News
Dive Tourism Pioneers Honored by Cayman Government at Heroes Ceremony
Other dive industry professionals recognized for long service to the Cayman Islands tourism product
Dive and hospitality pioneers Bob Soto and Ms. Hebe Connors (Briggs) were honored by the Cayman Islands government as early tourism heroes in a January celebration in George Town’s Heroes Square. Several hundred people were recognized as tourism contributors, but only a few were distinguished as heroes of the industry.
Bob Soto started recreational diving in Cayman, and Ms. Hebe housed his dive customers in guest rooms at her seaside cottage on outskirts of George Town. Mr. Soto became one of the best-known names in diving, and Ms. Hebe’s guest house became Sunset House, now one of the Caribbean’s best-known dive resorts.
“She was a strong woman who worked hard to support us, so I’m glad to see her honored for that hard work,” said her son Adrien Briggs, who was also recognized as a tourism pioneer at the ceremony. In addition to Sunset House, Briggs also owns Red Sail Sports, a top dive operator, and the Rum Point Club, a popular island beach attraction.
“I am honored at the recognition, but I know there are many other people who deserve recognition for their contributions to dive tourism as well,” said Mr. Briggs.
Diving and watersports are key components of Cayman’s tourism product — surveys reveal that 1 in 8 visitors will dive, the rest snorkel and go to the beach.
Neil van Niekerk, Administrations Manager of the Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman and former President of the Sister Islands Tourism Association, was named an emerging pioneer.
“I’m deeply honored – it’s an amazing award,” he said. Van Niekerk is also active in the watersports division of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, helping steer the island’s dive industry into the future.
“Neil would be a rising star wherever he worked,” commented Peter Hillenbrand, owner of the Southern Cross Club, himself recognized for long service to tourism. “The fact that he continues to be dedicated to the sustainable growth of the Cayman Islands tourism product is a great asset to me and my business as well as the Cayman Islands.”
Ron Kipp, who owned Bob Soto’s Diving for many years, was honored as a tourism pioneer. Cayman’s “Stingray Man” Pat Kenney, credited as co-founder of the deeper Stingray City dive, one of the most popular tourism attractions, was among the honorees for long service to tourism.
“I’m grateful and honored to be among the large group who were recognized for our years of service in the tourism industry,” he said.
Walter Findlay, a long-time watersports manager with Red Sail Sports, was also at the celebration receiving kudos for his long service to tourism.
“I am extremely grateful and honored to be recognized,” said Findlay, who has been on the frontline with Cayman tourists for almost 25 years. “I find tourism a natural fit because I enjoy talking to people and helping them, and that’s a reflection on Red Sail Sports and the services that we give.”
Customer service is one of the reasons Cayman is today a vacation hotspot, as are its variety of accommodations, world-class restaurants, superb diving, and professional dive services. It’s come a long way from the day a seaplane landed in the waters of George Town with the first visitors 70 years ago. In 2016, 385,451 visitors arrived by air in the Cayman Islands, 80% of them from the U.S. More than half are expected to return because, per exit surveys, their experience was very good compared to other Caribbean destinations they have visited. Good news for a tourism industry expecting a banner year in 2017.
Peter Hillenbrand sums up the dedication of all those who work to make the Cayman Islands the best tourist destination.
“I am looking forward to the future and continuing to be involved in moving Cayman’s tourism product and conservation efforts forward,” he said.
Free Octopus with every purchase of a SCUBAPRO regulator system
Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
with every purchase of a regulator system!
Get a free S270 OCTOPUS with purchase of these combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with A700
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with S620Ti
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with D420
MK25 EVO Din mit S620Ti-X
Get a free R105 OCTOPUS with purchase of the following combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with G260
MK25 EVO or MK17 EVO with S600
SCUBAPRO offers a 30-year first owner warranty on all regulators, with a revision period of two years or 100 dives. All SCUBAPRO regulators are of course certified according to the new European test standard EN250-2014.
Available at participating SCUBAPRO dealers. Promotion may not be available in all regions. Find an authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer at scubapro.com.
More information available on www.scubapro.com.
Jake Davies boards Ghazala Explorer for an unforgettable Red Sea diving experience…
Overnight, the wind picked up, making the planned morning dive a bit bumpy on the Zodiacs to the drop point on Thomas Reef. There, we would dive along the reef before descending through the canyon and then passing under the arch before ascending the wall with a gentle drift. The site provided great encounters with more pelagic species, including shoals of large barracuda, tuna, and bigeye trevally.
Once back on the boat, it was time to get everything tied down again as we would head back south. This time, with the wind behind us, heading to Ras Mohammed to dive Jackfish Alley for another great gentle drift wall dive before then heading up the coast towards the Gulf of Suez to moor up at the wreck of the Thistlegorm. This being the highlight wreck dive of the trip and for many onboard, including myself, it was the first time diving this iconic wreck. I had heard so much about the wreck from friends, and globally, this is a must on any diver’s list. Fortunately for us, there was only one other boat at the site, which was a rarity. A great briefing was delivered by Ahmed, who provided a detailed background about the wreck’s history along with all the required safety information as the currents and visibility at the site can be variable.
Kitting up, there was a lot of excitement on deck before entering the water and heading down the shoreline. Descending to the wreck, there was a light northerly current which reduced the visibility, making it feel more like the conditions that can be found off the Welsh coast. At 10m from the bottom, the outline of the wreck appeared as we reached the area of the wreck which had been bombed, as our mooring line was attached to part of the propeller shaft. Arriving on deck, instantly everywhere you looked there were many of the supplies which the ship was carrying, including Bren Carrier tanks and projectiles that instantly stood out.
We headed around the exterior, taking a look at the large propeller and guns mounted on deck before entering the wreck on the port side to take a look in the holds. It was incredible to see all the trucks, Norton 16H, and BSA motorcycles still perfectly stacked within, providing a real snapshot in time.
Overall, we had four dives on the Thistlegorm, where for all of the dives we were the only group in the water, and at times, there were just three of us on the whole wreck, which made it even more special, especially knowing that most days the wreck has hundreds of divers. Along with the history of the wreck, there was plenty of marine life on the wreck and around, from big green turtles to batfish, along with shoals of mackerel being hunted by trevally. Some unforgettable dives.
The final leg of the trip saw us cross back over the Suez Canal to the Gobal Islands where we planned to stay the night and do three dives at the Dolphin House for the potential of sharing the dive with dolphins. The site, which included a channel that was teeming with reef fish, especially large numbers of goatfish that swam in large shoals along the edge of the reef. These were nice relaxing dives to end the week. Unfortunately, the dolphins didn’t show up, which was okay as like all marine life they are difficult to predict and you can’t guarantee what’s going to be seen. With the last dive complete, we headed back to port for the final night where it was time to clean all the kit and pack before the departure flight the next day.
The whole week from start to finish on Ghazala Explorer was amazing; the boat had all the facilities you need for a comfortable week aboard. The crew were always there to help throughout the day and the chefs providing top quality food which was required after every dive. The itinerary providing some of the best diving with a nice mixture of wreck and reef dives. I would recommend the trip to anyone, whether it’s your first Red Sea liveaboard in the Red Sea or you’re revisiting. Hopefully, it’s not too long before I head back to explore more of the Red Sea onboard Ghazala Explorer.
To find out more about the Northern Red Sea reef and wrecks itineraries aboard Ghazala Explorer, or to book, contact Scuba Travel now:
Email: dive@scubatravel.com
Tel: +44 (0)1483 411590
Photos: Jake Davies / Avalon.Red
-
News3 months agoHone your underwater photography skills with Alphamarine Photography at Red Sea Diving Safari in March
-
News3 months agoCapturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop 2024: Event Roundup
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs2 months agoCreature Feature: Swell Sharks
-
Blogs2 months agoMurex Resorts: Passport to Paradise!
-
Blogs2 months agoDiver Discovering Whale Skeletons Beneath Ice Judged World’s Best Underwater Photograph
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months agoSave the Manatee Club launches brand new webcams at Silver Springs State Park, Florida
-
Gear Reviews3 months agoGear Review: Oceanic+ Dive Housing for iPhone
-
Gear Reviews2 weeks agoGEAR REVIEW – Revolutionising Diving Comfort: The Sharkskin T2 Chillproof Suit