News
RAID Releases New Basic Wreck Course
RAID International has announced the release of the first in their new series of wreck diving courses; the RAID Basic Wreck Course. On making the announcement RAID International Director Terry Cummins said: “We at RAID believe this is the most diver responsive wreck program ever released. Many divers feel wreck diving is a super advanced form of diving, when in reality it does not have to be that way. In the RAID Basic Wreck Course we acknowledge some divers just want to go down and look around the wreck site and may never want to penetrate the inside, or in other cases the wreck is just not suitable for penetration with artefacts spread across the bottom. Unfortunately, this means that many other courses do not deliver the sort of relevant information these divers need to enjoy such a dive. So what we have with the RAID Basic Wreck Course is a program that responds to 80 percent of wreck dives the average diver will do – all very none technical, in shallower depths, but at the same time extremely informative and enjoyable. And of course, like all RAID Courses, all the academic section of the course is online.”
The RAID Basic Wreck Course brought together keen and experienced wreck diving enthusiasts like Paul Toomer, Mark McCrum and Karl Grady. Well known wreck researcher Joane Edney assisted with ground breaking sections on wreck conservation and preservation. Cummins himself has a long history in wreck diving, is an OZTeK and other awards recipient and has personally developed the RAID 10 Point Guide to Wreck Diving which is a great guide to how all divers should approach wreck sites. Cummins added: “As the primary author, I was lucky enough and honoured to have a tremendous team working with me to cover not only the practical side of basic wreck diving, but also experts like Joane Edney to cover important issues like wreck conservation and preservation that just don’t appear in other wreck courses. The result is a program with information found no other place.”
RAID International Training Director Paul Toomer said: “We conducted a Beta Test on the new RAID Wreck Diver programs and Deep 40 Course in the UK and were super impressed with the input we received. The RAID wreck diver programs are unique in the diving industry. For the first time there are state of the art programs enabling divers to engage in wreck diving in a manner that suits their own desires. These programs have been designed, written and reviewed by some of the world’s leading wreck explorers. They are highly informative and go way beyond the scope of any other recreational wreck programs available on the market today”.
When asked why he thought the new breed of RAID wreck diver courses were so special, Toomer replied: “Divers can choose to swim safely, photograph and map wrecks from the outside on our RAID Basic Wreck Diver Program or take things to a whole new level with the soon to be released RAID Advanced Wreck Diver Program.”
RAID International Recreational Training Director Mark McCrum said: “the Basic Wreck Course covers general information about wreck diving, but also goes into specific detail on equipment required and various gear configurations, dive management and open water considerations.” McCrum concluded: “At RAID we are proud to have created a wreck diver program that has cutting edge ideas, sensible practical training and seamless integration to our other RAID programs. It is a great addition to the RAID extensive list of courses.”
RAID International CEO Jim Holliday added: “What the RAID Team has produced with this course is ground breaking. For a long time I have been hearing that many divers just want to go down and look at a wreck, tick the box as it were and do not want to do a whole lot of extra training to make their way inside when that may never be their intention.”
One of the key features is the program allows Open Water 20 divers to take the course. Knowledge and dive credits dovetail into the new RAID Advanced Wreck Course, also due for release this month. Cummins stated: “You will have to wait for what we have in store for you with the Advanced Wreck Course, but I must say that one is awesome and again brought together some of the most experienced wreck and overhead environment diving educators available.”
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 www.freedivingraid.com.
News
Spooktacular Underwater Adventure: Oyster Diving’s First Halloween Scuba Party at Mercers Lake
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.
Marine Life & Conservation
Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction
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.
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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