North Carolina

Wreck•Shark Shootout

2027

Photo Competition

hosted by 

Mike Gerken

July 27 to 31, 2027

at Olympus Dive Center

 

A Message From Your Host

The annual tradition continues. The "NC Wreck•Shark Shootout" is locked & loaded for 2027. Due to popular demand, I have chartered both of Olympus Dive Center's boats, the Midnight Express and the Olympus. Contestants can enter photos and video into the competition with the hope of winning some incredible prizes furnished by the event sponsors.

This year, the Shootout will be open to non-competitors at a reduced rate. Now everyone including non-photographers can come and partake in the shark diving and the social vibe. The details on how this will be done are listed below.

This event is about much more than just the photo competition. With presentations, workshops, dockside cookouts, and an awards dinner, it’s a full social experience—a chance for old friends to reconnect and new ones to bond over a shared passion for wreck diving with sharks. Non-competitors can opt in to the events at additional costs or simply pay the full price and enter the competition. Please read on below and email [email protected] with questions. I am already counting the days.     - Mike Gerken

Download Application Here

The Shootout

Every year enthusiastic divers and photographers journey from all over the US and the world to share a love of diving, underwater photography, wrecks and of course, sharks. They submit photos and videos into the photo competition and vie for prizes. The NC Coast is famous for their numerous shipwrecks that are home to the prolific sand tiger shark; Carcharias taurus, cousin to the great white shark. The wrecks are also host to a myriad of marine species from up and down the food chain. Large numbers of jacks, barracudas, tunas, spade fish, cobia, giant stingrays and sea turtles are just a few of the species seen in abundance. The Shootout is more than just a competition; it is a social event where lifelong friendships have been formed.

The Dive Boats

Both of Olympus Dive Centers USCG certified dive vessels will be utilized for the event; the 65' M/V Olympus and the 48' M/V Midnight Express. Max number of divers is 43. These boats are spacious, fast and most importantly, safe. Mike was once the captain of the Midnight Express and knows the boats well.

Sign Up

Contact [email protected] to receive your PDF application or click on the link above. Please fill it out completely in ink or electronically and email it back. You will then be sent an invoice with instructions on how to make payment and finalize your reservation. 

Competitor Price - $1495.00

Non-Competitor Price - $1095.00 Does not include awards dinner, lo-country boil, workshop or entry fee.

Non-competitors will initially be placed aboard the 18 passenger Midnight Express while the competitors will be on the Olympus. When possible the boats will go to different wreck sites unless circumstances dictate otherwise. If they are on the same site at the same time, divers will enter the water at different times. The wreck of the Caribsea is such a dive site where this may happen. Whether it is an Olympus boat or another operator, we must share the wreck. 

 

Price subject to change if Olympus rates increase for 2027

$500 deposit to secure reservation. See Terms & Conditions

W hat's Included:

•Entry Fee

(Subject to change)

Prize

	Odyssey Truk Lagoon One Week Liveaboard Value: $4195
	Atlantis Resorts One Week Package Value: $3900
	The Cortez Club One Week Diving Value: $2800
	Scandi Divers - Philippines One Week Package Value: $2400
	Utila Dive Center - Honduras One Week Package Value: $1800
	Sam's Tours - Palau Estimated Value: $1500 5 Days Diving

 

Wrightsville Beach Divers Meg Tooth Ledge Dive Package Value $1050	Olympus Dive Center Dive Package Value $1300
Sea & Sea YS-D3 Strobe Value $999	Dressel Divers Cozumel Diving Package Value: $800
Backscatter Underwater Photo & Video Gift Certificates Value $500	Sherwood Scuba Magnum Regulator Value $550

	Marelux Apollo S Strobe Value $699
PLACE YOUR AD HERE	PLACE YOUR AD HERE

Jupiter Dive Center Dive Vouchers Value $375	Stream2Sea Gift Certificate/Samples Value $100
Fourth Element Travel Bag & Swag Value: $200	Bluewater Photo Focus Light Value: $175
Evolution Dive Travel $200 Trip Discount	Shearwater Swag

 

Schedule of Events (subject too change): 

Mon July 26 anytime: Check-In to Olympus Dive Center; sign waivers, load tanks and take care of rental gear. 

Mon July 26 5pm till whenever: Join me and the other shooters for a Meet & Greet at The Promise Land Market Bar & Restaurant on Arendell Street. It is walking distance from the dive shop.

Tue July 27, 6am: Day One of the Shootout. Arrive at Olympus Dive Center load up and go If you didn't register the day before do so now. Getting off the dock as early as possible is the goal. Don't be late!

Tue July 27, 4pm: Mike will offer a workshop with tips and techniques for landing great shark pics. Join him for dinner afterwards.

Wed July 28, 6am: Day Two of diving commences.

Wed July 28, 5pm: Presentation by guest speaker at the Promise Land Market. In addition, Mike will present on his latest trip photos.

Thu July 29, 6am: Day Three of the Shootout commences. Be prepared for early departures.

Thu July 29, 4pm: Catered Lo-Country Boil on the Olympus dock. Trust me, you don't want to miss this. Beverages, beer & wine provided. 

Fri July 30, 6am: Day Four of Shootout commences. 

Sat July 31, 6am: Day Five of Shootout commences.

Sat July 31, 4-5pm: Submissions accepted in classroom upper floor at Olympus Dive Center

Sat July 31, 6-9pm: Awards dinner at The Promise Land Market

 

Wreck Denizens of North Carolina - The Documentary

Filmed & Produced by

Mike Gerken

Email [email protected] with questions and to receive your application.

Bad Weather Events: Diving NC requires persistence and patience due to the nature of the weather here. In the event of charter cancellation(s) due to foul weather there are numerous activities in the area to enjoy. Don't be a mope. Make good use of the beautiful Crystal Coast by visiting the beaches, wild horses, museums, aquarium, bars, restaurants, fishing, gun range and much more. Ask Mike for advice and I will be happy to help.

Contest Rules & Submission Guidelines

Message from Mike Gerken: "I admire the competitive nature of the human spirit but I place sportsmanship on a higher pedestal. Bring your ambition to succeed to the event but accompany it with a gracious attitude. We are here to enjoy our passions together and leave with everlasting memories and not negative feelings. Thank you." -Mike Gerken

NOTE: Understand that competitions are subjective based on the judge(s) preferences. Not everyone will agree with all of the decisions the judge(s) make but the decisions must be respected. The judges will be happy to discuss why certain images were chosen while others were not after the competition. Photos will be judged based on technical mastery, subject matter, image sharpness, composition, color saturation, proper exposure, usage of lights/strobes and the level of difficulty to obtain the image will be all considered. All decisions are final.
Rules violations can be brought to the attention of the organizer and judges prior to
or during the awards dinner only and will be dealt with on a case by case basis. 

• Judge(s)

Richard Barnden - Richard has been guiding and photographing marine life, mainly in the Pacific Ocean for nearly twenty years. His passion is in unique underwater imagery, specializing in spawning aggregations and black water night diving.

Paul Cater Deaton - Paul is an award-winning writer, producer, director and cinematographer. Based in Galveston, he works all over the world on film, TV, music video and documentary projects. He is also a popular speaker and master of ceremonies, appearing frequently at international events. 

•Non-competitors will not be permitted to enroll in the competition once the diving commences.

• Only 1 photo or 1 video submitted per participant per category. You must be the initial judge of your own work.

• No multiple images or slideshows will be accepted unless the category requires it.

• Any individual photo can be submitted into only one category. No duplicates. Be strategic with your submissions. 

• Professional photographers or videographers may only submit entries for the Grand prize only.  A professional is defined as individual who has been
paid for his or her work more than once in the past 12 months. Additional criteria will be examined on a case by case basis and determined by the judges if any individual is deemed to be a pro. Contact event leader Mike Gerken to determine in advance if you are a professional or not. 

• Participants can win only one first place prize or grand prize with 3 prizes overall. Honorable Mentions are not included. 

• Best in Show category requires no separate submission. Judges will determine the best image from all submissions in all categories. The Best in Show winning image will cede the first place prize of that category to the next best image in that category in order to win the grand prize. 

• Submit still images in JPEG format with images sized to 12 inches on the longest end and resolution no greater than 300ppi. Video files must be in mp4 format only and not larger than 1GB; compress your files. Bring your own device to transfer images to judges computer. If the judge cannot play the file, it will not get judged. Ask to test the judges computer out prior to the judging if it is a concern.

• Post processing of still images is acceptable but over processed images will be disqualified at the discretion of the judge(s). i.e. clone stamped marine life, excessive color saturation and over-sharpening. What is defined as "over-processed" will be at the discretion of the judge(s). 

• Each contestants will be assigned a number from 1-43 prior to submitting images for competition. That number must be first in the file name followed by the category of each photo or video file submitted. ie 35_Wreck, ie 20_shark; This method will provide complete anonymity of the contestant to the judge(s).

• Event manager, Michael Gerken will assist with judging if it is requested by the judge(s).

• All images submitted must be taken on the dates of the shootout only. Metadata of the files will be required. RAW files may be asked for.

• Files must be delivered in person to the judge no later than 5pm Saturday, July 25th at the Olympus Dive Center. 

• Judge(s) may allow submission extension based on the queue and time of arrival at submission location. 

• Video files must be no longer than the prescribed length of time for that category otherwise they will be disqualified. 

• In order to prevent interference with other photographers, external lighting that is not held by the photographer or attached to the camera itself is not permitted in the competition.

• Best Video Edited category submissions must be no longer than 3 minutes in length with maximum of 30 seconds of above water footage. 

• Any materials utilized in the video production must have copyright permission, ie the soundtrack. You cannot use any track or logo that is not copyright approved. Submissions without written or digital copyright will be disqualified. Please provide proof of copyright to the judge(s) prior to or upon submission. Search public domain music web sites for your tracks. 

Point & Shoot Criteria: A Point & Shoot camera is defined as any camera with a fixed lens. Examples of point & shoot cameras are Go-Pro's and SeaLife cameras. External or wet lenses that mount to the exterior of a housing qualify as a Point & Shoot system. Mirrorless, SLR's and the like are not point & shoot. 

      Example Categories

•Grand Prize Best in Show - One photo or video will be selected out of all submissions in all the categories and take home the grand prize.

•Best Wreck Photo- Submit any photo that has a wreck as the primary focus of the shot. 

•Best Shark Photo - The most compelling image of any shark species will be accepted in this category.

•Best Video Short - Edited - 3 minutes max length

•Best Point & Shoot Camera Photo - The best photo of any subject matter will be the winner of this category. See above for criteria. 

•Anything Goes - Wide angle to macro, any camera, any marine life. Anything goes. 

•Most Humorous - Keep it tasteful.

Categories & Awards 2026

"Prizes are subject to change last minute"

Scroll up for sponsor and prize description

Grand Prize - Best in Show - 1st Place - Odyssey Truk Lagoon

Best Point & Shoot Photo - 1st Place - Sams Tours Palau w/ Palau Central Hotel

Best Point & Shoot Photo - 2nd Place - Dressel Divers Cozumel + 4th Element Sry Sac

Best Point & Shoot Photo - 3rd Place - TUSA Mask, Fins, Snorkel + Stream2Sea Gift Cert+ 4th Element Dry Sac

Best Point & Shoot Photo - Runner Up - Swag Bag + TUSA Mask

 

Best Wreck Photo - 1st Place - The Cortez Club - Sea of Cortez

Best Wreck Photo - 2nd Place - Wrightsville Beach Divers - Meg Hun

Best Wreck Photo - 3rd Place - Sherwood Magnum Regulator + 4th Element Dry Sac

Best Wreck Photo - Runner Up - Swag Bag + TUSA Mask

 

Best Shark Photo - 1st Place - Atlantis Resorts Philippines Package

Best Shark Photo - 2nd Place - Olympus Dive Package

Best Shark Photo - 3rd Place - Marelux Apollo Strobe 

Best Shark Photo - Runner Up - Swag Bag + TUSA Mask

 

Best Video - 1st Place - Scandi Dive Center Philippines Dive & Hotel Package

Best Video - 2nd Place - Utila Dive Center Hondura Dive & Hotel Package

Best Video - 3rd Place - Backscatter $500 gift certs

Best Video - Runner Up - Swag Bag + 4th Element Dry Sac

 

Anything Goes - 1st Place - Sea & Sea D130R Strobe

Anything Goes - 2nd Place - Jupiter Dive Center Dive Vouchers

Anything Goes - 3rd Place - Blue Water Photo Focus Light

Anything Goes - Runner Up - 4th Element Change Matt
 

Best Humor - Evolution Dive Travel $200 Discount