News
GTS launch online courses and scholarship programme for divers who have lost income due to COVID-19
Girls that Scuba – the world’s largest female dive community – have clubbed together with its members to offer exciting and interactive online dry courses to help support incomes and connect the dive community at this time. But don’t worry, these are not more webinars or social media live events. These courses are taught just like they would be in person and you can even come out with a new certification!
Each course is hosted by a different instructor who is a member of Girls that Scuba and has been affected by the loss of income due to COVID-19. The price of the course (minus any course fees) is split between the instructor and GTS helping the instructor stay in work and helping run the Girls that Scuba community. The courses are run every Saturday and have limited spaces.
This is an unprecedented time for the dive industry and everyone at Girls that Scuba is committed to our mission of helping women grow as a diver.
Courses currently available: view all here
9th May: Equalisation Workshop – For Scuba divers and Freedivers – Run by Argentinian sister team Lu and Cande Fabre from Amanacay Freediving this course is aimed at anyone that has ever experienced issues equalising either in freediving or scuba diving. You will learn new techniques in equalisation and understand the process more helping you more successfully equalise. £33 GBP
16th May: Journey into Marine Conservation – Project Aware Specialty Course
Run by Ellen from Dive Ninja Expeditions this dry conservation workshop will jumpstart your journey in marine conservation. Ellen is an instructor from USA that has worked in conservation projects ranging from coral to sharks and rays in some of the most abundant yet threatened regions of the world. For those that are looking to make a positive impact in their dive careers, or share their passion for the ocean in their own communities this is a great place to start. Empower yourself with the resources and tools that conservationists use to speak out for our oceans and create change, with these passionate instructors who are immersed in the field every day. £60 GBP, includes a $10 donation to project aware plus your own project aware cert card with a manta or a whale shark on it!
23rd May: Coral Identification Course – Easy Techniques for Spotting Corals
Run by coral expert Nicole Helgason the ‘coral queen’ who has her own blog dedicated to coral education, and leads coral identification presentations at numerous dive shows, and dive resorts worldwide. Whether you are a dive professional looking to increase your coral knowledge, a recreational scuba diver, or underwater enthusiasts interested in learning more about corals, this course is for you. Learning to identify corals can be a challenge, especially if your only resources are a few old ID books. This course will give you simple techniques for identifying corals and will have you seeing the reef with new eyes in no time. £37 GBP
30th May: Turtle Identification, Anatomy, Surveying Techniques and More – PADI Distinctive Specialty: Hosted by Natasha Gillespie-wong from Hong Kong who is PADI master scuba diver trainer looking to make a positive impact on the fragile underwater world! She has worked as a dive instructor and researcher in Indonesia for the last two years and is now based on the glorious island of Gili Trawangan. This course is open to anybody aged 10 and above, whether you dive, snorkel or just want to learn more about sea turtles!
You will learn in this course how to identify turtle species, sea turtle anatomy and feeding habits, mating, nesting and hatching habits, surveying techniques, threats to turtle populations and the importance of conservation plus much more. £95 includes a PADI speciality card.
Scholarship programme
Girls that Scuba has launched a scholarship programme alongside these courses to give divers the opportunity to join one of these courses free of charge – as sponsored by a dive company/brand/dive centre/diver. An application is available for anyone who has lost income in the dive industry due to the effects of COVID-19 but also for young divers who are looking to progress in diving but don’t have the funds. All divers aged from 13 years old onwards are accepted into the application process. One place on every course is guaranteed by Girls that Scuba as a sponsor and the hope is to get more sponsors in the dive industry that would be willing to sponsor an applicant. Promotion will be given during the courses by Girls that Scuba on their network of over 700,000 divers for any sponsors if wanted. Sponsors can also be anonymous and only known by the selected scholar, and can also be an individual who would like to sponsor. Sponsors will be presented with a list of scholars and can choose which one they would like to sponsor. GTS understand this is a financially difficult time and ask to only consider sponsoring if you are able to.
To apply for a scholarship (open for all dives ages 13 and above) click here.
If you are interested in sponsoring an applicant (the price is the price of the course) please contact Sarah, founder of Girls that Scuba at sarah@girlsthatscuba.com
If you know anyone you think would benefit from our scholarship programme (especially any young divers) please send the application on to them to apply. We really want to sponsor as many young divers as we can to further their education.
To find out more about Girls That Scuba visit their website by clicking here
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.
Explore Curaçao’s Unmatched Diving Opportunities
With over 70 diverse dive sites along its southern coastline, Curaçao is a bucket-list destination for divers of all experience levels. From thriving coral reefs and intricate marine ecosystems to historic shipwrecks, the island offers a variety of underwater experiences that are hard to match. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition provides detailed recommendations for both shore and boat diving, making it a valuable tool for divers seeking the best entry points, pristine reefs, and hidden treasures along the coastline. Whether you are an avid wreck diver, or a beginner interested in shallow reefs, Curaçao has it all.
Uncover Eco-Friendly Dive Resorts and Top Dive Operators
This DEMA 2024-exclusive Curaçao guide goes beyond diving to feature insider information on Curaçao’s eco-friendly accommodations, dive resorts, and top-rated dive operators committed to sustainable dive tourism. From all-inclusive resorts that support coral reef restoration initiatives to charming boutique hotels near prime dive locations, the guide helps travelers find the ideal stay to match their vacation goals. It also spotlights trusted dive operators on the island who prioritize environmental preservation, offering travelers a way to enjoy the underwater world responsibly.
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.
Exclusive DEMA 2024 Specials and Limited-Time Dive Packages
This special edition guide features limited-time DEMA 2024 offers on dive packages, accommodations, and excursions. Travelers who book through Dive Travel Curaçao, or our Curaçao dive travel partners attending DEMA, will have access to exclusive discounts on custom dive vacation packages, making it easier to plan an affordable, high-quality dive trip that fits your preferences. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition is designed to simplify your travel planning and help you dive deeper into the incredible experiences that Curaçao has to offer.
It’s Time to Dive Curaçao!
Now is the time to discover why Curaçao is a top dive destination in the Caribbean! Dive Travel Curaçao invites you to experience an unforgettable dive vacation with exclusive DEMA 2024 specials tailored just for you. To secure your spot, download a copy of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition and contact the Dive Travel Curaçao team to start customizing your Caribbean dive adventure today.
For more information and bookings, please visit Dive Curaçao’s website or contact our reservations team directly.
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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