News
Oyster Diving’s PADI Specialty Of The Month: Deep Diver
When most people start their diving adventures they often say to us “I’m going to stick to just doing the open water course as I don’t need to go deeper”.
Then as they do a few dives, build up some confidence and then hear about some of the wonderful dive sites that require you to go below 18m, they soon sign up to do their Advanced course.
Again, for a short while this satisfies their needs to explore deeper. However for many, a time comes when they want to go deeper still.
For me it was when I saw a school of Hammerhead Sharks at Elphinstone Reef in the Red Sea. They were slowly meandering around the reef at a depth of 45-50m. As an Advanced Open Water diver at the time, my depth limit was 30m, so they were small and washed away by the blue of the water. At that moment I decided to complete the Deep Diver Specialty so the next time an opportunity like that came up I could dive to a depth limit of 40m and get nice and close to the action.
Many other divers are fascinated by the wrecks that litter our seas. There are hundreds to explore in the UK as well as overseas and many of them lie well below 30m.
Other divers become ‘depth junkies’, a term used for divers who like to go deep for the sake of it. ‘Weirdos’ you may be thinking, but there is some sense to their madness! At 40m you tend not to be crowded with other divers. The quiet of the ocean and a small hit of Nitrogen Narcosis provides for a truly relaxing way to get away from the hectic pace of everyday life.
Some divers often forget that your holiday insurance often only covers you up to the depth you are qualified to dive to. So if you are suddenly on a dive and wish to descend in to the blue then remember you need to be qualified first or you insurance company won’t pay out.
The PADI Deep Diver Specialty course covers 4 dives, and many people have already done one as part of their Advanced course so only need to do 3 more. We complete these at NDAC in Chepstow as it has great viz and great attractions at that depth.
There are a few words of warning though. The deeper you go the more the risk increases, so we would therefore strongly advise owning or renting a dive computer and have equipment that you are familiar and comfortable with. It’s also worth having your own torch and SMB as it can get a little darker at that depth.
Oyster Diving are offering 10% off the PADI Deep Dive Specialty course for anyone who books in the month of July. To book your course call 01273 384971 or visit their website – www.oysterdiving.com/deep-diver/
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.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
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