News
Diving and swimming with real mermaids at the XTC Dive Center in Yucatán, Mexico
Since the beginning of 2018, the sightings of manatees at the Southern tip of Yucatán have substantially increased!
XTC Dive Center is located right within a large marine sanctuary where the top diving attractions, right in front of their own boat dock, are coral formations with big schools of huge tarpons, and manatees. The behaviour of these manatees (marine mammals with a round caudal fin), which were considered mermaids by European explorers because of their floating-like silhouette resembling of a female swimmer, has changed dramatically.
“We have not yet figured out why,” says Javier Salas, owner of the XTC Dive Center, about the new situation, “but we’ve been seeing an increasing amount of manatees for months now.” Sightings of this miraculous, two-meter-long and 250-pound animals are not exceptional in this part of the world, especially as one of the world’s largest herbivore populations lives near the XTC Dive Center.
Manatees are very shy, so encounters between humans and animals were rather rare. “This has now changed fundamentally,” says Salas, “if guests wanted to observe manatees in the past, we went to an intense, time-consuming, and yet mostly frustrating, because unsuccessful, search. Now all one has to do is to dive on our doorstep. Of course, there is still no guarantee to meet one of these elegant swimmers, but the odds have increased manyfold.”
The regularity and frequency of these encounters can no longer be dismissed, so Salas informed the one of Mexico’s leading researcher on Manatees. Together, he and his team are now looking for causes, global warming for example, higher and thus less favourable water levels, changing feeding habits. No one knows what consequences will come out the findings. “But until then, we are pleased to be able to offer our guests a new – old – highlight at our dive center,” explains Javier Salas with a wink, “so anyone who wants to dive with the real mermaids – now is the opportunity! At the XTC Dive Center in Yucatán, Mexico!”
The XTC Dive Center is located in the very south of the Yucatán Peninsula, and is also well known among many divers hungry for adrenalin-infused dives, because it is the starting point for trips to the offshore Banco Chinchorro atoll, where you can snorkel with saltwater crocodiles.
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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.
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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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