News
LIDS free ticket offers for BSAC Instructors and new divers
The London International Dive Show is offering some great ticket deals for BSAC members for the two-day event next weekend (15th/16th February).
BSAC instructors can claim two tickets for the price of one while newly qualified Ocean Divers (qualified within the last 12 months) can grab a free ticket.
LIDS 2014 is set to be a bumper show, with over 200 exhibitors and a packed seminar and speaker programme. The show will also be running alongside three other key outdoor events – the Telegraph Adventure and Travel Show, the Triathlon Plus Show and the London Bike Show.
More information on LIDS 2014
FREE LIDS TICKET FOR NEW BSAC DIVERS – applies to single LIDS ticket only
Newly qualified Ocean Divers who qualified on or after 01/03/2013 can claim a free LIDS 2014 ticket.
Ocean Divers will need to show their BSAC Qualification Card and Qualification Record Book at the LIDS 2014 ticket kiosk on the day to qualify for a complimentary ticket. They will be given a complimentary ticket which they will need to fill in their contact information on the back. The complimentary ticket will then be collected on entry to the show.
Alternatively to save time at the show, new divers can download a voucher here.
Please note: this free ticket offer is applicable to the single LIDS ticket only.
BSAC INSTRUCTOR 2 FOR 1 TICKET OFFER
BSAC instructors can buy the 2-4-1 offer in advance via an e-ticket and save time at the show. For more details and to book online, click here.
- Input 2 tickets where it says How Many Tickets?
- Input BSAC2-4-1 in the Promotional Code box
- Promotional Code: (applicable id required for entry)
Instructors will be charged only £12.50 for 2 tickets. They will then have to show ID at the entrance to the show.
BSAC Instructors can still get the offer on the door. They will need to show ID at the ticket kiosk to be eligible for the 2-4-1 offer. They will be given one paid ticket and one complimentary ticket which they will need to fill in their contact information on the back. The complimentary ticket will then be collected on entry to the show.
Please note: this offer is based on the full on the day LIDS ticket price of £12.50 and not the online advanced price or the four shows for the price of one ticket offer.
GENERAL LIDS 2014 TICKET INFORMATION
All BSAC members can buy a single ticket just for the London Dive Show or a four-show ticket which also gives you access to the Telegraph Outdoor & Adventure Show, the London Bike Show and the Triathlon Plus Show, all of which are also on at ExCel over the same weekend.
LIDS 2014 TICKETS (LIDS SHOW ONLY)
Single show tickets are £9.50 bought in advance or £12.50 on the door. Buy your advanced single show ticket online here.
Under 16s now get in free when accompanied by an adult (Previously under 14s).
NEW FOR 2014 – FOUR SHOWS-ONE TICKET PRICE OFFER, IN CONJUNCTION WITH TELEGRAPH OUTDOOR & ADVENTURE SHOW, THE LONDON BIKE SHOW AND THE TRIATHLON PLUS SHOW
£16 in advance (£20 on the door) – entitles ticket holder to access LIDS plus the other three shows at ExCel on day of attendance.
If you have purchased a LIDS day ticket, you can upgrade to the four shows ticket for £15 on the day.
For more information and to buy your multiple show ticket, click here.
Gear News
Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024
Free Octopus with every purchase of a SCUBAPRO regulator system
Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
with every purchase of a regulator system!
Get a free S270 OCTOPUS with purchase of these combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with A700
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with S620Ti
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with D420
MK25 EVO Din mit S620Ti-X
Get a free R105 OCTOPUS with purchase of the following combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with G260
MK25 EVO or MK17 EVO with S600
SCUBAPRO offers a 30-year first owner warranty on all regulators, with a revision period of two years or 100 dives. All SCUBAPRO regulators are of course certified according to the new European test standard EN250-2014.
Available at participating SCUBAPRO dealers. Promotion may not be available in all regions. Find an authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer at scubapro.com.
More information available on www.scubapro.com.
Blogs
Northern Red Sea Reefs and Wrecks Trip Report, Part 3: The Mighty Thistlegorm
Jake Davies boards Ghazala Explorer for an unforgettable Red Sea diving experience…
Overnight, the wind picked up, making the planned morning dive a bit bumpy on the Zodiacs to the drop point on Thomas Reef. There, we would dive along the reef before descending through the canyon and then passing under the arch before ascending the wall with a gentle drift. The site provided great encounters with more pelagic species, including shoals of large barracuda, tuna, and bigeye trevally.
Once back on the boat, it was time to get everything tied down again as we would head back south. This time, with the wind behind us, heading to Ras Mohammed to dive Jackfish Alley for another great gentle drift wall dive before then heading up the coast towards the Gulf of Suez to moor up at the wreck of the Thistlegorm. This being the highlight wreck dive of the trip and for many onboard, including myself, it was the first time diving this iconic wreck. I had heard so much about the wreck from friends, and globally, this is a must on any diver’s list. Fortunately for us, there was only one other boat at the site, which was a rarity. A great briefing was delivered by Ahmed, who provided a detailed background about the wreck’s history along with all the required safety information as the currents and visibility at the site can be variable.
Kitting up, there was a lot of excitement on deck before entering the water and heading down the shoreline. Descending to the wreck, there was a light northerly current which reduced the visibility, making it feel more like the conditions that can be found off the Welsh coast. At 10m from the bottom, the outline of the wreck appeared as we reached the area of the wreck which had been bombed, as our mooring line was attached to part of the propeller shaft. Arriving on deck, instantly everywhere you looked there were many of the supplies which the ship was carrying, including Bren Carrier tanks and projectiles that instantly stood out.
We headed around the exterior, taking a look at the large propeller and guns mounted on deck before entering the wreck on the port side to take a look in the holds. It was incredible to see all the trucks, Norton 16H, and BSA motorcycles still perfectly stacked within, providing a real snapshot in time.
Overall, we had four dives on the Thistlegorm, where for all of the dives we were the only group in the water, and at times, there were just three of us on the whole wreck, which made it even more special, especially knowing that most days the wreck has hundreds of divers. Along with the history of the wreck, there was plenty of marine life on the wreck and around, from big green turtles to batfish, along with shoals of mackerel being hunted by trevally. Some unforgettable dives.
The final leg of the trip saw us cross back over the Suez Canal to the Gobal Islands where we planned to stay the night and do three dives at the Dolphin House for the potential of sharing the dive with dolphins. The site, which included a channel that was teeming with reef fish, especially large numbers of goatfish that swam in large shoals along the edge of the reef. These were nice relaxing dives to end the week. Unfortunately, the dolphins didn’t show up, which was okay as like all marine life they are difficult to predict and you can’t guarantee what’s going to be seen. With the last dive complete, we headed back to port for the final night where it was time to clean all the kit and pack before the departure flight the next day.
The whole week from start to finish on Ghazala Explorer was amazing; the boat had all the facilities you need for a comfortable week aboard. The crew were always there to help throughout the day and the chefs providing top quality food which was required after every dive. The itinerary providing some of the best diving with a nice mixture of wreck and reef dives. I would recommend the trip to anyone, whether it’s your first Red Sea liveaboard in the Red Sea or you’re revisiting. Hopefully, it’s not too long before I head back to explore more of the Red Sea onboard Ghazala Explorer.
To find out more about the Northern Red Sea reef and wrecks itineraries aboard Ghazala Explorer, or to book, contact Scuba Travel now:
Email: dive@scubatravel.com
Tel: +44 (0)1483 411590
Photos: Jake Davies / Avalon.Red
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