The 'Inclusive Underwater Photography Championship' will be held for the first time in Lanzarote. A contest organized by the 'Spanish Federation of Underwater Activities' and the Diverse association, with the collaboration of the Cabildo of Lanzarote and the Government of the Canary Islands that will take place from September 13 to 17.
"There are already registered participants from all over Spain in an age range of between 25 and 55 years old," Alicia Wildpret, member of the Diverse Organizing Committee, tells La Voz. "People with paraplegia, reduced mobility, vision problems, etc. will participate," she adds. The objective is that these people "can experience the sensation of weightlessness they find under the water," explains the organizer.
"We hope that people with disabilities know that they have an activity within their reach and enjoy the sensations experienced when diving," she says. To do this, "we put a specialized adapted diving instructor and a safety diver for each participant," she assures.
"We hope that people with disabilities know that they have an activity within their reach and enjoy the sensations experienced when diving."
The competition will last for two days, in which the participants will have the challenge of taking photographs of different categories: an angular photograph without a diver, of an entire individual or in a group, of approximation or macro where no fish or part of it has to appear, as the main object, with a theme and a free one. "The depth limit for the competition will be 20 meters," clarifies Alicia Wildpret.
There are several places chosen for the contest such as the Underwater Museum, Las Coloradas, Punta Berrugo and Las Lenguas. Although they also have planned "reserve dives" such as in the Rampa del Marina Rubicón and Playa Flamingo.
"We chose Playa Blanca as the main space to hold the contest" since it is one of the areas of Lanzarote "perfect for diving," she acknowledges. In addition, including that all the locations "are very beautiful places to take photos of the environment," she points out.
In addition, the initiative will have other activities such as the 'Diverse Festival', which will be held on Saturday, September 16 throughout the day. "Free baptisms will be held in order to bring people who have never submerged to the underwater environment," she says, and also, "if possible, remove garbage from the water," she adds. "Anyone who wants to can sign up for these activities," she anticipates. They will also have an apnea workshop, talks on biology, cetaceans and many other activities. "All will be centered in tents that will be installed on the beach," she confirms. That day the contest will be finished and the jury's decision, the awards ceremony and a farewell party for the participants will take place.
From the organization they explain that "our dream is that Lanzarote would become a world reference in inclusive diving," she assures. It is necessary to "put the island on the map as a destination and that people with disabilities know that diving is not forbidden for them," she adds.
"Putting the island on the map as a destination and that people with disabilities know that diving is not forbidden for them"
Registrations are still open for those who wish to sign up. "The contest has twenty places, which will be open until the quotas are filled," Alicia says. For those interested in participating, they can sign up by writing an email to: [email protected]
