News
And now for something completely different: The Great Northern Dive Show
Last weekend (23rd & 24th April) the inaugural Great Northern Dive Show was held at Event City in Manchester. Right from the off, it promised to be something a little bit different, and it certainly was. Comic Con characters, including a fantastic Batman, walked among the stands. Mermaids were seen swimming in the pool, and there was a beach where kids played and learnt about the marine environment and plastic pollution.
The main stage had a runway down the middle so that speakers could strut their stuff and engage with the crowd. The team running the main stage were amazing, with multiple screens and high quality sound that reached the entire audience of the show, rather than just those in the front rows. Each presentation was also signed for deaf members in the audience. Never have I been to such an inclusive show.
Kids were happy to stay all day whilst parents looked at dive gear, because the organisers had thought about them, providing a huge array of child friendly entertainment.
The pool was the highlight for many. It was a feature that had crowds of people around it from the start of the show on Saturday morning until it was closed on Sunday afternoon. With glass panels, visitors could see all the action going on in the pool. It was deep enough to dive in.
In the morning, mermaids (who were actually amazing freedivers) took part in an underwater photo-shoot, and then showed off their skills in both the sporting aspect of freediving, as well as the graceful moves as mermaids. Both kids and adults were enchanted. In the afternoon, there were try dives, kit demonstrations and diving technique reviews.
The NUPG ran an underwater photography print competition where the public got to vote for their favourites. The results can be found here.
With all this going on, we must not forget to mention that there were stands showing off diving and underwater photography gear, dive training agencies, marine charities, dive holiday companies that focused on exotic holidays, and UK dive operators too. Teaching organisations offered advice on training on scuba and freediving and local clubs showed off their boats and told people about what they get up to.
The Great Northern Dive Show was a success. It was different from other dive shows. Everyone we spoke to really enjoyed it and there was always a happy buzz around the hall throughout the day. We hope it returns in 2017 and is even bigger and better! See you there.
Here is a quote from Ruth Mort, organiser of The Great Northern Dive Show:
“Thank you to everyone who took a risk and backed this show. It was a risk, but it was a total triumph, and that is such a nice thing to be able to say. So a special massive big thank you to all the exhibitors, photographers, Mermaids, visitors, divers, comic con characters, the runners, the Event City staff team and my family and my team who all made this possible. Without them, there wouldn’t have been a show!!!
“The pool was a great feature and shall be making a second appearance in 2017, as will the Mermaids. Some of the same speakers will be attending, but we will be introducing new ones too.
“One of the exhibitors told me they were ecstatic at the high standard of the venue, the ease of free parking, the quality of visitors, and everyone their staff spoke to gave it a thumbs up!”
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.
-
- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
-
- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
-
- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
-
- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
-
- 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.
-
Blogs3 months agoGozo: An Underwater Treasure Trove in the Heart of the Mediterranean
-
News2 weeks agoIconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
Blogs2 months agoNovoScuba’s Game-Changing Approach for Dive Store Owners: WE PAY YOU!
-
News1 month agoBook Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
News3 months agoTreasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving by Howard Rosenstein available now
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months agoBook Review: Sharkpedia
-
Gear News1 month agoDYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News4 weeks agoExploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream