News
Project AWARE Specialty Course Revised to Inspire Divers to Act for Ocean Health
PADI® and Project AWARE® announce the launch of the updated Project AWARE Specialty course to coincide with the first global AWARE Week, 15-23 September 2018. The newly revised course provides information and encouragement to help individuals take responsibility for ocean health.
Building on the success and popularity of the Project AWARE’s 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet – the backbone of Project AWARE’s philosophy – the Project AWARE Specialty focuses on guiding participants toward personal commitments and actions they can take to help the environment. With a shared belief that no action is too small, PADI and Project AWARE collaborated to revise the specialty and shift its focus to encourage and increase to concrete actions (fins on and fins off) for ocean protection, specifically:
- Be a Buoyancy Expert
- Be a Role Model
- Take Only Photos – Leave Only Bubbles
- Protect Underwater Life
- Become a Debris Activist
- Make Responsible Seafood Choices
- Take Action
- Be an Eco-tourist
- Shrink Your Carbon Footprint
- Give Back
“Over the past quarter of a century, Project AWARE has been at the forefront of emerging ocean issues, amplified divers’ voices on the international stage and brought together a worldwide community tackling some of the most pressing ocean challenges,” says Danna Moore, Director of Global Operations for Project AWARE. “When updating the content of the Project AWARE Specialty as part of our new mission to connect the passion for adventure with the purpose of marine conservation, the focus was on understanding what inspires and motivates the dive community to take concrete actions that bring about positive change for the ocean.”
PADI and Project AWARE believe in the power of people to help address threats facing our ocean today, and that large-scale transformation starts with individuals acting locally for global impact. To this end, the Project AWARE Specialty course can be adapted to the local environment, including the integration of local conservation issues and solutions.
As a “fins off” course, meaning no dives required, participants need only have an interest in the aquatic environment or a desire to take action for a clean and healthy ocean – there is no minimum age or experience requirement. As such, scuba divers and non-divers taking the revised Project AWARE Specialty can become true agents of positive change for the ocean by not only pledging to follow the 10 Tips for Divers to Protect the Ocean Planet but also deepening their knowledge and understanding of how they can make a difference for ocean protection every time they dive and travel, and throughout daily life.
AWARE Week is an opportune time to get involved in the movement to be a voice for the ocean and act for change. The global dive community is rallying together to focus on making a difference in the health of the underwater environment. Contact your PADI Dive Center or Resort to take part in AWARE Week activities and sign up for the new Project AWARE Specialty course – or a number of other courses developed to help divers protect the ocean, such as the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy, Dive Against Debris®, AWARE Shark Conservation or Coral Reef Conservation specialty courses.
For PADI Professionals interested in teaching the revised Project AWARE Specialty, teaching status PADI Assistant Instructors and Open Water Scuba Instructors are automatically eligible to teach the course. PADI Freediver Instructors may qualify by submitting a PADI Freediver Specialty Course Instructor Application. PADI Divemasters who have completed Specialty Instructor training with a PADI Course Director and had their applications verified at their PADI Regional Headquarters also qualify to teach this course.
For more information about AWARE week please click here.
For more information about PADI visit their website by clicking here.
Dive Travel Curaçao is thrilled to announce the launch of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition, an expertly curated resource that unveils the unparalleled dive experiences and vacation possibilities awaiting you in Curaçao. Produced exclusively for the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show 2024, this special edition guide is packed with exclusive insights, travel tips, and limited-time DEMA offers that make it easier than ever to explore Curaçao’s stunning underwater landscapes and vibrant culture.
Explore Curaçao’s Unmatched Diving Opportunities
With over 70 diverse dive sites along its southern coastline, Curaçao is a bucket-list destination for divers of all experience levels. From thriving coral reefs and intricate marine ecosystems to historic shipwrecks, the island offers a variety of underwater experiences that are hard to match. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition provides detailed recommendations for both shore and boat diving, making it a valuable tool for divers seeking the best entry points, pristine reefs, and hidden treasures along the coastline. Whether you are an avid wreck diver, or a beginner interested in shallow reefs, Curaçao has it all.
Uncover Eco-Friendly Dive Resorts and Top Dive Operators
This DEMA 2024-exclusive Curaçao guide goes beyond diving to feature insider information on Curaçao’s eco-friendly accommodations, dive resorts, and top-rated dive operators committed to sustainable dive tourism. From all-inclusive resorts that support coral reef restoration initiatives to charming boutique hotels near prime dive locations, the guide helps travelers find the ideal stay to match their vacation goals. It also spotlights trusted dive operators on the island who prioritize environmental preservation, offering travelers a way to enjoy the underwater world responsibly.
Immerse Yourself in Curaçao’s Culture, Culinary Delights, and Adventure
Curaçao offers a vibrant Caribbean culture rich in history, music, and culinary fusion. The guide reveals Curaçao’s hidden gems, including culinary hotspots, historical sites, and eco-tourism opportunities that will appeal to both divers and non-divers. Visitors can explore the island’s iconic architecture, savor a diverse range of dishes influenced by Caribbean, European, and South American flavors, and embark on land-based eco-adventures, such as hiking, cave exploration, and visiting national parks.
Exclusive DEMA 2024 Specials and Limited-Time Dive Packages
This special edition guide features limited-time DEMA 2024 offers on dive packages, accommodations, and excursions. Travelers who book through Dive Travel Curaçao, or our Curaçao dive travel partners attending DEMA, will have access to exclusive discounts on custom dive vacation packages, making it easier to plan an affordable, high-quality dive trip that fits your preferences. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition is designed to simplify your travel planning and help you dive deeper into the incredible experiences that Curaçao has to offer.
It’s Time to Dive Curaçao!
Now is the time to discover why Curaçao is a top dive destination in the Caribbean! Dive Travel Curaçao invites you to experience an unforgettable dive vacation with exclusive DEMA 2024 specials tailored just for you. To secure your spot, download a copy of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition and contact the Dive Travel Curaçao team to start customizing your Caribbean dive adventure today.
For more information and bookings, please visit Dive Curaçao’s website or contact our reservations team directly.
Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
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