In conjunction with the resort’s 10 th anniversary celebration, Layang-Layang announces date for its first International Underwater Photography Competition to celebrate the beauty and delicacy of its marine environment.

For this inaugural event, only digital entries will be accepted and photographers will compete from 25 th – 31 st July 2006 in two categories; Macro and Wide Angle. Renowned photographers, Takasago, Rod Klein, William Tan and Stephen Wong will be judging the competition and the event is expected to attract participants from 8 different countries.

Dubbed as the “Jewel of the Borneo Banks”, Layang Layang is a coral atoll 14 sq. km. in diameter and jutting 2000 meters from the ocean depths. Located at 300 kilometers off the coast of Sabah, this truly magical marine kingdom is the home to one of the most diverse groups of marine life, from schooling hammerheads, barracuda and fusiliers to nudibranchs, flatworms and crustaceans. Layang Layang with its kaleidoscope of nature’s most lavish seascape is without a doubt the most ideal location for a photo shootout competition.

To add prestige to the event, Omega will be offering the latest Seamaster Planet Ocean timepieces as grand prizes. Using the Co-Axial Escapement Movement for longer term reliability and accuracy, this is a classic professional divers’ watch with watertight screw-in crown and the helium escape valve. Located at 10 o’clock and embossed with “He”, the chemical symbol for helium, the latter allows any helium atoms that may penetrate the watch during compression in a diving bell to escape during decompression, thus avoiding any potential damage to the watch. The excellent water resistance down to 600 meters (2000 feet) is further guaranteed by a screw-in case back.

Registrations are being accepted now and bookings can be made through your local dive travel operator or log on to www.layanglayang.com. This is an excellent opportunity for budding photographers to showcase their underwater shots and eventually, recognition in the field of underwater photography. All winning participants will have their pictures published in the post event write up in all major dive magazines. In addition, they will also stand a chance to win prizes worth USD15,000 from Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean timepieces to dive trips to exotic locations.

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