News
Try before you buy with Happy Diver
What is Happy Diver UK?
The idea behind Happy Diver is simple – to provide the best possible rental drysuit diving experience. They do this by providing excellent customer care and high quality equipment. A purpose-built stock of Otter Cordura-D drysuits were designed in tandem with Otter to provide a comfortable, flexible fit. Their use of Fourth Element and Otter undersuits ensures divers stay warm in the Scottish diving climate. Their unique customer care provides expert instruction on donning and removal covering the nuances of the needs of the first-time drysuit diver.
Experienced instructors stand open-mouthed when they see the attention to detail that Guy and Kate put into dressing their divers. The service that absolutely sets Happy Diver UK apart is their hospitality – freshly cooked hot food onsite to provide the internal warmth.
What’s the Happy Diver Story?
Guy and his fiancée, Katie, first discussed the concept of Happy Diver over a pint of beer and glass of wine in a Scottish west coast pub one February. They had just finished helping some university students with their open water drysuit training. This was February in Scotland. The water temperature was 5◦C, but the weather was bright with only the odd snow flurry. You certainly could not have marked the students down for their keenness and enthusiasm. They had a typical selection of rental suits, ones off eBay and others borrowed from generous club members. As undersuits, they wore a variety of street-wear – hoodies and leggings. They had been asked to wear warm clothing that that was what they had. Once the suits were on, the issues started, all of which are recognised by seasoned drysuit diving instructors – poorly fitting suits, loose seals, small feet in big boots, and poor maintenance leading to poor buoyancy control and cold, wet divers.
So in the pub, Katie and Guy only had one topic of discussion: “There’s got to be something better than this.”
Happy Diver UK is now in its second year of operation with a growing reputation for excellent service.
Why choose Happy Diver?
For Happy Diver UK, the people come first. They care about your dive. Guy brings over 15-years of drysuit instructing experience whilst staff-nurse Katie, who is a recently qualified Sport Diver, brings compassion and awareness of the trials of the new drysuit diver.
For you, their quality drysuit packages are designed to give you the best possible drysuit experience in which to progress your skills. Telescopic bodies ensure a good fit, Kubi and Sitech interchangeable seals ensure a good fit with reduced skin irritation. The rock boots ensure a good fitting foot no-matter your body shape. The specialist thermal two-piece undersuits provide a good fit and excellent insulation to keep you warm and concentrated on your skills and scenery. You enjoy your dining and progress faster.
For your club, you can encourage you divers to take a rental suit assured that they will have a good experience. Your divers progress faster allowing you to grow your club or get your divers to instructor capable grades sooner.
What’s new for the 2019 training season?
As a result of their drysuit snorkelling events in the summer, Happy Diver UK now have a full set of masks and fins for all our suits. So you really can try before you buy into drysuit diving and start your drysuit diving journey with Happy Diver UK.
For more information about Happy Diver UK please visit their website by clicking here.
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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