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RAID Opens China Office with Strong Local Leadership

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RAID

RAID International have announced the opening of their China Office under the leadership of Edmund Yiu and Andreas (Andy) Baumgaertner.

Making the announcement, RAID Founder Barry Coleman said: “The RAID China office will administer RAID’s affairs in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Both Edmund and Andy are also Directors of Ocean Dimensions Limited, a company that has extensive knowledge of the region developed over several years. They know what it takes to develop and maintain a successful business, so we at RAID International could not be happier than to bring these extremely experienced industry personalities into the RAID global family.”

Born in Hong Kong, Edmund has over 17 years of recreational and technical diving experience with more than 3,000 logged dives conducted throughout various locations around the world. Through his wealth of experience, Edmund hopes to share his passion and experiences through RAID with new and established divers and dive centres so that they can enjoy quality dive training and profitable business growth with RAID whilst ensuring the development of the right attitude to the underwater environment and its conservation.

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Edmund Yiu

Edmund has achieved numerous Instructor / Instructor Trainer ratings from several diver training agencies and is currently certified as a RAID Open Circuit (OC) Instructor Trainer, RAID Deco 50 OC/CCR Instructor, RAID Sidemount Instructor, PADI Master Instructor, Emergency First Response Instructor Trainer, PADI Tec Trimix Instructor, PADI Tec Sidemount Instructor, PADI Tec CCR Instructor, IANTD Normoxic Trimix Technical Instructor, to name just a few of his diverse qualifications in his never ending quest for personal development.

Andy has been an avid diver for the past 20 years and has been highly active as a professional scuba Instructor for the last 7. Born in Germany, he moved to Hong Kong in 2002, which gave his diving career a huge push with him completing Trimix and Wreck certifications with IANTD. In 2012, he broadened his diving horizons further, utilizing the KISS CCR, the Poseidon MKVI CCR and more recently by becoming one of the first Hollis Explorer Sport Rebreather divers in China. Andy also holds instructor qualifications for OC and CCR recreational and technical diving with PADI and of course RAID. Through his continuous drive for quality, Andy will bring a great amount of experience and knowledge to RAID.

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Andreas (Andy) Baumgaertner

In a joint statement Edmund and Andy said: “We cannot express more the tremendous excitement we share by joining the RAID Global Team. RAID China will bring to RAID strong administration skills, local experience and representation, of course the translation of the RAID materials and together with our RAID offices in Asia and Korea, be able to provide RAID Trainers and Examiners for both OC and CCR throughout the entire area.”

RAID Business and Marketing Director Terry Cummins welcomed the announcement and said: “The establishment of our China Regional Office is just another example of RAID’s impressive global expansion since our re-launch in 2014. RAID is truly a quality alternative to other training systems out there as evidenced by the quality of professionals we are attracting to RAID like Edmund and Andy from all over the world. Existing dive professionals and divers anywhere with a desire to come on board and join this exciting journey with us, that is, interested in becoming a RAIDer, should contact their local, full service, RAID Regional Office in Australia, Asia, China, Italy, Korea, Latin America, Middle East, Philippines, South Africa, UK/Malta or the USA.”

RAID Training Director Paul Toomer said: “The establishment of RAID China is an awesome development. I am absolutely thrilled! It fills yet another part of the globe where RAID is emerging as the training agency of choice of diving professionals unafRAID to take a serious look at us. We will be announcing RAID Crossovers in the China region and training for dive professionals at all levels in the near future along with the RAID Global Training Calendar for the remainder of 2015.”

For more information about RAID, visit www.diveraid.com.

Gear News

Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Workhorse – our CS-30

For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.

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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.

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Octopus OP-30

The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.

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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.

www.dynamicnord.com

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Marine Life & Conservation

Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid

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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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