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Review: The Great Northern Dive Show
After last year’s inaugural outing, was The Great Northern Dive Show 2017 a success?
When is a dive show not a dive show… but still a dive show? Stay with me here…
The Great Northern Dive Show is the brainchild of Ruth Mort, who owns and runs H2O Divers in Wigan in the UK with her husband Duncan. From the very beginning, Ruth wanted to do something different – and she’s certainly achieved that. There aren’t many dive shows that can claim to have Darth Vader wandering the aisles with a legion of Imperial Stormtroopers in tow; or a dinosaur walking (that’s right, walking) the show floor.
Yes, I hear you all say, Star Wars is indeed awesome (and if you’re not saying that, you’re wrong) – but what has it got to do with Scuba Diving?
Well the short answer is, nothing. And if I’m being totally honest, when I was speaking to Ruth on the phone months ago and she was saying things like “we’re going to have a dinosaur at the show”, and “we’ve got stormtroopers from Star Wars”, I found myself asking her the same question, and wondering if perhaps she had lost sight of what it was she was actually trying to achieve – putting on a dive show. But it turns out Ruth knew what she was doing all along.
Because despite sounding like she’d gone completely mad, Ruth has made her dive show accessible to families. Divers were able to take their kids knowing that they would be entertained. And big kids like myself enjoyed it too. It kind of works.
And it’s the only dive show (to my knowledge, at least) that has an opening ceremony (with a singer, which admittedly I missed) and closing ceremony (with fire dancers).
But what about the diving?
Like last year, this year’s show also featured the Aqua Theatre, which is the largest portable open windowed tank in the world. Freedivers from Apneists UK did stints in the tank dressed as mermaids, which was a definite crowd-pleaser and yet another big hit with the kids. Tech divers demonstrated skill sets, and Mark Powell from SDI/TDI even did a rebreather demo, so there was always something going on in the tank to keep visitors enthralled.
There were lots of great talks on the main stage given by well-known names from the UK dive scene. Highlights included James Rogers from RAID UK & Malta speaking about the training agency’s exciting and exclusive partnership with Blue Abyss; Scubaverse.com’s very own Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown, who had only returned from a liveaboard trip to Socorro the previous day, speaking about their most recent diving adventure; and Mark Powell shared his experiences of diving the wreck of the Titanic’s sister ship, the Britannic. Other speakers included Sidemount guru Garry Dallas, Diver Medic Founder Chantelle Taylor-Newman, GUE Instructor Trainer John Kendall, and Dave Thompson from the Warrington Disability Partnership.
Once again, The Northern Underwater Photography Group (NUPG) held their annual print competition at the show. There were some stunning images on display, with the winning shots of the majority of the categories being chosen by the show’s visitors, and the overall UK and Overseas category winners being chosen by each category’s sponsor, Fleet Dive (UK category sponsor) and Safari Diving Lanzarote (Overseas category sponsor). Scubaverse’s UWP editor and NUPG member Caroline Robertson-Brown did well, winning both the British and Irish Wide Angle Category and the Overall Overseas category. Nick and Caroline’s full report on the NUPG print competition will be appearing on Scubaverse tomorrow.
The majority of the companies that exhibited last year were back for 2017’s show, and a few new exhibitors had taken the plunge and given the show a chance too. Visitor numbers weren’t as high as some were expecting, but were still respectable; the show just so happened to take place on the warmest weekend of the year so far, which may well have put some off spending their weekend inside. There were also some companies that were noticeable by their absence who hopefully will give the show a chance next year.
In its first year, the majority of those who attended The Great Northern Dive Show agreed that although the show was small and footfall wasn’t amazingly high, there was a great vibe and that the idea had legs. There was still an enormous amount of positivity this year, but there was also disappointment from some that more divers didn’t come through the doors. This will need to be addressed by Ruth and her team should the show go ahead for a third year.
I can’t emphasise enough though how refreshing The Great Northern Dive Show is. It has a lot going for it, and is a great opportunity for divers North of the border to come together and celebrate this great sport of ours. Now if only the rest of the industry would get behind it….
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.
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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.
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It’s Time to Dive Curaçao!
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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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