News
Don’t miss the North of England’s first AIDA Freediving Competition on the 17th November
As Freediving grows steadily in the North of England, Apneists UK ( www.learn2freedive.com ) has had groups running all over the North West, starting in Manchester and Liverpool, and in Yorkshire for well over a decade. In Yorkshire, Sheffield and Huddersfield currently have clubs, as does Leeds on a less regular frequency. In order to facilitate the ability of Freedivers to regularly train and increase the number of sessions, we are going to promote the sport in the area with its first AIDA Freediving competition on the 17th November 2013, and we have picked our club in Huddersfield to host the event.
A number of athletes from around the UK will compete in one of three disciplines. Dynamic Apnea, swimming horizontally as far as one can. Dynamic no fins, swimming as far horizontally as one can with… (yes you guessed it). And Static Apnea, lying stationary holding your breath for as long as you can. The highest point score wins, so you can pick your favourite event to try and win it. It is like the mini version of the International competition we have run every year now for five years, which is attempting all three disciplines and total point score decides the winner.
Some details here of location and timing: http://www.freedivingcompetition.com/huddersfield-2013.html
The competition holds something for the whole club, and for those travelling. Some athletes are in almost full time training trying to get National records and win the event, some athletes are there to get one step closer to that goal and simply be the best they can be, and some are there for their first taste of competition to see if they like it. In any case its a good reason to get fit and healthy both physically and mentally. Freediving is an extremely personal sport; you do your own dive on the day, but at the same time you never dive alone without someone properly looking after your safety. I think this, in part, is one of the reasons for the strong community spirit within the sport and, despite it being a competition, all athletes encourage the best out of their peers.
An event on the horizon is a good reason to train; an extra impetus to improve yourself and diving in some way. You don’t need to start the sport looking like an Olympian, but if you want a sport that will improve your health and fitness this certainly is a good one to take up. Improvements come over time with regular diving.
This competition will also be a good opportunity to make sure every wrinkle is ironed out of the background organisation for the International competition we have on the 22nd/23rd March 2014. We have some camera testing to do to make it really special. Here is the intro video from last year’s competition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcgHwawzYE0 . A good opportunity to make the next competition better than the last, we always try and improve. Just before the International will have an opportunity for those wishing to judge in the future to do the AIDA International judges course with an experienced Judge trainer.
http://www.freedivingcompetition.com/2014-competition.html
Please feel free to come along and see the event. And if you are a Freediver, enter or help out if you want.
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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