The boot dive award was launched at boot 2023. The aim is to recognize the international diving industry for special activities. Every year, five awards are presented in the categories INNOVATION, CLIMATE, DESTINATION, PRODUCT und PERSONALITY. At boot 2026, the boot dive award receives the kind support of BAUER Kompressoren.
A high-calibre jury of experts, consisting of the editors-in-chief of the diving media outlets PLONGEZ!, TAUCHEN, taucher.net, VDSTsporttaucher and WETNOTES, has selected three nominees from the numerous entries in each category. Public voting is now open until 7 January 2026, during which diving enthusiasts can support their individual favourites. The winners will ultimately be determined by a combination of public votes and the final decision of the jury and will be honoured at a ceremony during boot Düsseldorf 2026 on Friday, 23 January. All information on voting can be found here:
https://www.boot.de/diveaward2026
The five award categories of the dive awards – powered by BAUER Compressors – and the three nominations in each category are:
INNOVATION says a lot about the future viability of an industry. In this category, we celebrate people, companies, and initiatives that make a special contribution to the sustainability of the diving industry, its foundations and resources. Where are the concepts and projects that make the diving industry fit for the future? Where are the ideas that are shaping the world of tomorrow with a fresh wind and forward-looking energy?
The nominees are (in alphabetical order):
Divevolk: SeaLink Underwater Smartphone Data Transmitter:
In the past, ordinary divers had almost no way to access the internet underwater unless they relied on expensive and specialized equipment to establish an underwater network. SeaLink changes that by using its innovative SeaTouch full-touchscreen underwater smartphone housing, which allows divers to freely use various mobile apps underwater. When combined with the SeaLink date transmission device, it enables real-time communication between divers and the surface, the shore, or even anyone across the global internet. This means that activities such as making calls, live streaming, or instant communication for everyday divers, completely breaking down communication barriers in traditional diving scenarios.
NautiTrack: NautiTrack Sport tracker has been developed to locate individuals engaged in nautical activities. The project was built with diving in mind, as there is a strong need to track divers to prevent drifting and to reassure the person remaining on the boat. The NautiTrack device sends your GPS position every minute while you are at the surface and includes an emergency button that allows you to send an SMS with your location to the contacts you have registered on our platform.
Scubapro: Hydros Pro 2 Weight Pocket System: Building on the award-winning legacy of the original Hydros Pro, the Hydros Pro 2 delivers top-level performance, comfort, and user-friendliness. The completely new Monorail weight pocket system with direct attachment uses an intuitive slide-and-lock mechanism for easy one-handed operation, making the handling of the weight pockets simpler and safer. With a robust quick-dry bladder and the lightweight Ergo-Lite backpack, the Hydros Pro 2 is designed for divers with the highest demands.
In the CLIMATE section, everything revolves around projects and initiatives that are advancing in a special way toward climate protection and climate neutrality. For example, scientists, lobbyists and environmental organizations can be nominated - in short, anyone whose work or project is dedicated to the health of our oceans and the life in them. Because climate change is the greatest threat to oceans and waters.
The nominees are (in alphabetical order):
Angel Shark Project: “Count the Angels” is a citizen science project aimed at recording and researching the critically endangered angel sharks (Squatina squatina) in the Canary Islands. The goal is to record population sizes, distribution, and habitats of this rare shark species in order to develop targeted conservation measures. The project runs annually over several days and is coordinated by the Angel Shark Project and the Angel Shark Conservation Network. Divers on several islands observe angel sharks, document sightings, and photograph individual characteristics or coloured visual tags between the dorsal fins.
aquatil – Education and Research Underwater: aquatil combines scientific diving, citizen science and education to explore, make visible and tangible the biological diversity of aquatic environments. The non-profit aquatil organisation promotes education and research under water. Through scientific diving and citizen science projects, aquatil links practice, research and knowledge transfer directly on site to study the biological diversity and ecological connections of aquatic habitats.
Hannes Jaenicke: actor and environmentalist: The actor and environmentalist Hannes Jaenicke has been working tirelessly for many years to promote better treatment of the environment. Through his Pelorus Jack Foundation, Hannes supports people and organizations who are fighting on the front lines, often risking their lives, to preserve nature.
Since 2008, ZDF has been broadcasting the documentary series “Hannes Jaenicke im Einsatz...”, which focuses on environmental issues.
Like hardly any other watersport, diving is closely linked to the topic of travel. The DESTINATION category is therefore dedicated to tourist aspects. Divers set off all over the world to explore the wonders of the underwater world. In this category you can find destinations and tourist offers that are especially well adapted to divers. Destinations and regions as a whole as well as individual hotels, dive centers or liveaboards can apply.
The nominees are (in alphabetical order):
Curaçao: The Caribbean Island of Curaçao is a true paradise for divers and snorkellers. With over 65 designated dive sites along the coast, the island offers an impressive variety of underwater landscapes, from colourful reefs to exciting wrecks. Visibility is usually excellent, the water pleasantly warm, and the diving conditions ideal all year round.
French Polynesia: French Polynesia is considered one of the world’s most sought-after diving destinations, captivating visitors with an extraordinary variety of underwater landscapes. The more than 100 islands and atolls in the South Pacific offer spectacular coral reefs, crystal-clear water, and an impressive diversity of species. Divers encounter large marine animals such as sharks, manta rays, and turtles, as well as colourful reef fish and unique macro creatures.
OmniSub Elba: Diving in the Mediterranean with Italian flair – diving with heart on Elba. The OmniSub dive school is located in the picturesque Barbarossa Bay near Porto Azzurro on the island of Elba – right in the turquoise-blue Mediterranean Sea. At OmniSub, personal attention takes precedence over mass tourism: small groups, individually tailored courses and a warm-hearted team create a relaxed and safe learning environment.
The PRODUCT category is all about equipment and technology. It doesn't necessarily have to be the biggest, fastest or most expensive piece of equipment that makes life easier for divers. Maybe the clever trick is in the detail? Or in a new type of material that has never existed before? Or in the fact that a proven product can now be manufactured in a particularly environmentally friendly way using new technologies?
The nominees are (in alphabetical order):
Garmin: Descent S1 Buoy: Connected Products for connected Divers. When the Garmin Descent S1 Buoy is paired with the T2 Transceiver and the Dive App, the crew on deck can track up to eight divers with compatible dive computers, viewing tank pressure, depth, and distance in real time. In addition, messages can be sent to submerged individuals to provide important instructions or recall notices. The buoy extends diver-to-diver communication range up to 100 metres, and divers can check their distance and direction back to the buoy at any time.
Halcyon: Symbios Trisense Gas Analyzer: Halcyon’s Symbios TriSense™ sets a new benchmark with O₂, He, and CO analysis in the smallest unit of its kind. Built on proven ultrasonic tech, it delivers precise, maintenance-free helium results and Bluetooth-enabled documentation through the Symbios Ecosystem. Rugged, future-ready, and exceptionally easy to use, TriSense elevates safety and reliability for every diver and fill station.
Mares: Planet 88X TBP Regulator: For decades, engineers have strived to replicate the sensation of truly natural breathing underwater. With Mares’ Airmatic technology, this vision has now become a reality. This innovation redefines the performance of regulators and eliminates mechanical resistance for an effortless, seamless gas flow. As a result, the Planet 88X TBP is the world’s first regulator without conventional springs. These have been replaced by a pneumatic valve that enables a natural gas flow.
The category PERSONALITY is about people. Here, outstanding athletes, underwater and nature filmmakers or people from other fields are honored who have rendered outstanding public service to diving, the diving industry and the oceans.
The nominees are (in alphabetical order):
Antonio Cressi: Antonio Cressi took over the family business, founded in 1946, at the age of just 17 – at a time when diving equipment was still made by hand, with passion and courage rather than regulations and standards. With his instinct for new technologies and his love of the sea, he decisively advanced the development and industrialisation of fins, masks, regulators and jackets, thus laying the foundation for the modern diving industry. To this day, he spends almost every day in the factory in Genoa, where he looks after employees, customers and divers as if they were his own family.
Dieter Heinz: Safer Shorelines is an international initiative for greater safety in and around the water. Founded by Dieter Heinz after a tragic accident, the project pursues a clear goal: to raise awareness, recognise dangers, and prevent accidents. At its core are the 10 most important safety rules for water sports enthusiasts, formulated simply, clearly, and across all sports – from swimming and diving to stand-up paddling. These rules form the foundation for training, campaigns, and digital tools that reach water sports participants directly at lakes, rivers, and coasts.
Dr. Angela Ziltener: Dr Angela Ziltener is a wildlife biologist who has dedicated herself to dolphin research and protection in the Red Sea. With her unique research approach (scuba diving) and extensive educational and conservation work, she and her team raise awareness among the public for nature and respectful interaction with it. In cooperation with local organisations, authorities, the community, providers and travel agents, she is gradually building a sustainable dolphin tourism sector on site in Egypt. In doing so, a code of conduct for boats and swimmers is communicated, the introduction of protected zones is promoted, and support is garnered for the introduction of entrance fees to protected areas.
Interested diving fans can cast their vote in the public vote at https://www.boot.de/diveaward2026
