News
Greek press trip heralded a great success
A group of journalists representing the major European scuba diving media has returned from a successful press trip to Kefalonia, Greece. This third press event, which took place from 25th to 30th October, was hosted by Greek scuba diving portal Scubahellas.com and was supported by the Greek National Tourism Organization and the Ionian Islands District, along with two dive centers from Kefalonia, Pirate Divers Club and Blue Manta Diving & Aquanautic Club.
The group of journalists and underwater photographers travelled from the UK, Germany, Austria, Poland and Slovakia to experience diving in the Ionian Islands and to learn more about the Greek diving market.
“It was a great honor to host distinguished journalists, specialized in scuba diving from major European markets. We had the opportunity to show them that we provide a premium product in a safe environment, with countless alternatives beyond diving. I am very satisfied of the first feedback, especially when it comes from experienced and well traveled professionals of the diving industry. We will stay focused on our target, promoting the local diving market with continuous and coordinated efforts”, said Mr. Avgerinos Vrazopoulos, founder of Scubahellas.com.
The team behind Scubahellas.com believe that Greece has the potential to become a unique scuba diving destination, offering unforgettable experiences in a well-formed tourism infrastructure with a long tradition of hospitality. Also, Greece has the longest coastline in Europe and the 11th longest in the world, with 3,000 islands (240 inhabited), 240 dive centers offering more than 2,000 dive sites, 150 known and accessible shipwrecks, plus countless caves. All this in clear waters with an underwater visibility exceeding 30 meters and a warm water temperature of 14° – 30° all year round. Greece is located three hours flight away from most European cities and offers security and stability, as well as the euro currency.
For further information visit www.scubahellas.com – a Greek portal dedicated to scuba diving, made by divers for divers, which aims is to promote and evolve diving tourism in Greece.
Check out our forthcoming stories over the coming days from Scubaverse Underwater Photography Editors and Writers Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown who were honoured to take part in this trip.
Gear News
Jeff chats to… Sean Webb, Director of O’Three, about diving in the UK and the O’Three brand
In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Sean Webb, Director of O’Three, the well-known UK-based manufacturer of custom drysuits and wetsuits.
After a bath time quarrel with his sister, Sean’s Mum taught him a lesson.
She held his head underwater for what she thought was long enough for that lesson to sink in (We are talking the mid 60’s here), but the lesson learned wasn’t the one that was intended. It was then that Sean realized he was comfortable, in or under the water. He was six.
The coasts of Devon and Dorset became his playground. 17 years later, with a trip around the world and some incredible diving under his belt, Sean Webb founded O’Three.
Now in its 32nd year, O’Three has evolved from a business with roots that are unashamedly rooted in UK diving, to a niche brand being enjoyed all over the world by discerning recreational, technical and commercial divers alike.
Find out more at www.othree.co.uk
Rather listen to a podcast? Listen to the audio HERE on the new Scubaverse podcast channel at Anchor FM.
In the mood for a snowy holiday when you can get back into the water? Why not get back to your favourite underwater sport instead of hitting the slopes like everyone else? Check these incredible dive sites and explore a new underwater world in your drysuit!
The quirkiest and spookiest ice diving site in Europe is only 45 minutes driving from the capital of Estonia, Tallinn. Rummu Quarry used to be a limestone mining site and a prison. When the excavation labour ceased in the 1990s, pumps that kept the quarry dry were shut down. Soon water started flooding the entire site. After the prison closed in 2012, Rummu became an adventure centre where you can practice different outdoor sports including diving in the crystal-clear waters of the quarry and explore the sunken ruins of the prison. Diving in Rummu Quarry is also available in the winter, making it a one-of-a-kind ice diving spot. Will you dare to do it?
Who to Dive With:
PADI 5 Star Center
Sireli Tanav 11, Harju Maakond, Rummu Quarry, Estonia 76102
+372 588 733 78
If diving in frozen lakes, which have almost no aquatic life, is not exciting enough for you, Russia is the place to go to practice marine ice diving. At the level of the Arctic Circle, the White Sea is the only sea that freezes in winter as all other places are warmed up by the Gulf Stream. Leaving from the shores of the region of Karelia, between St Petersburg and the border of Finland, you can go ice diving from December to April. In addition to impressive ice formations, you can also enjoy on the rocky sea-bed a surprise abundant marine fauna with soft coral, starfish, crabs, shrimps, sea urchins and sea anemones. An important point to remember, salt-water freezes at -1.8°C!
Who to Dive With:
PADI Dive Center
Nilmaguba, Loukhski Region, Republic of Karelia, Russia
(7) 495 105 7799
You won’t find salty seas in Switzerland, but alpine lakes and rivers make for unique and mystical scuba diving.
Lake Geneva has a variety of dives to discover. Wall dives and freshwater scenery can be perused beneath the surface. There is even a wreck dive – a stellar spot for more advanced divers to take the plunge.
Another is Lake Zurich, where you can head to excellent scuba spots right from the shore. The lake is serene, with lofty mountains cascading upward from the lakeshore. Glacially fed, the lake has sublime visibility.
River divers will be blown away by the Verzasca, an impossibly clear river found just south of the Alps near the border of Italy.
Who to Dive with at Lake Geneva:
PADI 5 Star Center and Instructor Development Center
Route D’Arvel 106, Villeneuve, Switzerland 1844
+41 21 9601535
Landlocked Austria wouldn’t seem a good place for diving, but you can’t judge a book by its cover.
The Salzkammergut region of Austria has almost 170 lakes. A favourite is lake Attersee, where there are dive sites galore to check out, in this, the largest of the area’s lakes. Nazi treasures were once held in Wolfgangsee, and though you can’t take them with you, you can still see them on a dive.
During a trip here you can swim in the cold, gin clear water, checking out park benches, trees, and trails, all on a carpet of green grass. It’s unreal!
Who to Dive with at Salzburg Lakes:
PADI 5 Star Center
Innsbrucker Bundesstrasse 53, Salzburg, Austria 5020
+43 662 890259
Inspired to start your own ice diving adventure? Find out more about the PADI Ice Diver specialty and head to PADI Travel to look for amazing destinations.
WIN a Beuchat Air Light Bag!!!
For this week’s competition, we’ve teamed up with our good friends at Beuchat to give away an Air Light Bag! The Air...
Win a Waterproof BODY 2X Power Stretch Hollow Fiber Undergarment!!!
For this week’s competition, we’ve teamed up with our good friends at CPS Partnership to give away a Waterproof BODY 2X...
WIN a SeaLife AquaPod Mini!!!
For this week’s competition, we’ve teamed up with our good friends at SeaLife to give away one of their AquaPod Minis...
WIN a Sharkskin Performance 40L Duffle Bag!!!
For this week’s competition, we’ve teamed up with our good friends at Liquid Sports to give away a Sharkskin Performance 40L Duffle...
Explore the amazing triangle of Red Sea Reefs - The Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone on board the brand new liveaboard Big Blue. With an option to add on a week at Roots Red Sea before or after.
Strong currents and deep blue water are the catalysts that bring the pelagic species flocking to these reefs. The reefs themselves provide exquisite homes for a multitude of marine life. The wafting soft corals are adorned with thousands of colourful fish. The gorgonian fans and hard corals provide magnificent back drops, all being patrolled by the reef’s predatory species.
£1475 per person based on double occupancy. Soft all inclusive board basis, buffet meals with snacks, tea and coffee always available. Add a week on at Roots Red Sea Resort before or after the liveaboard for just £725pp. Flights and transfers are included. See our brochure linked above for the full itinerary.
This trip will be hosted by The Scuba Place. Come Dive with Us!
Call 020 3515 9955 or email john@thescubaplace.co.uk
www.thescubaplace.co.uk
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