News
RAID Asia joins forces with Mike Wells to promote RAID and WSF freediving
RAID Asia has joined forces with freediving icon Mike Wells to promote RAID and World Series Freediving (WSF) throughout Asia. RAID CEO Jim Holliday said: “Mike needs no introduction to the diving world as his records and achievements in the art of freediving are well known globally. For example, he conceptualised and wrote the world’s first mainstream freediving program. In so doing, he effectively transformed the once cult-like pastime consisting of just a handful of participants into a safety focused, structured, mainstream sport that is today accessible to the masses. Now he has teamed up with our RAID Asia Office to further develop freediving in Asia, state of the art freediving training will become more readily available to everyone throughout the region.”
RAID International Director of Business and Marketing, Terry Cummins, said: “Mike, as the Director of Freediving for RAID International, has moved freediving training beyond previous levels with the world’s first fully online continuing education courses for freedivers. That is, online theory from beginner to RAID Freediving Examiner. Stationed in the Philippines Mike will now gain the direct support of our impressive RAID Team stationed in Asia and from those in Thailand and the Philippines in particular.”
Chief Operations Officer of RAID Asia Steve Moon said: “Col McKenzie and I are going to be working very hard to help develop RAID Freediving and World Series Freediving throughout Asia in conjunction with our RAID Asia Regional Managers and Mike, who has his HQ in the Philippines. The Philippines and various other places within Asia offer some of the best training grounds for freedivers in the world, and having such close and direct access to Mike and his team is a real bonus for RAID Asia. This new collaborative partnership will commence with an instructor course at Roctopus Dive on Koh Tao in Thailand where courses from beginner to Instructor levels will soon be available.”
RAID Asia Field Service Manager Chris Haslam, based on Koh Tao, has been overwhelmed by the interest shown to date in RAID Freediving and is looking forward to making Koh Tao a WSF hub. Haslam has invited those who seek more information on freediving on Koh Tao to email him at chris@raid-asia.com. He will be delighted to help get you pointed in the right direction.
Moon concluded by saying: “This is an amazing opportunity for current dive professionals to cross over and become involved in the world’s fastest growing diving adventure sport, with a focus on fun, professionalism and a quality experience. Freediving is by far the most effective way to interact with ocean creatures and experience the underwater reefs and corals that are their home. The world of freediving will add a whole new dimension to RAID Asia and we are ecstatic about this new partnership – why wouldn’t you be one of the first to qualify?”
To learn more contact your local RAID Regional Office or find all the information you need on all RAID programs at www.diveraid.com and freediving at www.freedivingraid.com. You can find RAID on Facebook here and World Series Freediving on Facebook here.
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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