News
The UK Female Dynamic No Fins (DNF) Freediving record is broken.

Freediver Rebecca Coales broke the current female DNF record at the Total Fitness centre in Walkden, North Manchester on the 31st July, 2013 at 10.05pm.
For those new to Freediving, DNF is swimming as far as you can horizontally in a swimming pool without the aid of fins.
The record had previously been held since 2007 continuously by Liv Philip. Rebecca, with a very comfortable dive, beat the 116m that was on the board and pushed the distance to 120m, which is well within her Personal best (PB), in a dive time of 2’24 minutes.
Rebecca is a founder member of the Bristol No Tanx Freedivers group where she trains with friends. She is a relative newcomer to the competition circuit, only starting to explore her potential in the last 6 months, starting with a no-fins clinic, and mono fin clinic with Steve Millard of the Apneists UK group www.learn2freedive.com , based in the North of the UK. Recently she earned the right to represent her country in the World Freediving Pool Championships, and with this new record it has placed her firmly on the map. Rebecca runs the http://www.omdiver.co.uk/ Yoga website and courses which is the perfect cross training for Freedivers.
The video of the dive can be found here:
http://www.freedivingcompetition.com/female-dnf-record-rebecca-coales.html
Some pictures and a more complete story can be found here www.freedivingcompetition.com. Record attempts can be organised for those wishing to gain National records in the UK.
Thanks to the dream team who came and supported the event.
Athlete: Rebecca Coales
Organiser: Steve Millard
Judge: Gary Lowe
Judge: David Tranfield
Judges Assistant: Fiona Cahill
Safety Diver: James Cluskey
Safety Diver: Steve Millard
Videographer / Photographer: Sean Peters http://www.sppv.net/
Surface Coach: John Moorcroft
Medic: Dr P. Taylor
Thank you to the management and staff of Total Fitness Walkden for hosting the event and their continued support of UK Freediving athletes and students. Please visit http://www.totalfitness.co.uk/ for more details to join the gym.
News
PADI Launches World’s First Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course with Octo Diver

Octo Diver, in collaboration with PADI, have introduced the first-ever PADI Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course, designed to raise the standard of dive equipment knowledge and safety in the scuba diving industry.
This 7-day hands-on course is open to all certified divers, dive professionals, and dive centre/resort staff, and focuses on vital life-support equipment servicing.
The course modules include:
Scuba Regulator Servicing (Diaphragm & Piston types)
2nd Stage Servicing (Balanced & Unbalanced)
K-Valve Cylinder Valve Maintenance
Scuba Cylinder Visual Inspection
Power Inflator Servicing
Oxygen Cleaning for Scuba Equipment
Scuba Compressor Service & Maintenance
Standard Service & Repair Reporting
It is developed by Octo Diver’s professional team, led by a certified PADI Scuba Technician Instructor with a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering and over 15 years of experience in the diving industry.
This professional-level course can be conducted at Octo Diver’s classroom in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, or hosted at dive centers worldwide. Hosting dive centers receive exclusive benefits, including high commission, special course rates, and free seats.
Upon completion, students will receive certification from PADI along with official technician credentials.
Octo Diver is currently looking for dive centers and resorts globally to host this course. Let’s work together to make diving safer and more professional — Be a Certified PADI Scuba Technician.
For more information, visit www.Scuba-Technician.com
Blogs
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort – A Hidden Gem in the Northern Moluccas

Far from the usual tourist trails, on a small island in the Northern Moluccas, lies a place of extraordinary beauty: Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort. Nestled between dense tropical jungle and a powdery white sand beach, the resort offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature at its purest. With panoramic views of the turquoise sea and direct access to some of Indonesia’s most untouched reefs, it’s a dream come true for those seeking tranquility above and adventure below the surface.
The resort features just 16 spacious beachfront bungalows, each only steps from the ocean. At its heart is a beautifully designed open-air restaurant, built entirely from natural materials, where guests can enjoy a diverse selection of Indonesian and international cuisine.
But what truly sets Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort apart is the underwater world that surrounds it. The reefs of the Northern Moluccas are among the most pristine and biodiverse in all of Indonesia – and remarkably, they remain largely untouched. Thanks to the remote location, dive boats are often the only ones around, giving divers the rare privilege of exploring vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and colorful drop-offs in complete solitude.
Marine life here is nothing short of spectacular. Blacktip reef sharks are spotted on nearly every dive, while nutrient-rich walls attract sea turtles, schools of jacks, and bumphead parrotfish. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of rare and photogenic species, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and several types of octopus and shrimp.
One of the region’s most extraordinary highlights is the Halmahera Walking Shark, a rare species endemic to this part of Indonesia. First described by scientists only in recent years, this small shark is unlike anything else in the ocean. Rather than swimming, it uses its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” along the seabed. These elusive yet fascinating creatures are most often encountered on night dives – and witnessing one in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.
The reefscapes surrounding Spice Island Resort are equally impressive. Flourishing hard coral formations spread across the seabed, interspersed with vivid sponges, large sea fans, and colorful soft corals. The biodiversity is astonishing, and the visual spectacle underwater is a dream for photographers. Most importantly, the reefs here are healthy—a rare treasure in today’s marine environment. With minimal tourism and careful management, the ecosystem remains intact, vibrant, and teeming with life.
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort is more than just a dive destination – it’s a retreat for those seeking peace and a haven for underwater explorers looking to experience the authentic magic of Indonesia’s last true frontier.
Book your next diving adventure at Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort with Extra Divers!
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