We live in the age of conditioned TV voyeurism. If you aren't watching people lose weight or become the next top model or trying to survive in a remote location...you aren't watching television. Well, you knew it had to be a matter of time before divers would get involved. Welcome to the Ultimate Diver Challenge!

The Ultimate Diver Challenge is a competition where divers face the reality of what it takes to be "the best of the best" in scuba diving. Filmed at exotic locations, this show will follow the best divers in the world as they navigate a series of challenges. Viewers see firsthand how tough the sport of scuba diving can be as divers are eliminated after failing the underwater courses complete with tasks and obstacles. The challenge requires divers to focus as they pit their skills with endurance and strength to determine who the "Ultimate Diver" is.

UDC is the brain child of Pam Bertrand, a long time diver and self-proclaimed "reality addict". "Reality Shows for me are certainly an addiction, but so far I have never been chosen to play the games that I watch so faithfully," says Bertrand. (yes, she has applied). "The sport of diving is one of the most unique sports in the world. We can enter and explore a whole other real world filled with creatures, plants, and formations that many can only dream of ever seeing. I have often heard, "I could never do something like that", but the reality is that a TV show will inspire non divers to understand how fun, exciting and easy scuba diving is."

Bertrand also hopes that UDC will allow the dive industry to emphasize the extreme importance of education, safety and training. She hopes also to emphasize conservation of the world's oceans as well. "It is very important that divers understand that we are all stewards of the oceans and that we have an obligation to do what we can to preserve this gift," Bertrand says.

Bertrand chose Cozumel to kick off UDC because she loves the area so much. "I have been traveling to Cozumel for 23 years and truly can refer to this island as "home away from home"," Bertrand says. "My devotion for the people of Cozumel and scuba diving, coupled with my love for reality television shows, inspired the idea of "The Ultimate Diver Challenge" and I am pleased to see it all come together." Dive News Publisher Rick Stratton traveled to Cozumel to see firsthand what UDC was all about and he was impressed. "I did some filming, conducted interviews and saw how it all works," Stratton says. "I think this may be really good for the dive industry as a whole."

Now UDC is being produced professionally as a TV Reality Show and the show is being used for television syndication considerations. Until now, divers have never had the opportunity to compete while showcasing mastered diving skills. "Never in the history of scuba diving has a diver been acknowledged for exhibiting the basic scuba skills that emphasize the extreme importance of protecting our reefs, and upholding safe, recreational standards of Scuba Diving by identifying divers as "The Ultimate Diver"," says Bertrand. "Imagine the exposure that the show is going to give scuba diving." For more info visit www.ultimatediverchallenge.com.