News
Take a deep dive into Diving talks – Portugal 2021
DIVING talks – Portugal 2021 is an international event for promoting and sharing knowledge on
the underwater environment, which will take place in Portugal, October, 8 to 10, bringing Portugal the
world’s leading divers, showing their best recent achievements.
The event will feature 26 presentations by keynote speakers from Belgium, Canada, England, Finland,
Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland United States and Wales, hosting over 250 attendees from all
over the world. It takes place over three fantastic days at the Tróia Peninsula–a gigantic dune that has been forming over thousands of years, with the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Sado estuary to the east.
The objectives of DIVING talks 2021 are as follows:
- Build up a diving event with international visibility and attractiveness
- Host the world’s leading divers, showing their best of the best recent initiatives
- Allow the diving community to network with the world-leading divers
- Show and debate technological advancements in diving
- Establish in Portugal a new hub for all subjects related to diving, both technical and
scientific.
DIVING talks 2021 will be organized in three main strands:
THE TALKS
The talks are an international opportunity to share the most innovative experiences in diving,
sub-aquatic studies, and technological development. The Talks will feature exciting presentations about cave and wreck diving, underwater cinematography, sub-aquatic archaeological works, scientific investigation, and subaquatic military exercises.
These presentations will show the best, the most innovative content, the latest work and
discoveries. During the event, participants will be encouraged to enlarge their networks and become familiar with excellent examples of putting your diving objectives into practice.
THE EXHIBITION
DIVING talks 2021 will feature an exhibition area – a ‘show and tell’ expo that will host a range of exhibitors from the global diving industry showcasing their latest services, products and technologies. Are you confused about which DPV to dive? Want to update your lighting system? Are you seeking inspiration for your next diving adventure? Or maybe you are thinking of buying your first rebreather? Benefit from valuable facetime with leading companies, users, and get all your questions answered without the usual hard sell. DIVING talks 2021 will bring together up to 200 attendees, all with a genuine interest in diving.
For exhibitors, this represents a fantastic opportunity to present your products to quality and uniquely focused audience.
THE DIVING ACTIVITY
The diving activity is an add on. Portugal is Europe’s latest diving destination; participants may try the feeling – Portugal underwater. Hassle-free, just for fun. Hence you’re here, and the sea is right here too if you feel like getting underwater, you can. There will be a boat, diving equipment and a spot for you.
DIVING talks 2021 will be held in 2021, October 8 to 10. The schedule is as follows:
FRIDAY, October 8 2021
10:00 – 18:00 Arrival, accreditation and set-up of displays
12:30 – 13:30 Welcome lunch
12:00 – 17:00 Diving Activity
15:00 – 15:30 Official opening of the Exhibition
SATURDAY, October 9 2021
All-day: Exhibition and visit to displays
Morning: Keynote Talks 1 to 6
Afternoon: Keynote Talks 7 to 12
Evening: Gala dinner
SUNDAY, October 10 2021
Morning: Exhibition, visit stands and Keynote Talks 13 to 18
13:00: Closing Lunch & awards ceremony
Afternoon: Free site visits
Attendees will benefit from special conditions for accommodation on selected hotels close by the
Congress venue. Attendees wanting to arrive before October 8, or wishing to stay in Portugal after October 10, please reach out to Portugal Dive (www.portugaldive.com | portugaldive@portugaldive.com)
For more information
Website www.divingtalks.com
Facebook www.facebook.com/divingtalks
Instagram www.instagram.com/diving.talks
Twitter www.twitter.com/divingtalks
Gear News
Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024
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.
Blogs
Northern Red Sea Reefs and Wrecks Trip Report, Part 3: The Mighty Thistlegorm
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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