Dive Project Cornwall’s vision is simple – eliminate plastic pollution and protect the marine environment to save all life in our oceans for future generations to enjoy and cherish. 

“We are delighted to be working with PADI as a key partner to deliver Dive Project Cornwall, a new not-for-profit community interest organsiation,” says Andy Forster, Project Director of Dive Project Cornwall. “For a long time, I have considered it should be the right of every child to walk on a beach and feel the sand between their toes. Dive Project Cornwall aims to give young people that experience and take it one step further: giving them sight of the amazing underwater world. 

Through their own appreciation of the wonders of the marine environment, we inspire thought as to how we will look after our beaches and oceans and preserve them for future generations to enjoy. The success of this lies in educating hundreds of thousands of young people today, and we are delighted to be able to launch a comprehensive introduction to the ocean and marine conservation for young people and adults alike, in the form of Dive Project Cornwall.”

The plight of our world’s oceans is well documented, and through its global network of torchbearers, PADI® is committed to playing a prominent role in taking action to heal the planet, shining a light on what’s possible, and leading communities towards a sustainable future. The collaboration between PADI and Dive Project Cornwall brings this shared ocean conservation mission to life. 

Dive Project Cornwall will educate hundreds of thousands of young people by delivering an education programme directly into schools across the UK, raising the awareness of the importance of the planet’s marine environment and its vital role in our very existence.

At the heart of Dive Project Cornwall is a competition for 400 lucky teenagers to win the experience of a lifetime; a 6-day, life-changing trip to Cornwall where they will learn to scuba dive, enjoy outdoor adventures, take up beach-related activities and attend presentations from leading marine industry experts. The aim is for these teenagers to become PADI Open Water Divers and PADI Torchbearers – ocean influencers who positively engage, inspire and motivate the next generation to save our planet.

PADI is delighted to partner with Dive Project Cornwall to provide the 400 winning students with PADI Open Water Diver eLearning. PADI Dive Centres in Cornwall will work with the students to complete their in-water training and PADI certification. Scuba diving opens up the underwater world for young people and helps them to develop an understanding and appreciation for it, inspiring them to want to explore and protect it.

“Saving the ocean requires all of us to act together, and it’s crucial that we engage the younger generation in this work. Partnering with Dive Project Cornwall enables PADI to deliver such an important project, educating young people in the UK on the far-reaching impact that local action can have,” said Rich Somerset, Territory Director, PADI EMEA.

Dive Project Cornwall are currently looking for sponsors, media partners and collaborating charities to build the project to formal launch across the UK in January 2022. To find out more and get involved visit www.diveprojectcornwall.co.uk or email Andy Forster andy@diveprojectcornwall.co.uk

“We look forward to working with PADI and all of our sponsors (those already on board and those to come) to positively engage, inspire and motivate the next generation to save our planet,” says Forster.

For more info visit www.diveprojectcornwall.co.uk or www.padi.com

Gemma and Ian chat to Rob Spray.  Rob Spray and his partner Dawn Watson are coordinators of the Marine Conservation Society’s Seasearch project in East Anglia. Seasearch is a project for scuba divers and snorkellers who want to learn more and want to help protect the marine environment around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. All the courses are listed here: www.seasearch.org.uk

Have a listen and be inspired to try some UK diving.  Don’t forget to listen to Episode 72 when we talk to another Seasearch Volunteer, Kat Gerasimova, she now is running a course via a local dive centre, Christal Seas Scuba about shore diving.

Have a listen to our chat with Rob Spray here:

Find out more at:

• Norfolk’s Twin Wreck Challenge – Seasearch East

By odd coincidence the 5 mile stretch of coast between Cley-next-the-sea and Weybourne, in North Norfolk, hosts two wrecks from the Great War within swimming distance of the shore.

www.1townhouses.co.uk/pelagicpixels/tripreports/veraandrosalie.htm

• North Norfolk’s chalk reef – 20 miles of dives!

Diving in Norfolk revolves around the tides. It’s the difference between a nice dive and horror stories of being carried off down the coast. You may find that your threshold for current is higher or lower, most divers prefer to dive at dead slack.

www.1townhouses.co.uk/pelagicpixels/tripreports/chalkreefguide.htm

• Videos

We have a fair few videos online too, some are scenic and there are lots of talks, site guides and snippets. You can browse through all of them: www.youtube.com/user/reallymadrob/videos

• Highlight reel made for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_gwaPOO-Kk

• www.facebook.com/groups/271321002878334/about
• Email: info@seasearch.org.uk
• www.scuba4me.co.uk/norfolkcoastdiver

Find more podcast episodes and information at the new www.thebigscuba.com  website and on most social platforms @thebigscuba