News
Miss Scuba Netherlands visits Pharaoh Dive Club
The excellent work of the Miss Scuba International programme is spreading across Europe. This week Pharaoh Dive Club were delighted to welcome to Roots Miss Scuba Netherlands, Jessica Wohrmann, who came to learn more about the Red Sea and the environmental issues facing it.
Jessica is a keen diver and has a lot of experience diving and teaching in the Dutch Antilles but had never been to the Red Sea.
The Pharaoh Dive Club team had some questions for Jessica:
PDC: We asked Jessica what her hopes and goals are for her year as Miss Scuba Netherlands…
JW: “Firstly I want to encourage more young people to take up this great sport. It is very apparent in my country that it is considered a ‘mature’ activity with an ageing active base; I don’t know why! When I can get my pictures across various media, I hope that younger people will see that it’s not a macho or mature world. Although I am a model and Miss Scuba Netherlands, they will also see it’s not a glamorous sport, but it’s a fun, relaxing and exhilarating experience, that virtually anyone can do and get the most amazing memories from.”
“The second thing is I want to help make the public aware of the damage that we are all doing to our seas and what the long term result will be. I don’t think it is an inevitable disaster and irreversible but we need to act now. I know that sounds like I am on stage at a pageant saying what everyone expects me to say, but I have already won the title – now it’s about really making a difference no matter how small.”
PDC: Why did you come out to Roots?
JW: “My colleagues from Miss Scuba United Kingdom had told me about the fantastic and educational time that they had competing for their title with Pharaoh Dive Club. How they had been involved with school visits getting the children interested in completing a beach clean-up with them. How they had been given a background course on Marine Biology at Open Ocean Science Centre. They also were glowing about the friendly staff and of course how amazing the diving was.”
“I thought as I hadn’t been to the Red Sea which is undoubtedly the best diving location close to Europe, lets go. I contact Pharaoh and they were delighted to extend the warm welcome they gave to the UK team.”
PDC: And now you are here, how has it been?
JW: “I was warned that this time of year is still a little chilly. I think they were worried I was a delicate flower, but I have been totally amazed by the quality of the reefs and the fish life. It has given me the confidence to promote my message to the younger potential dive set that you don’t have to either be a hardy north sea diver battling weather and cold nor do you need to travel to the Caribbean to enjoy our fabulous sport. There is world class diving four hours away!”
PDC: What about the environment?
JW: “Yes, I got involved with a beach and reef clean up, but to be fair the reefs close to Roots are pretty clean as they are adopted under the Project Aware programme; however, further afield the plastics and general rubbish issue was very saddening.”
“I saw the work the dive team did with the local schools to educate the kids about the environment, which is great, but it doesn’t address the real issues and I don’t know if there is an answer other than to keep picking up the litter.”
“The problem is clearly a relatively new one, Egypt didn’t really have plastic bottles 10 years ago, Coke was sold in glass returnable bottles. That stopped for the sake of progress and now the country is littered with the results. It’s a little ironic that Europe is now back to returnable bottles. The companies that produce the rubbish are ultimately the ones that need to resolve the issue but that’s a long way off in Egypt.”
PDC: What’s next for Miss Scuba Netherlands?
JW: “When I go home I will be attending dive events to promote my goals. I will also do that with my social media presences which is quite strong. Then I really need to go and do some diving with some local clubs too, let them know I am serious about helping rejuvenate the diving in the Netherlands. Hopefully I will also be back at Roots later in the year and see the reefs in full bloom with warmer water.”
For more information about the Miss Scuba International programme, Roots Red Sea or Pharaoh Dive Club visit the websites www.rootsredsea.com, www.pharaohdiveclub.com or www.missscuba.com.
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.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
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
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.
The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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