News
PADI Introduces Opportunities for All to Help Save the Ocean on World Oceans Day
Scuba diving enables people around the globe to experience the wonder of the underwater world that covers over 70 percent of the earth’s surface. In celebration of World Oceans Day (June 8), PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) provides opportunities to help people everywhere connect with the ocean and support efforts to preserve and restore it, in whatever capacity possible during these times. This includes an invitation to get involved and enjoy 24 hours of #SavetheOcean on the organization’s Instagram and Facebook channels today, and via padi.com/conservation year-round. Even while diving remains less accessible in many parts of the globe due to pandemic-related limitations, there are many ways that people can still explore and protect the ocean – from home, in their communities and below the surface of their local waters.
“We care deeply about the health and safety of divers, dive businesses and the ocean, and we will continue supporting this worldwide community by encouraging safe and meaningful opportunities for today,” says Drew Richardson, President and CEO of PADI Worldwide. “World Oceans Day serves as a reminder for us all to pause and connect with our blue planet wherever we may be.”
A trusted leader in diver education, exploration and experiences, PADI is dedicated to enabling people around the world to safely seek adventure and save the ocean, wherever you are. With a global commitment to ocean conservation and a mission to create one billion torchbearers to protect the ocean, both above and below the surface, the organization shares several ways new and experienced divers alike can pursue their passion and fuel appreciation for the ocean:
- Learn to Dive From Home – Those who have never experienced this awe-inspiring sport may begin the process of learning to dive now with PADI eLearning®. From the comfort and safety of home, anyone 10 years and older can take the first step toward certification and learn the basic skills of scuba diving via virtual courses. You’ll be ready to dive in and complete your certification with a PADI Dive Center or Resort as soon as you can. “By learning to dive and exploring local waters, you gain a unique vantage point, able to personally witness the impacts we as a human race have on ocean environments, both the good and the bad. With this perspective comes the responsibility – and desire – to be an advocate for the ocean and the life within,” says Richardson.
- Dive Locally – While the ability to travel may be limited, this is no reason to stop you from discovering new places or connecting with nature. Wherever you live, there are waters nearby waiting to be explored – local shores, lakes and quarries shouldn’t be underestimated. As regions around the globe begin to reopen, PADI offers a new interactive map to identify in real-time where diving is accessible. Your local PADI Dive Center will provide further information on current guidelines, any potential restrictions and special safety precautions they’re taking during these times, and how you can get involved in local conservation efforts.
- Shop Ocean-First Products – PADI Gearä offers eco-minded and sustainable products water enthusiasts need and love. To date, PADI Gear products made from recycled ocean plastics have collectively resulted in the removal and reuse of more than 54,779 pounds of ocean plastic. By teaming up with watersports clothing maker Rash’R, PADI Gearnow offers an Earth-friendly alternative to face masks. These dual-purpose cloth face coverings and sun shields are made from plastic bottles recycled from the ocean.
- Citizen Science Dive Opportunities – PADI’s global network of dive centers, resorts and partners in conservation offer ample opportunities to dive for a deeper purpose, from coral restoration efforts to fighting plastic pollution. PADI’s conservation-focused courses are designed to foster a sustainability mindset and drive action to protect ocean health. In collaboration with Project AWARE®, divers learn how to properly survey and remove marine debris through the Dive Against Debris® Specialty To date, PADI divers have removed over 1.6 million trash items from the ocean – data that are now being used by scientific institutions, arming researchers and policymakers with information to drive lasting solutions. The Coral Reef Conservation Specialty, Project AWARE Specialty, and AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty courses also provide participants with information to make a difference for ocean protection. Many PADI Dive Centers and Resorts are currently offering virtual courses and workshops during this time.
“COVID-19 will be behind us in the near future, but restoring the balance between humanity and the seas is a long-term lift addressing a far bigger, far more enduring threat,” adds Richardson. “But even amid the pandemic, you and I can be making a difference.”
Visit www.padi.com/conservation for more information on PADI’s mission to create one billion torchbearers to explore and protect our oceans, and how you can get involved.
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
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