News
RAID Looking for Industry Partners

Following RAID’s outstanding growth after its relaunch in early 2014, the diver training agency is now actively seeking qualified partners to own and run new RAID Regional Offices.
“With such offices already established in Australia, Asia, Africa, Italy, Korea, Latin America, Middle East, Philippines and the UK, and with RAID programs taught in over 40 countries, the opportunities for talented people to get in on the ground floor of RAID’s revolutionary concept in diver training will never be better. We are especially interested in talking to potential new partners later this month at DEMA Show 2014,” said Jim Holliday, RAID International CEO.
Terry Cummins, Director of Business and Marketing for RAID International, said: “I remember when I started running my own regional office with another training agency over 40 years ago feeling the same level of excitement and independence I do with RAID today. On the other hand, diving enterprise in many parts of the world, particularly the developed markets like the USA, Australia, UK and many parts of Europe is flat or in decline calling for a significant change and totally new business models. Training agencies are at the gateway of new diver acquisition and have a massive responsibility to generate change for the benefit of the entire industry, not just themselves. RAID can help provide such a change with its points of difference to other training agencies”.
Paul Toomer, RAID International’s Training Director, said: “There is only one certainty if nothing changes, nothing changes, and RAID is set to change the diving industry and help reinvigorate the industry. For starters it’s an awesome comprehensive online system with new and affordable courses coming online almost every month – literally the most prolific growth in the number of programs the industry has seen. Secondly, RAID has a proactive quality control system like no other to improve and maintain the quality of diver training. Thirdly, RAID uses the latest training techniques adopted from the technical diving community to greatly enhance essential skills like proper buoyancy control and other in-water skills of all new divers.”
Commenting on RAID’s corporate slogan, Dive Training In A Class of Its Own, Holliday feels that “while the courses of the 70s and 80s were perhaps too long and arduous, the pendulum has now swung too far the other way. RAID’s philosophy involves putting some real content back into dive courses resulting in a far better diver, increases in diver retention, improved gear sales and the ability to generate a general commitment to diving”
Cummins added: “Also the cost of certification packages for stores is a topic that has been a major concern for the dive industry for years. That is, course fees locked in the 70s and 80s while certification packages seem to be going up and up every year. So we have leveraged our technology platform to the point where our programs typically cost much less to become involved at both the store and consumer level than you will find elsewhere.”
Holliday continued: “Although you can learn the theory of diving in cyberspace with the state of the art technology we have at RAID, you eventually need to get wet, and that generates the need for RAID Instructors, RAID Dive Centres and Regional Offices to service RAIDERS in the respective territories. Now here is the really exciting part: you can be a direct part of this. RAID are offering opportunities to join us and become a RAID Instructor, RAID Dive Centre or even a RAID Regional Office proprietor.”
If you are interested, contact Cummins at RAID International (terryc@diveraid.com.au). Cummins is quick to add that applicants for RAID Regional Offices will be expected to submit a resume of experience, undergo a due diligence exercise and provide a business plan as part of their application to join the growing RAID global team. In the meantime you can visit www.diveraid.com for more information.
News
The ‘Big Scuba Day Out’ – The Ultimate Day for Water Lovers!

Get ready for an unforgettable day of adventure, exploration, and all things scuba and watersports! Oyster Diving’s Big Scuba Day Out is taking place on Sunday, 4th May 2025, at Mercers Park, near London —and best of all, entry is completely FREE!
Whether you’re a seasoned diver, a total beginner, or just looking for a fun day out by the water, this event has something for everyone — including lovely walks around the lake with your four-legged friends!
Come and experience the latest dive gear from some of the world’s leading brands, including Santi, Suex, Apeks, Aqualung, Garmin, GoPro and XDeep. Get hands-on with dive scooters, cutting-edge dive computers, and high-performance gear designed to take your underwater adventures to the next level.
Take part in fun dives with expert guides try out other exclusive demo kit. Whether you’re looking to refine your skills, try out new equipment, or simply enjoy the stunning underwater world of Mercers Park, this is the perfect opportunity.
A special raffle in aid of the Shark Trust will include prizes such as PADI branded goodies, Apeks 30m reel and wet notes, and Shearwater Peregrine TX worth £689!
As a special highlight for those wanting to “live the dream”, Course Director Mark Taylor and PADI Regional Manager Emma Samuelsson will be giving an exclusive talk at 12:00 PM about how to become a PADI Pro, including Divemaster and Instructor pathways. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your passion for diving into a career, this is the perfect chance to get insider knowledge from one of the best in the industry.
Not just for divers, the Big Scuba Day Out also offers a variety of watersports courtesy of www.aquasports.co.uk. Try your hand at kayaking, paddleboarding, or other exciting water activities.
After all the action, relax on the beautiful lake terrace, where you can enjoy a selection of delicious food and licensed bar while soaking in the breathtaking views.
Don’t miss this incredible day of diving, watersports, and fun for the whole family. For full details and to register your interest, visit Oyster Diving’s website. https://oysterdiving.com/diving-club/uk-diving-trips/the-big-scuba-day-out-4th-may/.
News
Experience a night Dive at the West Rock Shipwreck with Euro-Divers

There’s something magical about night diving— the ocean transforms into a whole new world, alive with mystery and wonder. At Euro-Divers Meeru, we love sharing this unique experience with our guests, and the West Rock Shipwreck is one of our favourite sites for night diving.
Here’s why:
Setting the Scene
The adventure begins at 17:30 as divers gather on the boat. After thoroughly checking our equipment, the boat departs for the dive site. The 15-minute journey is a treat, with the calm sea and the soft glow of the setting sun creating the perfect atmosphere.
Arriving at West Rock, the boat gently moors above the wreck. As our team briefs you on the dive, we will walk you through the special night diving techniques, such as using a torch and maintaining buddy contact, ensuring you feel confident and prepared. While we wait for the sun to set, there is time to relax with a cup of tea or coffee and take in the breathtaking colours of the Maldivian sunset.
The Dive Begins
Once darkness settles, it’s time to dive. The West Rock Shipwreck—a small cargo freighter sunk in 1999—rests at 20 meters on a sandy plateau. Over the years, it has become a vibrant reef, teeming with marine life.
As we descend, the beams of our torches cut through the dark water, revealing the wreck’s coral-covered surfaces. It is always thrilling to see the wreck come to life under the light. Colourful nudibranchs, scorpionfish, frogfish, and shrimps are just a few of the creatures that call this wreck home.
We often find parrotfish and pufferfish inside the wreck settled in for the night, while lionfish and moray eels lurk in the shadows. We frequently spot larger residents, too—Napoleon wrasse or even a resting nurse shark, peacefully tucked away beneath the ship’s hull. Every corner of the wreck offers something new to discover.
Underwater Galaxy
As the dive comes to an end, we have one final highlight to share. During the safety stop at 5 metres, we may ask you to switch off your torch and gently move your hands through the water. This action stirs up bioluminescent plankton, lighting up like tiny stars surrounding you— a magical, otherworldly experience that never fails to amaze.
Post-Dive Bliss
Emerging from the dive, we are welcomed by the cool night air and a canopy of stars. The boat crew helps us as we climb aboard, where hot tea or coffee awaits to warm us up. The journey back to shore is filled with shared stories and a sense of camaraderie that only diving together can create.
Night dives like this one at the West Rock Shipwreck offer more than just an exploration of marine life; they remind us of the beauty and mystery of the underwater world.
For more information, contact the Euro-Divers Meeru team at meeru@euro-divers.com or visit www.euro-divers.com.
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