News
The 2015 Georgia Williams Diving Scholar announced
After a campaign to find a special young person with a spirit of adventure, Immerse School of Diving have announced the 2015 Georgia Williams Diving Scholar.
Tom Edwards, aged 15 and from Wrekin College in Telford, was awarded the 2015 Georgia Williams Diving Scholarship after an arduous application process that showed his incredible passion for underwater conservation.
Tom submitted a clear application, and explained his interest for shark conservation during a lightning round of interviews with Steve Williams from the Georgia Williams Trust, Tony and Jo Flack from Immerse School of Diving, and last year’s Scholar Lois Adams and her family.
As the 2015 Georgia Williams Diving Scholar, Tom will have the chance to pursue an interest in the underwater World, and in turn to enable other young people to have access to scuba diving activities. Tom will embark on a training programme to attain the prestigious PADI Master Scuba Diver rating with Immerse School of Diving in Telford. In addition, Tom will experience a range of scuba diving experiences tailored to his interest in shark conservation, and will have a chance to meet some of the leading names within the scuba diving industry. Tom will also fulfil an advocacy role for the Trust, and will be responsible for raising awareness of the work of the Trust and its aims amongst young people in the Borough.
“When Steve announced that I was the Georgia Williams Diving Scholar for 2015, I felt an immediate adrenaline rush! I’ve wanted to get involved with marine biology for a number of years now, and Immerse School of Diving and the Georgia Williams Trust has provided a spectacular opportunity which will push me towards my dream,” says Tom Edwards.
But in a surprise moment, Steve Williams of the Trust also announced that the two runners-up in this year’s Scholarship selection would also be supported by the Trust to follow their underwater ambitions.
Through the application process Alix Tomlinson, 11 and of Crudgington Primary School, demonstrated a keen interest in learning to scuba dive which started when she saw divers returning from a dive with seals whilst on holiday. Alix was awarded a PADI Open Water Diver course to learn to dive with Immerse School of Diving.
George Ellison, 12, of Thomas Telford School, was shortlisted for the second year in the row, showing great tenacity. George has a continued interest in pursuing a career as a marine biologist, and as a qualified diver received a full set of diving equipment to allow him to dive more often and gain important diving experience with the School’s dive club, Club Immerse.
The annual Scholarship is jointly funded by The Georgia Williams Trust and Immerse School of Diving. The Georgia Williams Diving Scholarship is also supported by BBC television presenter Monty Halls and dry suit manufacturer Otter Watersports.
“We are so pleased to have not one, but three remarkable young people for this year’s Scholarship programme. Tom already has a great understanding of, and a passion for underwater conservation and a clear aim for his Scholarship year. We are excited about the amazing opportunity this presents for Tom, and believe that he will make the very most of it. For us to be help Alix become a scuba diver at only 11 years of age, and to see George take his passion for scuba diving further really is a privilege and the icing on the cake for the School and all of our divers,” said Tony Flack, Owner and Instructor, Immerse School of Diving.
For further information visit www.immersediving.com/the-georgia-williams-youth-diving-programme or contact Immerse School of Diving by emailing info@immersediving.com. To follow Tom’s adventures as the 2015 Georgia Williams Diving Scholar, you can also follow his very own Facebook page here.
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
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
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The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
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DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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