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WIN...WIN...WIN...with the RNLI...
Courtesy of Robins and Day, the RNLI will be raffling a brand new Peugeot 107 worth over £8000 at LIDS 2009. Tickets will be for sale at the exit to the
Lifeboat Training Experience on stand 161.
EXHIBITOR NEWS...EXHIBITOR NEWS...EXHIBITOR NEWS...
New Caymans wreck will be accessible from 5m
The USS Kittiwake, an American submarine rescue vessel that was commissioned over 50 years ago, is to be sunk off Grand Cayman's Seven-Mile Beach next year to form an artificial reef. This is the first time that a US ship has been sold to a foreign country for such a purpose. Snorkellers and divers alike will be able to explore the wreck, which will lie just 5m from the surface. Weighing 2100 tons and at 240ft in length, with plenty of access ports and nooks and crannies for marine life to find homes, the Kittiwake promises some fascinating diving. To learn more, visit the Cayman Islands team on stand 912.
More buying power means more great deals
The Scuba + Outdoor Pursuits Centre and DIVEpursuits.com are uniting at LIDS 2009 – and more buying power for us means more deals for you." That's the news from the centre that has been one of the largest exhibitors at the Dive Shows for more than 10 years. Although all three of the company’s retail centres are based in the Midlands and Staffordshire, its service is now available to the whole UK through the DIVEpursuits.com retail website. Visit stand 520 to find out more about "the best value, service and advice on your equipment purchases.
From camera housings to rebreathers
Hugyfot is renowned for its compact and ergonomically designed underwater camera housings (www.hugyfot.com). Closed-circuit rebreathers for sport diving and professional use from rEvo are available in manual and fully electronically operated versions, and combinations of both (hybrid rebreathers). To find out more about both brands, visit Greenforce on stand 962.
Dive the equatorial zone
From May to August, the Maldives Scuba Tours liveaboard Sea Queen will be based in Huvadhoo Atoll, just 23 miles north of the equator. She will be offering 12- and 7-night tours where guests will "dive some of the best reefs in the world and experience fantastic shark action". Also available for divers who "just fancy seeing wonderful Maldivian mantas and whale sharks" are 12- and 7- night ‘Manta special’ tours aboard Sea Spirit. Find out more from Maldives Scuba Tours at LIDS on stand 130.
Regaldive comes of age!
2009 marks Regaldive’s 21st year of offering quality diving holidays around the globe! Regaldive’s 2009 programme has expanded, with Oman liveaboards giving divers the opportunity to enter the breathtaking world of the northern Hajjar mountain range. Four new Maldivian destinations have also been introduced, including the little-explored Haa Alifu northern atoll. With guaranteed sharks on South Africa’s East coast, and new Red Sea dive-pack and group offers, the 2009 programme is not to be missed! Visit the Regaldive team on stand 700 to check out the "special birthday show offers and goodies", or call 01353 659 999, or go to www.regaldive.co.uk
Get a Caribbean glow!
Join the Tobago Tourist Office and the Association of Tobago Dive Operators (ATDO) on stand 918 at LIDS for some Caribbean warmth! They will be offering rum and chocolate tastings at certain times throughout the show, as well as a daily happy hour with rum punch. Be sure to stop by the stand and complete a competition entry form, which could win you a 10-night holiday in Trinidad and Tobago. Come and talk to the experts to find out more.
Ladies' dive time at Luminox
Luminox Watches is launching its newest ladies’ dive watch, which "has been tested to the limits so you don’t have to". Designed with a smaller dial to suit women divers, the 200m watch is as tough as the Luminox men’s series and comes in several colours, ranging from soft pink to strong black. Like all Luminox watches, the new ladies watch has continually-glowing capsules on the face and hands that can be easily read in all light conditions and are entirely self-powered. See this and other dive watches from Luminox and other brands at stand 1270, or visit Luminox online at www.luminox.com
Explore the Philippines
There’s no such thing as sea-sickness when living on the Tubbataha Reefs in the Philippines. With 10,000 hectares of coral reefs, 573 species of fish, and 379 species of corals, it boasts a wealth of marine biodiversity. The Tubbataha Reefs are a UNESCO World Heritage site and the diving season is March-June. To find out more, visit the Philippines Stand 601or go to www.tubbatahareef.org
Dive Worldwide launches the Chameleon Clu
Visit stand 400 at LIDS to learn about Dive Worldwide’s Chameleon Club. All Club members qualify for discounts off their next holidays, and Dive Worldwide says that it has recently been hunting out further discounts to add value. "We have a selection of seasonal offers, available at a variety of destinations from Tobago to Papua New Guinea. And don’t forget to collect your 2009 Ultimate Diving Collection, now even bigger and better." There will also be the opportunity to speak to experts about the Cook Islands, where "year-round warm water and 30m-plus visibility allow divers to go out in virtually any weather. All dive sites are within an easy 15 minute boat ride, with great opportunities to see whales, hammerhead sharks and pelagics. There is a huge variety of coral and a wide range of diving sites, including caves, two wrecks and simple underwater terrain for beginners." Visit the Dive Worldwide stand and pick up your discount voucher!
Dedicated followers of dive fashion
The ever-popular Northern Diver Display Squad will be making another appearance at this year's LIDS, with models showing off the latest Northern Diver drysuits, undersuits and underwear. The Northern Diver catwalk will be drawing the usual crowds, and this year's performances are "sure to entertain with new moves and grooves whilst showing off the very best diving equipment". The shows run regularly throughout the day on stand 804 – and there are surprise giveaways when you least expect them!
Swanage specialists
Swanage Boat Charters caters for all divers, from trainees to the most experienced. The team offers wreck, reef, and drift dive sites aboard either their shuttle boat Mary Jo or their charter boat Sidewinder. Mary Jo will go out with a minimum of 2 divers and a maximum of 12. Sidewinder can be chartered for sole use for clubs or large groups. Trips are run daily throughout the season, and midweek dive packages with or without accommodation are available. Visit Swanage Boat Charters in the British Isles Experience to win t-shirts or diving vouchers to use any time during its season of April to the end of October. To find out more, go to www.kyarra.com
Welsh reefs, drop-offs and wrecks
Pembrokeshire's Celtic Diving Base will be offering its spacious 48ft hardboat Wandrin' Star for club charter during 2009 with a 10% discount if booked with the deposit paid up to one week after the show. Any courses or training will be offered with a 5% discount on the same terms. Wandrin' Star takes 12 divers, has a large deck with kitting-up space designed for diving, chase boat, salon below deck with berths, full galley, free tea and coffee and sea toilet. Celtic Diving Base has accommodation for up to 20 divers. Trips feature dive sites to suit all abilities – scenic reefs, walls, drop-offs, and wrecks including HMS Whirlwind, the Sutton, and the Herefordshire. Head for Celtic Diving in the British Isles Experience to find out more.
Win a Lynx wetsuit!
Anyone who visits the Black Rock Dive Centre stand (510) at LIDS 2009 will be able to enter a free competition to win a 5mm Lynx wetsuit from Waterproof of Sweden. Find out more about Black Rock diving holidays, courses and liveaboards at www.blackrockdivecentre.com
Great diving books, great prices!
Drop into the DIVER Bookshop on stand 550 at LIDS 2009 for savings of more than 25% on many top diving titles, including the acclaimed DIVER UK Guides series. Current best-sellers include 'Deeper Into Diving', 'Wreck Tour, A DIVER Guide' and 'The Complete Diving Guide To Malta'.
Dirty Divers get handy
Dirty Divers will be showing its new, branded, 5mm hand gloves at LIDS. Visit stand 134 or go to www.dirtydivers.nl.
The Show Scene
