The European Underwater Federation's Lavanchy Award was presented to Peter Symes, the founder and editor-in-chief of X-Ray Mag, by the organization's president, Steffen Scholz, on 25 March 2021. Also in attendance at the ceremony, which was held virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions, was Mark Caney, Deric Ellerby and Jesper Risløv.
EUF Lavanchy Award was presented to X-Ray Mag founder Peter Symes.
Nowadays, digital publications are common, but back in 2003, when Peter Symes had the vision to establish and produce X-Ray Mag—the first digital dive publication—this was not the case. “Peter has created a publication that the whole world reads, because it covers the many aspects of our sport in depth: destinations, science, media, safety, research, equipment, people, places, etc,” stated the EUF in a press release.
Peter has created a publication that the whole world reads, because it covers the many aspects of our sport in depth. EUF
With a background in science, Symes is a trained researcher, which has been invaluable to X-Ray Mag, giving the publication credibility in the scientific community. The EUF stated, “It has meant that the staff writers have been able to establish strong relationships with this community, and been trusted to write and publish cutting edge research in a format that will be read and shared by the advanced and technical diving community.”
Staff writers have been trusted to write and publish cutting edge research in a format that will be read and shared by the advanced and technical diving community. EUF
In his gracious acceptance speech, Symes emphasized how it is very much a team effort to create each issue of the magazine. In addition to thanking the EUF for the great honor of the award, Symes thanks the publication's staff and contributors as well as X-Ray Mag's partners, sponsors and loyal readers.
About the award
The Lavanchy award is presented annually by the EUF, whose member organizations represent over three million divers, 60,000 dive instructors, 5,000 dive clubs and 2,500 dive schools. The award is presented in honour of the vision of dive pioneer and former Life Honorary Vice President of the EUF, Jack Lavanchy, “who was personally instrumental in the initial development and growth of European recreational diving,” writes the EUF, adding that over the course of his life, “Jack strived tirelessly to persuade the members of the diving community to work together for the good of the sport and the benefit of divers everywhere.”
The Lavanchy Award is presented each year to a person “who has made a significant and sustained contribution towards the responsible development of the European diving community.”
EUF Lavanchy Award Winners
- 2017 Deric Ellerby
- 2018 Martin Parker
- 2019 Don McGlinchey
- 2020 Franz Brümmer
- 2021 Peter Symes
For more information, please visit: euf.eu.
