News
DiveLife and Canary Divers join forces!
Oli van Overbeek from DiveLife In Manchester and Kris Fearnley from Canary Divers in Rishton have announced a collaboration between their two dive businesses. As both stores have become a victim of their own individual successes, it was decided to share resources and support one another’s strengths, a model that Mr van Overbeek has been keen to push for some time now.
In practical terms DiveLife will now take the lead in all retail sales for both stores, whereas Canary Divers will take on the recreational training and club activity for both stores and clubs. This allows an unparalleled offering in quality and customer support.
The combined entity offers:
- Cylinder testing
- Equipment Servicing for all major brands
- Recreational Training at both facilities
- Wing & Long hose available
- National and international club trips
- Access to two RAID instructor trainers, and a myriad of experienced instructors and divemasters
- A comprehensive membership scheme supported by both stores (for 1 membership fee)
- All major brands, SANTI, HALCYON, APEKS, MARES, XDEEP, AMMONITE, DIVESOFT, POSEIDON, RAZOR, SHEARWATER, SUUNTO, etc
- Technical and Rebreather training available to instructor level
DiveLife has been a staple name in the northwest of England, a store that has changed hands several times and not always with the most successful outcomes. When Mr van Overbeek took the reins just a few years ago, he rebuilt the shop from the ground up, making it the success it is today. A well-stocked shop and a great online outlet.
Oli van Overbeek says:
“As we rebuilt DiveLife to a status that it deserved we soon came to realise that the industry was changing; because of this I’ve felt and repeatedly stated that having a 1001 micro shops and schools was not a sustainable model. I’ve had the vision for larger global training centres which can be a training and support hub for local instructors and clubs; having this collaboration agreement with Mr Fearnley from Canary Divers will surely be the first step in such a Hub. Kris has done wonders at Canary in terms of the social atmosphere and training ethos, and I’m excited to say we have been working together to get him and part of his team over to RAID to increase their offering. We’ve mainly focused on being an equipment supply company and therefore it made sense to work together and support each other and the clients at the end of the day.”
Kris Fearnley says:
“The collaboration between the centres makes 100% sense, Canary has been focused on training and offering a fantastic friendly dive club but as a side of being so incredibly busy on that side we have had to neglect the retail, while Dive life focuses on retail primarily it makes complete sense to join the centres and continue focusing on our strengths and continue the growth both centres have had over the last few years.“
Canary Divers in Rishton is a dive shop and training centre with years of experience training and supporting the local diving community, recently in the news for their Youth Diver Network initiatives and raising money and awareness for various charities. Situated on the Rishton High Street it’s hard to miss them, the shop features a large welcoming reception and even onsite café.
Divelife in Whitefield, Manchester is a specialist retail outlet offering anything from simple clips to full tech equipment. Run by Oli van Overbeek since 2018, who has 20+ years of experience in diving, after the store had been re-opened by local divers and enthusiasts. Since taking the reins, Oli has built the shop out to the level of a UK premier supplier in just under 3 years. The store now holds the highest levels of accounts with premium brands such as SANTI, Halcyon, xDeep, Ammonite, Poseidon, Mares, Divesoft, and SEAC just to name a few.
DiveLife offers a 3-tier structure of training to offer the best and most modern way of diver training. DiveLife has in-house RAID trained instructors, offer 1-2-1 training via Matrix Diving and also has associate trainers who work with DiveLife from multiple agencies. Servicing and air-fills are also offered on-site, with two extra servicing workshops available for a quick turnaround for cylinders, drysuits and regulators.
For more, visit www.divelife.co.uk and www.canarydivers.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.
-
- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
-
- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
-
- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
-
- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
-
- 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.
-
Blogs3 months agoGozo: An Underwater Treasure Trove in the Heart of the Mediterranean
-
News2 weeks agoIconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
Blogs2 months agoNovoScuba’s Game-Changing Approach for Dive Store Owners: WE PAY YOU!
-
News1 month agoBook Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
News3 months agoTreasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving by Howard Rosenstein available now
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months agoBook Review: Sharkpedia
-
Gear News1 month agoDYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News4 weeks agoExploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream