Rancho Santa Margarita, California – 29 January 2020 – In April 2019, PADI® and GoPro joined forces to provide divers a platform to share their underwater experiences and perspectives across borders and language barriers through the three-part PADI/GoPro Evolution Video Contest. Throughout the year, more than 3,000 water enthusiasts submitted video footage, edited clips and created stories that captured the imagination while demonstrating passion for adventure and the ocean. Marie Abe from Japan was awarded first place for the final segment of the contest – Capture + Edit – for her video showcasing the sea of Ishigaki Island.

Here’s a look at the winning YouTube video:

Shizuku Umino of Indonesia won the Capture portion of the contest for his amazing footage of a barracuda tornado. Patricia Cabral of the United States claimed first place for her creative edit of clips provided by GoPro for the Edit portion of the contest. Each winner received a cash prize of $2,000.00 USD, and runners-up received a GoPro package consisting of a HERO7 Black, plus Super Suit and Adventure Kit.

Amateurs and professional videographers alike took part in each of the three segments of the contest. GoPro and PADI offered video tips, tutorials and inspiration from GoPro ambassadors throughout the contest, providing divers with the knowledge necessary to film and create engaging underwater videos.

To view all of the winning videos, check out the PADI Blog here.