News
Only Six Weeks To Go Until DIVE 2013!
The annual Birmingham Dive Show is Britain’s biggest event for divers, and this year’s show will boast an exceptional range of features, including:
- Top diving speakers
- New dive gear – on display and to buy
- Unrivalled choice of dive holidays and training courses
- Free sessions in the Scuba Pursuits Try-Dive pool and the Rebreather pool
- BSAC Branch Pods, PADI Village and SSI Zone
- FREE prize draw to win an £8000 dive holiday in the Philippines courtesy of Worldwide Dive and Sail
- No-Tanx breath-hold demos in the pool and free workshops to help you improve your flexibility and oxygen efficiency
- Caribbean Village and Asia Pacific Showcase
- British Isles Experience with free draw to win one of three SUUNTO computers each day
- Expanded PhotoZone with presentations taking place on the new Centre Stage (see below)
Tickets cost as little as £8.50 if booked in advance. And once you have purchased your ticket all the above activities are free to enjoy.
Stellar Speakers
Visitors to DIVE 2013 will have the chance to interact with a stellar line-up of speakers – on the main DIVER Stage, where the accent is on adventure; on the new Centre Stage; and, with a rolling programme of seminars, in the two Ocean Theatres.
Andy Torbet, Monty Halls and Alex Mustard will be among the top divers making presentations on both days of the show. Andy’s subject will be Extreme Diving Adventures; Monty will be focussing on his new Dive Mysteries TV series; and Alex will be joined by fellow photo guru Martin Edge to tell you ‘What to Shoot and What to Ignore’.
And British cave-diver Chris Jewell, who recently led an expedition to Mexico’s Huautla system that established the cave as the deepest in the Western hemisphere, will be treating the DIVE 2013 audience to descriptions of this incredible seven-week adventure.
Among the many other speakers taking the stage at DIVE 2013 will be the inimitable Paul Rose, and TDI/SDI Instructor Trainer Mark Powell, who plans to address some of the most widely believed myths about diving – some of them still commonly taught by many training agencies.
Appearing on the Centre Stage
The New Centre Stage is conveniently located close to the PhotoZone, and it’s where you’ll find a rolling programme of image-based presentations designed to entertain, inform and, we hope, add to the armoury of all you underwater photographers and videographers out there.
Timings have yet to be announced, but speakers already lined up include Michael AW, Paul Duxfield,Fergus Kennedy, Gavin Parsons, Saeed Rashid and Nick Robertson-Brown.
The PhotoZone is, of course, the part of the show that offers something for all levels of underwater photo enthusiast. In addition to the sensational BSoUP/DIVER Magazine Prints Competition, you’ll also be able to inspect, discuss and buy cameras and accessories to your heart’s content on the many specialist exhibitor stands.
New Dive Gear
Check out the new products Showcase when you enter the DIVE 2013 hall to get an idea of items you might want to examine more closely on suppliers’ stands (see full exhibitor A-Z here). Here is just some of the new gear that exhibitors will be showing.
• Drysuits, Wetsuits and Undersuits from exhibitors including SEAC, Waterproof (whose silver and black W4 suits are pictured), Northern Diver, Scubapro and Santi.
• Lights from Northern Diver, Metalsub, Intova, Sola and UW Fotopartner.
• Regulators including the XTX range from Apeks and Scubapro’s latest version of its G260 second stage. And don’t miss the chance to walk through the Scubapro Regulator Museum – with more than 200 models to see! (Stand 1320)
• Masks and fins from Oceanpro and Tusa (whose Solla fins are pictured)
• BCs from SEAC, and specialist items galore including camera and video housings from Underwater Visions/Nauticam, a sidemount BC and two dive computers from Scubapro, Suex underwater propulsion vehicles, and a complete range of gear for free divers from Subgear.
Recreational and Rebreather Try-Dives
Has the Year of the Rebreather been the success the suppliers of the new wave of closed-circuit equipment hoped for? You can ask them at the show – and can also take the latest in the ever-growing array of CE-marked CCRs in the Rebreather Pool to find out what all the fuss is about.
Non-divers of any age are invited to join in the fun as well, by enjoying a taste of diving under close supervision in the Scuba Pursuits Try-Dive Pool.
Get Your Picture on the Wall
There’s still time to get your entries in for the prestigious annual Print Competition, run by the British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP) and DIVER Magazine, the deadline for which is 15 September. An exhibition of finalists (as pictured here at the 2012 event) and judging of winners will take place in the DIVE 2013 PhotoZone. There are four categories in the Print Competition: British and Irish (images taken in UK and Irish waters); Overseas; Advanced British and Irish; and Advanced Overseas.
See details of how to enter here
For more information on DIVE 2013, click here
Gear News
Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
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.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
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.
Marine Life & Conservation
Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid
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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