News
Congratulations to the Fifth Point – the first and only Green Star Dive Centre in the UK!
The Fifth Point Diving Centre, based in Blyth, Northumberland, has been recognised as a leader in environmental protection with the prestigious PADI Green Star Award.
This celebrated accolade is granted to dive centres and resorts that demonstrate a dedication to conservation across a wide range of business functions, including water conservation, energy use, use of sustainable materials, and conservation leadership. The Green Star Award identifies dive businesses that care about the environment and are acting to protect it.
The Fifth Point is the first and only Green Star Dive Centre in the UK, and one of only nine in the world.
Their eco-conscious values permeate every activity in their company. Protecting the ocean is of upmost importance, and they share this passion with their fellow scuba divers.
Ocean protection is embedded in all The Fifth Point’s training. Even as a beginner, not only do participants learn how to dive during the PADI Open Water Course, but they also discover how their scuba diving skills can be used to protect fragile underwater environments. With their unique approach to diver training, The Fifth Point include the Project AWARE Specialty Course as standard in their Open Water Experience. This inaugurates new divers as ambassadors of the underwater world and sends them into the big blue as environmentally responsible divers.
Once divers progress onto their Advanced Course, they also get the opportunity to become a qualified citizen scientist with the PADI Dive Against Debris Specialty. The Fifth Point have seamlessly woven the course into their PADI Advanced Open Water Experiences. It teaches divers how to plan and conduct debris surveys at their local sites, removing trash from the ocean and reporting the data back to Project AWARE to fuel evidence for change.
In 2017, The Fifth Point founded their volunteer wing – Our Sea Trash Free. They organise regular beach and underwater clean ups. As a result of their hard work, the group was awarded “Volunteer Group of The Year” by EBPC in 2018. With the help of their volunteers, The Fifth Point has removed over 1,800kg of trash from their local coastline.
Most UK divers are renowned for filling their swag bags with lobsters and scallops. In contrast, The Fifth Point, with their “no touch, no take” philosophy, will never remove marine life or wreck artefacts from the water. In fact, they regularly assist the local lobster hatchery in Amble to release baby lobsters back into the wild – helping sustain local lobster populations.
With a busy year of environmental action planned for 2019, The Fifth Point is a dive centre with a purpose and are always looking for volunteers to help grow their army of eco-warriors.
Find out more at: www.fifthpointdiving.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
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.
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.
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
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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