Aqaba

Royal Blue Dolphin 1988, Aqaba, Jordan In May 1988 the Flemish Underwater Gommiscion FandF Nelos, in collaboration with the Hotel Club Aquamarina, Aqab:i, the Royal Jordanian Airlines and the Belgium tour operator Marine Adventures, organised an international underwater photographic competition, the Royal Blue Dolphin at Aqaba in Jordan at the northern tip of the Red Sea. In early 1988 invitations had been extended to many countries asking them to send a photographer to compete (all expenses paid). Countries could send a further two photographers if they were willing to pay for themselves. BSoUP chose KEVIN CULLIMORE as the UK representative with LINDA PITKIN and PETER SCOONES as the other UK competitors. Twenty two competitors representing 16 countries arrived in Aqaba on 23rd May. They were mainly European but it was good to see competitors from Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt also, Most countries sent only one photographer but Belgium, as the UK, fielded three, who included two BSoUP members, Vic Verlinden and Jos Audenaerd. An international jury of seven people had been selected - underwater photographers David George (UK) and Dietmar Reimer (Germany); Jacques Blanpain, President fand fNelos; journalist Enrico Capelletti (Italy); Jorge Albuqerque, President AV Commission CMAS (Portugal); Arthur Palache, President U/W Film and Photo Commission (Netherlands) and Levoun Hagop, Photographer of the Jordan Royal Court. Representatives of international diving magazines and film and video teams were invited, and Diver UK was represented by Brian Pitkin (Chairman BSoUP) and Underwater Photography magazine by David Nardini (BSoUP). The contest was under the patronage of King Hussein of Jordan and it was hoped that he would present the awards. The competition was divided into sections and awards were to be given to the best Nature Photographer, the best Creative Photographer and the best All-Round Photographer. In each category gold, silver and bronze awards would be nominated. In addition an award was to be given to the best competitor from an Arab country. Results Best All-Round Photographer Vincenzo Paolillo, Italy Silver Award Marc Debatty, France Bronze Award Linda Pitkin, UK Best Nature Photographer Willem Kolvoort, Netherlands Silver Award Rene Fritschi, Switzerland Bronze Award Frederic De Miglio, France Best Creative Photographer Peter Scoones, UK Silver Award Vincenzo Paolillo, Italy Bronze Award Linda Pitkin, UK