Event Review: TEKCamp 2016
As many of the Scubaverse audience will know, Nick and Caroline are not really into the technical aspect of diving, and were, therefore, surprised to be invited along to TEKCamp earlier this month. Not ones for turning down a photographic opportunity, they jumped in the car, drove from Manchester to Somerset and joined in all the fun on day 2 of the 5 day event at Vobster Quay.
On arrival, it was instantly obvious that there was no shortage of things to do for anyone attending the event. Stands from manufacturers and training organisations lined the edge of the water, with lots of shiny gear to drool over, look at and even try out. Small groups of divers were gathered around instructors who tasked them through techniques or new equipment. Vobster is one of the deeper inland sites, with a maximum depth of 36m and so is a perfect location for this event. Rebreathers, sidemount, twinsets, extended range, scooters – gear littered every available space as divers got ready to get into the water. Divers who attend can go to workshops, talks and have underwater tuition by some of the leading names in the technical diving world.
We jumped in the water with Cat Braun, who was there with the Mares team, to take some underwater photographs. Cat runs Tekstreme Technical Diving, and can usually be found in the much warmer waters of the Red Sea. She was in the UK for this event at Vobster and to complete SSI Extended Range Instructor training the following week at Stoney Cove. As usual, we turned down diving to any great depth and got her to pose for us in just a few meters of water!
If you were out of the water, and you had time to spare, you could wander around the various stands and check out the latest gear from Apeks, Fourth Element, Sea & Sea, Mares, Suex, Miflex and more. All manufacturers had representatives who were there to talk you through their gear.
Basically, if you want to get into technical diving, you want to improve or brush up your skills, you want to try out the latest tech equipment, or you just want to sit back and listen to some of the leading lights in this field, TEKCamp is a must-visit event.
To find out more about TEKCamp, visit www.tekcamp.co.uk.
