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Swindon Sub Aqua Club take chilly annual dip for RNLI

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ENGLAND – Scuba divers in Wiltshire braved the chilly winter depths of the River Thames last Sunday and raised more than £1,000 for charity.

Every year, members of Swindive, the Swindon branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club, take a two-mile swim from Inglesham to St John’s Lock in Lechlade to raise money for the RNLI.

As they have done for about 40 years, participants met at 10am behind The Trout Inn in Lechlade before they were ferried to the start of the route behind the St John the Baptist Church in Inglesham.

Accompanied by a safety boat, 14 divers took to the water and were swept downstream.

Gill Marsh, the public relations officer for Swindive, said: “It went very well. The event has been running for a very long time and takes place on a Sunday in early January each year.

“Family, friends and the general public are invited to walk the route as spectators. The number of participants and the amount of money raised has varied widely over the years. We had about 14 swimmers, which was slightly less than we had hoped for. A lot of the members who might have taken part unfortunately had prior commitments on the same day.

“We probably raised around £1,000 in total and around £500 will go towards the RNLI. It’s a charity very close to our hearts because you never know when we’re going to need their help. We go out to dive in the sea and sometimes there are problems, and we rely on the RNLI to help. As a charity they desperately rely on donations, so that’s why the money we raise from this goes there.”

The time taken to ‘swim’ the course varies enormously between years depending on how fast the river is flowing. In a fast year it could be as little as 20 minutes or less, while in a slow year it may take up to an hour and a half.

Gill said: “It was a beautiful day, the sun was out and the water was running quite fast so we finished it quite quickly. I think the water was warmer than the air. Overall it was a very good morning.”

To find out more about Swindive go to www.swindive.co.uk.

 

Source: www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk

Gear News

Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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The Workhorse – our CS-30

For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.

regulator

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.

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Octopus OP-30

The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.

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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.

www.dynamicnord.com

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Marine Life & Conservation

Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid

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paul watson

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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