News
Anse Chastenet and SeaLife Team Up for 2017 Underwater Photography Weeks in Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia’s Anse Chastanet Resort with their PADI 5 STAR scuba operation, Scuba St. Lucia, in collaboration with SeaLife Cameras, will be hosting four specialty weeks in 2017 dedicated to underwater photography. The 2017 weeks are August 19-26, September 30-October 7, November 11-18, and December 9-16.
Divers will be able to learn and fine tune their photography skills through a series of seminars and dives in one of the most protected sites in the Caribbean.
Anse Chastanet offers designated marine reserves, protecting miles of colorful coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, vibrant corals, and stunning macro life.
Whether a new photographer with a point and shoot camera or the owner of a complete DSLR system, the week will provide hands on training in areas such as ambient light use, model photography, macro photography, animal portraits, and general compositions.
Days will be filled with two morning dives in and around St. Lucia’s pristine marine reserves, including dive sites such as the Pinnacles, Superman’s Flight, and various sites nestled between the two world heritage Pitons. In the afternoon, seminars will be held reviewing the photographs taken in the morning, editing photos and videos, and discussing the next day’s underwater adventure.
Throughout the week, divers will collect images from which they can submit one photo in each of the predetermined categories in the Photography Week Photo Competition. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the week in the closing ceremony celebration.
Seminars will be conducted by resident pro photographer, Bernd Rac. Bernd started with underwater photography and videography at UNESCO in Freeport Bahamas in 1993 and has been shooting ever since. He began working in 1996 at Scuba St. Lucia, which is owned and operated by the Anse Chastanet Resort, as an underwater photo/video professional. Bernd won the Rodales Resort Pro Photographer competition in 1998 and then expanded his knowledge in photography and videography including post production. Divers will be closely supervised by Bernd and other underwater photo pros on the Scuba St. Lucia staff.
The Underwater Photography Week will be taught using your own camera set up or the brand new SeaLife DC2000. The rental fee for the new DC2000 camera is included in your Underwater Photography Week package.
As SeaLife’s most advanced underwater camera, the DC2000 includes a full featured waterproof inner camera and an ergonomic, precisely designed 200ft/60m underwater housing. The DC2000 uses a SONY® 1” back-illuminated 20MP CMOS image sensor to produce sharp stills and full 1080p HD videos. For details on the SeaLife DC2000, visit www.sealife-cameras.com/cameras/dc2000.
If participants wish to invest in a new camera, SeaLife is offering a $100 booking incentive when pre-ordering a DC2000 camera through Scuba St. Lucia and registering for the Photo Week. Anse Chastanet is the perfect location for non-diving family members, with adventure sports galore as well as world class beaches, spas, and tours.
The Underwater Photography week starts at US $2,819 per person in a double occupancy room. A non-diving partner pays $2,109 per person per week in a double occupancy room.
To book or for more information, email ansechastanet@ansechastanet.com or call 1-800-223-1108 and reference the Underwater Photography Weeks.
The Underwater Photography Week package includes: Underwater Photography course, 7 nights’ accommodation, airport transfers, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, all tax/service, welcome drink and culinary amenity on arrival, 12 beach or boat dives inclusive of tank, weights, belt, mask, snorkel, fins (other equipment at a charge if needed, marine park fee to be paid locally).
The package is available to certified divers. Please bring your certification cards with you.
DC2000 Camera | MSRP $699.95 | Pre-order price $599.95 |
DC2000 Pro 2500 Set | MSRP $1099.95 | Pre-order price $999.95 |
DC2000 Pro Flash Set | MSRP $999.95 | Pre-order price $899.95 |
DC2000 Pro Duo | MSRP $1399.95 | Pre-order price $1299.95 |
The DC2000 Photography Week camera incentive is exclusive to Anse Chastanet and the Photography Week experiences. The DC2000 camera or camera set will be shipped to you (in USA only) or awaiting you on arrival at Anse Chastanet.
For more information about SeaLife cameras visit www.SeaLife-Cameras.com.
Gear News
Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Marine Life & Conservation
Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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