News
Event Report: Sharkfest 2016
The inaugural Sharkfest was held in Bristol on Saturday 24th September and has been hailed as a huge success by both the organisers and those who attended this fabulous event. Organised by the team at Fin Fighters, led by Lou Ruddell, this event invited shark-lovers from all over the country to meet up with like-minded people, listen & watch shark presentations and films and to visit stands that included shark charities, art, experiences and education.
The event exceeded all expectations with 400 tickets being sold, kids coming in for free, and other visitors to the venue joining in later. In total, over 1000 people came through the doors. This was, truly, an amazing achievement for a first attempt. There is a shark themed film tag-line that springs to mind…’’We are going to need a bigger boat” (or venue in this case!).
Talks ran throughout the day and at every single one, there was standing room only. Every stand had groups of people waiting to talk to the exhibitors and every now and then someone dressed as a shark, or pirate, would walk by. It was a brilliant family friendly day-out and simply bubbled with a superb vibe.
Abbie from WiseOceans enthused: “Sharkfest was an excellent event, it was fantastically busy and we thoroughly enjoyed chatting to so many passionate shark and marine conservation fans at our stand. We’re looking forward to the next Sharkfest already!”
The full line up of speakers & exhibitors was as follows:
The Shark Trust, Fin Fighters, The Manta Trust, Shark Guardian, Marine Conservation Society, Large Marine Vertebrates Project Philippines, The Gills Club, Frogfish Photography, Sharks4Kids, The Black Fish, Surfers Against Sewage, WiseOceans, Institute of Zoology, David Diley (Of Shark & Man), Jennie Hammond from BBC Shark, The Marine Biological Association, SKYODD, Sharks Teeth Limited, Shark Jewellery by DZN, Oh! Dakuwaqa Comics, Salt Water Life, Basking Shark Scotland, Incredible Oceans, Blue Planet Aquarium, Honolulu, Sharkstuff, Love the Oceans, Becky Jackson Design.
We loved being at an event where the main focus was the conservation of sharks and rays. We were up first to kick off the talks and had reservations that it might not be the best time-slot to speak, as many people may not have arrived yet. In fact, there was a huge queue at the presentation room door and many folk had to stand at the back once they were in. We did not stop chatting for the remainder of the event and left happy (if somewhat exhausted) at the end of the day.
And so it was that from 10am until gone 6pm, shark and ocean lovers had the chance to take part in a new and exciting event, all for only £10 (with the kids coming for free). We very much hope to see Sharkfest on the calendar in 2017. See you there!
Dive Travel Curaçao is thrilled to announce the launch of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition, an expertly curated resource that unveils the unparalleled dive experiences and vacation possibilities awaiting you in Curaçao. Produced exclusively for the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show 2024, this special edition guide is packed with exclusive insights, travel tips, and limited-time DEMA offers that make it easier than ever to explore Curaçao’s stunning underwater landscapes and vibrant culture.
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Immerse Yourself in Curaçao’s Culture, Culinary Delights, and Adventure
Curaçao offers a vibrant Caribbean culture rich in history, music, and culinary fusion. The guide reveals Curaçao’s hidden gems, including culinary hotspots, historical sites, and eco-tourism opportunities that will appeal to both divers and non-divers. Visitors can explore the island’s iconic architecture, savor a diverse range of dishes influenced by Caribbean, European, and South American flavors, and embark on land-based eco-adventures, such as hiking, cave exploration, and visiting national parks.
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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.
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