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Underwater Photography News from DIVE 2016, Part 6: And finally….
There was so much to cover at the Dive Show, that it is time for us to do a round up of the remaining equipment stands and also include BSoUP in our ramblings. BSoUP are an ever present stand at the show and the volunteer members manning the stand are always ready to give advice to budding underwater photographers and experts alike. This year the BSoUP stand had been updated, with new images and an audio-visual display. The images showed off as many underwater photograph techniques as possible and also tried to show off the work of as many of their members as they could. BSoUP is going strong, with “buoyant membership figures” of close to 300 members and counting. Also on display at the BSoUP stand were examples of the underwater photography books by members, and this alone is a great testament to how talented and knowledgeable the group is.
The BSoUP stand at DIVE 2016
Along with the BSoUP stand, the members also run the underwater photography competition that is held at the Birmingham Dive Show each year. From over 100 entries, the best 80 are mounted and displayed in four categories: British & Irish, Overseas, Advanced British & Irish and Advanced Overseas. Everyone that attends the show is invited to vote for their favourite images and this is always a popular feature of the show. Once the votes have been counted up, the winners will be announced, probably sometime in early November. In addition, an expert judging panel will also select their winning shots and their favourite will be crowned overall champion. As soon as we have the results we will get them up onto Scubaverse.com so that you can see if your favourite shot won.
Show visitors checking out the entries in the underwater photo competition
Cameras Underwater are regulars at the Dive Show and it is always hard to grab an interview with the team, as they are always very busy. We grabbed a rare quiet moment to ask the team what they thought of the show. With exciting new cameras at both ends of the spectrum, the Canon G7X MkII and the Canon 5D Mk IV were creating a great deal of interest. In the lighting arena, the team really loved the Exposure Action 100 and on the wet lens front they also showed-off the Epoque ESL-TG4 Soratama lens, made for the TG4 camera. This creates a “bubble” effect on the image and will be a popular and fun lens for those looking to create something a little bit different in their images. The team “love coming to Birmingham and seeing lots of customers, old and new”.
Brett Thorpe from Blue Orb
Blue Orb are newcomers to the show, and were showing off the popular Fantasea range of housings. With the Fantasea G7X MkII, recently returned from our latest review session, on display, there was certainly lots of interest. But Blue Orb had even more recent goodies, with the dual branded Fantasea / AOI Super Wide Angle Lens which “works wonderfully with all the Fantasea housings”. Another new lens, which had just arrived before the show opened, is the Fantasea / AOI Super Close Up lens which is a +12.5 diopter for those who love their super macro photography. When we met up with Brett, owner of Blue Orb, he said the show was “going really well. Lots of people, and very busy”. With Blue Orb also offering plenty of dive equipment, including the new XDeep Zen travel Wing, the stand was packed every time we went by.
Sea & Sea also have a photography equipment section amongst their dive gear. They were showing off new housings for the Nikon D500, Canon 80D and the Sony A6300. Sea & Sea was one of the first stands we visited and Geoff Sharples told us that it had been a “good start to the show” and that it was “busier than expected”. We hope to get some Sea & Sea equipment to review for Scubaverse in the near future, and with a new buoyancy arm system that can also be used as a handle coming out, perhaps we can get our hands on this soon!
That is it from us from DIVE 2016. There was certainly plenty for all the underwater photographers that visited the show. Our next stop is Las Vegas for DEMA, so we hope to have lots of new photo-related gear to talk about!
3rd AUGUST 2024 – 1 or 2 WEEK PROGRAMMES
Daily water programme with Snorkelling & Scuba Diving.
Beginners or qualified, something for all.
Leave the kids with the Splash Team for days of Excitement, Fun & Adventure!
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
There are various options for accommodation with options for 2, 3, 4 or 5 guests.
Eco Huts provide accommodation for families of up to 4. The best option to enhance the adventure and closest to camping with basic facilities. For August we will provide central air cooling for all the Eco Huts.
Deluxe Chalets are only suitable for 2 guests. Fully air conditioned rooms with private bathroom and other facilities.
Boutique Rooms are available for families of up to 5.
Individual bespoke rooms fully air conditioned with private bathroom and other facilities.
Eco Huts: £675 per adult / £425 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Deluxe Chalet: £830 per adult / £505 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Boutique Room: £925 per adult / £550 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
This is a truly unique opportunity to have a Family Desert Adventure totally away from it all! You will be based at the remote Roots Red Sea on the coast of the Egyptian Eastern Desert, 140km south of Hurghada city.
Red Sea Splash main focus is Snorkelling & Scuba Diving but that’s not all, we provide a rounded week of activities in support.
Pool& Field Games – Arts & Crafts
Marine Biology Workshops
Cultural Activities – Orienteering Adventures
Roots Red Sea have established strong links with the local communities of Hamerwain & El Quseir affording our guests to have a true taste of the local culture, SPLASH CAMP embraces this opportunity and bring in the local children to join in the fun with our adventure seekers.
During the day, families are welcome to take part in all activities together or the kids can be left with the SPLASH CAMP team while the parents enjoy the facilities or go diving themselves!
At the end of the day, its family time while the SPLASH CAMP team take a break. For those with the energy, there are family evening activities planned a few evenings.
Open Air Movie Night – Desert Star Gazing Walk & Talk
El Quseir Evening City Tour
The second week is very special, we head off on the Big Blue for a liveaboard safari around Fury Shoals.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
U-8 Splash Club
Sadly we can’t offer Scuba Diving to the Splash Club but we can have lots of fun Snorkelling & Free Diving!
Splash Club includes:
Certified Snorkel Course – Marine ID Games – Intro to Free Diving
Arts & Craft Sessions – Adventure trails – Cultural Playtime – Pool Games
U-12 Explorer Club
In addition to an exciting snorkelling and Free Diving Programme in the Splash Club we can take you under the water on SCUBA to a whole new world of fun and wonder. If you are under 10 your first breath under water will be as a Bubblemaker and continue with daily Seal Team Missions. From 10 we will complete a Discover Scuba Diving experience in the amazing Red Sea. Alternatively we offer a full junior certification programme to become an international qualified Scuba Diver.
U-16 Adventurer Club
For qualified Scuba Divers regardless of age it’s the Adventurer Club and exploration of the local reefs and marine life. There will be 2 dives every day with the Open Ocean marine field station team who will introduce you to Red Sea marine life and workshops on marine research. Alternatively there are opportunities to continue your scuba diving certifications with our instructional team.
Parents are welcome to join the club activities and join the courses.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Big Blue might seem like the new kid on the block, but the team behind the highly acclaimed liveaboard is far from that. They have been running Red Sea safaris since the late 1980’s and were in fact part of the early pioneers who ventured out to the unknown on vessels that in today’s world, really shouldn’t have left the harbour! It’s that experience and the years of operating the award-winning Roots Red Sea resort which truly set Big Blue apart from the crowd!
Large lounge area, spacious sun deck and terrace deck.
Airy restaurant with five tables with up to six chairs per table, serving a varied and delicious menu with special dietary requirements catered for.
The spacious cabins have side by side beds and a large walk in wet bathroom.
Ample dive deck for divers & snorkelers.
Safety is everyone’s priority, whether you are relaxing on board, swimming, snorkelling or diving.
On board Big Blue is fitted with smoke alarms, emergency lighting and a fire alarm system. The lower corridor has a full-size door fire exit at the bow and open stairs to the stern. There are evacuation plans in each room along with life jackets, glass breaker tool and a fire extinguisher.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Red Sea Splash at Fury Shoals is a very rare opportunity to get involved with marine biology expedition for children and adults. Open Ocean biologists are on board to provide fascinating and entertaining facts about the marine life you will see. The team will provide workshops on marine life identification and survey methods both of which, should you wish, you will have the chance to put into practice during your safari.
The week is open to snorkelers, scuba divers and non divers too!
Fury shoals is perfect for first time mariners as it offers plenty of protection from the weather.
We board at Port Ghaleb on Saturday evening and prepare to set sail early on Sunday morning.
Heading south, our first day will be diving the reefs of Abu Dabbab before sailing overnight to reach our ultimate destination the Fury Shoals.
Here we will spend four days swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving amazing reefs. This includes guaranteed DOLPHIN encounters at Sataya Reef! After the last dive we haul anchor and head back to Abu Dabbab for our final two dives before disembarking our boat BIG BLUE.
Camp Extension Cost*
Adult £650 per adult
Under 16 £350 per child
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
FURTHER INFORMATION – INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM
TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
If you’re passionate about the underwater world, listen up! We’ve got an incredible opportunity for you to experience the vibrant reefs and majestic marine life of Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia.
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Pure Dive Resort isn’t just another dive centre; it’s a team of experts dedicated to providing world-class scuba diving and freediving adventures around Nusa Penida, Lembongan, Ceningan, and even Bali.
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Whether you’re a seasoned diver or completely new to the sport, Pure Dive Resort has something for you:
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Freedivers: Explore the depths on a single breath with guided freediving experiences and courses.
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Ready to make a splash?
See you in Nusa Penida!
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