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Divetech’s FOCUS GRAND CAYMAN event offers over $15K in prizes

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Divetech is hosting the 6th annual FOCUS GRAND CAYMAN, an annual event that brings together underwater photographers, ocean conservationists and rebreather enthusiasts, at Cobalt Coast Dive Resort in Grand Cayman between the 30th August and the 6th Sepember 2014.

Participating divers will enjoy world class diving on the North Wall and Northwest Point while sharing their passion for the sea with professionals from the rebreather diving world and the underwater imaging industry who are there to share what they know. Attending FOCUS GRAND CAYMAN are well-known dive industry personalities Ryan Canon from Reef Photo & Video, Chris Parsons from Nauticam, Tanya Burnett from Island ExposurePeter DenHaan of Silent Diving, Doug Ebersole from KISS Rebreathers, Eric Keibler from Oceanic Ventures and Peter Sotis from Add Helium.

Divetech owner Nancy Easterbrook says this combination of pros with knowledge and divers who want to know more, thrown into the diving mix for a week, is an exciting opportunity for everyone to learn.  “There’s a tremendous amount of talent at FOCUS GRAND CAYMAN so no matter where people are, they can learn so much,” she says. “This event is open to recreational and technical OC and CCR divers – new photo buffs and experienced shooters are all welcome.” 

Divers who sign up for the event will have the chance to try out the latest in underwater housings, strobes, lights, and cameras from Reef Photo & Video, including brands like Nauticam, Keldan, FIX and the latest cameras from Sony, Canon, Nikon and Olympus. In addition to diving with the professionals, there are workshops and clinics to learn about new products and technologies, or test the latest in rebreathers. FOCUS GRAND CAYMAN includes six days of open-deck boat trips, unlimited shore diving with incredible macros opportunities, unlimited air, O2, nitrox, trimix and scrubber, including Cayman’s famous Kittiwake Wreck and Stingray City, plus the new blue light NightSea® Flouro Discovery dive. The photo contest includes categories for Cayman Small, Underwater Scene, Spirit of Cayman, Spirit of Cayman Video and Local talent with awesome prizes valued at over $15,000 awarded and 100% of the entry fees donated to ocean and marine life conservation. Everyone wins a prize! 

“We’ll keep the guests as busy as they want to be. Want to take in the morning dives, then dash to a seminar or two, checkout out some new gear on a shore dive, then dinner, then catch the evening presentations, great! Want to instead catch a nap and then a cocktail by the pool as the sun sinks into the Caribbean Sea, that’s great too!” stated Ryan Canon. Tanya Burnett adds “My first trip to Grand Cayman was in the late 80’s; I was smitten immediately and have been back many, many times for the chance to dive into an ocean the color of Bombay Sapphire. Grand Cayman never ceases to amaze me with all the fun dive and photo opportunities you can find on this tiny Caribbean gem.  I’ve seen her shallow reefs, deep walls, encrusted wrecks, played with the marine life. I look forward to sharing some fun photo ops, brilliant tropical conditions and a whole lot of great diving while we play with the latest gear available.” 

With a full week of diving, clinics, workshops, lectures, demonstrations, test diving rebreathers and other events, Nancy Easterbrook says her favorite part of the event is enjoying the fruits of everyone’s labors. “Of course all the incredible, creative photography and video is such a joy to watch under 10,000 Caribbean stars!” she says. Sessions to choose from include: Intro to Fluorescence Light & Lighting, Wide Angle Techniques, Exposure – Dialing It In, Shooting Wrecks, Lighting Techniques – Strobe Positioning and More, Macro Techniques and Tools, HDR and Pano Images, Macro Video, Video Techniques, Editing and Exporting Images w/Lightroom, Technical Excellence – Eliminating Common Errors in Photography, Telling a Story with Video, Intro to Video Editing, Image Sharing & Collaboration and Silent Shooting.  

“When I think about hovering over the giant sponges at Lighthouse Point, or cruising along with an Eagle Ray in the sand, or sitting by the pool enjoying the great food and beverages at Cobalt Coast, my mind instantly goes into a state of bliss. There are few places on the planet that I’d rather be. Just the thought of a week ‘down there’ goes a long way toward relieving my day-to-day stress. I can’t wait for Focus Grand Cayman 2014.” mused Chris Parsons. 

Easterbrook says FOCUS GRAND CAYMAN is an evolution as rebreathers evolved with more and more recreational rebreather divers and equipment choices in the marketplace, photographers are drawn to rebreather diving to take advantage of all the wonderful features that they offer to photographers. Hence, FOCUS GRAND CAYMAN became the name.  

In addition to diving, the event package includes accommodation at the Cobalt Coast Dive Resort, full meal plan, special cocktail hour, airport transfers, tax and service charges, bus tour to the mangroves, photo contest entrance fee and an event t-shirt. The US price per person is $2,300 for divers, $2,800 for CCR Divers and $2,100 for non-divers, based on double occupancy. For reservations or information call toll free 1 888-946-5656, or in Grand Cayman, 1 345-946-5658.  Information is also available online at www.focusgrandcayman.com, www.divetech.com, or www.cobaltcoast.com. Follow the event at www.facebook.com/focusunderwater.

 

News courtesy of www.divenewswire.com

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Spooktacular Underwater Adventure: Oyster Diving’s First Halloween Scuba Party at Mercers Lake

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!

Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.

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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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