News
A Brief History of Sharm el Sheikh
A warm welcome to our latest blogger, Beth Sanders, who joins us from Camel Dive Club in Sharm el Sheikh.
I will “begin at the beginning…” to quote another famous Welsh poet! I would like to start with the roots of Sharm el Sheikh to help you understand how this captivating place grew into the magical area it is today.
Now, I may be getting on a bit but I wasn’t actually here at the beginning. However, I am lucky to see some of the founders on a daily basis as Camel Dive Club was established in 1986. I am proud to say that they are still very active members of the community. I get sat down and shown pictures of the good old times on average once a week.
“Boring” some may say, but I love every second of it! To imagine and hear about how Sharm was before the hotels and all those ghastly taxi drivers is a privilege that I would like to share with you.
Sharm el Sheikh is of great strategic importance geographically and like many great territories it has had its ownership changed many times. That is, until 1982, when it was for the final time restored to Egypt.
The diving here started long before that though. The first tourism originated as early as 1967 when Sharm was nothing but an occasional base for local fisherman passing through. With few hotels, and a unique underwater topography, divers started to appear. Not wearing what we wear today for a dive but clothed in the old BLJ’s and very unfashionable fins, masks and wetsuits.
They discovered an underwater realm with a thousand different blues and kaleidoscopic fish. They of course told their friends. It was tricky to get to Sharm at first: no airport, frightful roads and nowhere to stay, but with demand so comes the supply.
Hotels, dive centers and even roads started to emerge in the desert landscape! Sharm grew from having three resorts in 1982 to 91 resorts by the year 2000! Sharm el Sheikh with its year round sunshine and warm water turned into a destination enjoyed by divers and holidaymakers alike.
Now I won’t lie to you Dear Reader… Sharm, like many other places in our crazy world, has had its fair share of annoyances over the past few years but if anything this only drives to make this amazing place stronger. The already tight community pulls even tighter together and the diving gets better and better.
Having lived here for so long, I have to say that I feel safer in Sharm el Sheikh than most other places in the world, especially as a single female. I always feel reassured by the smiles that meet me as I go about my daily tasks. This is something that is very difficult to find anywhere in this day and age.
With fewer dive boats than in the early 2000’s, I personally have seen that these days the coral is gaining strength and other marine life recuperating quickly.
Rare fish like sailfish are becoming almost a regular encounter and whalesharks are popping up all over the place. It’s getting increasingly difficult to finish a dive briefing without someone screaming DOLPHINS halfway through!!
This summer was honestly the best summer of diving in Sharm el Sheikh I have ever had in 10 years of living and guiding dives here.
Many tourists and residents leave, but they always return. I think Sharm el Sheikh is a bit like “Hotel California” – you can leave, but you can never check out!
When are you coming back?
Inspired? Take a look at www.cameldive.com and book your trip!
There’s still time to enter our fantastic competition to win a holiday to two people to Sharm El Sheikh in association with Camel Dive Club and Hotel, the Egyptian Tourism Authority and Westfield (Sub Aqua & Marine) Insurance Services Ltd. Enter here for your chance to win! Competition ends: 23/12/17.
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.
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.
-
News2 months agoIconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
News3 months agoBook Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
Gear News3 months agoDYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News3 months agoExploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream
-
Gear News3 months agoTry BARE drysuits (and maybe even win one!) this Friday with Sea & Sea at North West Dive Fest
-
Marine Life & Conservation3 months agoBook Review: Coral Triangle Cameos
-
Blogs2 months agoDive the Egyptian Red Sea this Autumn with Regaldive
-
News3 months ago2024 Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition Announced