As a way to empower the next generation of divers, Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) created the NextGen Scholarship, to provide a year of training and other benefits including gear and a travel budget to deserving divers on their quest for excellence.

This scholarship was open worldwide and in its inaugural year went to one of our own, New Zealander Annika Andersen. Annika is heavily involved in the underwater community. She was president of the Auckland University Underwater Club in 2016, spending many more years in the committee. She has worked for Dive! Tutukaka, is a PADI open water dive instructor, 2019 recipient of the Westpac and Stuff Women of Influence Young Leader award and currently works for BLAKE as an environmental educator.

We are extremely proud of Annika and wish her all the best for an upcoming year jam-packed with diving!

To hear more read Annika's blog here and watch GUE's announcement video