News
BSAC divers to undertake five mile underwater relay challenge in memory of club member
A group of scuba divers will undertake an five-mile underwater relay challenge at Coniston Water in the Lake District, Cumbria, UK in memory of one of their club members.
It will be the second sponsored charity challenge which has been organised by the Ribble Valley branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club to remember Duncan Priestley, of Accrington, who passed away, aged just 59, in August 2013 from cancer.
Buddy pairs of scuba divers will use a relay system to cover the five-and-a-half mile lake on Sunday from 6am to 4pm and their aim is to raise a boat load of cash for the RNLI.
Last year club members raised more than £2,200 for Pendleside Hospice in Duncan’s memory after taking on, what Fiona Imlach, the club’s training officer, describes as a few silly underwater challenges.
She added: “Duncan Priestley was one of the club’s most active members and was a hugely popular guy who was always up for a laugh. That’s why, last year, we decided to do ‘silly’ things underwater to raise money for Pendleside Hospice where he spent his last days.
“Last year we did all sorts of sponsored silly things such as holding an underwater gym session, played underwater draughts, one diver wrote 100 lines, one ate as many different fruits as possible and one munched his way through a pile of sausages!”
“It’s going to be quite a job scuba diving the length of Coniston underwater. We will be doing it in buddy pairs with divers keeping to a depth of six metres.
“The buddy pair will use a compass and will trail a surface marker buoy so the safety crew knows exactly where they are. In fact, we will have two RIBS (rigid inflatable boats) with the second one ferrying the next pair of divers,” said Fiona.
BSAC Chief Executive, Mary Tetley, said: “BSAC is made up of lots of clubs like the Ribble Valley where fantastic friendships are made thanks to members’ passion for their sport.
“It is lovely to hear of how Ribble Valley are remembering their friend Duncan and the valued work he did for the club. It sounds like they are going to a lot of trouble to ensure the event at Coniston Water will be a safe and successful, if unconventional dive, and I wish them all the best with their fundraising.”
For more information about BSAC, visit www.bsac.com.
Source: www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk
Shark Guardian has just unveiled their largest and most exciting expedition yet: a seven-night, eight-day adventure in August 2026 aboard the Galaxy Diver II, a state-of-the-art
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conservation in one of the world’s most revered diving destinations.
Shark Guardian is a UK registered charity dedicated to protecting sharks and marine
ecosystems worldwide. Founded by marine biologists and conservationists, Brendon
Sing and Liz Ward-Sing, Shark Guardian leads educational programs, research projects,
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Shark Guardian’s ethos revolves around the concept of “diving with a purpose.” This
philosophy underscores the importance of not just experiencing the wonders of the
underwater world but actively learning and contributing to its preservation. Participants
in Shark Guardian expeditions engage in citizen science projects, which involve
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activities empower divers to make a tangible difference, turning each dive into an act of
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One of the newer additions to the Galapagos diving scene, the Galaxy Diver II, is
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Shark Guardian have developed this trip to ensure a hassle-free experience. The
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Participants will join a diverse group of passionate divers and conservationists. This trip
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Shark Guardian is offering an early bird price available until May 31st 2024. This special
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Expedition Galapagos, aboard the Galaxy Diver II offers more than just a diving
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divers not only witness the majesty of one of the world’s premier diving locales but also
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Find out more about Shark Guardian at www.sharkguardian.org.
The Shark Trust has launched their new podcast. Delve behind the scenes and gain exclusive insights in the world of shark and ray conservation on The Shark Trust Podcast. Out Now!
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In the first series you will hear from the Shark Trust team. Shark Trust Patrons, Monty Halls, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Simon Rogerson. Divers with a passion for sharks. And some of the Oceanic 31 artists.
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Episode 1: Dive beneath the waves of shark and ray conservation with Mark as he speaks with Paul Cox, CEO of the Shark Trust. Paul and Mark discuss the threats and difficulties that sharks and rays currently face in the modern world. And how the Shark Trust is working to create a better future for them!
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For more information about the work of the Shark Trust, visit their website here.
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