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

PADI^®and PADI AWARE Foundation™ have announced the fourth annual AWARE Week. Hosted by PADI Dive Centres, Resorts and Professionals around the world September 18-26, AWARE Week empowers and inspires the dive community to take part in events, activities and courses – virtual or in person – to advance conservation awareness and engagement at the local level.

“AWARE Week 2021 brings together eco-conscious divers and ocean enthusiasts to advance PADI’s conservation blueprint, charting a decade of ocean action to achieve a balance between humanity and ocean,” says Kristin Valette Wirth, Chief Brand and Membership Officer for PADI Worldwide. “By uniting as a community of PADI Torchbearers™ who explore and protect the ocean, we work as a global force for good taking meaningful action for the ocean to drive lasting change.”

The weeklong event leverages the collective influence of divers and dive industry professionals, as well as the general public, to address key threats facing the marine environment through citizen science, public policy and education. AWARE Week 2021 will take the organisations’ current programme to the next level and build on them by tackling additional marine conservation issues such as: climate change, marine protected areas and coral reefs. These new programmes, coupled with the flagship programme – that address marine debris and vulnerable marine species – represent the five key components of PADI’s Blueprint for Ocean Action, in direct support of the United Nations Decade of Science for Sustainable Development.

One of the key highlights is PADI AWARE Foundation’s flagship citizen-science programme, Dive Against Debris^®, the only programme of its kind, which helps divers not only remove debris from the ocean but also report data that can inform ocean friendly policy change to prevent further pollution from entering the ocean.

As a proud sponsor of PADI AWARE Foundation’s marine-debris programme, Seiko joins PADI to amplify PADI AWARE Week to its audiences, helping to build awareness. The annual week invites the global dive community to make a concerted effort to gather this critical survey data so they can be used by marine researchers and policymakers for conservation action.

“Protecting the ocean requires the actions of everyone around the globe working together,” says Valette Wirth. “Together with PADI AWARE Foundation, Seiko and our other partners in conservation, we recognise that anyone with passion for the ocean can become an ocean ambassador and contribute to worldwide efforts to save the ocean as a PADI Torchbearer. AWARE Week 2021 will inspire people with a clear and effective path to action for the planet.”

Throughout AWARE Week 2021, divers, ocean advocates, water enthusiasts and the global community at large may also support and protect the ocean by participating in AWARE specialty courses, which educate participants on the importance of a clean and healthy ocean, and via fundraising, donating and taking part in local conservation activities hosted by PADI Dive Centres, Resorts and Professionals.

Dive Centres in the UK are taking part in the event including:

• Blue Ventures: This UK based PADI Dive Centre has created a sub organisation called Salt Water Britain, led by marine scientist and presenter Charlie Young. Salt Water Britain hosts a series of ocean adventures that drive local impact and change perceptions of the marine life that can be found in the surrounding waters. Their first summer series of events will conclude with an AWARE Week event—which will take divers out to the Farne Islands diving with seals on the 25-26 September, where they will also participate in a Dive Against Debris. See www.scubaverse.com/marine-wildlife-experiences-you-never-knew-existed-in-the-uk/
• Fifth Point Dive Cente: This UK based PADI Dive Centre is running a virtual PADI AWARE Week challenge from the 18-24 September, where participants will be transformed into eco divers in 7 days. Led by PADI Course Director Nic Emery, there will be daily videos and live Q+A’s that cover topics including why the ocean (especially the cold UK waters) needs protection, ways to participate in conservation and be a citizen scientist, and tips for how to make sustainable choices both above and below the surface. See www.fifthpointdiving.com/awareweek/#register

To take part in AWARE Week 2021, visit padi.com/awareweek2021. For more information about the PADI AWARE Foundation, the community of PADI Torchbearers and how to get involved year round, visit padi.com/conservation.

Header Image: Rayna O’Nan-Ocean Rays Photography