Underwater pumpkin carving this Saturday

The third annual underwater pumpkin carving contest pioneered by Green Flash Dive is happening on Saturday, Oct. 30 at Lau Lau Bay dive point, starting at 8am.

This unique and fun event brings scuba divers together to practice their pumpkin carving skills, a popular activity during the Halloween. The challenge is it will all be done underwater.

This year’s event, contestants have a choice to design and carve whatever vegetable or fruit they are comfortable with—not just pumpkins.

According to Green Flash Dive owner Rhea McDoulett, the event gives people 45 minutes to design and carve underwater…in the beautiful setting of the LauLau Bay dive point.

“The rules have only slightly changed from past events to emphasize that the carving and assembly must be completed underwater within the 45-minute time frame,” she said.

Registration is still open and McDoulett said they are expecting over 15 participants. “Each participant must register, sign a liability release form, and pay the $10 registration fee. The registrant must be an open water certified diver through any recognized dive certification agency. The forms are available at Green Flash Dive in Chinatown,” she added.

Judges will weigh originality, visual impact, craftsmanship, and quality.

In addition, there will be a costume contest among the participants.

“Some of our contestants from last year had spectacular underwater costumes. …We are adding an underwater photograph of each costume to assist the judges in making a fair assessment of the costumes,” McDoulett said.

Participants will still be free to carve their own theme but within the bounds of anything related to underwater or Halloween. “No one wants to stifle anyone’s creativity. The judges have been asked to rate one portion of the carving on a theme related to underwater or Halloween—two very broad categories,” McDoulett added.

The carving prizes that await first, second and third places for the carving portion are a Scubapro MK2/R095 Regulator Set, Scubapro Premium Boat Coat, Scubapro Premium Boat Coat and Scubapro Go Fins. The prizes for first and second places in the costume contest are 15 free tank fills and 10 free tank refills—all courtesy of Green Flash Dive.

“[This] is a special event for all local divers and a lot of fun for everyone that participates. [We] invite [anyone] who is interested in having a good time with the potential to win some pretty fantastic prizes. Our former contestants are hungry and motivated to prove themselves to be the Carve Champion of 2021,” McDoulett said.

For more information, call Green Flash Dive at (670) 233-3243 or come by the shop to see the prizes in person. Green Flash Dive is open 7am to 6pm every day.