News
Take the Plunge at Dive Fest Barbados
Explore Barbados’ wonderful aquatic life at the first Dive Festival Barbados debuting on the island from July 5th– 9th 2017. From novice to advance divers, there’s something for everyone or you can simply spectate while soaking up some sun on the beach.
There’s a fully packed schedule with an array of activities to choose from; freediving demonstrations by experts Alex Davis and Johanna Loch-Allen, lion fish hunting for advance divers, water awareness programs, beach clean-ups, conservation tips and of course plenty of scuba dives all over the island, including the exhilarating East Coast. The festival promises to be an enriching experience not only highlighting some of the island’s world-class dive sites but also bringing attention to Barbados’ extensive marine eco-system and why it needs protecting.
The festival kicks off with Celebrate the Bay in conjunction with Project AWARE ‘Dive Against Debris’ campaign in Barbados’ largest Marine Protected Area. This initiative encourages locals and visitors alike to fight back against the overwhelming amount of debris entering our oceans and beaches by doing a clean up in specific areas around the island on Wednesday July 5th.
‘Our ocean is under siege, more than 250 million tons of plastic are estimated to make its way into our ocean by 2025.’ Project AWARE
Snorkel Day offers snorkel demonstrations by the shore, discover a variety of beautiful marine life including turtles and stingrays by simply submerging your face in Barbados’ shallow waters. Later that day Barbados National record holders Alex Davis and Johanna Loch-Allen will give freediving demos and breath holding techniques at the impressive Aquatic Centre. For any advanced swimmers and divers this is a great opportunity to improve your skills and get your questions answered! These wonderful activities act as a great introduction to beginners or equally can be the perfect refresher course for those who haven’t taken the plunge for sometime, taking place on Thursday July 6th.
Conservation Day gives visitors the opportunity to mingle with marine scientists, shark conservationists & local dive instructors. These experts are on hand to give advice on how to protect marine animals, fellow divers, swimmers and beach goers. The conservation work will take place from 4pm – 6pm on Friday July 7th followed by the screening of the inspirational film ‘A Plastic Ocean’.
For those thrill seekers and advanced divers a Lionfish Hunt will take place on the North and East Coast on Saturday July 8th called Dive On The Wild Side. Divers will be invited to join their favourite dive shop on, and go head to head to find the biggest fish, the team with the biggest fish wins a prize. To finish the day’s hunt, lionfish tasting and samples will be served at the Bay Tavern on Martin’s Bay.
As the festival draws to an end on Sunday July 9th – Closing Activities features an awards ceremony offering awards for the most debris removed from the beach, best new swimmers and of course the biggest Lionfish caught. The finale will also include rum tasting to make sure you leave the island with a real taste for Barbadian spirit and culture.
“We are delighted to introduce Dive Fest Barbados to our island for the first time. This fantastic event gives both locals and visitors an insight into all aspects of oceanic life on our island, from amazing dive sites to conservation. The festival is accessible to everyone and encourages those who have never tried snorkeling or diving to come and participate. Barbados has such a wealth of marine life and a lot of it visible in shallow water, it’s the perfect place to try it out. Dive Fest Barbados is one of the new events we have introduced on the island for Year of Sport 2017 and one that we hope will be a recurring event.” said Cheryl Carter UK Director Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.
Whether diving is in your blood or you’ve never dipped your toe into the ocean, Dive Festival Barbados will inspire you to explore the Barbadian seas. Offering a varied range of activities for beginners who are looking to try something new to enthusiasts who are looking for their next challenge. Don’t miss out on your chance to discover what lies beneath the beautiful Caribbean shores.
For more information on Dive Fest Barbados please visit: www.divefestbarbados.com
For more information on Barbados please visit: www.visitbarbados.org
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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