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Get ready for the Florida Keys’ 30th Annual Underwater Music Festival this Saturday

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Hundreds of snorkellers and divers will converge on the Florida Lower Keys this coming Saturday 12th July for the 30th Annual Underwater Music Festival. The submerged songfest, held at Looe Key Reef, combines music, the arts, and reef preservation awareness into a surreal immersion experience. Here are some of the offerings that make this undersea jam session one of the most delightfully offbeat marine events around.

A different kind of Surround Sound: The festival’s subaqueous music broadcast is made possible by underwater speakers suspended from boats, and the ocean-themed soundtrack includes such tunes as the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine,” Jimmy Buffett’s “Fins,” and theme’s from Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Hearing the playlist through the water is a peculiar experience. “Sound underwater travels five times faster than it does in the air,” says festival founder Bill Becker. “It just sort of surrounds you. You can hear it not only through your ears; you can feel it through your jaw and your head.”

Ethereal performances: Snorkel and scuba aficionados can watch costumed divers perform to the music. This year’s festival theme, “Diving with the Stars,” is sure to be an otherworldly spectacle. “We’re expecting our divers to be dressed in beautiful flowing garments and cavorting around the ocean floor—not touching the reef, of course,” says Susan Miller, Executive Director of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce.

In years past, underwater performers have ranged from diving Elvis Presley look-a-likes to a “Submerged Symphony” playing mock instruments. A recent election year performance featured divers clad as flag-waving U.S. presidents followed by a trail of Secret Service agents garbed in hats, jackets, and sunglasses.

Signature artwork: Each year, local artist August Powers crafts a new faux musical instrument for costumed divers to “play” underwater, thus enhancing the show’s visual elements. His past sea-inspired creations have included a “clambourine,” a “sax-eel-phone,” and a “Great White Harp.” This year marks the debut of his latest creation, “Belushi Blue,” a guitar-shaped bluefish wearing a hat and shades like the Blues Brothers.

Reef madness: Amidst all of the fun and frolicking, the underwater broadcast is interspersed with serious messages to festival goers about the importance of sustaining the reef by not touching the coral, or littering, and using mooring buoys instead of anchors. “We’re just trying to get people to be more conscious of their impacts and be careful about them,” says Becker.

The Underwater Music Festival will be simulcast live on US1 Radio 104.1 FM.

For more information on the festival, click here.

 

Source: parade.condenast.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.

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.

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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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