News
Deptherapy flies the flag in Egypt this October
Scuba Diving rehabilitation charity Deptherapy has announced that it is recommencing its international scuba diving training expeditions this October with a small group trip to Egypt.
Travel restrictions due to COVID-19 have meant that training so far this year for Deptherapy Programme Members has been mostly limited to online academic study. Now, the charity is excited to be in the position to take a group of six beneficiaries for practical training, and to enjoy the restorative effects of scuba diving in the clear, warm waters of the Red Sea.
This expedition is funded as part of a grant from The Veterans Foundation. The Deptherapy Team will be heading to Hurghada, Egypt from London Gatwick on 10th October onboard an EasyJet flight, before travelling down the coast to Deptherapy’s international base at Roots Red Sea in El Quseir. Roots Red Sea re-opens on 9th October, the day before the Deptherapy team arrives after an eight month closure. It is one of the few dive resorts to have passed the stringent Egyptian Government inspection and to have obtained the necessary permits and license to operate under strict COVID-19 conditions.
Deptherapy Programme Members undertaking training at Roots Red Sea. Photo – Dmitry Knyazev for Deptherapy
Deptherapy will be running a RAID Advanced 35 course and a RAID Master Rescue Course during their 7 day stay at Roots Red Sea. One of the Programme Members who is joining the expedition is a 20 year old who was involved in an accident during basic Armed Forces training. He is a paraplegic wheelchair user who has been particularly affected by lockdown. As part of the Deptherapy family, the team has been working with him closely throughout this period to keep him optimistic about his diving, socially engaged and psychologically well. To say that he is excited to get in the water again on this trip is an understatement!
“We would have liked to have taken a larger group to Egypt,” explains Deptherapy’s Chairman Richard Cullen, “but many things have mitigated against this. The requirement to quarantine on return from Egypt has meant that most of our beneficiaries and instructional team are unable to travel at this time. The difficulty in obtaining ‘fit to dive medicals’ is also a factor which means that sadly, no potential Open Water students have been able to obtain the necessary approval to dive. We are also limited by practical logistics as Roots is operating at a reduced capacity in order to be open at all BUT, we are hugely excited to be able to take this small group to Egypt next month and thankful to The Veterans Foundation for their funding which has made this expedition possible. The Deptherapy Board was strongly of the view that we should, even with reduced numbers, get beneficiaries back in the water, fly the flag that the charity is still very active, and not further delay our plans until 2021.”
In the meantime, Team Deptherapy continues to support its Programme Members in both online study and mental health and wellbeing 24/7, as well as developing some exciting new projects behind the scenes. The charity plans to resume the rest of its international training and expedition programmes as per the ‘new post COVID’ normal from Spring/Summer 2021.
For more information about the work of Deptherapy and Deptherapy Education visit www.deptherapy.co.uk.
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
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DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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