News
How about a Dive Club holiday?
For those that haven’t considered it yet, there are many good reasons for joining a local dive club. Enjoying the company of friends who share the same interests, availability of buddies for local diving, kit tips, access to training, information about local dive sites and conditions, getting the benefit of someone else’s knowledge and experience, first-hand information on potential holiday destinations – the list goes on and on. It can really be considered to be more like a community than just a club, with friendships extending outside the common interest in diving as people discover they have other things in common. Many clubs have regular social evenings; ours also has guest speakers on a range of subjects of interest to divers, such as photography or environmental issues. Kit nights are popular too, with presentations by manufacturer reps and the opportunity to try out those shiny new toys.
There have been some decompression chamber visits as well – these are always popular. One at the Diver Training College near York has an added twist and is always oversubscribed. It is combined with a ‘hard-hat’ dive, giving a chance to experience what it was like in the early days of diving. What a strange experience that was. Massively heavy metal boots, a big bulky helmet with a very restricted view and a heavy chunk of lead hung around the neck. Makes you appreciate modern scuba gear that much more.
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One thriving area at my local club, Christal Seas Scuba in Norwich, is group dive weekends and holidays. This is another benefit of a dive club, as the planning for these can be either shared or centrally organised. Lift sharing can be arranged too, cutting down on costs. Chris and Polly run a very active club, and almost every weekend there is something going on from Open Water training to Tec trips and everything in between. Christal Seas Scuba is a 5* PADI IDC doing a huge number of certifications every year, which keeps the Instructors (and us DMs) run ragged at times.
If you read my last travel article (Leap into Saint Lucia) you will be aware that for quite a few years my wife Sandy was a non-diver. This didn’t stop her from joining us on a club trip to El Gouna in the Red Sea, or enjoying a trip to Mexico, split between Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel, during which in between spa sessions she tried her first Open Water dive (and really enjoyed it). It was the social aspect that attracted her, and when she started her Open Water training it was surprising how much information she had picked up just by being around divers during the inevitable discussions over gear, the benefits of this or that piece of equipment and of course the post-dive ‘did you see’ and ‘what happened was’ conversations in the bar.
Fast forward a couple of years and Sandy is now an Advanced Open Water diver with a couple of good diving holidays in Malta, Egypt and Saint Lucia behind her and is just considering whether to do her Rescue Diver course on the way to Master Scuba Diver (not at all bad for someone who wouldn’t go out of her depth 2 years ago, but don’t tell her I said so). She has even joined us at Stoney Cove for a few weekends. For those who don’t know it, Stoney Cove is an inland dive centre that used to be a quarry. As such it has different depth shelves, which makes it an ideal training site so the club travels there – a lot. We take most of the rooms in a local hotel and make a social weekend of it because it’s too far for daily travel and you really need to be on site early to get the best parking. There are underwater attractions such as wrecks, aircraft and vehicles to make it more interesting too.
Sandy wasn’t diving, I hasten to add. There’s still no prospect that any water cold enough to require a drysuit will be suitable for serious consideration, but someone doing surface cover for the club is always welcome. No, that’s not accurate enough. The surface cover job is not just welcome, it is essential, indeed many dive sites require dive groups to have someone doing this job, and it frequently falls to non-diving partners or other family members who tolerate the strange addiction we have for pulling on rubber suits and jumping in water. They need to be familiar with the dive plan and the emergency action plan. Logging divers in and out, running to the van when someone has forgotten something or had a kit malfunction, helping divers don fins & masks and those wet gloves that just WON’T pull over your hands, keeping the first aid kit and oxygen handy, passing weights to someone who has underestimated just how much more they will need using a drysuit, looking after keys, wallets, purses, phones……even when it’s pouring with rain and blowing a gale. Look around during your next dive trip. Are there people doing that for your group or club? If so, when was the last time you bought them a drink, because they definitely deserve one.
Anyway, back to the holiday theme. We both love our holidays but one type of holiday that I had reluctantly ruled out up to now was a liveaboard. Not because it wasn’t attractive to me, but because when Sandy was a non-diver I thought it would be unfair to trap her on a small boat for a week with a group of enthusiastic divers, having nothing much to do except read, sunbathe and listen to us bore her about things she was only going to see in photos or videos. Well imagine my enthusiasm when after completing her AOW, she looked at the upcoming club holidays and said “well what about going on that Red Sea liveaboard trip in June then?”
So, a (very) short while later we were signed up to a club trip to the Southern Red Sea, St Johns, Elphinstone, Fury Shoal etc. booked through the ever popular Scuba Travel.
A first for both of us – our first liveaboard holiday, but hopefully not our last. An area of the Red Sea neither of us have dived in. Strangely, the club members on the trip are mostly recently qualified or less experienced divers. In fact Sandy is going to be one of the more experienced divers among us (in terms of dive numbers), which she still can’t quite believe. It should be an interesting trip with plenty to write about.
Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
Blogs
Dive into Adventure at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa: The Ultimate Diving Destination in the Maldives
Tucked away in the remote northern Haa Alifu Atoll, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is a premier destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable underwater experience. With over 30 dive sites to explore, divers of all levels can witness the unique and mesmerising beauty of the underwater world. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or new to the sport, Hideaway offers an exceptional diving adventure that is not to be missed.
Explore the Beauty Beneath the Surface
Hideaway is perfectly situated near some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives. The dive school and team at Hideaway offer a very personalised experience to ensure each diver gets an interactive, immersive experience.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Unique dive spots such as Theefaridhoo Thila (Heaven and Hell) as one of the 50 best dive sites in the whole of the Maldives, known for its beautiful soft coral gardens.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
As the resort is located next to a channel which gives guests surprise visits from eagle rays, manta rays, guitar sharks and more.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
One of the standout features of diving in the Haa Alifu Atoll is the abundance of rare and exotic marine species. The area is known for sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and a variety of colorful reef fish. Diving at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers a rare opportunity to encounter these creatures in their natural habitat, creating lifelong memories for guests.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Whether you’re exploring deep coral gardens, dramatic overhangs, or vibrant reef walls, each dive offers something new and exciting. The visibility in the Maldives is exceptional, often exceeding 30 meters, making it ideal for both underwater photography and general exploration.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Diving for All Levels
At Hideaway, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the thrill of diving. That’s why we cater to divers of all levels, from beginners to experienced professionals. Our professional dive center, led by expert instructors, offers a range of courses and guided dives. If you’re new to diving, you can start with an introductory course that will teach you the basics of scuba diving in a safe and controlled environment.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
For more experienced divers, we offer advanced dive courses and guided excursions to some of the more challenging dive sites. Our instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the local marine life, ensuring that every dive is not only safe but also informative and enjoyable.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Exclusive Diving Offer
To make your stay even more unforgettable, Hideaway is offering an exclusive diving package designed to enhance your experience both above and below the water. When you book a minimum 7-night stay, you’ll receive:
- 35% discount on room rates.
- Complimentary diving: 3 dives per person for 2 guests, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Maldives underwater world.
- Free meal plan upgrade: enjoy a complimentary upgrade from Bed & Breakfast to Half Board, or from Half Board to Full Board. Guests who prefer the White Platinum Plan (WPP) can avail it at a discounted rate.
This incredible offer provides the perfect opportunity to experience world-class diving while enjoying all the luxury and comfort that Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is known for.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Combinable Offers for Even More Value
This diving offer can also be combined with our Anniversary and Honeymoon offers, allowing you to create the perfect celebration package. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply seeking a romantic getaway, this offer ensures that you can enjoy the best of both worlds – luxurious accommodations and unforgettable diving adventures.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Terms & Conditions
- This offer is available exclusively for bookings made through the official Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa website using a specific booking code.
- The offer cannot be combined with other promotions available on the website or through other channels, nor can it be redeemed for cash.
- All dives are subject to weather conditions, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all guests.
- Black-out dates: This offer is not available from 24th December 2024 to 9th January 2025.
To book this exquisite offer, use the Promo Code: SCUBA24FD
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Hideaway is not just a resort; it’s a sanctuary for those seeking peace, adventure, and luxury. With spacious villas, private pools, and world-class dining options, the resort offers everything you need for a perfect holiday. From tennis, golf, gym, cycling to the exquisite underwater activities, unique dining options, Hideaway has something for everyone. And for diving enthusiasts, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Our dive center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art gear, ensuring that every dive is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Our instructors are passionate about the underwater world and are eager to share their knowledge with you, whether it’s your first dive or your 100th.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
The Ultimate Dive Adventure Awaits
If you’re looking for an unforgettable diving holiday in the Maldives, look no further than Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. With over 30 dive sites, unique marine life, and exclusive offers, we provide the ultimate underwater experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking adventure, our diving package offers exceptional value and incredible memories.
Book now through our official website to take advantage of this exclusive offer and prepare for the dive adventure of a lifetime.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Call: +960 650-1515
Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
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