Event
About the Verzasca Valley in Ticino, Switzerland
The Verzasca River near Lavertezzo in Ticino is one of the most beautiful and spectacular dive sites in the world. Although there are no colourful fish like in the Maldives, no coral reefs like in Australia and no wrecks like in the Red Sea, there are rocks shaped by water over thousands of years that are considered by underwater photographers all over the world as true treasures of nature that should be dived and photographed at least once in a lifetime.
Perfectly clear water with visibility up to fifty meters, fascinating polished granite formations and glacier mills, sparkling quartz in the clean gravel bottom, waterfalls – all subjects that even the most renowned underwater photographers cannot find anywhere else in the world.
Special thanks to
The aims of our competition are as follows
Although the Verzasca Valley has a very large number of day tourists, it lacks a truly sustainable form of tourism, which includes overnight stays and economic support for the valley, such as visits to shops and restaurants. This event therefore has the following objectives.
To inspire photographers, divers and nature lovers from all over the world to visit the Verzasca region for several days.
To raise awareness of the beauty and value of the Verzasca Valley's natural environment.
To draw attention to the clean and clear water of the Verzasca, which is becoming increasingly rare on our planet.
The images, taken by some of the world's most renowned underwater photographers, are intended to show the deep, pure beauty of the Verzasca and to encourage viewers to reconsider their attitude to the protection of the often heavily polluted waters in their own environment.
The photographers, from various countries in Europe and the USA, will become ambassadors for river photography and environmental protection.
by Roland
Welcome
Welcome to the 1st Swiss Masters in UW-Photography in the Verzasca Valley. Some of the best uw-photographers worldwide will visit Switzerland to present the spectacular underwater world of the Verzasca river in a friendly live competition. This site will continue to grow with more and more information.
See you soon!
Fritz
Photographers
Dr. Alex Mustard
Alex is underwater photographer and marine biologist. He has a Ph.D in marine ecology, but since 2004 his career has been photography. He took his first underwater photos when 9 years old and has been winning international awards since his teens.
Lisa Svensen
Lisa has been diving since 1995 and started doing underwater photography within competitions in 2010 where she participated in the National championship.
Jos Broere
Jos is an underwater photographer who has built a reputation for capturing the stunning beauty of marine life and underwater ecosystems. His work focuses on both the delicate and vibrant aspects of life beneath the surface, often showcasing creatures in their natural habitats with a deep respect for their environment.
Nuno Gonçalves
Nuno Gonçalves is Portuguese and has fallen in love with the underwater world since he was little. A pharmacist by profession and passionate underwater photographer, he started as a diver in 1999 and began participating in underwater photography competitions in 2004
Steven E. Miller
I have been shooting since 1976, and have worked for Ikelite Underwater Systems for the last 15 years, during which many of my images have been used in advertising and tutorials. I shoot with a Canon camera and Ikelite housing and flash.
Pedro Vasconcelos
Born on the Island of Madeira on the 10th of March of 1977. The Ocean is a big part of my life and I just love nature and being like a fish underwater. My main goal with photography and film underwater is to show to the non divers the beauty of the amazing underwater World.
Guglielmo Cicerchia
Born in Lucca on 27/10/1974 learns to walk on a beach in Sardinia and from there to the sea the step is short, the sea is his 360° passion and the union with photography comes from the passion passed down by his Father "Pampi".
Damir Zurub
Born in 1976 in Zagreb. Started uw-photography 2011 with a small Fuji compact camera. Became world champion 2015 at the CMAS World Championship.
Stella del Curto
I’m Stella Del Curto, born in Locarno, Switzerland, the 27 December 1983. I have always loved taking pictures but photography has become a great part of my life.
Organisation
Fritz Liechti, Director
Fritz Liechti is a scuba diver for over 40 years, a diving instructor, CMAS uw-photo instructor 3, head instructor of uw-photography training at ‹CMAS swiss diving›, winner of several national and international competitions, 6th rank at CMAS World Championships 2021, author, photojournalist and judge for photo-competitions. – “As uw-photographers, it is our duty to show everyone the wonderful and sensitive world beneath the surface! Keep it clean!”
Leo Troiano, Security
Vice president of CMAS swiss diving, board member of CMAS.org, diving instructor 4, river instructor, specialised in rescue in mountain streams, Leo lives in the Verzasca Valley and has known the river since his childhood. Leo leads a professional safety team at the Swiss Masters of UW-Photo 2025.
- Safety team
- Ambulance with 1–2 doctors on site
- Safety divers on all dive sites during event
- Rescue divers from Gruppo Sub Verzasca
Stefano Poncini, Helpers
Stefano Poncini is regional head of CMAS swiss diving in Ticino, diving instructor 1 and entrepreneur. Stefano is well connected in Ticino and coordinates the helper team.
- Overall work at dive sites, hotels etc.
- Team to fill up tanks
- Advertising / hanging posters in the Verzsaca Valley an Ticino
Marco Conti, Transport
Marco Conti 1962 was born in Ticino and after various experiences in Switzerland and abroad, he returned to his roots. He coordinates an association for the development and promotion of the region with the help of volunteers from all over the world. Marco lives high up in the Maggia Valley and provides with this association the logistics-team.
- Coordination of transports from airports in Milano and Zurich
- Transport to dive sites
- Sherpa-Team to help carrying material down to the river (tanks, weights etc.)
Matthias Lebo, Video
Matthias Lebo is an award-winning underwater cinematographer based in Zurich, Switzerland. The Croatian born filmmaker spent most of his twenties travelling the world – primarily Australia, South East Asia and Europe – working as a Scuba Diving Instructor, intensifying his love and appreciation for the ocean. He made it his mission to share the beauty that hides underneath the water’s surface through his underwater imagery with the world. His credo is: “Fish are friends, no food!”
Matthias has worked on many different projects throughout the 15+ years he’s been capturing the underwater world. Clients include big companies like Samsung, Swiss Airlines, CMAS, National Geographic but also small Dive Resorts in remote places.
Andrea Foenander & Roland Müller, Design
Roland Müller, graduate designer, lecturer at the St.Gallen School of Design (SfG) and Andrea Foenander, graduate designer, we are for people who want to leave their mark on the world. For people who appreciate innovative designers who bring visionary iD!s with that certain something to the analogue and digital space.
The logo and poster were created as part of a design project at GBM2, Chur, and the website design will be created in autumn 2024 as part of a module project in the graphic design class at St.Gallen.
Harald Slauschek & 4 members
Harald is known far beyond the borders of Austria for his nature, model and people photography (especially underwater).
CMAS swiss diving
The event is organized by CMAS swiss diving, the Swiss association of CMAS diving instructors. CMAS swiss diving is committed to professional and safe diving training at all levels. The more difficult conditions in the waters of the Alpine region often place higher demands on divers and diving instructors than is the case when diving in warm seas. Switzerland was 1958 co-founder of the world diving association «CMAS» (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques). The first president of “CMAS” was the legendary Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau.
Sponsoring
Sponsors Gold
Sponsors Silver
Sponsors Bronze
Why should you become a sponsor?
1.
Commitment to nature in Switzerland
Show your commitment to nature in Switzerland and to the very basis of life for us all - clean water - with a strong impact far beyond our national borders.
2.
Regional solidarity
Strengthen your position in southern Switzerland by providing sustainable support and safeguarding economically challenging living conditions.
3.
Setting an international example through photography
A picture is worth a thousand words" is not just a saying. Draw attention to yourself and your courage to make a difference in the world with the images created at this event.
What do you get out of sponsoring?
1.
High visibility
Thanks to the international field of participants, the event achieves a worldwide visual presence in advertising and on site during the three days of the event, where you will be visible in the form of an exhibition, the advertising materials used and the media attention.
2.
Nature at the heart of the economy
The natural concern for clean water gives a healthy boost to the economy of the valley and thus to Switzerland. A model is created that is scalable to other challenging situations, and you become part of it.
3.
National reach with a pearl in Ticino / closeness to nature / adventure
Underwater photography is very important in advertising and communication. With spectacular photos by renowned photographers, you can show the Swiss public your connection with unspoilt nature, Ticino and adventure. Switzerland offers pearls above and under water.
4.
International reach through a network of underwater photographers
Underwater photographers are networked worldwide and through their digital channels you can gain international exposure and immerse yourself in this impressive world with a sponsorship.