2010 Photo Contest Winners

Here they are...a fantastic selection of images from our 2010 Photo Competition Winners!

First Prize

Mike Netto dives his O2ptima at Cenote Eden of the Ponderosa cave system, Puerto Aventuras, Mexico. Andreas Matthes, 2010 Photo Contest Winner Image of Mike Netto dives his O2ptima at Cenote Eden of the Ponderosa cave system, Puerto Aventuras, Mexico.

Image of Mike Netto dives his O2ptima at Cenote Eden of the Ponderosa cave system, Puerto Aventuras, Mexico.

One of our favorite places to dive is the Cenotes of the Riviera Maya. The eerie light that invades the cenotes as the diver swims in and out of overhead passages always captivates and gives an "Alice in Wonderland' moment to these amazing cave systems south of our border. Beautiful shot and one that has all of us jonesing to get back to Mexico.

Second Prize

Patrick Widmann dives near the bow cannon of the Mine Sweeper C-56, Pto. Morelos, Mexico. Andreas Matthes, 2010 Photo Contest Winner Image of Patrick Widmann dives near the bow cannon of the Mine Sweeper C-56, Pto. Morelos, Mexico.

Image of Patrick Widmann dives near the bow cannon of the Mine Sweeper C-56, Pto. Morelos, Mexico.

Wreck divers the world over can appreciate the magic of investigating a wreck, especially one so beautifully encrusted with coral life. We have all shared those "ah" moments of swimming over the ship's bow and imagining what it must have once been like to sail this vessel.

Dave Oldham swims through the thick, tannic water at the mouth of Devil's Ear cave system, Ginnie Springs, FL. Becky Kagan, 2010 Photo Contest Winner Image of Dave Oldham swims through the thick, tannic water at the mouth of Devil's Ear cave system, Ginnie Springs, FL.

Image of Dave Oldham swims through the thick, tannic water at the mouth of Devil's Ear cave system, Ginnie Springs, FL.

This shot brings new perspective to what many North Florida cave divers unfortunately consider a routine cave dive. Devil's Eye is an awe-inspiring cave and this photo reminds us to take a second look at its beauty.

Third Prize

Dean Chamberlain in Pines Cave main chamber, about to enter the side passage, Mt. Gambier, Australia. Anna Munter, 2010 Photo Contest Winner Image of Dean Chamberlain in Pines Cave main chamber, about to enter the side passage, Mt. Gambier, Australia.

Image of Dean Chamberlain in Pines Cave main chamber, about to enter the side passage, Mt. Gambier, Australia.

The silhouette of the O2ptima diver is awesome as we look at the relative smallness of the diver juxtaposed against the massive cave chamber. Knowing the incredible evolution that has taken place to create this cave system makes this shot all the more amazing.

Jenz Dalitz, Tom Feiden, Sascha Thorn and Helge Weber explore an abandoned silver mine that was used as a shelter during WWII, Rheinland Pfalz, Germany. Tom Feiden, 2010 Photo Contest Winner Image of Jenz Dalitz, Tom Feiden, Sascha Thorn and Helge Weber explore an abandoned silver mine that was used as a shelter during WWII, Rheinland Pfalz, Germany.

Image of Jenz Dalitz, Tom Feiden, Sascha Thorn and Helge Weber explore an abandoned silver mine that was used as a shelter during WWII, Rheinland Pfalz, Germany.

This shot gives us such a charge - showing the remote and often unexpected places that truly dedicated divers will go to. It evokes the spirit of Dive Rite divers and the often overlooked gems that the more traditional diving crowd will never know.

Dean Chamberlain moves under a fallen log in a cold Tasmanian creek to the entrance restriction before heading off in search of new territory, Tasmania, Australia Liz Rogers, 2010 Photo Contest Winner Image of Dean Chamberlain moves under a fallen log in a cold Tasmanian creek to the entrance restriction before heading off in search of new territory, Tasmania, Australia

Image of Dean Chamberlain moves under a fallen log in a cold Tasmanian creek to the entrance restriction before heading off in search of new territory, Tasmania, Australia

Sidemount is near and dear to our hearts and this shot reminds us of the extraordinary places sidemount diving will take you, given the nerve and zeal for exploration.