Fourth edition of Green Flash Carve this Saturday

Last year’s Green Flash Carve winner Aumen Doram with her winning a jack-o-lantern covered in stitches and a bow.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Like Michael Myers from the Halloween movies who returned to silver screens this month, the underwater pumpkin carving contest called the Green Flash Carve will return this Halloween for its fourth edition this Saturday at the Laulau Dive Point in Lau Lau Bay.

There are already eight confirmed contestants, including former champions Karie Comstock and Aumen Doram, according to Green Flash Dive co-owner Joey McDoulett. There is an entrance fee of $15 to be eligible to compete and all participants must be certified divers.

Before the start of the contest at 8am, participants are gathered together for a safety briefing and review of the rules before the dive. 

“Everybody is paired up with a dive buddy. Although the majority of people compete with pumpkins, it is not required. In fact, we encourage the use of local fruits and vegetables for the contest entries. Some of our most creative entries in the past have been locally grown fruits and vegetables,” said McDoulett.

The pumpkin carving contest started in 2019. “We started the contest to encourage local divers to get to know each other and bring interest locally back to the sport. Halloween is a great holiday for people to express themselves and enjoy our beautiful island at the same time. This contest lets people express themselves in costume as well as art. Everybody that participates, both contestants and supporters, have a great time,” he said.

Under the rules of the Green Flash Carve, contestants can hollow out their entry of seeds and any extra material before they enter the water. However, no designs or cuts can be made prior to the dive. 

Entries must be completely assembled underwater to be eligible for a prize. The carving is limited to 45 minutes, beginning upon descent. Each carving should present an entry that adheres to the competition’s theme of Halloween or underwater.

Judges chosen for the competition come from different sectors of the local community and will score the entries based on originality, visual impact, craftsmanship, and theme. 

An additional point will be awarded for the use of local fruits and vegetables. Prizes will be awarded to the first three places. 

First place will win a Scubapro MK2/R095 regulator set. Second place will win a Scubapro dive light. Third place will win a Scubapro rash guard. 

Aside from the Green Flash Carve, judges will also pick the best costume winner, who will receive 15 free cylinder fills. Second place will receive 10 free cylinder fills. The prizes will be awarded at the awards ceremony at Green Flash Dive at 7pm.

While Green Flash Dive is the sole sponsor of the event, several local dive shops and dive professionals are providing safety or photography, among the, Dive Wish, Axe Murderer Saipan, and dive instructor Tai Doram.