News
Kefalonia – a press trip to remember
As you may have read in our previous blog about this trip, we were not blessed with the best weather. Our original itinerary was to see us dive four of the World War II wrecks that can be found in the waters around Kefalonia: HMS Persius, F495 Landing Craft, Junkers 88 & SS Ardena. The Persius was, in our opinion, going to be the highlight – a British submarine lost in 1941 that has the incredible story of a single survivor who made the 50m ascent and 5 mile swim to shore. The SS Ardena tells another terrible story; she sank after hitting a mine with over 700 Italian prisoners of war on board, all were lost, along with the crew. The Junkers 88 Luftwaffe bomber plane broke up in the crash leaving only the engines and tail at a depth suitable for the recreational diver.
Alas, die to high winds, we only got to dive one of these four amazing wrecks and that was the German F495 landing craft that sank close to shore in shallow waters. The waves had already stirred up the sandy bottom and so the visibility was down to less than 5 meters when we got in. However, this vessel was carrying a huge array of supplies and so exploring the seabed trying to identify the objects that you find makes this a good dive in all conditions. There were a huge number of depth charges on board when she was sunk and these litter the seabed. Look more closely and you can find large anti-submarine nets, jerry cans, wheels from vehicles, ammunition and we are sure a keen eye and good knowledge would lead to even more discoveries.
Our only other dives were to be in caverns. Our fresh water experience you can read all about here in our previous blog. We did manage a sea cavern too, which offered shelter, but the highlight of this dive was actually the surrounding area, where ancient amphoras and ship ballast could be found amongst the sea grass.
Our hosts were keen to make sure that we also experienced some of the culture that Kefalonia has to offer and so we were treated to huge and excellent meals at every opportunity. Sometimes it seems impossible, whilst still eating lunch at 4pm, that we would have to do this all again in just a few short hours! But with amazing fresh food and great local wine, beer and spirits, this was a real treat. As our diving was cut short, we toured the island, visiting a vineyard and also touring a fresh water cavern, similar to the one we had dived the day before.
In peak season, flights from the UK go direct to Kefalonia, however we went just as the season ended and so had to travel via Athens. This, however, gave us a wonderful opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of this historic capital city.
Kefalonlia is only a short hop away from the UK and, whilst we did not see the best of it underwater, it is clear that there are fantastic scuba diving opportunities here. We hope we can return next summer to dive the WWII wrecks, re-visit the fresh water caves and take in some of the many other dives this beautiful island has to offer. It is also time to dust off our copy of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin…
With thanks to:
For more from Nick and Caroline, visit www.frogfishphotography.com.
Poseidon Diving Systems, a global leader in innovative diving equipment, has announced a significant change in its distribution model for the recreational diving market in the United Kingdom. Effective March 3rd, 2025, distribution will be managed by Liquid Sports, headquartered in the UK.
This strategic shift underscores Poseidon’s commitment to strengthening its dealer network, improving service levels, and ensuring greater availability of Poseidon products across the UK. By working directly with Liquid Sports, Poseidon aims to enhance efficiency and provide better support for retailers and diving professionals.
Liquid Sports – A New Era of Distribution
Liquid Sports is now the sole authorized distributor of Poseidon™ brand sport and technical diving products in the United Kingdom. Led by Managing Director Alastair Ansell, the team at Liquid Sports brings extensive experience in dive industry sales, modern logistics, and superior B2B customer support. They are currently stocking up their warehouse which will ensure that most orders can be fulfilled immediately from inventory based in the UK. Streamlined logistics and operational efficiencies will also introduce attractive new pricing for retailers and consumers alike.
Key Information for Dealers:
- For all orders: For any questions regarding outstanding orders, please contact alastair@liquidsports.co.uk.
- Future Orders: From the 3rd of March, please contact alastair@liquidsports.co.uk.
Quotes from Leadership:
The CEO of Poseidon Diving Systems AB stated: “This new distribution model represents an exciting evolution for Poseidon. By partnering with Liquid Sports, we can ensure a stronger and more responsive presence in the UK market, ultimately benefiting both our dealers and customers. Liquid Sports have a wide range of products in the premium segment where we at Poseidon can fill a gap in their portfolio when it comes to our breathing technology.”
Alastair Ansell, Managing Director of Liquid Sports, added: “We are thrilled to take on the responsibility of representing the Poseidon brand in the United Kingdom. Our team is committed to delivering exceptional service, streamlined logistics, and a superior product experience to our retail partners and diving professionals.”
Poseidon Diving Systems remains in a strong financial position, and its leadership is confident in the success of this transition. The move marks a pivotal step toward expanding the long-term presence of the Poseidon brand in the UK market while delivering enhanced support to its dealer network.
About Poseidon Diving Systems
Founded in 1958, Poseidon Diving Systems has been at the forefront of innovation in the diving industry, pioneering groundbreaking technologies in open-circuit and closed-circuit rebreather systems. Headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, Poseidon continues to set industry standards in performance, safety, and reliability.
Liquid Sports
Alastair Ansel
Email: alastair@liquidsports.co.uk
Phone: +44(0) 7585935522
Website: www.liquidsports.co.uk
Multi-award-winning TV presenter Steve Backshall – headline speaker at the GO Diving Show in March – will be turning his attentions to two diver-favourites, whales and sharks.
An all-action hero, Steve has explored some of the most-remote places on the planet. This, coupled with his unparalleled knowledge of wildlife and the natural world, make him a fascinating guest speaker.
As one of the busiest presenters on television, perhaps best-known for his phenomenally successful Deadly series, Steve will be appearing on the Main Stage in Sydney alongside the likes of diving luminaries Dawn Kernagis, Monty Halls. Andy Torbet, Rannva Joermundsson and Maria Bollerup.
Steve recently travelled across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans filming Whale for Sky TV, a ground-breaking programme tracking our most-iconic, yet-threatened, species. He has also filmed Expedition and Shark for Sky TV and appeared in Our Changing Planet for the UK’s BBC One – an ambitious seven-year series documenting six of the planet’s most threatened ecosystems.
Prior to this, for Lost Land of the Jaguar, he made the first ascent of Mount Upuigma in Venezuela, slept on the vertical cliff face, and found unknown species of animals on the summit. He also abseiled to the bottom of the Kaiteur Falls in Guyana to the soaked wonderland below.
In Lost Land of the Volcano, Steve was the first outsider to enter the Volcano Mount Bosavi – where the team discovered as many as 40 new species, including the largest rat in the world! Steve also took part in a brutal caving expedition opening-up a new passage in Mageni Cave in New Britain.
Other series include Expedition Alaska, where he was almost swallowed by humpback whales and was swept into the guts of a glacier, and The Venom Hunter, where he endured the stings of hundreds of bullet ants (the world’s most-painful stinging invertebrate) in an initiation ceremony.
Other films he has made include Wilderness St Kilda, Extreme Britain – Caves, Springwatch Trackers, Alaska Live, Blue Planet Live and Undiscovered Worlds with Steve Backshall.
A prolific writer, Steve’s most-recent book, Deep Blue, is a blend of memoir, travel, and marine and environmental science that takes us on a tour of the many worlds of aquatic life: from underwater deserts and rainforests to the evolution of ocean heroes like the sea turtle and the great white shark, to the rapidly declining state of white polar seas and coral reefs. Steve will be signing copies of Deep Blue immediately after his talks both days.
As if that wasn’t enough, in 2023, Steve showed immense resilience, determination, drive, and ambition to break a new world record – for the fastest time to paddle the length of the Thames River in the UK.
Steve’s talks on the Main Stage will be:
Learning to speak ‘whale’
We’re entering a golden era of understanding the world of the whale, and a near future when we can not only understand whales, but even talk back…
Sharks – older than trees
Nose-to-nose encounters with everything from tiny tasselled wobbegongs to great whites, tigers, bulls and great hammerheads.
Go Diving Show 2025 takes place at the NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, on the 1st -2nd March.
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