It has been three years since the prestigious BOOT event has taken place in Dusseldorf, Germany. But this year it was back with a bang. The show attracts water sports enthusiasts from around the world. Whether you are looking to spend millions on a super yacht (or just dream about it) or a few ££s on a diving accessory – there is something for everyone.

There were smiles on all the faces around the diving hall. The event offers not only a great chance to re-engage with dive centres, equipment suppliers, training agencies and more, but also the opportunity to catch up with old friends and to make some new ones along the way.

Talks and presentations boomed out from the main stage, whilst in the background, pools with clear sides allowed spectators to watch on as kids, divers and even mermaids took to the water.

There was loads of new dive gear from all the major manufactures to look at and try out. From essentials such as masks and fins, drysuits, computers, through to rebreathers and underwater photo and video equipment. In every size, shape and colour imaginable!

Boot is a whopping 8 day show that covers two weekends. The halls cover not only diving, but submarines, yachts, a host of other water sports, ocean art, conservation projects and more. You could spend days walking around it. It certainly got my step count up, having walked over 9 miles in a single day, exploring, looking at new diving equipment and planning trips for 2023 and beyond!

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Anca Vaida – Doctor (Consultant Psychiatrist), award winning Actor, Director, Writer, Producer and Scuba Diver, about her love of diving.

Anca is a Romanian Actor, Director, Writer and Producer, who trained at East 15 Acting school, London. She has won seven acting awards at a variety of international film festivals for playing the role of Dr Alex Ionescu in the TV series ‘Psyched!’, which she also wrote, directed and produced.

Some of Anca’s most notable projects include Crossing Continents on BBC radio, the film Can We Order First? which premiered at the Berlin Short Film Festival, the play Sorry, My Compassion is on the Blink at the Pleasance Theatre, London, and the play Fine and Dandy at the King’s Head Theatre.

A keen diver, Anca got her PADI Open Water Certification in 2012 and has gone on to dive in Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Dahab in Egypt, as well as in Lefkada in Greece, The Cape Verde Islands and Miami, USA.

In her spare time, when not diving, Anca is also a Doctor (Consultant Psychiatrist) with 13 years’ experience in the NHS.

Find out more about Anca at: https://www.spotlight.com/5491-3425-9331

Rather listen to a podcast? Listen to the audio HERE on the new Scubaverse podcast channel at Anchor FM.