North Carolina
Wreck•Shark Shootout
July 27-31, 2027
Photo & Video Competition at Olympus Dive Center
Word From Your Host Mike Gerken
Having dived North Carolina since the late 90s—and spent seven years as a captain and crew member for Olympus—I fell in love with these waters right away. Rare is the location with such incredible marine life, particularly the sand tiger sharks that keep me coming back. Join me for another year of the North Carolina Wreck•Shark Shootout. Let’s have some fun. -Mike
Olympus Dive Center
Olympus Dive Center is located on the Morehead City waterfront in North Carolina and has been in operation more than 50 years in the same location. They operate two USCG Certified dive vessels both of which will be utilized for the Shootout. The 18 passenger M/V Midnight Express & the 25 passenger M/V Olympus. These boats are fast, spacious and safe. Your host, Mike Gerken captained the Midnight Express in the for 5 seasons and knows the operation and the diving well. Mike trusts no other.
Diver Requirements for entry
Must be minimum Advanced Open Water Diver.
Must have dived previously in open ocean.
Must have dived within one year of event start.
This event is not for beginners.
*The organizer(s) of this event reserve the right to refuse entry of any individual(s) regardless of their certification level.
Each year, divers and photographers from across the US and worldwide unite over a shared passion for wrecks, underwater photography, and sharks.
The Competition
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. Over 5 thrilling days of diving with Olympus Dive Center, competitors submit their top photos and videos to compete for incredible gear and prizes donated by generous sponsors.
Scroll down for sponsor list
Price - Competitor Rate $1495.00
What’s Included?
Entry Fee
5 Days Diving/2 Dives Per Day; No Deco
Photo Workshop by Mike
Presentation Night - Guest to be announced
Lo-Country Boil Feast on the Dock
Awards Dinner @ The Promise Land
Guide Service by Mike & Richard Barnden
Event T-Shirt
What’s Not Included?
Accommodation
Tank Rentals & Fills - Pricing here
Gratuities
Fuel Surcharge (If Needed)
Rental Gear
It’s More than a competition
The Wreck•Shark Shootout is open to non-competitors. 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.
A Must Watch Documentary by Mike Gerken
non-Competitor Rate $1095.00
Non-Competitors can attend Shootout events listed to the left but at additional fees. Please inquire with Mike.
What’s Included?
5 Days Diving; 2 Dives Per Day
What’s Not Included?
Shootout Events (addl fees required)
Accommodation
Tank Rentals + Fills
Gratuities
Fuel Surcharge (Only If Needed)
Rental Gear
Diving Conditions
Challenging Conditions but High Rewards: Diving takes place up to 36 miles offshore (60–125 ft deep) in open ocean conditions. Expect 70–80°F water, 50–100ft+ visibility, potential current, and choppy seas. Physical readiness is required for ladder climbs and strenuous finning. Patience is needed for weather-related delay or cancellation days. Contact Mike to confirm if this event suits your experience
2027 Sponsors & Prizes
Place Your Ad Here
Contact Mike@evolutionunderwater.com
Place Your Ad Here
Contact Mike@evolutionunderwater.com
Evolution Dive Travel
Trip Discount
Value $200
Place Your Ad Here
Contact Mike@evolutionunderwater.com
Blue Water Photo
Focus Light
Value $175
Place Your Ad Here
Contact Mike@evolutionunderwater.com
Schedule of Events
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
Contest Rules & Submission Guidelines - Subject to Change
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 toor during the awards dinner only and will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
Judge(s) - Subject to Change
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 From 2026
"Prizes and categories are subject to change at any time"
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