The weekend might be a distant memory already for most of us but the GO Diving show that took place last weekend in Stoneleigh, Coventry won’t be forgotten for a long time.

For many months it felt like the prospect of a dive show in early 2022 was hanging in the balance as the UK and the rest of the world tackled the relentless onslaught of Covid. But all credit to the GO Diving Team who stuck to their commitment to bring us the first, and much-needed, UK dive show since 2020, and what a fantastic show it was!

The photo stage on Sunday

This show was the first since the GO Diving Team amalgamated with the ‘Dive Show’ which was usually held at the NEC in October until the sad demise of the DIVER Group earlier this year. The new show retained all the best elements of the previous and first GO Diving show which took place in Spring 2020 at the Ricoh Arena. Once again, there were lots of interactive elements to attract visitors old and new, including a huge try-dive pool, three presentation stages, VR-experiences, hands-on workshops, a mobile caving unit and, of course, Bruce the bucking rodeo shark. All of this was included in the weekend admission ticket price. No added extras… and free parking which is a reason to have moved away from the NEC as a venue in itself. And even the food from the on-site food truck was edible… and delicious!

The try dive pool was great for attracting new divers

Unlike similar events over the years where the added extras have sometimes diluted the diving element, the GO Diving show felt absolutely like a dive show. The ‘side shows’ didn’t detract but supported the ‘main event.’ Diving was the purpose of the weekend and the reason why we were all there. And as a celebration of the sport of scuba diving, the show was a great success.

There was plenty of new dive gear on display at the show

Travel and Tour Operators were well represented

Anyone who fought their way through the crowds on Saturday to attend headliner Steve Backshall’s main stage presentations would agree that the show was spectacularly well attended, considering the timing. On Sunday, the attendance seemed to dip slightly, but the exhibitors seemed happy with the amount of visitors which flew in the face of any concerns about the wisdom of running such an event in the current emerging-from-Covid climate. This clearly showed that we are ready, as a community, for things to start moving forward; and the smiles of visitors and exhibitors alike that this was a show that really needed to happen.

Tecnical diving stage

The dive community has always been a close and a resilient one, and as the world starts to emerge from one crisis, only to now be watching the terrible events in Ukraine, it was brilliant to see Monty Halls call out for aid and equipment donations from divers to help in this new humanitarian disaster.

Monty Halls presents on the main stage on Sunday

As a diver, the show was a great opportunity to look at new equipment, find out about travel opportunities, and get plenty of inspiration to get back in the water. As a dive professional, it was a huge pleasure to meet up with friends and colleagues from all over the world for a long overdue catch-up. One of the key benefits of the GO Diving show for everyone who works in the dive industry is the addition of the Trade afternoon on Friday. This gives a much-needed collective networking and training opportunity which is something that previous events weren’t always able to capitalise on.

There were plenty of celebrations over the weekend. Here, Luke Atkinson (General Manager Emperor Divers Red Sea) cuts their 30th anniversary cake watched by Cary Yanny

It’s easy to find minor points to criticise which belie the huge amount of time and effort that has clearly gone into putting on this show. It was a little frustrating not to be able to see or clearly hear the speakers when there was standing room only at the main stage. But this only means the show was a victim of its own success. Next year, it would be great to see more use of the backdrops to the main stage for bigger video screens, and also improved audio. Better placement of the video screens would also mean not having to flick between watching the presenter or their slides on the TV screens at the far side of the stage.

Although there were significant benefits to the new venue of the NAEC in Stoneleigh, it’s still not terribly easy to get to at the weekend unless you travel by car. It would also be great to see more support for the show from manufacturers and destinations further afield… but no doubt this was a reflection of the limitations of Covid times rather than anything else. And one small but niggling little thing… the fact that Bruce the Shark needs a little wash and brush up for next time to ensure his toothy grin is a friendly (rather than bloodthirsty) one.

Bruce the Rodeo Shark attracted kids of all ages over the weekend

More dive gear on show

For anyone who was still at the show on Sunday afternoon, the highlight of the weekend was listening to the Youth Panel, ably compered by Andy Torbet, on the main stage. These five young people were the embodiment of everything we need to aim for as divers. They spoke of the importance of sharing stories and diving tales to encourage new entrants into the sport. To hear them regale the crowd with their own experiences was both a privilege and an inspiration, everything from jaw-dropping encounters in the Galapagos, to the serenity and peace of sharing a dive in cold Cornish waters with a tiny squid. These teenagers might be young but they were incredibly confident, passionate advocates of diving. If this, and they, are the future, then we can rest assured that the future of scuba diving is in great hands.

The Youth Panel with Andy Torbet

The next GO Diving show will take place on 3-5 March 2023 at the NAEC Stoneleigh. Be sure to save the date!