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ASIA PACIFIC SHOWCASE • RED SEA ZONE • BRITISH ISLES EXPERIENCE
Interactive Freediving Display
Marcus Greatwood (a dive show regular) is taking his presentation out of the Seminar rooms into the main floor of the show. At 2pm (both days) Marcus and the NoTanx team are going to give an interactive Freediving Display in th Try Dive Pool. Marcus will be explaining how the techniques used by the Freedivers who practice the unique NTStyle can reduce the risk of DCI in a SCUBA dive….. whilst the team demonstrate the very same techniques…… Not only will audience members be able to participate in the “Competition” but everyone has a chance to win an O’Neill Wetsuit or Immersion Computer, by simply guessing the winning dive. (Competition entries on Stand 1666 throughout the show)
The Ultimate Travelling Drysuit
The Red Sea is an almost perfect Winter training and diving destination. Whilst the blue waters are a tempting 22˚C, the downside is ‘the local breeze’. For the Winter winds can make wetsuit diving more of a trial than a treat as they cut through you. Your best solution is the favourite membrane suit of many professional and recreational divers worldwide – the robust TLS350 (www.dui-online.co.uk) It’s the suit of choice because when you dive with a DUI TLS350 it’s like diving without a drysuit, the fabric is incredibly light and flexible. So if you’re looking for warmth and a drysuit that weights less than your wetsuit, come to Stand 1360 and feel for yourself why the TLS350 is just perfect for anyone who wants unlimited drysuit diving, wherever they travel.
Saudi Arabia with Regaldive
Visit the Regaldive stand at Dive 2009 to pick up a copy of the new brochure, to see what attractive show discounts are on offer, and to find out about a new addition to the programme – Saudi Arabia. Take advantage of Regaldive’s Red Sea regulars, including special diving offers like Buy One Get One Free and half-price diving on packs and courses in many Red Sea resorts. Groups can make the most of free places on hotels and liveaboards, says Regaldive. Find out more on stand 811, or go to www.regaldive.co.uk
Liquivision comes to Europe for Dive 2009!
Liquivision is exhibiting at its first European show, and will be showing the X1 trimix/CCR dive computer. The X1 features a highly readable screen, easy-to-use touch-based user interface and the option of three deco software packages – V-Planner Live (VPM-B), GAP (Buhlmann GF) and DecoSoft (VPM-B and Buhlmann GF) – allowing 10 or more gas mixes. The X-Link PO2 interface comes in Fischer connector and hardwired versions. Both the X1 and the X-Link are CE certified. For more information visit stand 1522.
Seven time Retailer of the Year
SDS will, it says, “have massive stocks of all leading brands as well as Whites drysuits from Canada and the Fusion drysuit, plus unbeatable prices on all the other top products.” The popular Sheffield-based retailer, a seven-times winner of the prestigious Diver Magazine Retailer of the Year award, is also a fully authorised dealer for all goods sold and offers a mail-order service. Visit stand 860 for more information.
More from Cameras Underwater
At Dive 2009 Cameras Underwater promises to have an even greater range of top underwater photographic equipment on show. Visitors will also, it says, be able to take home “recession-busting” show offers. “Check out products from Canon, Olympus, Fuji, Sony, Gates, Sea & Sea, SeaLife, Ewa Marine and many more! Make sure you see the Canon Ixus 100 with its fantastic still picture quality and some of the best HD video from a compact camera. And, if your underwater photos don’t cut the mustard, don’t forget to catch the Cameras Underwater seminar with Duxy and Adam.” Find out more on stand 710.
Birthday discounts
To celebrate its 25th birthday, Longwood Holidays will be offering NEC visitors an extra £25 discount per person if they book their 2009/10 Red Sea holiday at the show. This celebratory offer will be in addition to Longwood’s usual dive show discounts and special offers on package holidays to the Red Sea. To take advantage of this special offer, visit Longwood on stand 600.
Red Sea with Peter
Olympic Holidays has teamed up with King Snefro Fleet and Peter Collings to offer some unusual Red Sea holidays. “Learn about classic WW2 and newly discovered wrecks and then dive them with prices starting from £1099. Whether you are a single traveller or group of club divers, we’ll make your diving holiday a special one to remember,” says the company. Visit stand 300 to find out more.
From whale sharks to the Thistlegorm
Scorpionfish Underwater Photography returns to Dive 2009 with more fascinating images. This year, expect Thistlegorm photos as seen in the revised edition of John Kean’s book on this much-loved wreck, whale sharks as featured in Diver Magazine, and other diving images from the UK and abroad. Visit stand 1424 or go to www.scorpionfish.co.uk to see a selection of prints and canvasses.
Win PADI clothing
Visit Team Purple on stand 1755 at Dive 2009 or go the PADI Village for the chance to win an item of PADI clothing! The company says it has a great range of clothing including ladies’ and men’s polos, hoodies, fleeces, jackets, caps and beanies. www.padiclothing.com
A touch of luxury
New additions to the Reef Jewelry range, including Hammerhead Cufflinks, Duo Necklaces and Charms, will be on show at Dive 2009. The ‘Duo’ range combines silver and 18ct gold to give a touch of luxury to earrings, necklaces, charms and bangles. With Christmas just around the corner visit stand 1130 and be inspired! For further details visit www.reefjewelry.com
Accessible dive holidays for all abilities
A registered charity which teaches and assists disabled people to dive, The Scuba Trust organises accessible holidays for divers of all abilities. It is able to advise anyone who has a disability who wants to learn to dive, or any dive clubs or instructors that have been approached by disabled divers. It runs monthly try-dives and welcome new divers, or anyone who would like to help. The Scuba Trust will be holding a raffle at Dive 2009, with five Suunto D4 dive computers to be won. Find out more on stand 1174 or go to www.scubatrust.org.uk
Front-entry innovation
The new Waterproof W1 front-entry suit is being launched by Waterproof Wetsuits at Dive 2009. The new suit “has superior comfort and thermal properties combined with Waterproof’s unique eye for detailing within the design,” says the company. Go to stand 850 for details.
10-year celebration for Lumb Bros
Lumb Bros is celebrating ten years as the UK agents for Green Force torches. Green Force has become a household name within the diving industry, moving with the changes in lighting technology from 20 Watt to 250 Watt, from Arrow 6 to F4 battery packs, from 1 LED to 9 LEDs and from Watts to Lumens. See the latest Green Force diving torches at Dive 2009 on stand 1225 and stand 1454.
What’s new in Aqaba?
The new Seashell Museum in Aqaba, Jordan, has a global set of rare shells that attracts tourists, researchers and scholars to the area. The museum also raises awareness of environmental responsibility and the natural treasures found in Aqaba. Find out more about the museum – and about what Aqaba has to offer divers – on stand 330.
New torch from Metalsub
The big news from Metalsub this year is the launch of the XL13.2 Handheld Torch. With its optional 2000 lumen LED head, it is brightest handheld torch from the company, which says that LED technology is now being upgraded throughout its range. Visit stand 950 for more information.
Prodivers revamps Maldives sharks and rays course
Following a summer of workshops and ongoing cooperation with The Shark Trust and the Maldivian Manta Ray Research team, Kuredu-based Prodivers is relaunching the popular Maldivian Shark and Ray Specialty course. The new interactive, multimedia course offers divers the chance to learn more about the physiology, behaviour and threats to some of the ocean’s greatest creatures. Visit Prodivers Maldives at Dive 2009 on stand PV52 in the PADI Village.
Ultimate offers
Over 35 destinations, including Red Sea, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, Borneo and Micronesia, are available from Ultimate Diving, along with a worldwide liveaboard programme with over 50 different safari routes. Visit stand 930 to collect your show special offers with 5% off holidays and 10% off liveaboards booked before November 30.
IDCs with a difference!
Red Sea Diving College will again be flying over from Egypt with some familiar faces to welcome guests both new and old at Dive 2009. Representing the three-time winner of Diver magazine’s Dive Centre of the Year award, the staff will be on hand to advise visitors on all aspects of diving in Sharm, including the new IDC Unlimited for those who are looking for a professional qualification with a difference! Just pop by stand PV14 in the PADI Village for more information.
“Next-generation” lighting systems
“Next-generation lighting systems”, comprising a choice of two upgradeable umbilicals and one handheld system, will be on show on the Custom Divers’ (www.customdivers.com) stand 151 at Dive 2009. Custom Divers says that the robust yet lightweight aluminium housing makes the light ideal for travelling, adding that the natural daylight colour output and decent burn times (NGS 7.5 Umbilical producing 8 hours at 10 watts) are key attributes. “But probably the most exciting feature of all is the diver’s ability to switch the light output from 10 watts to 14 watts (and visa versa) on the fly.”
Award-winning Fiji
Matava in Fiji has won the PADI Asia Pacific Member Awards 2009 in the Project AWARE Marine Environmental Award category. Fiji is also on track to be the first country to fully participate in the international Shark Free Marina Initiative, which works with marinas, boaters and fishermen to develop policies to protect that vital component of our oceans’ health – sharks. To find out more about Fiji, visit Tourism Fiji on stand 1100.
Underwater photography for beginners
Maria Munn is launching a new book, “Underwater Photography for Beginners”, which aims to show how to get the best out of your compact camera in an easy-to-understand way. Suitable for both beginners and the intermediate user, it covers everything from choosing and caring for cameras, understanding the menu settings and essential tips for composition of different subjects. Visit stand 1112 for more information.
Spectacular diving away from the crowds
If you’re looking for diving away from the crowds, look no further than Eco Divers. North Sulawesi, Indonesia, offers the coral walls of Bunaken National Marine Park and some of the world’s best critter diving in the Lembeh Strait. Both diving hotspots can be reached from Kima Bajo Resort & Spa, situated a short transfer from Manado Airport, says Eco Divers. Visit stand 830 for a one-to-one chat, or go to www.eco-divers.com
Make your images look beautiful
“See a new range of frames to make your images look even more special, and bring your own image along and view it on our laptop for ideas on how to turn it into a beautiful work of art.” That’s the message from Ocean Gifts which says that all orders placed at Dive 2009 will receive 10% off. “Visitors can also choose an image from our own special gallery. With so many different choices there really is the perfect gift for every occasion.” Visit stand 1113 for more information.
From Panama to Hawaii
Dive Worldwide has expanded its selection of diving holidays around the globe to include Panama, Aruba, Jordan, Fujairah and Hawaii. The team have, they say, been out and about over the past 12 months exploring both above and below the water, so catch up with them on stand 1100 to find out what they’ve discovered. And don’t forget to pick up that 2010 brochure!
Meet Phil Short
From wrist slates, long hoses and gags to redundant lights, cave diving has influenced how we dive for some time. However, the overhead environment is not a discipline for all divers, and, while luck might get you to the end of a cave, only experience, the right equipment and thorough training will get you home. If you’re curious to know more, come and talk with one of the world’s leading cave diving instructors, Phil Short (www.philshorttechnical.co.uk), on the DUI Drysuit stand (1360).
Dive the volcanic origin of the Atlantic
The Canary Islands’ volcanic nature and weather conditions have blessed the archipelago with biological diversity and a fascinating underwater landscape. The light reaches up to 50m below the surface and the average temperature varies from 20C in winter to 26C in summer. Visit the Canary Islands on stand 310 for details.
Bonaire specials for divers
Visit stand 730 at Dive 2009 to find out more about a range of special offers for divers at Bonhata hotels and resorts on the Caribbean island of Bonaire. Bonaire Seaside Apartments is offering a ‘pay for five nights, get two nights free’ special. Packages are approximately £540 per person and are valid until 18 December, 2009 (email: Bonaireseaside@diveres.com). Sand Dollar Resort offers comfortable self-catering ocean-view apartments on Bari Reef. During Value Season, seven-night packages are approximately £575 per person and are valid until 18 December, 2009 (email: res@SandDollarBonaire.com). Den Laman Condominiums Bonaire is offering seven-night packages for approximately £480 per person valid until December, 2009 (email: denlaman@diveres.com).
Award-winning dives with Sea Bees
With two dive centres and adjacent dive resorts located in Chalong/Phuket and in Khao Lak, Sea Bees Diving in Thailand says that “top-class service and excellent dive sites are a matter of course”. Established in 1989, Sea Bees reports that it is seven times winner of the Golden Dolphin for the Best Dive Centre in South-East Asia and Pacific, and holds 5* EUF/ISO certification for the Proven Top Service Provider Award in Thailand. “All boats offer the highest level of comfort and service and we always dive in small groups.” For more information visit stand 1152.
ASIA PACIFIC SHOWCASE
Located at Dive 2009 in hall 10, the Asia Pacific Showcase is dedicated to the spectacular diving throughout the Asia Pacific region. Dive centres, resorts and liveaboard operators from Cambodia, Indonesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and Thailand will all be displaying what’s on offer in their part of the world – and will be on hand to answer questions about the tropical waters and marine inhabitants, from the miniature to the massive. There will also be an exclusive book launch, lucky draws and competitions with great prizes – not forgetting special deals and discounts galore. Plan your trip with the help of the experts on the Asia Pacific Showcase!
Dive Cambodia
Win a two-day liveaboard excursion or two day-trips for two divers with Scuba Nation in Cambodia by visiting stand 1273 at Dive 2009. Scuba Nation provides day trips, liveaboards (nitrox available on all trips) and the full range of PADI courses. The reefs around the offshore islands offer an incredible diversity of hard and soft corals, teaming with curious inhabitants in all shapes and sizes. An enormous variety of macro-life abounds and is ideal for underwater photographers and critter hunters alike. Join Scuba Nation on its custom-built dive boats and experience diving in one of the last unexplored places on earth. Book your trip at the show!
Pioneering in Palau 
Fish ‘n Fins, the pioneering dive centre in Palau, will be increasing its annual events in 2010. Shark lovers are invited to join in Shark Week Palau from March 12-19, and wreck divers to attend Wrexpedition to Palau from June 4-11, which features three wreck dives every day, evening lectures and rare films of WWII wrecks. For information on these and other such events, visit stand 1268.
Shark conservation in Manado
A full schedule of IDCs is offered by Two Fish Divers in Manado, North Sulawesi, where every IDC candidate will be given the Shark Awareness Specialty Instructor for free. In addition, $5 per candidate will be donated to Sea Shepherd. The resorts in these areas range from budget to 5-star resorts, so every taste can be accommodated. For more information, drop by stand 1268 in the Asia Pacific Showcase, or go to www.twofishdivers.com.
Attractive discounts in PNG
Papua New Guinea will participating in the dive show for the first time as part of the Asia Pacific Showcase. Located in the coral triangle of marine biodiversity, Papua New Guinea offers a choice of experiences to satisfy the most discerning of divers. Among a number of discounts is a 10% discount on trips on MV Golden Dawn until October 2010, and a 10% discount on 2009-10 bookings at Loloata Island Resort. Conditions apply to special offers, so visit stand 1264 for full details.
Dive with the mermaids
Mermaid Liveaboards sails the waters of Thailand, Burma, Bali-Komodo and the Andaman Islands, as well as the amazing waters of the Komodo National Park, Indonesia. Its vessels are IMO certified and it endeavours to provide a high level of service, professionalism, fun and “awesome diving” for its guests. Visit stand 1271 in the Asia Pacific Showcase to learn more about special show offers!
Get your pocket guide for a fiver
Pocket Guide Publications are written by experts who are passionate about their subject. The company will be launching its 2010 edition of Pocket Guide Dive Thailand on stand 1276 in the Asia Pacific Showcase for an exclusive ‘show-only’ price of £5, so drop by and be first to get a copy before they run out! Alternatively, why not subscribe to divEr Magazine at the show at the divEr stand and get a copy for free!
Win a liveaboard trip with Scuba Cat!
One of the largest dive centres on Phuket, Scuba Cat Diving’s liveaboard Scuba Cat sails the waters around the Similans, while Scuba Adventure takes divers on exciting safaris beyond. Also on offer is a full range of PADI courses, from Bubblemaker up to professional Instructor level, along with nitrox, rebreather and trimix courses and career internships. Drop by stand 1265 to find out more, and enter a competition to win a liveaboard trip or get a 10% discount on all bookings made during the show.
THE RED SEA ZONE – Stand 610
Egypt’s Chamber of Diving and Watersports (CDWS) in association with the Egyptian Tourist Authority is proud to return to Dive 2009 to promote the spectacular diving in the Red Sea. Following a new auditing process, all CDWS member dive operators are required to meet ISO standards EN 14467 / ISO 24803 for diving to ensure your diving safety. For this reason, visitors to Egypt should check www.cdws.travel for an up-to-date list of legal diving operators before booking their diving holiday. Visit stand 610 and find out what the phenomenal Red Sea has to offer.
Dahab’s Fantasea
Fantasea Divers, Dahab, is launching its new trade name Fantasea Red Sea. After merging with the charming Coral Coast Hotel, Fantasea Red Sea offers a lot more than diving holidays. Check out Fantasea’s 2010 promo offers and club incentives in the Red Sea Zone, or visit www.fantasearedsea.com
Friendly diving in Sharm
With three centres in Sharm el Sheikh, Ocean College offers a full range of PADI, Tec and BSAC courses, as well as daily diving on board a fleet of comfortable boats. For those wishing to ‘Go Pro’, Ocean College offers a tailor-made 12-week PADI Divemaster and Instructor internship under the guidance of British PADI course director Jilly Healy. www.ocean-college.com
Wonders of the deep south
Qulaan offers a selection of liveaboard itineraries. If time is short then an overnight trip to Dolphin Reef or a three-night mini safari on Eagle Ray might just be perfect for you to experience the wonders of the Southern Red Sea. For those with more time, there’s 7 nights aboard Amsterdam, the 4-star catagory safari boat. To find out more visit www.qulaan.com
Explore Marsa Alam
A leading German dive magazine recently rated Coraya Divers’ house reef as one of the best in Egypt. The company offers its guests dive training in five languages and twenty-nine different dive sites by Zodiac, shore dive, speed boat or day boats, not to mention its latest product, mini safaris. For details visit www.coraya-divers.com
Making diving dreams come true
With a full range of diving programmes in sixteen locations in five countries, Orca Dive Clubs can offer “exactly what you want, whether you’re a newly certified diver or an experienced diver who enjoys technical or rebreather wreck dives”. Surface intervals can be spent in tropical jungle or desert surroundings, in a peaceful remote village, or a lively vibrant city. www.orca-diveclubs.com
Training divers in Egypt since 1992
Dive Point Red Sea offers PADI 5-star Career Development Centre schedules, seven IDCs a year, and recreational dive training up to open-circuit and CCR trimix level. Dive Point is located on the beach of Rotana Coral Beach Resort, 20km south of Hurghada. Divers can walk straight on to boats moored on the private jetty or, alternatively, can enjoy a dive on site on the house reef. www.dive-point.com
A Red Sea star for 20-plus years
Camel Dive Club & Hotel has been a diver favourite for more than 20 years. You can enjoy some of the Red Sea’s best dives with its boats to Tiran, Ras Mohammed, and the Thistlegorm wreck, or learn to dive at its on-site pool. On offer are hotel and diving packages at the 4-star Camel Hotel in Naama Bay. Or, if you prefer, you can book a flight package to any hotel in Sharm, then dive with one of Camel’s four centres, which offer free transfers to/from all hotels. Check Camel’s winter specials at www.cameldive.com
THE BEST OF BRITISH DIVING!
Swanage – and beyond!
Isle of Purbeck-based Swanage Boat Charters caters for all divers, from trainees through to the experienced. The team offers wreck, reef, and drift dive sites aboard either their shuttle boat Mary Jo or their charter boat Sidewinder. Visit Swanage Boat Charters on stand 1740 to win T-shirts or diving vouchers to use from April to end of October. To find out more, visit www.kyarra.com or email info@kyarra.com
New dive lift for Blue Shark
Due to popular demand, Blue Shark will have a new dive lift for the 2010 season. There will also be a special offer for people booking at Dive 2009, so visit stand 1634 in the British Isles Experience to find out more.
Win an Inspiration rebreather!
Based at Fort Bovisand, Discovery Divers (Plymouth) is organising a raffle at Dive 2009 with all profits donated to the Help for Heroes charity. Three hundred tickets will be on sale at £20 each, with the draw taking place at the show. The prize of an AP Diving Inspiration rebreather includes a dedicated training course. Tickets can be bought in advance by calling Discovery Divers on 01752 492722, or check out www.discoverydivers.org
Jem Divers add accommodation
Offering a full range of PADI, BSAC and NAUI courses in its own purpose-built, 4m-deep pool, South-West-based Jem Divers has recently added accommodation to its list of on-site facilities. There are also well-equipped classrooms and a 7m RIB for dive trips along the Jurassic Coast.
Irish adventure
Belfast Lough in Northern Ireland has some 20 diveable wrecks and visibility of up to 10m. They vary from beginners’ wrecks to some at 60m-plus. Strangford Lough is the largest sea inlet in the UK and has some incredible dives. It is joined to the Irish Sea by a long narrows with fierce currents of up to 8 knots and depths of 80 metres which can make this as adventurous a dive as anyone could wish for. It also has 15 diveable wrecks, large drop-offs and an abundance of wildlife. For more information see DV Diving at stand 1648.
RYA training from Pembrokeshire Dive Charters
Pembrokeshire Dive Charters runs all levels of RYA training up to instructor level. “Five-star bunk house accommodation”, B&B and hotel services are available, along with mid-week special packs and discounts for regular customers. visit stand 1643 or call 01646 602941 for more information.
Go wanderin’ with Celtic Diving Base
Celtic Diving Base in Pembrokeshire is offering Wandrin’ Star for club charter in 2010 with a 10 per cent discount if booked at Dive 2009. HMS Whirlwind is one of the area’s star attractions, and other top local wrecks include The Sutton and Herefordshire. There are also walls, reefs, drifts and sheltered bays. Celtic Diving Base offers accommodation with free parking, on-site compressor and minibus transfers to where Wandrin’ Star may be moored. Visit stand 1634.
The Show Scene
