News
Divers swim distance of English Channel to raise charity funds


Divers take part in the BSAC English Channel Swim event in aid of Activlives charity in Ipswich on 18-June-2016.
Billericay SAC, iDive SAC and DiveLine Diving Centre have recently completed the equivalent of swimming the English Channel underwater, all in aid of charity.
The distance was completed by a team of 27 divers, including event organiser Steve Barnes and BSAC Council member Dave Lock in just under two hours.
The event took place at Crown Pools in Ipswich and to cover the 20.6 miles distance the team needed to swim 1,326 lengths of the 25-metre pool. All the money raised by the team will go towards a £3,500 project to broaden the scope of the Suffolk-based ActivLives charity, which works to keep older people active for longer.
Steve Barnes, a member of Billericay SAC and is on the board of trustees for ActivLives, said: “It turned out to be a fantastic event and we actually did more than the required distance. We actually covered 1,350 which is fantastic.
“We are waiting to see how much we have raised. We do have a JustGiving page but a lot of divers who took part have secured their own sponsorship and are collecting the money in.
“It was just a wonderful team effort and I’m so please with the way everyone worked and pulled together to complete the challenge.”
The diving team also included newly-weds Anne Marie and Winston Grealy, members of both Billericay and iDive Sub Aqua Clubs who flew back from their Red Sea honeymoon just in time to take part. The pair met on a Red Sea scuba diving trip and had a diving-themed wedding this spring.
Anne Marie said of the fundraising challenge: “I did 54 lengths which wasn’t quite as bad as I thought it would be to be honest. The biggest problem was the shallow end and trying to stay below the water, especially when the cylinder was less full of air.
“It was a really lovely event and everyone just pulled together. To cover the distance we did is wonderful.”
Mary Tetley, BSAC Chief Executive said: “Scuba diving is enjoyed by people of all ages in our clubs around the UK, so it’s great to see our members getting involved with a unique charity event and helping to encourage more people to get active. Well done to everyone who took part!”
www.justgiving.com/Divetheenglishchannel
Photos: www.stephenwaller.com
News
PADI Launches World’s First Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course with Octo Diver

Octo Diver, in collaboration with PADI, have introduced the first-ever PADI Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course, designed to raise the standard of dive equipment knowledge and safety in the scuba diving industry.
This 7-day hands-on course is open to all certified divers, dive professionals, and dive centre/resort staff, and focuses on vital life-support equipment servicing.
The course modules include:
Scuba Regulator Servicing (Diaphragm & Piston types)
2nd Stage Servicing (Balanced & Unbalanced)
K-Valve Cylinder Valve Maintenance
Scuba Cylinder Visual Inspection
Power Inflator Servicing
Oxygen Cleaning for Scuba Equipment
Scuba Compressor Service & Maintenance
Standard Service & Repair Reporting
It is developed by Octo Diver’s professional team, led by a certified PADI Scuba Technician Instructor with a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering and over 15 years of experience in the diving industry.
This professional-level course can be conducted at Octo Diver’s classroom in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, or hosted at dive centers worldwide. Hosting dive centers receive exclusive benefits, including high commission, special course rates, and free seats.
Upon completion, students will receive certification from PADI along with official technician credentials.
Octo Diver is currently looking for dive centers and resorts globally to host this course. Let’s work together to make diving safer and more professional — Be a Certified PADI Scuba Technician.
For more information, visit www.Scuba-Technician.com
Blogs
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort – A Hidden Gem in the Northern Moluccas

Far from the usual tourist trails, on a small island in the Northern Moluccas, lies a place of extraordinary beauty: Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort. Nestled between dense tropical jungle and a powdery white sand beach, the resort offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature at its purest. With panoramic views of the turquoise sea and direct access to some of Indonesia’s most untouched reefs, it’s a dream come true for those seeking tranquility above and adventure below the surface.
The resort features just 16 spacious beachfront bungalows, each only steps from the ocean. At its heart is a beautifully designed open-air restaurant, built entirely from natural materials, where guests can enjoy a diverse selection of Indonesian and international cuisine.
But what truly sets Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort apart is the underwater world that surrounds it. The reefs of the Northern Moluccas are among the most pristine and biodiverse in all of Indonesia – and remarkably, they remain largely untouched. Thanks to the remote location, dive boats are often the only ones around, giving divers the rare privilege of exploring vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and colorful drop-offs in complete solitude.
Marine life here is nothing short of spectacular. Blacktip reef sharks are spotted on nearly every dive, while nutrient-rich walls attract sea turtles, schools of jacks, and bumphead parrotfish. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of rare and photogenic species, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and several types of octopus and shrimp.
One of the region’s most extraordinary highlights is the Halmahera Walking Shark, a rare species endemic to this part of Indonesia. First described by scientists only in recent years, this small shark is unlike anything else in the ocean. Rather than swimming, it uses its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” along the seabed. These elusive yet fascinating creatures are most often encountered on night dives – and witnessing one in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.
The reefscapes surrounding Spice Island Resort are equally impressive. Flourishing hard coral formations spread across the seabed, interspersed with vivid sponges, large sea fans, and colorful soft corals. The biodiversity is astonishing, and the visual spectacle underwater is a dream for photographers. Most importantly, the reefs here are healthy—a rare treasure in today’s marine environment. With minimal tourism and careful management, the ecosystem remains intact, vibrant, and teeming with life.
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort is more than just a dive destination – it’s a retreat for those seeking peace and a haven for underwater explorers looking to experience the authentic magic of Indonesia’s last true frontier.
Book your next diving adventure at Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort with Extra Divers!
- News2 months ago
Aqualung Group Enters Court-Supervised Reorganization Process
- Gear Reviews2 months ago
Gear Review: Garmin Descent G2 Dive Computer (Watch Video)
- News3 months ago
Saeed Rashid Joins Scubaverse as Underwater Photography Editor
- Marine Life & Conservation3 months ago
Book Review: Shark The Illustrated Biography
- News3 months ago
The Revillagigedo Islands: a Pelagic Paradise
- Blogs3 months ago
Swimming with Sharks in the Bahamas: My Most Magical Dive Yet
- Marine Life & Conservation2 months ago
David Attenborough’s Ocean: A Review
- News3 months ago
Shannon Moran Joins the Scubaverse Underwater Photography Team