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BSAC Divers: Why you need to be at the BSAC Diving Conference 2014
Can you or your club afford to miss out on this year’s BSAC Diving Conference?
The one-day BSAC Diving Conference is every BSAC club’s opportunity to keep up-to-date on BSAC developments and diver training updates, as well as to network, exchange ideas and feedback to BSAC’s National Diving Committee.
The conference is also great value – each conference delegate ticket is £20. Not only does this give you entry to the conference but also free access to the Birmingham Dive Show over the whole weekend. Plus, all paid conference tickets will be entered into a free prize draw to win a Scubapro MK25/A700 regulator worth £599.
BSAC DIVING CONFERENCE – WHAT’S ON?
The BSAC Diving Conference aims to engage, inform and inspire – so whether you are the Diving Officer or on your branch’s committee, an active instructor or are involved in the running of your club, there is something for you, including:
A great speaker line-up
Headlining this year’s conference is renowned diving doctor Peter Wilmshurt who has been at the forefront of diving medicine in the UK for over 35 years. Peter will be talking about ‘The Heart of the Diving’ – providing an illuminating view on two major causes of heart-related diver incidents: immersion pulmonary oedema and PFO.
Also set to be an essential update for BSAC branches is BSAC’s Safety Adviser, Brian Cumming who will be presenting the latest results of the annual Incident Report and outlining his recommendations to ensure safe diving remains at the heart of BSAC diver training and practice.
Completing our guest speaker trio is maritime archaeologist Peter Holt, who will be talking on the SHIPS project, exploring and documenting the wrecks in the Plymouth Sound, a location close to many a BSAC diver’s heart.
Hear from BSAC’s NDO
National Diving Officer Jeff Reed will be opening the 2014 Conference and presenting his report on the last 12 months as BSAC’s NDO as well as outlining new courses and diver training updates in the pipeline.
BSAC Diver Training Updates
Following a year-long consultation with BSAC members, NDC’s John Kermode will be presenting the results as well as outlining the proposed changes and developments to the Diver Training Programme over the next three years.
Expedition Grant Scheme
Did you know that there is funding available for your club’s expedition plans? The BSAC Expedition Grant Scheme (BEGS) offers up to £1,000 to expedition dive groups. Hear about recent BEGs recipients and find out how your club can apply.
The Wreck Award
A new BSAC award for 2014, clubs around the country have been submitting reports on their favourite wreck. Find out who is BSAC’s Wreck Award 2014 winner and get inspired to get your club involved in documenting more of our fantastic wreck heritage in 2015.
Promoting your branch
Brand new for this year’s conference, BSAC’s marketing manager Debbie Powell will be sharing up–to-the-minute advice on how to market your club. Don’t miss her essential top ten takeaway tips on recruiting new members.
There will also be discussion sessions and open forums as well as the annual BSAC Awards.
Tickets for the BSAC Diving Conference 2014 are £20 and available to buy online now here.
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
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