News
Scottish Dive Conference 2018
Not long to go before this year’s Scottish Dive Conference on the 4th of November at Stirling University. It has been a daunting task organising this event, however thanks to the generosity of the speakers who agree to give up their free time to present it is sure to be an amazing event this year.
Andy Torbet
Andy Torbet is taking a break from filming with the BBC to attend. You may not have seen some of the Beyond Bionic footage where he is seeing if a human can match the feats of wildlife. In the past we have seen him kit up and jump into blow holes to see if he can get out into the sea below or carry his kit up mountains to dive high lochs. He reminds you of the great late presenter John Noakes who used to do the dangerous stuff on Blue Peter except that Andy seems to have raised the danger levels up a notch for present day children’s TV. He will have a few interesting diving stories to tell.
Louise Trewavas
It is hard to believe that it is 20 years since the launch of that sometimes controversial magazine Dive Girl! It was a great antidote for the macho side of diving and tackled media issues that are still relevant today. It managed to be sexy without being sexist and above all was funny! Louise Trewavas was the editor among a team of very talented writers who promoted diving from a different perspective than the mainstream media at the time. She is more well-known now for her column in Diver magazine, and being experienced technical diver. She still finds time to dive and mix with us mainstream Sunday divers who potter around at 25m as you will know if you read her contributions to Diver magazine. Her presentation this year is entitled Tales of the Unexpected. The strangest diving experience of my life! (so far).
Sea Champions – Tara Proud
For centuries our seas have been a dumping ground for human waste and have been treated like an inexhaustible resource for us to use as we please. Sustainability is a relatively new word when applied to our oceans and in the past we have taken an “out of site out of mind” approach. Human population growth is having a seemingly irreversible impact. Not only are the seas being overfished but much of the packaging necessary to preserve land derived food and drink is being disposed of there too.
Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager of Sea Champions, Tara Proud, will be doing a talk at the conference focusing on plastic pollution.
Frogfish Photography
Frogfish Photography will be bringing all their underwater photography and videography equipment to the Scottish Dive Conference. The equipment ranges from action video cameras, to high-end SLR cameras in housings. You will see equipment from: Nauticam, INON, Paralenz, Cinebag, Peli Case, Fantasea, Olympus, Hugyfot, Sealife, Knekt, GoPro and more…. They will also have free copies of Dive Travel Adventures and the Scubaverse Annual to give away.
Nick and Caroline Brown of Frogfish Photography are biologists, underwater photographers, authors, photo-journalists and have their own company dedicated to all things underwater photography called Frogfish Photography. Caroline is the Deputy Editor of Scubaverse.com, with Nick working as the Underwater Photography Editor. They write for Dive Travel Adventures, Scubaverse and DIVER Magazine, as well as contributing to newspapers and magazines around the world. Their three books to date are: Underwater Photography Art & Techniques, World’s Best Wildlife Dive Sites, and Deadly Oceans (which features in the Natural History Museum). They are currently writing their 4th book “Wild Dives” which is due to be published in 2019. Nick is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society. Nick and Caroline are most happy when underwater together, with their cameras, photographing large marine animals up close.
David Ansley
Marine biologist David Ansley will appear in one of the conference’s breakout sessions. He set up his dive charter business, Sea Life Adventures in 1988 and is the most experienced charter skipper in the Firth of Lorn Special Area of Conservation. David has been involved in scientific surveys in the area and he has taken an active role in bringing about protection to wildlife in this area. Nine years ago an agreement was reached with local fishermen to stop the use of tangle nets which kill large numbers of seals and porpoise. As a result, this is now one of the very best areas in Scotland for porpoise and common seals. Scallop dredging was banned within the Special Area of Conservation and David has filmed significant improvements to the whole ecosystem.
As an enthusiastic underwater TV cameraman David has worked on a number of documentaries including the BBC series ‘Hebrides: Islands on the Edge’ as well as ‘Coast’, ‘Maelstrom’ and ‘Otters in the Stream of Life’. Some of his footage can been seen on the Scottish Natural Heritage website.
Natalie Hirst – Seasearch
If you unaware of the activities or you would like to learn more about Seasearch, this event offers a great opportunity. Seasearch was established by professional marine biologists in the 1980s to harness the enthusiasm and knowledge among non-professional divers. It resulted in a national network of enthusiasts who are helping chart and record the sea life around Britain and in particular, pre- Planet Earth- the state of it and how much is left! This data, contributed by amateur divers, has been an important contributor to the identification of areas to be designated Marine Conservation Zones. There is still lots to do and if you are looking for a new angle to your diving or even want to learn more about what you see then you should attend this session with Natalie Hirst.
Doc Wilmot
David is well known nationally for his knowledge and experience in dive medicine. He started diving himself in the 1970s and trained dive medicine in the 1980’s. Having been the ScotSAC medical referee for as long as most people can remember, he was awarded a life membership to ScotSAC in recognition of his dedication. He talks at the conference every year and due to the nature of our sport there is always a big demand to see him.
Hope to meet you on the day!
This conference is open to divers from any organisation and non divers, however for the first time last year the AGM was held before the conference. It was so well attended the team have decided to do the same again this year. The AGM is of course free to attend at 9am however if you wish to stay on for the conference the cost is £18 in advance on PayPal (available now on the website) and £20 at the door. This includes lunch, tea and coffee at the University. Helpers (including the organiser) only pay £10.
If you would like to help on the day please contact Sandy at secretary@scotsac.com.
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.
Blogs
Dive into Adventure at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa: The Ultimate Diving Destination in the Maldives
Tucked away in the remote northern Haa Alifu Atoll, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is a premier destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable underwater experience. With over 30 dive sites to explore, divers of all levels can witness the unique and mesmerising beauty of the underwater world. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or new to the sport, Hideaway offers an exceptional diving adventure that is not to be missed.
Explore the Beauty Beneath the Surface
Hideaway is perfectly situated near some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives. The dive school and team at Hideaway offer a very personalised experience to ensure each diver gets an interactive, immersive experience.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Unique dive spots such as Theefaridhoo Thila (Heaven and Hell) as one of the 50 best dive sites in the whole of the Maldives, known for its beautiful soft coral gardens.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
As the resort is located next to a channel which gives guests surprise visits from eagle rays, manta rays, guitar sharks and more.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
One of the standout features of diving in the Haa Alifu Atoll is the abundance of rare and exotic marine species. The area is known for sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and a variety of colorful reef fish. Diving at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers a rare opportunity to encounter these creatures in their natural habitat, creating lifelong memories for guests.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Whether you’re exploring deep coral gardens, dramatic overhangs, or vibrant reef walls, each dive offers something new and exciting. The visibility in the Maldives is exceptional, often exceeding 30 meters, making it ideal for both underwater photography and general exploration.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Diving for All Levels
At Hideaway, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the thrill of diving. That’s why we cater to divers of all levels, from beginners to experienced professionals. Our professional dive center, led by expert instructors, offers a range of courses and guided dives. If you’re new to diving, you can start with an introductory course that will teach you the basics of scuba diving in a safe and controlled environment.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
For more experienced divers, we offer advanced dive courses and guided excursions to some of the more challenging dive sites. Our instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the local marine life, ensuring that every dive is not only safe but also informative and enjoyable.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Exclusive Diving Offer
To make your stay even more unforgettable, Hideaway is offering an exclusive diving package designed to enhance your experience both above and below the water. When you book a minimum 7-night stay, you’ll receive:
- 35% discount on room rates.
- Complimentary diving: 3 dives per person for 2 guests, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Maldives underwater world.
- Free meal plan upgrade: enjoy a complimentary upgrade from Bed & Breakfast to Half Board, or from Half Board to Full Board. Guests who prefer the White Platinum Plan (WPP) can avail it at a discounted rate.
This incredible offer provides the perfect opportunity to experience world-class diving while enjoying all the luxury and comfort that Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is known for.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Combinable Offers for Even More Value
This diving offer can also be combined with our Anniversary and Honeymoon offers, allowing you to create the perfect celebration package. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply seeking a romantic getaway, this offer ensures that you can enjoy the best of both worlds – luxurious accommodations and unforgettable diving adventures.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Terms & Conditions
- This offer is available exclusively for bookings made through the official Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa website using a specific booking code.
- The offer cannot be combined with other promotions available on the website or through other channels, nor can it be redeemed for cash.
- All dives are subject to weather conditions, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all guests.
- Black-out dates: This offer is not available from 24th December 2024 to 9th January 2025.
To book this exquisite offer, use the Promo Code: SCUBA24FD
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Hideaway is not just a resort; it’s a sanctuary for those seeking peace, adventure, and luxury. With spacious villas, private pools, and world-class dining options, the resort offers everything you need for a perfect holiday. From tennis, golf, gym, cycling to the exquisite underwater activities, unique dining options, Hideaway has something for everyone. And for diving enthusiasts, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Our dive center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art gear, ensuring that every dive is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Our instructors are passionate about the underwater world and are eager to share their knowledge with you, whether it’s your first dive or your 100th.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
The Ultimate Dive Adventure Awaits
If you’re looking for an unforgettable diving holiday in the Maldives, look no further than Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. With over 30 dive sites, unique marine life, and exclusive offers, we provide the ultimate underwater experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking adventure, our diving package offers exceptional value and incredible memories.
Book now through our official website to take advantage of this exclusive offer and prepare for the dive adventure of a lifetime.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Call: +960 650-1515
Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
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