The winners of the Boot Dive Award 2026 have just been announced in Düsseldorf
The goal of the BOOT Dive Award, launched during the 2023 edition of the German show, is to reward the international diving industry for its outstanding activities. Each year, five awards are given in the categories of Personality, Destination, Innovation, Product, and Climate. At the boot 2026 show, the BOOT Dive Award is generously supported by BAUER compressors.
The 2026 winners:
SeaLink Underwater Smartphone Data Transmitter (INNOVATION),
Hannes Jaenicke (CLIMATE),
French Polynesia (DESTINATION),
Garmin: Descent S1 (PRODUCT)
Antonio Cressi (PERSONALITY).
INNOVATION: Underwater Smartphone Data Transmitter (China)
Previously, amateur divers had virtually no way to access the Internet underwater, unless they resorted to expensive and specialized equipment to establish an underwater network. SeaLink changes the game with its innovative SeaTouch underwater smartphone case with a touchscreen, allowing divers to freely use various mobile apps underwater.
Paired with the SeaLink data transmission device, it enables real-time communication between divers and the surface, the shore, or even anyone via the Internet worldwide. This means that amateur divers can now make calls, stream live videos, or communicate instantly, completely eliminating communication barriers in traditional diving scenarios.
When every diver can easily access the Internet underwater, the potential applications are limitless, such as developing AI-based innovations for marine research, educational awareness, and ocean conservation, thus opening up endless possibilities for the diving community.
CLIMATE: Hannes Jaenicke (Germany)
Actor and environmentalist Hannes Jaenicke has been tirelessly working for many years to promote better environmental treatment. Through his Pelorus Jack foundation, Hannes supports people and organizations fighting on the front lines, often at the risk of their lives, to preserve nature.
Since 2008, the ZDF channel has been broadcasting the documentary series « Hannes Jaenicke im Einsatz… », which addresses environmental issues. Hannes Jaenicke also regularly tackles maritime issues. Over the years, reports have been published on sharks, dolphins, salmon, sea turtles, and, currently in 2025, « Hannes Jaenicke im Einsatz für den Oktopus. »
DESTINATION: French Polynesia (France)
French Polynesia is considered one of the world’s most sought-after diving destinations, captivating visitors with the extraordinary diversity of its underwater landscapes. The more than 100 islands and atolls of 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 colorful reef fish and unique macro creatures.
The islands of Rangiroa, Fakarava, and Bora Bora are particularly renowned, with their lagoons and steep walls offering unforgettable experiences for both beginner and experienced divers. Underwater visibility is often excellent, and the water temperature remains pleasantly warm throughout the year. In addition to diving, Polynesian culture, beautiful beaches, and luxurious resorts invite visitors to fully enjoy their stay. French Polynesia is thus a paradise for divers seeking adventure, diversity, and exoticism.
PRODUCT: Garmin: Descent S1 (United States)
Connected products for connected divers. When the Garmin Descent S1 buoy is paired with the T2 transceiver and the Dive app, the crew on board can track up to eight divers equipped with compatible dive computers, displaying real-time tank pressure, depth, and distance. Additionally, messages can be sent to submerged individuals to provide important instructions or reminders. The buoy extends the communication range between divers up to 100 meters, and divers can check their distance and direction from the buoy at any time.
PERSONALITY: Antonio Cressi (Italy)
Antonio Cressi took over the family business, founded in 1946, at the age of just 17, at a time when diving equipment was still handmade, with passion and courage rather than regulations and standards. After the brothers Egidio and Nanni Cressi, who realized their dream of making the sea accessible and usable for everyone, Antonio carried this dream into the future.
Thanks to his instinct for new technologies and his love of the sea, he decisively advanced the development and industrialization of fins, masks, regulators, and BCDs, laying the foundation for the modern diving industry. Even today, he spends almost every day at the factory in Genoa, where he takes care of employees, customers, and divers as if they were part of his own family.
Antonio does not manufacture products solely for profit: the safety of every diver is his top priority. Passion, innovation, and responsibility continue to shape the heart of Cressi to this day. For decades, he has contributed to making diving equipment affordable and safe.
AN EVENT SUPPORTED BY BAUER COMPRESSORS
The BAUER group is represented internationally by 22 subsidiaries, over 350 trading partners, and 600 service points. Since 1946, BAUER KOMPRESSOREN has built a worldwide reputation as a company specializing in compressed air compressor technology, synonymous with innovation and quality.