News
Saeed Rashid: Wrecks of Aqaba at the July NUPG meeting (Watch Video)
The July NUPG meeting saw another top-notch guest speaker take to the virtual stage. Saeed Rashid joined the group to talk about diving in Aqaba and in particular the wreck photography opportunities this unique destination offers.
Saeed is a popular speaker at the dive shows and many of us have seen his engaging, interactive talks about underwater photography. He decided to offer the NUPG members something a little bit different and talked about his travels to Aqaba and the opportunities there for underwater photography. He started off with some beautiful shots of coral and marine life under jetties, as well as on the local reefs, but then quickly moved on to the main topic – the wrecks of Aqaba.
Saeed divided up the many wrecks into some of the older artificial reefs sunk in the 80s, like the Cedar Pride and the “tank” (which is not actually a tank but an anti-aircraft gun). He moved onto the deeper wrecks that can only really be visited by technical divers and finally talked about the many wrecks sunk more recently to attract new divers to the region. There are 2 big planes to explore: a C-130 Hercules and a Lockhead Tri-Star along with the Military Museum, which has over 20 military vehicles to explore.
Saeed showed off his wonderful underwater images from the press trips he has done there, and in doing so, made us all wish we too could dive there. Saeed finished up by showing us stunning topside images from Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea.
You can watch the video of Saeed’s talk here:
As always, the NUPG members also had a chance to show off some of their images in the monthly competition. This month’s theme was “Molluscs” and many were surprised at the range of marine life that fitted into this category.
The winning shot of a squid was taken by Ken Byrne on a night dive in the Lembeh Strait
The runner-up was a stunning octopus shot by Justin Beevor, taken on a night dive on The Barge in the Red Sea
In third spot was Maggie Russel with a lovely shot from Manado, Indonesia
For more information about the NUPG please visit the website by clicking here.
Blogs
Four opportunities to go pro in 2024 with Dive Friends Bonaire
Dive Friends teaches the Instructor Development Course (IDC) several times a year to students who are eager to share their passion for diving with the world.
Dive Friends is known for the personal approach throughout the course. Their in-house course director will lead the students through every essential step, mentoring them to achieve their fullest potential as a dive instructor.
Applications for the following IDC start dates are now open:
- 12 April
- 5 July,
- 20 September
- 29 November
Partnership with Casita Palma
If the student opts for the IDC-Deluxe or IDC-Supreme package, their accommodation will be arranged for them at Casita Palma. This small and quiet resort is within walking distance from Dive Friends Bonaire’s main dive shop location and has everything you need to relax after an intense day of IDC training. Breakfast is included, so the student will always be fuelled and ready for their day.
Contact Dive Friends Bonaire’s Course Director Eddy for more information: coursedirector@divefriendsbonaire.com.
Blogs
SOMABAY: Scubaverse Trip Review (Watch Video)
In a video created exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman visits SOMABAY in the Egyptian Red Sea to experience the diving on offer there.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
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