News
Seizing the Depths at OZTek2017
Excitement is starting to build in the technical diving world for the next OZTek, which will take place at the Australian Technology Park in Sydney on the 18th and 19th March 2017.
OZTek is a genuinely awe-inspiring weekend of talks, films, debate and laughter with diving’s international A-list – minus any red carpet barotrauma and elitism.
If you are interested in adventure, exploration, excitement, new technology and listening to amazing feats of daring – OZTek will not disappoint.
The action-packed weekend includes:
Real-life adventure & exploration told by those who succeeded and survived. Rub shoulders, literally, with remarkably accomplished, brave, intelligent and passionate boundary-pushers. Established since 1999, OZTek is the gathering place for the world’s extreme divers to showcase their adventures and promote the gear that got them there.
- A full-scale dive exhibition. OZTek showcases the equipment and training techniques designed to keep you safely below the surface for as long as possible. Be it warmer wetsuits, better buoyancy control skills, more streamlined BCs, redundant instruments, careful dive planning or gases mixed to stage more efficient decompression. Touch, feel and ask the experts questions. Everything divers require; from cameras to compressors, regulators to rebreathers, snorkels to scooters, face masks to fins. Big or little – it’ll be on display.
- Dive travel to take your breath away and soar the spirit. Discover your next travel destination with liveaboards, resorts and awesome dive sites waiting to be unearthed.
- Dive Training. Dive training is the wave you’ll want to ride after the OZTek experience. Chat with those who invented technical & recreational dive training. Sign up with the best instructors in the field. Just come & find out more – no pressure, just curiosity! Debunk those ‘tekkie’ myths for yourself and get excited about what’s possible.
- Underwater Photography – Unbelievable, amazing, brilliant, awesome images on display from world class photographers, as well as the winners of the OZTek2017 Underwater Imagery competition (to be announced later this year).
- OZTek2017 Gala Dinner at The Aerial Centre UTS. This exciting inner city event, with scenic views across the City and the ANZAC bridge, completes the weekend. A ticketed event including a magnificent meal, unlimited beers, wines and soft drinks, guest speakers and the presentation of the OZTek2017 Awards (nominations will be called for in early 2016). Relax, socialise and unwind – the perfect finish to a memorable weekend.
Already attracting strong interest from exhibitors keen to tap into a quality audience of passionate and dedicated divers with a proven willingness to invest in equipment and travel, OZTek2017 offers an inspirational journey into the entire world of diving adventure and excitement.
To find out more about OZTek2017, visit www.oztek.com.au or email the organisers at info@diveoztek.com.au.
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.
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.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
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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