Saipan diving sites now on DVD

A DVD containing scenes of the many diving sites on Saipan is now available, not merely for the diving aficionados but for everyone who wants to have a memento of the numerous beauty spots on the island.

Producer and underwater cinematographer and videographer Mike Tripp recently finished work on the DVD film, called [I]The Underwater World of Saipan[/I].

Tripp said his 105-minute interactive DVD provides a picture of the “incredible beauty and bio-diversity of Saipan’s underwater world.”

The DVD, under the Mike Tripp Productions, is now available for $25 a copy.

Tripp said it is now being sold at the CNMI Museum of History and Culture, PHI Pharmacy in Dandan, CNMI Council of the Arts on Capital Hill, Joeten Susupe and Garapan, Hotel Nikko Saipan, and the Managaha Island Gift Shop.

Tripp had just returned from the 30th Annual Dive Equipment and Marketing Association, or DEMA Show, held last Nov. 8 to 11 in Orlando, Florida, where he also showed around his DVD and had the chance to meet two of the world’s best underwater photographers.

Tripp had a [I]tête-à-tête[/I] with pioneer underwater film producer and photographer Stan Waterman, a winner of five Emmys who has been at the forefront of scuba diving. Tripp said he gave Waterman a copy of his newly released DVD.

The 85-year-old diving veteran thanked Tripp for the copy of his latest project, saying, ‘Great, I don’t have anything yet about Saipan,’” according to Tripp.

Waterman’s official website says the veteran driver and photographer continues his work in film and television productions and speaks to dive groups throughout the world. Tripp said Waterman still dives at his age. Waterman until now hosts dive tours to exotic destinations.

Tripp said the DEMA Show was a great opportunity for him to market not only his DVD but to promote the CNMI as a diving destination. He said he walked around the event and attended workshops that could help him improve his craft.

While at the show, Tripp said he also had a chance to meet with the award-winning photojournalist Eric Cheng, who has become known around the world for his expertise in underwater imaging.

Tripp said he also gave a copy of his DVD to Cheng. He added that he had met Cheng years ago in Indonesia. Cheng had told Tripp that he would do a review of the DVD for his online magazine called wetpixel.com.