News
Nominations Open for 2016 DAN/Rolex Diver of the Year Award
For decades, Divers Alert Network and Rolex have collaborated to award one of the most prestigious honors in scuba diving: the DAN/Rolex Diver of the Year Award. What began as a grant to DAN in the late 1980s has become an annual tradition to honor one individual who has made significant contributions to DAN’s mission of dive safety within the past year.
Since the award was first presented, the list of winners has grown to include dive physicians, educators and scientists of professional renown and altruistic character. “Through this award, DAN and Rolex have acknowledged outstanding individuals who have devoted their careers to making diving safer for all of us,” said Bill Ziefle, President and CEO of Divers Alert Network.
Nominees for the 2016 DAN/Rolex Diver of the Year Award should be individuals who are passionate about diving, promote and support DAN’s mission to prevent and manage diving incidents, demonstrate exceptional dedication to establishing a culture of dive safety, and are committed to the highest level of care for the environment. As leaders in the dive community, nominees must also go above and beyond to ensure all divers: Prepare smarter through proper dive training, equipment maintenance and predive rituals; dive smarter by exercising dive safety protocols, adhering to conservative diving profiles and maintaining high levels of situational awareness; and respond smarter through first-aid training and continuing education.
The 2016 DAN/Rolex Diver of the Year will be awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2016 Beneath the Sea Dive Show in Secaucus, New Jersey, on April 1-3, to receive a custom-engraved Oyster Perpetual Rolex Dive Watch, personalized jacket and a commemorative wall plaque in recognition of his or her efforts. Rolex will also generously donate $10,000 to DAN to fund this experience and to support the essential safety initiatives DAN provides through medical research, services, safety education and first-aid training.
The 2016 DAN/Rolex award winner will be selected by a committee comprised of DAN President and CEO Bill Ziefle, senior DAN staff, at-large members, Rolex representatives and past award-winners. All qualified nominees will be notified on December 21, 2015. The winner of the 2016 DAN Rolex Diver of the Year Award will be notified of this honor by January 22, 2016.
Candidates can be nominated by completing an application that showcases the diver’s contributions to dive safety. Nominations can be submitted for consideration no later than December 18, 2015 to Garrett Broyles at gbroyles@dan.org. Nominations can also be sent via postal mail to Divers Alert Network, DAN/Rolex Awards, 6 West Colony Place, Durham, NC, 27705.
Dive Worldwide has recently introduced Kenya to its portfolio of dive destinations, making it a new must-visit for divers. The company has chosen Temple Point Resort, located in Watamu, a small town on Kenya’s Indian Ocean Coast. The resort embodies the spirit of Kenya, with thatched roof buildings and bright white interiors, complemented with local art. The Creek Deluxe rooms enjoy a creek view and sunset vistas, whilst Boutique Garden rooms offer peace nestled in lush greenery.
An abundance of activities such as golf, stand up paddleboarding and kite surfing await those looking for action; while those in search of rejuvenation may partake in a range of yoga classes, or indulge in the spa. Spend evenings dining poolside dining or lazing in hammocks suspended over the creek; there is no detail missed at Temple Point.
The waters surrounding Temple Point Resort are bustling with life, however, there is also an opportunity to explore on dry land. Tsavo National Park is close enough for a day safari, allowing guests to double up on the wildlife experiences Kenya has to offer, from elephants to whale sharks.
Suggested Dive Itinerary: Dive and Discover Kenya
Embark on an adventure to one of Africa’s finest marine parks, Watamu, the first of its kind in the continent. Created in 1968, Watamu offers excellent diving and snorkelling for those of all experience levels. Lively coral reefs and the surrounding waters are home to over 1,000 species of fish, devil rays, mantas, whale sharks, dolphins and turtles.
DEAL: Stay 12 nights for the price of 10 at Temple Point Resort
Price: Dive and Discover Kenya now costs £2295pp, saving £150 per person. Including international flights from the UK, 12 nights’ B&B (for the price of 10), transfers, 5 days, 10 dive pack, tanks and weights. Based on travel in September ONLY. https://www.diveworldwide.com/trip-ideas/dive-discover-kenya#details
For more information visit: diveworldwide.com or call 01962 302 087
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
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