News
Diving with a disability in Sharm el Sheikh
Being office bound now, I am always after any excuse to go for a dive and spend the day on the boat. Usually I try to convince my boss that I can go and take a few pictures. One sunny day in March was no different.
I headed off on the Camel Tribe boat with some very smiley divers from the UK, Germany, New Zealand, Greece and Malaysia to the beautiful nearby Coral Gardens, just 20 minutes from the harbor in Na’ama Bay (where both Camel Dive Club and my office are located).
In my usually chatty way, I set about meeting my fellow companions for the day. At this point, I met a lovely couple Russell (British) and Kelly (New Zealander), who travelled from the UK to get some quality diving in Sharm el Sheikh.
Russell is a diver and a wheelchair user who chose to celebrate his recent 40th birthday with a trip to Egypt. After a brief intermission in Cairo, where Kelly and Russell went to explore the Pyramids and the Museum of Antiquities, they arrived in Sharm el Sheikh to complete their SCUBA Refresher course with us here at Camel Dive Club.
The first day, they met their instructor Amr Shawkat, who is a PADI Master Instructor with many years of adaptive teaching behind him. There was going to be some serious refreshing and adjusting for both Kelly and Russell. Kelly had not dived since 2004. Russell had stopped diving after he sustained a spinal injury leaving him paralysed from the chest down in 2006 after falling from a branch during his employment as a Tree Surgeon.
Their refresher course spread over two days so that there was no rush to reacquaint themselves with the underwater world. The first day, enjoying some theory and pool time, right outside their room at Camel Hotel. The second day was spent diving from the boat.
After the first dive at the delightful Fiddle Garden where we enjoyed seeing the hunting lionfish on the many glassfish pinnacles, I got the opportunity to ask Kelly and Russell some questions, as we get less travelers than usual from the UK due to the lack of direct flights.
They told me that they had chosen Sharm el Sheikh after a friend, who is also a wheelchair user, recommended the location to them. After some further research on the internet they discovered that Camel Dive Club “ticked the boxes of their requirements” for an enjoyable, easy holiday.
Both found the trip to Sharm el Sheikh easy and uneventful, despite the connecting flights. “The ground crew of the airlines were amazing,” Kelly told me.
Our conversation then turned to the more exciting topic of the dive that we had just completed together under the watchful eye of Amr.
How was it to be back underwater after so long and also having to alter the style of diving that was learnt initially? Russell answered my question honestly, telling me it was a bit nerve wracking at the beginning, but once below the surface, he said it was amazing to be back underwater. They both hope to make it a regular thing and promised to not leave it so long until the next time.
We then enjoyed a well-deserved lunch on board Camel Tribe, which features a number of wheelchair friendly facilities that are unique in Sharm el Sheikh. These include an accessible bathroom and saloon area, spacious dive deck for gear preparation and a low dive platform. This, combined with the boat crew, which have many years of experience assisting divers with disabilities, makes water entries and exits a breeze.
Feeling fueled up after our tasty lunch, we geared up and headed off for a superb second dive at Near Garden. We were treated to a huge moray eel, humphead napoleon wrasse and a vivid red anemone, complete with anemone fish.
To end the day, we headed back with a short wander to Camel Dive Club & Hotel where the dive centre is based and where Kelly and Russell were staying. The hotel is situated in the heart of Na’ama Bay and features wheelchair accessible rooms, restaurants, the dive centre and most importantly for some, bars.
We celebrated the day with discussions of the fish we saw whilst drinking our beers well into the sunset.
Cheers to you all. There are no excuses as to why you cannot all come and enjoy Sharm el Sheikh today. As Kelly told me, “Just do it!”
Inspired? Take a look at www.cameldive.com and book your trip!
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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