News
Event Report: Scubafest Cornwall 2016
Held on the early May bank holiday weekend at the coastal venue of Pentewan Sands Holiday Park in Cornwall, this year’s Scubafest has had some great weather for diving as well as the main attraction of the contributors tent at the back of the beach. With magnificent views across the bay, divers took to the calm clear water throughout the day, with dive boats ferrying their customers to and from dive sites. I didn’t have time to get in myself but was told the water was very clear with visibility around 15 meters on the slack tide.
In the main contributors tent, equipment stands held an array of eye catching ‘wish I had’ equipment and although not overly subscribed this year with companies, those who were there made guests feel welcome and were ready to expertly answer all questions about equipment and dive holiday destinations.
Being a bank holiday weekend the resort was busy with caravans and campers, giving a pleasant family feel to the entire festival but I do find the lack of younger divers at these shows to be interesting. There were a few teenagers in the ‘try dive’ pool which was good to see but I personally don’t see many young divers any more, unless at a warm sea holiday resort where they can do their basic training and hire gear to dive on tropical reefs. The incentive then, of coming home to the UK and donning a dry suit, seems to have very little appeal. I can understand that, but in reality these youngsters are missing out on some superb diving to be had around our own shores, with a fantastic array of underwater wildlife and geography.
Perhaps we as the diving industry should be pushing harder for the ‘home dive’ experiences and get more people involved in this fantastic sport.
Were you at Scubafest Cornwall this year? Tell us what you thought about the event in the comments section below.
Marine Life & Conservation
I.CARE, SSI Blue Oceans, and Mares Team Up to Remove Over 36,000 Pounds of Debris from the Florida Keys
The 3rd Annual I.CARE Trash Derby has come to a successful close, delivering a powerful message of community-driven conservation. In partnership with SSI Blue Oceans, Mares, and several other industry leaders, I.CARE once again led an inspiring grassroots effort to restore and protect the marine environment of the Florida Keys.
This year’s Trash Derby broke records, drawing support from more than 900 participants—including divers, boaters, and conservation advocates—who collectively removed an impressive 36,459 pounds of marine debris. Over a two-day period, teams worked on land, along shorelines, and at reef sites both above and below the water, making a meaningful contribution to the region’s ecological health.
“I am so proud of everyone involved in last week’s I.CARE Trash Derby,” said Mike Goldberg, Co-Founder of I.CARE. “This level of success comes from the passion and hard work of hundreds of people who care about our oceans, reefs, and local communities. I’m filled with gratitude.”
Recognizing Top Contributors: From Trash to Triumph
The event featured competition across three categories—Land & Shore, Private Boat, and Dive Operator—awarding teams based on the amount of debris collected per person. Additional special recognitions included the most monofilament retrieved and the most unusual item found. Congratulations to the standout teams of 2025:
Land & Shore Division:
Tired of Tires – 1,128.75 lbs/person
DerSno – 930.7 lbs/person
KnotaYacht – 124.2 lbs/person
Private Boat Division:
Triple Crown – 1,076.83 lbs/person
Fisherman & the Mermaid – 735.95 lbs/person
Dumpster Diving Divas – 572.875 lbs/person
Dive Operator Division:
Quiescence Diving – 430.6 lbs/person (average)
Key Dives – 141.3 lbs/person (average)
Captain’s Corner – 83.2 lbs/person (average)
Special Awards:
Most Monofilament Collected: Conch Republic Divers (26.8 lbs)
Most Unique Item Found: Bilge Buddies
Celebrating Conservation with Community and Education
The weekend concluded with the Trash Derby Festival at Founders Park in Islamorada. Attendees enjoyed live music, food, and sustainability-focused vendors, all centered around marine conservation. The festival also provided opportunities to connect with environmental organizations and celebrate the participants’ achievements.
“The energy and dedication from everyone involved was incredible,” said Rachael Steidley, SSI’s North America Marketing Manager. “This event goes beyond collecting trash—it’s about building a movement and inspiring conservation on a global scale.”
Looking Ahead to 2026: Raising the Bar
Plans are already underway for the 4th Annual I.CARE Trash Derby, with organizers calling on dive pros, boaters, and ocean advocates to help set an even bigger record next year.
To get involved or learn more about how you or your dive shop can participate in 2026, visit www.icaretrashderby.com or contact I.CARE at info@icareaboutcoral.org.
Let’s keep making waves for the planet—one pound at a time.
Dive industry veteran Paul Toomer has officially announced his departure from Dive RAID International, marking the end of a significant chapter in his professional journey.
In a statement released today, Toomer shared:
“It is with sadness that I must advise that I am no longer involved with Dive RAID International (RAID HQ).This decision was not made lightly and reflects a mutual understanding between RAID and myself. I have greatly valued contributing to RAID’s growth and accomplishments over the years. However, we now hold differing visions for the future, and it is time for me to take a new path.
As of now, I am no longer in a position to respond to inquiries from RAID members, regional offices, or representatives. Please direct any questions to your local RAID office or to Dive RAID International directly. Contact information is available on the official website.
Even though I am no longer involved with RAID HQ, I have not lost my passion for working in this amazing industry and I will continue to teach and dive. My rebreathers will probably see more action now than they ever have.Of course I wish the RAID guys all the best going forward.”
Toomer has been an influential figure in the global diving community for decades, and his leadership played a major role in shaping RAID’s reputation as a forward-thinking training agency. While his next steps have not yet been publicly disclosed, his continued commitment to diving suggests exciting things ahead.
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