News
BSAC partners with Amateur Swimming Association to get more children snorkelling
The ASA and the British Sub-Aqua Club have announced an exciting new partnership that will see more children in the UK learning to snorkel and enjoying aquatic sports.
This is the first time the English national governing body for aquatics and the national governing body for scuba diving and snorkelling in the UK have worked together.
The aim of the partnership is to introduce snorkelling to children who are already learning to swim as a way of increasing their enjoyment and encouraging a life-long love of being in the water.
Mary Tetley, BSAC’s Chief Executive said: “We’re delighted to be able to work with the ASA to introduce even more children to snorkelling.
“Snorkelling really helps to build confidence in the water as well as opening up the wider possibilities of aquatic activities, including scuba and learning more about our marine environment.
“This is a real first and our partnership with the ASA can only increase young people’s enjoyment of the water and encourage a life-long love of both sports.”
Adam Paker, ASA Chief Executive, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for our two organisations to work together and encourage more children to participate in aquatic sports.
“Learning to swim at an early age is extremely important, but we also want to encourage children to try other activities so they continue to enjoy the water and make swimming a habit for life.
“I grew up snorkelling and continue to enjoy it today. It is a great sport and one that can open doors to lots of other underwater experiences.
“But it is also important that children learn how to snorkel safely, which is why we are pleased to be partnering with BSAC and incorporating the Dolphin Snorkeller course in our swimming programmes. We want to ensure that children have the opportunity to try new aquatic sports, learn new skills but also know how to be safe in and around water.”
Later this year the partnership will see the launch of a new training course that will give qualified swimming teachers the additional skills needed to deliver snorkelling lessons to children in their local pools.
Swimming teachers can register their interest in the training course here.
The ASA is also making plans to include BSAC’s Dolphin Snorkeller course into its Learn to Swim Framework, allowing even more children the opportunity to discover the fun and excitement of combining the two sports.
Find out more about BSAC Snorkelling here.
More information about the ASA can be found 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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