KEY LARGO, Florida Keys – A crafty group of divers submerged 30 feet beneath the surface in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to carve jolly jack-o-lanterns during the annual Underwater Pumpkin Carving contest Sunday about six miles off Key Largo.
Underwater artists of all ages submerged with knives to pare fun-loving facial features, sea creatures and accessorize their orange gourds. Divers also were challenged to keep the hollowed out pumpkins from floating off while they carved their works of art.
Florida Keys dive instructor Wayne Cline won over the judges with an intricately designed sea horse to earn a free dive trip for two at Amoray Dive Resort, the contest’s host.
Finned and gilled spectators also came close to the knife-wielding action, hanging around for any bits of ‘food’ that floated off.
The contest was staged near a shallow reef about five miles off Key Largo.
