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Diving with…Lanny Vogel, Underworld Tulum, Riviera Maya, Mexico

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In this ongoing series, we speak to the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer…


What is your name?

Lanny Vogel

What is the name of your business?

Underworld Tulum

What is your role within the business?

Joint Owner (with my wife Claire). Cave, Tech and CCR Instructor.

How long has the business operated for?

4 Years

How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?

Diving for just over 20 years.  Currently a Full Cave, Technical, CCR and Recreational Instructor with TDI, IANTD, BSAC, PADI and RAID.

What is your favorite type of diving?

I love most types of diving, but long DPV Cave Dives on a Rebreather are usually pretty special!

If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?

It is difficult to pick one thing, but I think the fact that we strive to give our divers the best possible experience stands out.  Our apartments are purpose built for divers, our rental gear is the best in Mexico, we only employ very experienced guides or instructors that we have personally dived with, and we offer free nitrox on all dives.

What is your favorite dive in your location and why?

We are lucky to have 9 of the 10 biggest underwater cave systems on earth within half an hour of our front door, so this is a hard question!  I think the Pit is probably my favourite though, for sheer variety – you can have a great recreational cavern dive, some beautifully decorated shallow cave or a deep trimix dive, all at the same site.

What types of diving are available in your location?

We specialise in Cavern and Cave diving, offering training all the way up to Full Cave.  We can also safely introduce recreational divers to the overhead environment through guided cavern diving.  In addition, we offer a full range of technical and recreational courses including CCR and Scooter courses.  The Meso American reef system (second only to the Great Barrier Reef) is a few hundred metres from the coast of Tulum, so the ocean diving is pretty good here as well.

What do you find most rewarding about your current role?

Running a business in the heart of such great caves is pretty cool in general, but a couple of specifics are:

Seeing a skilled and safe cave diver that I have trained is probably the most rewarding thing I have experienced in diving.  Although being part of our annual Cave Camp event – www.cavecamp.com – bringing divers and instructors from all over the world together to enjoy great dives, workshops, courses and socials is also amazing.

What is your favorite underwater creature?

My wife, co-owner, business partner and fellow cave instructor Claire.

Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?

We have the third Cave Camp event coming up in September, which brings together some great cave instructors, divers and explorers together for 2 weeks of courses, workshops, diving and socials.  We also have DiveFest Mexico coming up in 2019 working with BSAC to introduce UK recreational divers to some great cavern and ocean diving.

As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?

Our biggest issue is lack of time!  We make sure we keep current in backmount, sidemount, DPV and rebreather diving.  As well as guiding and teaching, we also try and make time to explore new cave.  This is in addition to keeping the business running and looking after our growing pack of rescue dogs.

Is your center involved in any environmental work?

We strongly emphasise cave conversation in all our overhead courses and our recreational students are encouraged to pick up plastic waste on any ocean dive.  We are also very active in local animal rescue charities and will always have rescue dogs staying with us before being re-homed.  At the last count, we have rescued or fostered around 85 dogs and cats in the local area.  Most of our customers just about prefer diving to playing with a cute foster puppy, but it is pretty close!

How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?

I think the diving industry overall is quite a mixed bag.  There are a lot of superb instructors and centres out there, but unfortunately there are also examples of taking short cuts or providing sub-optimal kit to save money.   Dumbing down of training is a concern.  Online learning is good, but it should supplement rather than replace instructor-led training.

On the positive side there are some inspirational young instructors coming into the industry.  Improvements in lighting, computer, scooter and Rebreather technology have also made a positive impact.

What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?

Cavern and Cave Diving is a unique experience within diving.  A guided cavern tour allows recreational divers to enjoy some incredibly beautiful sites.  Cave training is a step up, that requires a lot of precision and skill, but the rewards are massive.

Where can our visitors find out more about your business? 

There are full details about our guided diving, training and accommodation on www.underworldtulum.com.

Details of Cave Camp instructors and activities are available at www.cavecamp.com.

Gear News

Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Workhorse – our CS-30

For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.

regulator

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.

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Octopus OP-30

The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.

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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.

www.dynamicnord.com

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Marine Life & Conservation

Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid

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paul watson

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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