: Beneath The Sea 2004 Expo Report ↩
  5. Wetpixel article, Mar 24, 2005: Beneath The Sea 2005 Report ↩
  6. Wetpixel article, Feb 16, 2010: Winners Announced For Beneath The Sea Photo Video Competition 2010 ↩
  7. Wetpixel article, Feb 5, 2004: Wetpixel Members Sweep Beneath The Sea Competition ↩
  8. Wetpixel article, Mar 29, 2007: Beneath The Sea 2007 Dive Show Report ↩
  9. Wetpixel article, Oct 26, 2004: Beneath The Sea 2005 Photovideo Competition ↩
  10. Wetpixel article, Oct 13, 2011: Call For Entries Beneath The Sea 2012 ↩
  11. Wetpixel article, Feb 11, 2005: Beneath The Sea 2005 Winners Posted ↩
  12. Wetpixel article, Feb 16, 2010: Winners Announced For Beneath The Sea Photo Video Competition 2010 ↩
  13. Wetpixel article, Feb 16, 2010: Winners Announced For Beneath The Sea Photo Video Competition 2010 ↩
  14. Wetpixel article, Oct 14, 2009: Beneath The Sea 2010 Image Contest ↩
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  19. Wetpixel article, Feb 17, 2016: Beneath The Sea Announces Film Festival Line Up ↩
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