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DEMA Show 2023: The Depths of Progress in the Scuba Diving Industry

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By Bryan Horne, Dive Curaçao / Dive Travel Curaçao

As I sit down to reflect on the whirlwind that was the DEMA Show 2023, in the vibrant city of New Orleans, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and optimism for the future of the scuba diving industry. This annual gathering of manufacturers, global destinations, dive retailers, and enthusiasts has always been a focal point for showcasing the latest innovations and trends in our beloved underwater world.

However, this year’s event was more than just a showcase; it was a milestone that underscored the industry’s collective power to drive positive change and create a unified impact across diverse fronts.

Exploring the DEMA Show 2023

One of the most remarkable aspects of DEMA Show 2023 was the palpable sense of collaboration that permeated the event. The scuba diving industry, often seen as a niche community, demonstrated that when we unite for a common cause, we become a force to be reckoned with. From education and environmental protection to travel, marketing, and safety; the influence of our collective efforts was unmistakable.

Diver Education

One shining example of the industry’s commitment to education was the inspiring work of Margo Peyton and her organization, Kids Sea Camp. DEMA 2023 provided a platform for Margo to share her vision and success in introducing children to the wonders of the underwater realm. The impact of programs like Kids Sea Camp extends far beyond the immediate experience, creating a generation of young divers who not only appreciate marine life but also become ambassadors for ocean conservation.

Read more about Kids Sea Camp: “I’m a Believer” by Scott D. Jones

Environmental Protection

Environmental protection took center stage at DEMA Show 2023, with organizations like Stream2Sea, PADI AWARE, and Green Fins leading the charge. Their dedication to sustainable practices and ocean-friendly products highlighted the industry’s commitment to preserving the underwater ecosystems we hold dear. The booths and presentations focused on eco-friendly products, responsible diving practices, and the importance of leaving no trace underwater. It was a clear message that as guardians of the ocean, we have a responsibility to tread lightly and ensure its health for generations to come.

Dive Travel

In the realm of travel, DEMA Show 2023 showcased the incredible potential of our industry and its influence on tourism.

Our Dutch Caribbean Island of Curaçao, once a hidden gem in the scuba diving world, stood as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration.

Over the past decade, Dive Curaçao, Ocean Encounters, and LionsDive Beach Resort worked hand in hand to develop Curaçao as a world-class diving destination.

This year, our collective efforts were recognized with an astounding 23 awards in the Scuba Diving Reader’s Choice Awards. The readers spoke, and their votes reinforced the idea that collaboration can turn a relatively unknown destination into a global diving hotspot.

The success of Curaçao serves as a blueprint for other emerging destinations, illustrating that by pooling resources, sharing knowledge, and collectively marketing our unique offerings, we can elevate the entire industry. Digital marketing played a crucial role in this transformation, connecting divers from around the world with the beauty of Curaçao’s underwater landscapes. Social media campaigns, immersive virtual tours, and engaging content brought our island to the forefront of the diving community’s consciousness.

Photo courtesy of Frank Do

Diver Safety

Safety has always been a paramount concern in the scuba diving industry, and the Divers Alert Network (DAN) took the opportunity at DEMA Show 2023 to unveil the latest advancements in dive safety including innovative training programs. Their emphasis on safety highlighted the industry’s unwavering commitment to ensuring every dive is a secure and enjoyable experience.

Reflecting on the DEMA Show 2023

The DEMA Show 2023 was a rallying point, a reminder that we are not isolated entities but integral parts of a global and interconnected community. The connections forged and strengthened at the event will reverberate throughout the industry, sparking collaborations that go beyond borders and benefit us all. The exchange of ideas, the sharing of best practices, and the celebration of successes create a synergy that propels us forward.

As I navigated the bustling aisles of the exhibition hall, engaged in insightful seminars, and connected with industry leaders, it became evident that the key to Curaçao’s continued success lies in collaboration. Yes, we have achieved great strides, but there is still much work to be done. The challenges facing our coral reefs are immense. From climate change to pollution, these issues demand a united front to ensure the sustainability of Curaçao’s diving industry.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our partners and suppliers who joined us at DEMA Show 2023, and a special acknowledgment to the DEMA 2023 Board of Directors for orchestrating an event that transcended expectations. The bonds formed and strengthened in New Orleans set the stage for an exciting year ahead.

However, as we look towards the future, the scuba diving industry stands at a crossroads. We must avoid apathy and choose a path that will shape the destiny of our oceans and the sustainability of our scuba diving industry, especially here in Curaçao.

Looking forward to the DEMA Show 2024

In conclusion, DEMA Show 2023 was not just an exhibition; it was a manifestation of the scuba diving industry’s potential to create a positive impact. The collaborative spirit showcased at the event serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that by working together, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone. As we eagerly anticipate the DEMA Show 2024 in Las Vegas, let us carry this positive momentum forward, united in our mission to protect, educate, and explore the wonders of the underwater world.

Bryan Horne wasn’t born in Curaçao; he’s a Canadian native, drawn to the Island “out of a passion for scuba diving and the underwater world.” Moving was always going to be a life-changing decision, but in diving, Bryan had found his calling. As the founder and owner of Dive Curaçao, he spends his days showing off Curaçao’s hidden undersea treasures – and does his part to preserve them for future generations.

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Alonissos: The complete diving destination (Part 1)

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In June we were incredibly fortunate to be invited to dive in Alonissos, a small Greek Island in the Sporades island chain located in the North Aegean Sea.  While I have long been a big fan of the Greek Islands as a great holiday destination, I had not had the opportunity to do any diving on previous visits and Mike and I were extremely excited to see what Alonissos had to offer both above and below the surface!

The Sporades are easily accessible via the airport in Skiathos (the first island in the chain), which is served by Jet2 flights from all major UK airports from May through October.  Numerous ferries and charter boats make island hopping from Skiathos Town a breeze.  After an hour boat ride, the picturesque port of Patitiri was a wonderful introduction to Alonissos, where we were met by our gracious hosts Kostas of Albedo Travel and Dias of Alonissos Triton Dive Center.  Mike and I were delighted to be staying at the Paradise Hotel, aptly named for its stunning views over the sea and great location for walking to the waterfront.

Alonissos is beautifully situated in the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades, the largest marine protected area in Europe.  The surrounding seas offer fabulous marine life, including incredibly rare species such as the Mediterranean monk seal.  They boast deep walls covered in gorgonians and sponges, stunning topography with caverns, swimthroughs and pinnacles, and the first accessible ancient shipwreck from 500BC!

In locations where historical sites have been reported, the waters are largely restricted, but with collaboration between government, underwater archeologists and dive centres, incredible underwater museums are being created for a truly unique diving experience.  Alonissos is home to the first of these, the Ancient Shipwreck of Peristera Accessible Underwater Archeological Site.  The chance to dive into history (along with reports of healthy reef life and amazing underwater topography) meant Mike and I were keen to get in the water.

Our introduction to the diving around Alonissos was at the Agios Georgios Pinnacles, in the channel between Alonissos and Skopelos.  This fantastic site was named “The Chimney,’ and proved to have a huge amount to see.  We got to a decent depth here (over 25m), and marvelled at a colourful reef wall with a wonderful swim through whose rocky walls were absolutely covered with life.  As well as brilliant topography there was no shortage of macro life here.  We saw numerous nudibranchs, five different species in total.  The second dive at Mourtias reef nearby was a shallower dive along a nice wall with lots of crevices. Several moray eels and grouper called this site home.  We enjoyed looking in the crevices for lobster and smaller benthic life, such as cup corals and tunicates.

Our itinerary allowed us two dives a day with afternoons left to explore the island with our hire car and evenings to enjoy the famous Greek hospitality.  This proved to be a lovely mix of in-water and land based diversions.  

The next days diving to the Gorgonian Gardens and Triton’s Cave was to be even better!  These two stunning sites are nothing short of fabulous.  The Gorgonian Gardens was a deep wall near to the Agios Georgios islands.  The ever-present currents in this deep channel meant that the sea life was amazing … the namesake Gorgonian sea fans dotted the wall at a depth of 30 to 50 meters, getting ever larger the deeper we went.  Above 30m was by no means less beautiful, with sponges, corals, scorpionfish, moray eels and some rare and colourful nudibranchs.

The second shallower dive of the day was to Triton’s Cave or the Cavern of Skopelos, on the east side of that island. The spectacular rock formations had wild striations both above and below the water making a truly epic topography.  The cavern entrance was at 14m, and big enough for a buddy pair, winding up to 6m and passing two beautiful windows out into the blue.  Emerging from the cavern, the light at the shallower depths and the incredible rock formations made for a fantastic gentle swimming safety stop and we all surfaced by the boat with massive grins. 

Check out our next blog :Alonissos: The complete diving destination (Part 2)” to hear about our amazing dive on the 2500 year old Peristera Wreck!

Thanks to:

Alonissos Triton Dive Center https://bestdivingingreece.com/

Albedo Travel https://alonissosholidays.com/activities/

Paradise Hotel https://paradise-hotel.gr/

Alonissos Municipality https://alonissos.gr/en/

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Mamma Mia! Diving Skopelos (Part 2)

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Our second days dive itinerary was to the famous Christoforos wreck! This is arguably the best dive in Skopelos and though only open to divers with deep diving experience, this 83m long wreck is well worth the visit.  

The Christoforos sits in 43 meters of water with the deck at 32 to 35 meters.  A 30m dive can give an impressive view of the wreck, though such a large wreck needs a few dives to truly do it justice.  Given its ideal location just a 2 minute boat ride from the dive centre dock it is an excellent first dive of the day.  The sheltered site is also diveable in all but the absolute worst weather so although deep, the water is usually clear with little to no current making it a very pleasant dive.  The site is superb for technical diving and a great training site for the Tec 40 and 45 programs, offered by Skopelos Dive Center.  

The Christoforos wreck was originally a collier ship built in 1950 at Grangemouth shipyard under the name “Thomas Hardie”.  In 1976 she joined the Greek merchant fleet as “Christoforos”.  On the 2nd of October 1983 the Christoforos was carrying 2600 tonnes of cement from Volos to Piraeus Port. During the voyage the weather turned, resulting in the ship developing a 7 degree list, whereby she changed course for safe anchorage at Panormos, Skopelos.  The ship reached Panormos at 16:00 with a list of 17 degrees and water ingress to No. 1 hull.  Though attempts were made to right the vessel, the crew were ordered to abandon ship at 22:00.  The captain, lieutenant and the quartermaster remained to try and save the ship, but had to abandon the attempt themselves and the Christoforos finally sank at 05:30 on 3rd October 1983.  She now sits upright in 43 meters of water less than 200m from shore in Panormos.

Diving has only been allowed here since 2018, so the wreck is very well preserved and a real treat to dive.  Permission to dive here was granted by the authorities after lots of incredibly hard work by the Skopelos Dive Center staff.  Having a fantastic wreck in such an amazing location and in excellent condition is a real privilege.

Of all the sites in Skopelos this was the site Mike and I were most keen to experience.  Having kitted up and zipped across the bay to the mooring, we left the surface and followed the descent line until the wreck emerged spectacularly from the blue at 15m.  She is a big and beautiful wreck, sitting as though calmly continuing her journey along the seabed.  With most of her original features still intact there were points of interest everywhere, including the anchors, winches, ships telegraphs, the wheel and RDF antenna.  

We found that aquatic life had colonised the ship, with schools of fish, electric blue nudibranchs, a large moray eel and the resident scorpionfish lurking inside the bridge.  The Christoforos was truly a stunning wreck and despite maximising our time at depth we eventually had to say our goodbyes and begin the slow and steady return to the surface. 

After a superb morning dive we had the afternoon to do a little sightseeing of the island, with a trip to the church of Agios Ioannis Kastri made famous by the blockbuster movie “Mamma Mia!”. Mike and I spent a happy afternoon pootling around in our little hire car before meeting up with Lina from Skopelos Dive Center.  An underwater archeologist as well as a dive professional, Lina had offered to show us a rather special attraction, the Christoforos shipwreck Digital Spot public information and awareness centre.

A fantastic initiative made possible from the collaboration of the government and hard work of the staff at Skopelos Dive Center is the “Digital Spot” in Agnontas port.  This information center has a number of displays on the history of the Christoforos wreck, the process by which the wreck was allowed to be opened to the public for diving tourism, other sites of historical interest in the area, a video of the wreck and the best bit, a virtual reality dry dive experience!  The beauty of the VR system is that non diving members of the family can see what you have seen on the wreck, or you can see areas that you may not have explored during the dive due to time or depth limitations.  It was a truly immersive experience and a great addition to the dive itself.

After a wonderful day we celebrated our last evening on the island with an exquisite meal in Skopelos Town with fabulous views over the town and bay, washed down with the excellent local wine.  The lamb with lemon and potatoes was a meal which I could happily eat every day for the rest of my life! 

Skopelos is an island that truly has it all.  The diving is excellent, the landscape is beautiful with plenty of non diving activities, the locals friendly and the food and drink superb.  Given how accessible it is as a holiday destination it has avoided becoming overcrowded and even in peak season offers a fun yet relaxing atmosphere.  We highly recommend giving Skopelos a visit.  We will certainly be back again!

Thanks to:

Municipality of Skopelos (https://skopelos.com/

Skopelos Dive Center  (https://sporadesdiving.gr/)

Ionia Hotel (https://www.ioniahotel.gr/en)

Dolphin of Skopelos (https://dolphinofskopelos.com/)

Ta Kymata restaurant (@takymata)

The Muses restaurant (https://www.facebook.com/TheMussesMousses/)

Aktaiov resturant (https://skopelos.com/listings/aktaion-taverna/)

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