News
BSAC’s Basildon branch gains £10,000 Sport England grant
Basildon SAC has won a grant of close to £10,000 to encourage the next generation into the sport.
The club is celebrating after hearing the news they have won a £9,285 Sport England grant. Basildon SAC’s Training Officer, Terry Tarling, says the £9,285 Sport England grant will be used to buy equipment so the club can attract and train new members, particularly teenagers.
He said: “As a club we are very pro-active and intend to get around groups such as the Sea Cadets, youth clubs and even schools spreading the word about the sport.
“We need to buy quite a lot of equipment, such as buoyancy jackets, masks, cylinders and so forth if we are to attract and train new members.
“We also want to buy a marine defibrillator which could, potentially, benefit all club members. Luckily we have a member who is a paediatric consultant who can lead on training so every club member will know how to use it.”
Basildon has an excellent track record in training younger divers. One of their youngest members, Charlotte Thorpe is excelling at the sport having just passed her BSAC Sports Diver theory exam at the age of 14 having already qualified as a BSAC Ocean Diver.
Charlotte said: “It took me three months to get to my current level which involved pool sessions, classroom theory and open water dives at Stoney Cove Dive Centre near Leicester and Holborough in Kent.
“I also went to the Farne Islands last August which was absolutely brilliant. The seals were amazing and really playful and friendly underwater. I love to see marine life, it’s brilliant.”
Mary Tetley, BSAC Chief Executive, said: “Basildon Sub Aqua Club should be really proud of gaining this financial grant and it is brilliant to hear they will be putting it to good use by encouraging youngsters to try and enjoy the sport.”
Is your club looking to raise funds to boost its training? Check out BSAC’s guidance on Grant Funding here.
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
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
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Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
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DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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