News
RAID Launches the World’s First Online Freediving Continuing Education Program at DEMA Show 2014
Together with World Series Freediving (WSF) at the DEMA Show 2014, RAID has just launched the world’s most comprehensive freediving programs along with the industry’s first online – all digital, smallest carbon footprint, full colour, freediving continuing education program. It’s a full-on futuristic approach to the oldest diving sport – freediving.
Freediving guru Mike Wells wrote the world’s first ever globally accepted freediving program, and has now teamed up with RAID as their International Director of Freediving to completely revolutionise freediving training again.
Wells said: “At RAID we are the first to come up with a truly comprehensive, fully documented online continuing education program for freediving. Furthermore, the RAID Freediving program is directly linked to WSF and that in itself is something very awesome.”
RAID International Director of Business and Marketing Terry Cummins said: “RAID has a passion to come up with unrivalled products of excellence and this time we have collaborated with the industry’s best and most influential people to come up with a freediving program that is superior in direction, technique and sustainability to anything else out there. Existing freedivers or anyone interested in getting into the sport should contact their local RAID Regional Office or come see us at DEMA Show 2014 (booth 1038) and take a look at the program for themselves”.
RAID CEO Jim Holliday said: “The fact we have come up with such an outstanding program is not an arrogant claim, it’s a commitment to quality unmatched in the dive industry. So if you or your friends want to be trained to the highest quality standards, head to RAID.”
Holliday should know, as seven years ago he teamed up with Wells to create SSI’s freediving program. Wells takes up the story: “Back then, freediving needed validation from the wider diving community. The challenge was to present a program that appealed to a broad adventure market worldwide. So I approached my long term friend Jim Holliday who was CEO of SSI Australia at that time to gain his support to produce a program for SSI globally. More recently I approached Jim again with an even more ambitious freediving program for RAID.”
Together again under the RAID banner, Wells, Holliday and their respective teams have developed a revolutionary freediving program that has just taken the dive world by storm, presenting freediving as mass market adventure sport that will inadvertently form an opportunity for the world’s leading diving equipment manufactures to develop dedicated freediving lines to feed a new level of demand.
Wells said: “The program is entirely digital – the first such freediving program in the world. Secondly it is a whole new way to teach freediving; doing away with nonessential skills, the myths of old school freediving and stripping away the unnecessary romantisizing of freediving. We therefore have created a new program that fits a modern digital age and the modern tech savvy adventurer. This in turn creates a better learning experience and ultimately attracts far more people and produces far better freedivers.”
Cummins added: “With RAID we are developing a totally new global freediving community – no bubbles in sight, with its own modern and separate website that will however uniquely link the entire RAID global tribe of back gas divers and freedivers.”
Wells added: “This is just the beginning. We are going to blow your mind with what is coming next.
“We are also thinking of our many friends out there. For example, if you are an SSI Freediving Instructor you already understand the fundamentals of what we teach, so you can automatically get your RAID / WSF rating for a very small fee, including your first year’s membership free and several other immediate benefits. Also if you are an SSI Freediving Instructor, crossing over to RAID will be a seamless exercise. We are of course looking for freedivers of all levels from other agencies joining us as well. I hope you will join us; we can have some fun together and really take freediving to the next level. Please come and visit me personally in the Philippines – we need some stars for our video we are shooting for the next freediving release early in the New Year.”
For more information about RAID, visit www.diveraid.com.
The DEMA Show offers many opportunities for dive leaders and dive center owners to organize and plan their coming year’s activities by taking advantage of unprecedented deals from the industry. Based on the popularity and success from the DEMA Show 2023, Professional Scuba Schools will once again offer an instructor crossovers at its booth #6180 during DEMA Show 2024.
There will be two available sessions each day, one starting at 10:30AM and 3:30PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the Show. There is no charge for the crossover, but a $75 registration fee will apply that covers instructor dues through December 31, 2025!
Crossover candidates must provide proof of active teaching status with an RSTC recognized agency and verification of a current (within last 12 months) physical. Those who do not have proof can still attend the crossover, but additional requirement and delays in completing the crossover may apply. In addition to attending the booth session, crossover candidates must complete all e-Learning requirements before certifications will be issued.
Take advantage of this offer, and start your instructor crossover at DEMA Show 2024, by simply completing the required pre-registration at https://www.pssworldwide.org/en/registrazionexOver.aspx?lang=en and selecting your DEMA Show Booth Crossover day and time. A Professional Scuba Schools Course Director will then contact you to explain the next steps. You can also register at the PSS DEMA Show booth #6180 but space is limited each day, so you are strongly encouraged to register today! Last year all slots were filled via pre-registration, so don’t delay.
To find out more about joining the PSS Evolution email pssnorthamerica@pssmail.org or call 813-344-2868.
Dive Leaders and Dive Center owners who are attending the DEMA Show 2024 should make sure to stop by the PSS Worldwide booth #6180 to learn more about the benefits of PSS affiliation!
Nestled deep within the jungle of Quintana Roo, Mexico, lies Cenote El Pit, a hidden natural wonder that captivates adventurers, especially those with a love for diving. Known for its striking depth, crystalline waters, and surreal geological formations, Cenote El Pit is more than just a hole in the ground—it’s a portal to an otherworldly underwater realm.
Located within the famous Sac Actun cave system, just a short drive from Tulum, El Pit offers a thrilling experience for divers and nature enthusiasts alike. Its towering walls, pristine water clarity, and mesmerizing light effects make it a must-visit for anyone exploring the Yucatan Peninsula’s cenote-rich landscape.
What makes Cenote El Pit unique?
Cenote El Pit is one of the deepest cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, plunging over 120 meters (393 feet) into the earth. Unlike other cenotes which are open and wide, El Pit has a more cavernous vertical drop that gives the impression of plunging straight into the earth’s core.
Located just a short distance from Tulum, this cenote is surrounded by dense jungle providing a sense of adventure even before you enter the water. Below the surface, crystal-clear water allows the light beams to pierce through letting you see the unique underwater formations.
Why you should dive Cenote El Pit?
For those passionate about diving, Cenote El Pit is one of the most exciting and visually captivating cenotes in Mexico. Here’s why:
1. Incredible Depth and Visibility: The water visibility is exceptional, often exceeding 30 meters, allowing divers to see deep into the cenote’s vertical shaft. The clarity provides an almost dreamlike sensation as you descend into the depths surrounded by shades of blue and green.
2. Spectacular Light Shows: A very famous feature of Cenote El Pits is the way the sunlight penetrates the cenote. During the middle of the day, when the sun is directly overhead, its rays cut through the water creating a natural laser-show effect. Divers can witness these light beams illuminating the underwater formations and halocline layers.
3. Halocline Phenomenon: El Pit is famous for its halocline. This is where freshwater meets saltwater at a certain depth, creating a blurry shimmering effect in the water. When passing through the halocline, the water becomes clouded, almost like swimming through a layer of fog, only to clear up again as you ascend or descend beyond it.
4. Hydrogen Sulfide Cloud: At around 30 meters, divers encounter a thick, eerie layer of hydrogen sulfide that forms a milky cloud at the bottom of the cenote. This cloud is formed by the natural decomposition of organic matter and creates a mystical, fog-like layer. As you descend into this cloud, it feels like you’re diving into another world, with the forest of dead branches and tree roots adding an extra touch of otherworldliness.
5. Stalactites and Stalagmites: The walls of Cenote El Pit are adorned with stunning stalactites and stalagmites, ancient formations that hint at the cenote’s history when it was once a dry cave. These formations, created over thousands of years, offer a glimpse into the geological past and add an element of exploration as divers navigate through the cavern’s intricate landscape.
6. Peaceful and Pristine Environment: Unlike some of the more popular cenotes that can become crowded with swimmers and tourists, Cenote El Pit retains a more secluded and tranquil ambiance. Its remote location and the challenge of access—often only via dirt roads—mean it’s mostly visited by dedicated divers. This makes for a serene and immersive experience, where you can truly appreciate the silence of the underwater world.
Practical Considerations for Diving in Cenote El Pit
Cenote El Pit is suitable for both intermediate and advanced divers. For those interested in cave diving, additional certification is required. Following local regulations, we recommend that divers first explore a more accessible cenote before diving in El Pit. This ensures both safety and an optimal experience for our guests.
You can dive at El Pit all year round! Pro Dive International provides guided diving tours with experienced instructors.
Contact Pro Dive International now to book your dive or request more information!
Cenote El Pit stands out as one of the most unique and stunning cenotes in Mexico, especially for divers seeking an extraordinary experience. Its combination of crystal-clear water, incredible depth, natural light displays, and geological formations creates a magical and mystical environment unlike anywhere else in the world. Whether you’re looking to explore the mysterious halocline layers or marvel at the sheer beauty of the underwater cathedral of light, diving in Cenote El Pit is guaranteed to be an unforgettable adventure.
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