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Buddy Dive celebrates 40 years!

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Next year – on August 19, 2020 to be precise – Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire will celebrate that it’s been 40 years since they opened their doors for the first time. This will be celebrated with various festivities and specials throughout the year.

The resort opened on August 19, 1980 and it’s a sure thing that a lot has happened and changed since then. Martien & Ingrid van der Valk purchased Buddy Dive Resort & Watersports back in 2002, when the resort only had 46 apartments, a small dive operation with three boats and 20 rental cars. In October 2004 Buddy Dive Resort acquired Lions Dive Hotel Bonaire and therewith increased the rooms inventory with 32 units.

Today the resort offers 73 apartments, more than 100 rental cars and two restaurants. The dive operation has grown and is now a PADI 5-star Career Development Center with six dive boats, a large range of diving options, courses, kids programs and the largest technical diving facility of the Caribbean.

In 2012 they founded a foundation to protect and restore the coral reefs in Bonaire. Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire has become a well-established foundation with multiple participating dive shops on the island and has currently planted over 22,000 corals back to our reefs.

Martien van der Valk, head of the Buddy Dive Family, comments: “My wife and I look back on many memorable years. Now is the time that we proudly handover the management to the next generation, who will follow in our footsteps and will pursue our mission of Buddy Dive Resort being the go-to resort and dive operation for your dive vacation and dive education.

We are also very proud of the number of guests that joined our Buddy Dive Family over the years and became a fantastic group of repeat guests, some of whom have been returning annually for 25 years already! The group is still growing each year.”

Buddy Dive Resort in the beginning…

Buddy Dive Resort today!

Buddy Dive Resort would like to celebrate its anniversary with their guests and is offering the following specials:

Turning 40 on August 19, 2020?

Come celebrate this together with us on Bonaire! Get your accommodation & diving for free at Buddy Dive Resort.

  • Booking period: any time
  • Travel period: August 15 – 21, 2020
  • Subject to availability
  • Not valid in combination with any other specials
  • Free accommodation & diving for the birthday boy/girl only – proof of birthday needs to be supplied by sending a copy of the passport

Is August 19 your birthday?

Get 10% discount on the Drive & Dive package for your entire group, plus a free BBQ for yourself!

  • Booking period: any time
  • Travel period: August 1 – 28, 2020
  • Subject to availability
  • Not valid in combination with other specials or promotions
  • Free BBQ only applies to the birthday boy/girl
  • 10% discount only on Drive & Dive packages
  • Proof of birthday needs to be supplied by sending a copy of the passport

Celebrating your 40th birthday in 2020?

Get 5% discount on the Drive & Dive package for your entire group, plus a free BBQ for yourself!

  • Booking period: any time
  • Travel period: August 1 – 28, 2020
  • Subject to availability
  • Not valid in combination with other specials or promotions
  • Free BBQ only applies to the birthday boy/girl
  • 5% Discount only on Drive & Dive packages
  • Proof of birthday needs to be supplied by sending a copy of the passport

Find out more about Buddy Dive Resort and diving in Bonaire at www.buddydive.com.

Marine Life & Conservation

Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction

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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.

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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Gear News

Introducing the RS Series Drysuit from DYNAMICNORD

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drysuit

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.

The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.

drysuit drysuit

The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.

drysuit

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.

drysuit

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

Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS

DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.

www.dynamicnord.com

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