News
It’s ScubaFest Cornwall this weekend!
What better way to kick start the Great British diving season than to head down to St Austell in sunny Cornwall this weekend with a whole bunch of like-minded people for Cornwall ScubaFest 2016.
For three days over this Spring Bank Holiday – Saturday 30th April to Monday 2nd May 2016 – scuba divers take over the Pentewan Sands Holiday Park and dive, dance, sing and have a good time.
There will be shore diving, RIB diving, hard boat diving, try dives for beginners and rebreather try dives for the more experienced, workshops for divers and funshops for your non-diving families and friends. In the exhibitors village there are all the top name brands showing their stuff and there will be the chance to try out some of the newest gear on the market. Talk to the equipment manufacturers about your current diving and your training agency guys about your future plans.
In the evenings there will be competitions and games for all the family, along with bands playing each night, and a karaoke disco to keep you in the swing of things.
What’s on at ScubaFest 2016
- Unlimited shore diving around the beautiful Cornish coastline
- RHIB shuttle charters straight off the beach at Pentewan Sands
- Hard Boat charters out of Mevagissey, Fowey and Newquay
- Divers ‘Toy Town’ with some of the top names in scuba diving: Apeks Aqua Lung, Fourth Element, Oonas Divers, Sea & Sea, Suunto and many more
- BSAC, PADI and SSI on hand to answer your questions on your diving education
- SSI Rescue and XT Technical Workshops on the beach, with some of the top names in technical diving
- BSAC Pool Dives for beginners – discover what fun diving is
- PADI Tech ‘Experience’ Dives including twinsets, sidemounts and rebreather pool dives
- SSI Freediving and Apnea workshops
- Splash In photo competition and photo workshops from Sea & Sea
- Individual and club competitions with great prizes
- BSAC Beachcomber and Snorkelling workshops for all ages
NEW for 2016
There’s lots of entertainment planned over the weekend, including:
Friday
7.00pm Party dances and games with the entertainments team
8.45pm – 9.30pm Rocking Blues Band – “Cold Feet”
10.00pm – 10.45pm Rocking Blues Band – “Cold Feet”
10.45pm -Disco with Sam and Dale
Saturday
10.00am – 12.00pm Ocean Arts and Crafts
1.00pm – 4.00pm Giant games and face painting
2.00pm – 4.00pm Watersports events
7.00pm – 8.30pm Spangles the Clown Circus Skills Show
7.00pm – 9.00pm Fire Pits / Bonfire
8.45pm – 9.30pm Atomic 80s – Party Band playing hits from the 80s!
9.30pm – 10.00pm Raffle Prize Winner
10.00pm – 10.45pm Atomic 80s – Party Band playing hits from the 80s!
10.45pm -Disco with Sam and Dale
Sunday
11.00am – 1.00pm Sports Day Games with the Entertainments Team
2.00pm – 4.00pm Watersports Events
2.00pm – 4.00pm Giant games and face painting
7.00pm – 8.00pm In the jungle with Cuddles and Lora
7.00pm – 9.00pm Fire Pits / Bonfire
8.45pm – 9.30pm The Mighty Off Beats – Fancy Dress Party (Favourite Book and TV Character Fancy Dress Theme)
9.30pm – 10.00pm ScubaFest Prize Giving
10.00pm – 10.45pm The Mighty Off Beats
10.45pm – Disco and Karaoke with Sam and Dale
To find out more about the event, visit www.cornwallscubafest.co.uk.
Gear News
Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
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.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
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.
Marine Life & Conservation
Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid
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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