From AllAfrica.com: Uganda: Deep Under the Indian Ocean
There are some sports that should be a preserve for the strong-hearted, for you can only play them if you're deeply adventurous or never listed cowardice as one of your downsides. But again this shouldn't suffocate your adventurous side.
Scuba diving is one such sport and to tell you that I enjoyed it, given its dare-devil nature, I risk sounding like I'm self-praising, so I will carry on with my tales. Well, as our lead boatman Juma Omari, from Charlie Claw's diving team, begins the brief, everyone is all ears.
"This is a dive to the floor of the oceans," Juma announces in his introductory brief and goes silent as he smiles, studying his guests. The crowd thirsting for the underwater adventure grew thinner. "I will do it," Hillary confidently went forward.
The bigger number, all journalist friends, chickened out for the obvious reason, they couldn't swim. "I will teach you how to breathe in and out while in the water," Juma reassures us as he illustrates with a deep water costume of plastic and cloth complete with face-mask fitted with oxygen tubes.
"While in the water, we can use oxygen both on top and within the water so we can stay longer underwater," he goes on. Juma is a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) instructor who tells us that he started out as an open water instructor.
"I caution you that if you're asthmatic or have breathing problem then you're free not to scuba dive," he adds. "Scuba diving", Moses one of the journalists says out loud, at a missed chance because he loves his cigarette. Scuba diving was already more like slang in our circles for naughty connotations of course, so we all burst out laughing.
"Do we have more participants," Juma asks in his light-hearted disposition, trying to encourage even the most nervous first time diver to explore the fascinating world under the water.
"Don't worry, as long as you know where the coral reefs are, it's all good," Juma attempts for the last time to encourage the hesitant spectators.
When ready, the scuba divers made one big dive 25 metres deep into the blue fairly chilly waters. Oh what a feeling! Just across on another boat, are experienced foreign tourists who freely dive into the waters.
An hour later, the tales were rich from excitement. "Guys you have missed a once-in-a-life opportunity. It is not that hard after all. I have seen them all, all tribes of fish, the orange ones, the green ones, red ones. These are the fish you will only watch on National Geographic," a visibly thrilled Hillary shares as he catches his breath, immediately after removing his face-mask and water gaggles.
"Andrew, please prepare for me my camera. I need to sign off from down here in these cool waters, man," he adds, tactfully moving his hands on top of the water for buoyancy. "Scuba is short for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. It's fun down there," he laughs amidst his sign-off. "Cut," he bellows.
The beautiful Indian Ocean will never leave you the same. Finally, the team, Barbra, Moses, 'uncle' Michael, Nisha, Andrew, Regina our host from Air Uganda and Robert all tried to overcome their fears and made their modest dive into the gigantic fresh water body and swam across. It doesn't matter whether you know how to swim or not, the Charlie Claw's diving team make your boat cruise, swim in the ocean or scuba diving an experience to remember.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Explore the Depths of the Oceans with Affordable Scuba Gear from New Website
Press Release: Explore the Depths of the Oceans with Affordable Scuba Gear from New Website
Sioux City, IA (PRWEB) January 05, 2012
Dive to the depths of the world’s oceans with affordable scuba equipment from http://www.ScubaDiverParadise.com. Under the supervision of Web entrepreneur Lamont Wright, an incredible inventory of swim fins, regulators, masks and more have been added to the new Internet storefront.
“Diving is a great way to explore another part of this world,” said Wright. “I dive recreationally and I also dove during my 11 years with the Air Force.”
Whether diving to the depths of the oceans or skimming the surface, a quality mask is crucial. ScubaDiverParadise.com offers a high quality silicone diver mask that is easily paired with a snorkel attachment or diving regulator.
Breathing apparatuses, though essential, are not the only products an amateur or professional diver needs. Scoop up affordable scuba hardware, including buoyancy collars, compasses, and ‘diver down’ flags. Gauges, mini flashlights, and military grade scuba knives are also must-haves. Diving weights, wetsuits, and Scuba Pro booties can make a dive more comfortable. Experienced divers are welcome to browse through the site’s supply of tanks and tank backpacks.
Customer service is of the utmost importance at ScubaDiverParadise.com. Each piece of scuba equipment has been screened for quality, dependability, and affordability. Orders are filled and shipped promptly in keeping with the company’s commitment to complete customer satisfaction. Feedback is always welcome and responded to in a timely manner by a friendly, knowledgeable staff member.
“Based on my experience, I know what gear will best suit customer needs. When it comes to scuba gear, you don’t want to buy gear from people who don’t have a diving background,” said Wright.
To learn more about scuba gear, visit the site’s brand new blog, http://www.ScubaDiverParadiseBlog.com. The interactive platform is frequently updated with diving tips, scuba equipment maintenance information, and reviews of diving destinations.
About the Company:
ScubaDiverParadise.com – a division of Wright Products, LLC – is owned and operated by Web entrepreneur Lamont Wright.
Sioux City, IA (PRWEB) January 05, 2012
Dive to the depths of the world’s oceans with affordable scuba equipment from http://www.ScubaDiverParadise.com. Under the supervision of Web entrepreneur Lamont Wright, an incredible inventory of swim fins, regulators, masks and more have been added to the new Internet storefront.
“Diving is a great way to explore another part of this world,” said Wright. “I dive recreationally and I also dove during my 11 years with the Air Force.”
Whether diving to the depths of the oceans or skimming the surface, a quality mask is crucial. ScubaDiverParadise.com offers a high quality silicone diver mask that is easily paired with a snorkel attachment or diving regulator.
Breathing apparatuses, though essential, are not the only products an amateur or professional diver needs. Scoop up affordable scuba hardware, including buoyancy collars, compasses, and ‘diver down’ flags. Gauges, mini flashlights, and military grade scuba knives are also must-haves. Diving weights, wetsuits, and Scuba Pro booties can make a dive more comfortable. Experienced divers are welcome to browse through the site’s supply of tanks and tank backpacks.
Customer service is of the utmost importance at ScubaDiverParadise.com. Each piece of scuba equipment has been screened for quality, dependability, and affordability. Orders are filled and shipped promptly in keeping with the company’s commitment to complete customer satisfaction. Feedback is always welcome and responded to in a timely manner by a friendly, knowledgeable staff member.
“Based on my experience, I know what gear will best suit customer needs. When it comes to scuba gear, you don’t want to buy gear from people who don’t have a diving background,” said Wright.
To learn more about scuba gear, visit the site’s brand new blog, http://www.ScubaDiverParadiseBlog.com. The interactive platform is frequently updated with diving tips, scuba equipment maintenance information, and reviews of diving destinations.
About the Company:
ScubaDiverParadise.com – a division of Wright Products, LLC – is owned and operated by Web entrepreneur Lamont Wright.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Dive for Andamans
From the Hindu Business Line: Dive for Andamans
PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the world's leading scuba diving certification body, recently issued its 20 millionth certificate.
Dive businesses, resort facilities, academic institutions, instructor trainers, divers, snorkelers and other water-sports enthusiasts are members of this recreational diving organisation.
Founded in 1966 by John Cronin, a scuba equipment salesman for US Divers, and Ralph Erickson, an educator and swimming instructor, PADI aimed to make it easier and safer for more people to learn scuba diving.
Over pegs of scotch whiskey and with $30 in hand, Cronin and Erickson drew up their plan for a professional and state-of-the-art association of diving instructors.
Today, with more than forty years' experience, over 135,000 PADI professionals, and 6,000 dive shops and resorts in 183 countries worldwide, PADI is confident of setting up scuba diving services nearly anywhere in the world.
The recreational scuba diving industry is now worth $46 billion worldwide and growing, of which the Asia Pacific region accounts for 80 per cent.
PADI Director, Sales and Field Services for Asia Pacific, Mark Spiers says the association is heavily on India (particularly the Andamans), where the share of global scuba business is currently negligible but offers great scope for growth.
Explaining the special attraction held out by the Andamans, Spiers says, “There are pristinely beautiful places in the Andamans ideally suited for scuba diving, with a wealth of diverse underwater fauna and colourful corals, which are relatively very less explored.
“For example, you find here whalesharks (the biggest of the shark species and the most harmless), which will prove to be a big draw for the scuba diver seeking a special thrill.”
He said there was a 280 per cent growth in certification in India in the last six years. In 2009, PADI successfully completed its first instructor training course in the Andamans.
The association plans to globally promote India as a scuba diving destination.
“We participate at dive shows throughout the world, including Singapore, Orlando, Dusseldorf, Paris and London. For the European shows, we will be including a special section at the PADI stand, promoting India as a diving destination through posters and videos.
“We also discussed opportunities for developing the scuba diving industry with the Lt Governor of the Andamans… assuring the highest level of safety standards.”
Attracting over 100,000 new visitors to its Web site every week, the organisation mails nearly one million newsletters every month to popularise scuba worldwide.
The target age group for scuba diving is 25-35 years, says Spiers, as this is a period “when the person is without commitment, has a job and disposable income. The other target group is 50-70 years, as they have fulfilled their commitments and are free to spend on leisure and recreational activities like scuba”.
With nearly two-thirds of the scuba diving community being male, PADI hopes to balance the gender gap by advertising the sport in women's magazines.
In an attempt to address the ever-growing need for conservation and ocean protection, in 1989 PADI initiated Project AWARE to educate scuba divers on environment-friendly diving practices and the role they can play in bringing about positive changes from an underwater perspective.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Windsor, Ontario: Divers take New Year's dip
From the Windsor Star (Canada): Divers take New Year's dip
WINDSOR, Ont. -- A quick New Year's Day dip in the Detroit River is just a bit of "idiocracy," performed by members of the Windsor Skin and Scuba Club each year, according to a WSSC diver.
"It sets up the year right. We have a lot of diving ahead of us," said Gary Gavin, the newsletter editor and longtime member of the club.
The annual Polar Bear Dip has taken place on New Year's Day for close to 30 years, Gavin said.
The club had 30 members last year, but only two brave souls decided to take the plunge Sunday afternoon.
Gavin and the club's treasurer Robert Latouf pulled on their almost 50 pound gear and inched around the edge of a ledge over the river at Riverside Drive and Crawford Avenue.
A small crowd gathered to watch as the pair plunged into the 6 C water.
Last year the river was covered with large ice chunks, preventing the group from diving.
Latouf 's wife Renee Latouf, who is the club's president, said the club has suffered a decline in members.
The club is offering free membership to anyone who's never been a member.
Gavin and Latouf didn't go deep in the water due to murky visibility.
Instead, they bobbed down the river for around 15 minutes.
"A New Year's Day float," Gavin yelled from the river.
He said immersion in the cold water gave him the equivalent of an "ice cream headache."
For more information about the club go to wssc.ca.
WINDSOR, Ont. -- A quick New Year's Day dip in the Detroit River is just a bit of "idiocracy," performed by members of the Windsor Skin and Scuba Club each year, according to a WSSC diver.
"It sets up the year right. We have a lot of diving ahead of us," said Gary Gavin, the newsletter editor and longtime member of the club.
The annual Polar Bear Dip has taken place on New Year's Day for close to 30 years, Gavin said.
The club had 30 members last year, but only two brave souls decided to take the plunge Sunday afternoon.
Gavin and the club's treasurer Robert Latouf pulled on their almost 50 pound gear and inched around the edge of a ledge over the river at Riverside Drive and Crawford Avenue.
A small crowd gathered to watch as the pair plunged into the 6 C water.
Last year the river was covered with large ice chunks, preventing the group from diving.
Latouf 's wife Renee Latouf, who is the club's president, said the club has suffered a decline in members.
The club is offering free membership to anyone who's never been a member.
Gavin and Latouf didn't go deep in the water due to murky visibility.
Instead, they bobbed down the river for around 15 minutes.
"A New Year's Day float," Gavin yelled from the river.
He said immersion in the cold water gave him the equivalent of an "ice cream headache."
For more information about the club go to wssc.ca.
Monday, January 2, 2012
For a laid-back dive centre, head to Dibba
From The National (Thailand): For a laid-back dive centre, head to Dibba
Last summer, I gained my PADI open water scuba qualification in Thailand. Now that I'm back in the UAE, I want to keep diving but everywhere I've found that offers weekend dive packages on the east coast seems to be tied to five-star hotels. One of the things I really liked about diving in south-east Asia was the laid-back feel of the dive centres. Is there anything like that here?
There is, and while it's not in the UAE, it's so close that it might as well be. Dibba is a town split between the UAE and Oman on the east coast of the Musandam peninsula and a five-minute drive north of the border is Nomad Ocean Adventures (www.discovernomad.com; 00 968 268 36069). It's billed as an "eco lodge" - a slightly long bow to draw, considering it's a slightly down-at-heel collection of three aging villas - but it certainly lives up to its claim not to have "the bells and whistles of a five-star hotel".
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But it has everything you need: a fully-equipped dive centre, a pool in which dive classes are held (it's a relatively cheap place to do your open water or advanced qualification because you can do the theory by e-learning beforehand and then do the actual instruction in the pool and in the ocean) and it's a few minutes walk from the port from which speedboats or dhows will transport you to the dive sites to the north. The journey along the spectacular coastline, featuring craggy cliffs and tiny bays, is worth the boat ride on its own.
More importantly, it has that laid-back vibe you experienced in Thailand, particularly because the weekend dive package is fully inclusive. For Dh1,100, you get a divemaster, equipment, transport, accommodation on Thursday and Friday nights, and all your meals and soft drinks.
Compared to the devastation of the area a couple of years ago by a combination of a typhoon and a red tide, the sea life has made an impressive comeback and it's now common to see turtles, moray eels and lion fish among the coral. If you're lucky, you'll see some of the whale sharks that frequent the area.
The good thing about Dibba compared to Khasab, the Omani town on the western side of the peninsula, is that UAE residents don't need to pay for a visa and all you need to cross the border is a UAE identity card. It takes between two and a half to three hours to drive from Abu Dhabi.
If you can muster a larger group, you can hire a dhow for the weekend and reach dive sites further north than the usual locations frequented by Nomad and most of the other dive operators. After sleeping on the dhow overnight, you return after another couple of dives the next day.
Photos: Wynn celebrates 3,000th performance of ‘Le Reve — the Dream’
From Las Vegas : Photos: Wynn celebrates 3,000th performance of ‘Le Reve — the Dream’
[Photos can be seen at original link]
Each night the curtain goes up on the ambitious water spectacle “Le Reve -- the Dream” at Steve Wynn’s hotel the Wynn, more than 1,001 things could go wrong. Incredibly, nothing rarely does. Even with thousands of electrical parts possibly working loose or water hoses wearing out, the technicians have lost only five shows since the April 2005 opening night as they hit the 3,000th mark this weekend.
Incredibly, although it’s more than five times as difficult in water and soaked clothes to perform dry-land aerials and acrobatics, cast and crew pull it off nightly, making it still look as easy as opening a bottle of H2O. They do use a secret, military-developed sticky spray-on adhesive to help their grips in the water, but those elaborate handstand gymnastics on a water-drenched revolving tree take a long time to master while moving. Nobody else performs handstands while moving.
Incredibly, those daring swimmers and athletes do get water in their eyes just like we do when we go splashing. To assist them to be in the right place at the right time in split seconds while their eyes are closed under the surface, SCUBA divers propel them into position. Another secret I can reveal: The upside-down, underwater, synchronized red-shoe dance-swimmers always wear goggles to never be out of step. They also have underwater music piped in so that they are in perfect sync.
Incredibly, at 3,000 shows, drummer Jean Ainsley has never missed one performance, and pianist Paul Pelletier has played at more than 2,990 shows, only missing a couple due to a family emergency. More than 45 of the performers are still there from opening night. Vegas DeLuxe is proud to provide a first look at new photographs of “Le Reve -- the Dream.”
Technicians and operators at multiple computers provide a four-step backup process in the event anything goes wrong. Failure can be rectified in a microsecond switchover without an audience member noticing.
Rick Gray, Wynn’s GM of entertainment, told me on a backstage tour at the 2,993rd performance this week: “Our technical people are unbelievable. They face a magnitude of challenges no other show does nightly. The degree and magnitude of difficulty is much, much more in water. This is the greatest collaborative process in show business we have ever seen. You just couldn’t have done this spectacular before we had computers.
“We’re still updating the show all the time. Mr. Wynn still visits regularly and suggests tweaks and improvements and new ideas. He gets the credit for adding the ballroom dance sequences of the tango and paso doble with Maksim Chmerkovskiy from ‘Dancing With the Stars.’ We’ve added new costumes; we’ve got new quick-change scenes starting in the New Year, there’s now magic, an avatar and new music. The fabric from the ceiling for the opening kabuki drop is all new, and the miracle of the flowers in the finale floated out by two unseen divers has audiences stopped in their tracks. Sometimes, it’s hard to make them leave the theater with all the photos they want to take of the flowers once the show has ended!”
“Le Reve -- the Dream” is an overwhelming wow. One watches it mesmerized and in disbelief at the agility of the water-bound athletes. You dare not blink in case you miss one of their unbelievable exploits. The collective silence and intake of air when one diver makes the heart-stopping 80-foot leap into the circular pool is intense, and as he surfaces, the sight of relief is audible. You dare not take your eyes off the stage for a second because you risk missing another stunning stunt. Even the 75 to 105 white homing pigeons become stars as they fly across the submerged stages.
It’s a majestic and monumental masterpiece of a blockbuster budget be damned production that has to be seen to be believed. Our story about all the fun facts and figures of “Le Reve -- the Dream” was posted Tuesday. For 75 minutes, you are on the edge of your seat watching athletes push their bodies to maximum performance and achievement. It is riveting. It is beyond exciting. It’s truly incredible, as I’ve said now many times. Sorry for belaboring the point!
It also is a highly charged emotional night of thrilling agility, sweeping music and hair-standing-on-end chills as the casts make the impossible possible. It’s a case of defying gravity, and this is not imagination. This is real-life wonder and amazement. But for hours afterward, you’ll wonder if it was all a dream and you really saw what they actually did.
Go experience it for yourself because no matter what I say or write, it’s impossible to do it justice in words and photos. You must take it all in for yourself -- go enjoy and marvel!
[Photos can be seen at original link]
Each night the curtain goes up on the ambitious water spectacle “Le Reve -- the Dream” at Steve Wynn’s hotel the Wynn, more than 1,001 things could go wrong. Incredibly, nothing rarely does. Even with thousands of electrical parts possibly working loose or water hoses wearing out, the technicians have lost only five shows since the April 2005 opening night as they hit the 3,000th mark this weekend.
Incredibly, although it’s more than five times as difficult in water and soaked clothes to perform dry-land aerials and acrobatics, cast and crew pull it off nightly, making it still look as easy as opening a bottle of H2O. They do use a secret, military-developed sticky spray-on adhesive to help their grips in the water, but those elaborate handstand gymnastics on a water-drenched revolving tree take a long time to master while moving. Nobody else performs handstands while moving.
Incredibly, those daring swimmers and athletes do get water in their eyes just like we do when we go splashing. To assist them to be in the right place at the right time in split seconds while their eyes are closed under the surface, SCUBA divers propel them into position. Another secret I can reveal: The upside-down, underwater, synchronized red-shoe dance-swimmers always wear goggles to never be out of step. They also have underwater music piped in so that they are in perfect sync.
Incredibly, at 3,000 shows, drummer Jean Ainsley has never missed one performance, and pianist Paul Pelletier has played at more than 2,990 shows, only missing a couple due to a family emergency. More than 45 of the performers are still there from opening night. Vegas DeLuxe is proud to provide a first look at new photographs of “Le Reve -- the Dream.”
Technicians and operators at multiple computers provide a four-step backup process in the event anything goes wrong. Failure can be rectified in a microsecond switchover without an audience member noticing.
Rick Gray, Wynn’s GM of entertainment, told me on a backstage tour at the 2,993rd performance this week: “Our technical people are unbelievable. They face a magnitude of challenges no other show does nightly. The degree and magnitude of difficulty is much, much more in water. This is the greatest collaborative process in show business we have ever seen. You just couldn’t have done this spectacular before we had computers.
“We’re still updating the show all the time. Mr. Wynn still visits regularly and suggests tweaks and improvements and new ideas. He gets the credit for adding the ballroom dance sequences of the tango and paso doble with Maksim Chmerkovskiy from ‘Dancing With the Stars.’ We’ve added new costumes; we’ve got new quick-change scenes starting in the New Year, there’s now magic, an avatar and new music. The fabric from the ceiling for the opening kabuki drop is all new, and the miracle of the flowers in the finale floated out by two unseen divers has audiences stopped in their tracks. Sometimes, it’s hard to make them leave the theater with all the photos they want to take of the flowers once the show has ended!”
“Le Reve -- the Dream” is an overwhelming wow. One watches it mesmerized and in disbelief at the agility of the water-bound athletes. You dare not blink in case you miss one of their unbelievable exploits. The collective silence and intake of air when one diver makes the heart-stopping 80-foot leap into the circular pool is intense, and as he surfaces, the sight of relief is audible. You dare not take your eyes off the stage for a second because you risk missing another stunning stunt. Even the 75 to 105 white homing pigeons become stars as they fly across the submerged stages.
It’s a majestic and monumental masterpiece of a blockbuster budget be damned production that has to be seen to be believed. Our story about all the fun facts and figures of “Le Reve -- the Dream” was posted Tuesday. For 75 minutes, you are on the edge of your seat watching athletes push their bodies to maximum performance and achievement. It is riveting. It is beyond exciting. It’s truly incredible, as I’ve said now many times. Sorry for belaboring the point!
It also is a highly charged emotional night of thrilling agility, sweeping music and hair-standing-on-end chills as the casts make the impossible possible. It’s a case of defying gravity, and this is not imagination. This is real-life wonder and amazement. But for hours afterward, you’ll wonder if it was all a dream and you really saw what they actually did.
Go experience it for yourself because no matter what I say or write, it’s impossible to do it justice in words and photos. You must take it all in for yourself -- go enjoy and marvel!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Iran scuba divers clear marine mines
From Press TV: Iran scuba divers clear marine mines
An Iranian naval commander says the country's scuba divers have successfully detected and defused naval mines on the seventh day of the Velayat 90 drills.
“The scuba divers of [Iran's naval] forces annihilated the shore facilities and killed the divers of the mock enemy,” Alireza Majd, head of Iran's Navy diving unit, said on Friday.
He added the Iranian scuba divers, who are all domestically trained, are capable of performing various martial and back-up operations as deep as 200 meters below water.
Iran's Navy launched the massive naval exercises on December 24, which covers an area stretching from the east of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden.
Different classes of submarines, including Tareq and Qadir, the newest ground-to-sea missile systems and torpedoes have been employed in the maneuvers.
Over the past years, Iran has made important breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems.
The country has repeatedly made clear that its military might is merely based on the nation's defense doctrine of deterrence and poses no threat to other countries.
An Iranian naval commander says the country's scuba divers have successfully detected and defused naval mines on the seventh day of the Velayat 90 drills.
“The scuba divers of [Iran's naval] forces annihilated the shore facilities and killed the divers of the mock enemy,” Alireza Majd, head of Iran's Navy diving unit, said on Friday.
He added the Iranian scuba divers, who are all domestically trained, are capable of performing various martial and back-up operations as deep as 200 meters below water.
Iran's Navy launched the massive naval exercises on December 24, which covers an area stretching from the east of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden.
Different classes of submarines, including Tareq and Qadir, the newest ground-to-sea missile systems and torpedoes have been employed in the maneuvers.
Over the past years, Iran has made important breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems.
The country has repeatedly made clear that its military might is merely based on the nation's defense doctrine of deterrence and poses no threat to other countries.
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