News
Diving with…Simon Mackay, Abyss Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
In this ongoing series, we speak to the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer…
What is your name?
Simon Mackay
What is the name of your business?
Abyss Fuerteventura
What is your role within the business?
Owner / Instructor
How long has the business operated for?
Abyss has been in operation since 2001 and I’ve owned it since November 2012.
How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?
My first dive was at the age of 16 (BSAC course with the Army) in 1988 then became instructor (PADI MSDT) in 2011 and Deptherapy PRO instructor 2012.
What is your favorite type of diving?
Sidemount and wrecks .. it’s a great combination.
If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?
At Abyss we only dive in small numbers (max four per group). The dive centre is run by myself and my wife so we only ever have small dive groups and we try to fit the dives to what the divers wants and needs.
What is your favorite dive in your location and why?
El Jablito is a great site as we have an abundance of wild life. It’s good for beginners to old hands alike, and we regularly spot angel sharks.
What types of diving are available in your location?
We have both shore and boat diving available here but sadly no drifts or wrecks on Fuerteventura.
What do you find most rewarding about your current role?
I love teaching and each day is different from Open Water one day to Sidemount speciality the next.
What is your favorite underwater creature?
I guess it has to be the Angel shark but barracuda come a close second.
Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?
There has been some chatting among the dive centres here on Fuerteventura about the possibility of our own wreck on the island.. it’s something we really could do with ..
As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?
We strive to ensure we comply with all the Spanish and Canarian Laws and rules but we still see freelancers not abiding by the same laws and still diving in the same locations as us.
Is your center involved in any environmental work?
We actively encourage divers to do clean up dives at least once a month at our local dive site, as well as reporting angel shark sightings to the Shark Alliance so they can build data on why they are in decline.
How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?
The move to E-learning is a good green initiative to cut back on waste and transportation of materials that get used once and often thrown away. More could be done between the dive industry, government bodies and the general diving public to ensure the industry remains safe and standards are maintained.
What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?
With Fuerteventura only 4 hours from the UK, it’s nearly as close as some UK inland dive sites from your home town .. but the difference is we have year round sun .. with water temperatures of 17-24 degs, and if you have non-diving friends (do they even exist I only know divers lol) then we have miles of golden sandy dunes to top up the tan.
Where can our visitors find out more about your business?
- info@abyssfuerteventura.com
- www.abyssfuerteventura.com
- https://www.facebook.com/Abyssfuerte/
- https://twitter.com/abyssfuerte
- https://www.instagram.com/abyss_fuerteventura/
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRlLJ2bKLLQAg3WeB5aXQng
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g580322-d3308309-Reviews-Abyss_Fuerteventura-Corralejo_La_Oliva_Fuerteventura_Canary_Islands.html
Blogs
EXCLUSIVE: Jeff Goodman interviews Mark Spiers, CEO of New Scuba Diving Training Agency NovoScuba
In a video recorded exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman interviews Mark Spiers, CEO of new scuba diving training agency NovoScuba.
Find out more about NovoScuba at www.novoscuba.com.
News
Charting New Waters; NovoScuba Goes Global with the Launch of their Revolutionary Dive Training Agency!
Discover a New Era of Dive Education: NovoScuba Brings Innovation to the Surface! Fully ISO Certified and Equipped with Cutting-Edge Technology.
With a combined experience spanning over a century in the diving industry, a team of accomplished dive store owners, managers, and professionals unveils NovoScuba, a ground-breaking dive training agency poised to redefine the benchmarks of underwater education. Launching in May 2024, NovoScuba promises a revolutionary approach to dive training. Their vision is to make diving accessible to everyone, share success within the dive community and emphasise positive interactions with the planet.
NovoScuba’s global debut marks a significant milestone in the dive industry. Driven by a vision to challenge convention and harness the power of technology, NovoScuba aims to revolutionise the dive training landscape through its innovative business model, which is digitally native, making it the most technologically advanced dive training agency to date.
“We recognised the need for change in the dive training industry and saw an opportunity to leverage technology, and redefine existing business models to create something truly innovative,” said Mark Spiers, CEO of NovoScuba.
NovoScuba’s platform offers state of the art training programmes ranging from introductory up to professional diving, including various specialties. All programmes meet international standards and ISO certifications are in place. This commitment to shared success, accessibility and positive results for the planet, all at a cost effective and affordable level, is what will make NovoScuba stand out.
“Our deep understanding of traditional pain points for the industry, combined with our digitally native approach positions NovoScuba as a game-changer in dive education. Offering unparalleled initiatives such as student subscription, open access to all course materials, pay as you certify, no stock required, monthly membership payments, payment in local currencies, one-click certifications, and membership freezing, NovoScuba is set to redefine the industry. Available in 13 languages, at launch, the NovoScuba courses are written for the modern divers, with a focus on up-to-date content, interactive learning, and an engaging platform,” Mark Spiers concluded.
NovoScuba is challenging a change in the industry, redefining established traditional systems, and ushering in a new standard of excellence, support, and partnership. Their collaborations with dive stores, pros and underwater enthusiasts won’t demand exclusivity, prioritising earned loyalty, and an understanding that their Member’s success is key to their own.
NovoScuba
Diving Redefined.
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