News
DIVE 2017 speaker line-up announced
This year’s DIVE 2017, held at the NEC in Birmingham on 21 and 22 October, promises to be bigger and better than ever before. The DIVER Group have assembled a superb array of guest speakers for the weekend including:
- Scubaverse’s very own Underwater Photography Editors Nick & Caroline Robertson-Brown. As marine biologists and photo-journalists, they will be discussing wide-angle photography and how it can tell a story to the viewer. In The Bigger Picture they share photos of marine-life encounters and discuss the interactions and getting the shots.
- Another marine biologist who applies his knowledge to his photography is seahorse specialist Richard Smith. His topic is How to Capture Reef-Life Au Naturel – nothing to do with nudis, it’s about taking pictures with minimum disruption to the wildlife subjects.
- Revisiting from the USA after making a deep impression at DIVE 2016, underwater forensic investigator and rescue/recovery instructor Andrea Zaferes can be expected to fascinate again with accounts of her varied experiences. Look up her CV – it’s impressive reading!
- Centre Stage billing goes to Britain’s two most illustrious underwater photographers, Alex Mustard and Martin Edge. Appearing together on Saturday, their unmissable presentation is called Unseen Images. You’ll be seeing photos for the first time, with the focus on experimental photography – or, as Alex puts it “how we play with ideas, make steps forward and backward on the way to creating exciting new work”.
- Ever-popular TV presenter Paul Rose. Not an easy man to pin down, because for much of his life he is trotting the globe, you’ll find him discussing his recent expeditions to places like rarely dived Tristan da Cunha and Ascension. Paul will also stay on after his talk Saturday afternoon to present the 20th DIVER Awards, the first time the industry’s most prestigious accolades have been given out at the NEC Dive Show.
- First published in the 1980s, by which time the intrepid Welsh cave-diver had already made a name for himself, Martyn Farr’s book The Darkness Beckons became a cave-diving bible, but it has only now been rewritten for the 21st century. Martyn will discuss the exciting developments in cave-diving that made this update necessary.
- Technical instructor and agent provocateur Mark Powell will be busy organising the TekDeck technical-diving speaker line-up, but takes time out to address the pressing question: Diving Instructors: Can We Do Better? It won’t be the first time Mark has confronted an audience with a controversial question and gone on to provide a full and compelling answer.
And lots, lots more! For the full DIVE 2017 speaker line up and ticket information go to www.diveshows.co.uk.
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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