What you need for an underwater photo contest

An underwater photo contest needs more than cameras and diving gear. You need a reliable way to protect phones, memory cards and judging files from water, plus enough safety equipment for every participant group. Plan tables, power, registration supplies and presentation equipment for the venue, and keep catering chilled until serving. Use the checklist below to buy or bring the required items, then test cameras, housings, card readers and charging points before competition day.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 50
Judges' table
Coat rack

Equipment

Laptopsqty 3
Card readersqty 4
Memory card readersqty 4
External hard drivesqty 2
Projector
Projection screen
Cable reelsqty 3
Extension cordsqty 6
Watertight containersqty 8
Waterproof phone casesqty 10

Sports equipment

Diving buoysqty 6
Lane markingsqty 12
Diving flagsqty 4
Spare glassesqty 6
Spare finsqty 4
Inflatable floatsqty 6
Underwater glueqty 8
Dive lightsqty 8
Underwater camerasqty 4
Underwater housingsqty 4
Spare batteriesqty 20
Charging stationsqty 4
Towelsqty 40

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 40
Thermos flasksqty 4

Decorations

Directional signsqty 8
Registration signsqty 2
Number cardsqty 60
Name stickersqty 60
Jury board

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Washing-up tubsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Tea towelsqty 12
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Water jugsqty 6
Hot drink urnsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Mineral water - 10 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Mini water - 60 bottles
- Multigrain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 30 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Ham - 1.5 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 12
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snacks - 3 bags
- Herb cheese - 4 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Napkins - 6 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Nitrile gloves - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan one tested underwater camera or camera-and-housing setup for each photographer who is not bringing their own equipment. Check every housing seal and battery at least 24 hours before the contest.
Bring watertight containers for memory cards, phones and paperwork, and pack waterproof phone cases for staff and judges. Keep at least one dry container at registration and another near the judging table.
Count spare batteries and charging stations against the number of cameras, not the number of participants. Charge everything the night before and bring cable reels and extension cords for the presentation and registration areas.
Set aside spare glasses, fins and towels before participants arrive. Test dive lights, buoys, lane markings and diving flags during the safety check rather than discovering missing gear at the water.
Prepare enough tables and chairs for registration, judges and participants, then add a projector, screen, laptops and external hard drives for reviewing images. Test the full file-transfer route with a sample memory card before the event.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for an underwater photo contest?: At minimum, plan underwater cameras or underwater housings, spare batteries, memory card readers, watertight containers and external hard drives. Add dive safety equipment such as buoys, lane markings, diving flags, spare fins and glasses based on the number of participants and starter groups.
How many spare batteries should I bring for underwater cameras?: Bring at least one fully charged spare battery per camera, plus additional batteries for cameras used continuously throughout the contest. Charge all batteries the night before and keep them in a dry, labelled container until needed.
What should I buy for underwater photography safety?: Prepare diving buoys, lane markings, diving flags, spare glasses, spare fins, dive lights and towels. Check the equipment at least one day before the contest and match it to the planned participant groups and safety plan.
How do I protect photos and phones during the contest?: Use watertight containers for memory cards, paperwork and backup drives, and waterproof phone cases for staff. Transfer images to an external hard drive after each group and keep at least two copies before judging begins.

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