Articles

What can you expect when you follow the divemaster program? How hard is it to become a dive instructor? www.gopro-divetalk.com is a site for everyone who is becoming a PADI dive professional or has the ambition to become one. Journalist Yvonne van der Valk and photographer Valentijn started this website to share their experiences about going Pro and to let other Go Pro'ers talk as well. At Koh Tao, an island in the Gulf of Thailand, they started their divemaster training. After they are certified they will continue to become instructors. In fifteen months time they cycled from their home country Holland to dive paradise Thailand. Since they love traveling, eternal sunshine and living under palm trees they wanted to work here for a while as PADI dive instructors. But first they had to become one. Yvonne: “after all those months of cycling it was great to be in the water again. But suddenly I felt insecure about my diving abilities. Students were watching me now and expected me to be a role model. For example, the first time I had to send up a safety sausage I got completely entangled in it. A hilarious sight for sure and I was quite disappointed in myself. When I started talking about it to the other divemaster trainees it became apparent they had all similar stories. We couldn't stop laughing about ourselves. That same evening we decided to start www.gopro-divetalk.com, so everyone can read those experiences, learn from it and feel that they are not alone in 'the struggle' to become pro's.”

By Chantelle Lusebrink Cold waters greeted Boy Scouts from Troop No. 609 Jan. 26. Submerging to 60 feet underwater, 20 of the 39 troop members completed their final dive off Alki Beach for their PADI certification for scuba diving and their Boy Scout merit badge. “I’ve been scuba diving before in Maui and it was one of the most fun experiences of my life,” said Scout Sean Fite, 14, who goes to Eastside Catholic High School. “This opportunity came up and I thought I should take it to get my full certification.” Troop 609 is one of the largest troops in the area with members ranging in age from 11-18 and attending schools in Sammamish, Issaquah, North Bend and Renton. “It was cold!” said Scout Will Dodeward, 15, who goes to Mount Si High School. “I know 46-degrees doesn’t sound cold, but it’s cold.” They may be the first ones in the nation to complete the required courses and training for the new Boy Scout merit badge available this year, said parent volunteer Judy Co. The troop is the first to place an order for the merit badge, but there is no national database to confirm it for sure, she added. Beneath the water’s surface — once the shock of the cold water wore off — the boys saw a world full of marine diversity, the boys said. “We saw Rat fish, Artist crab, Red Rock crabs, sea slugs and feather coral,” Sean said. The boys said they also found other interesting things, like toilets, water bottles and plates from a nearby restaurant, which aren’t altogether great for the environment, but provide new shelter for marine life. Before the boys could enter the frigid 46-degree water of Puget Sound, they spent weeks training in a pool learning about regulators, dive gauges and safety with Seattle Scuba Schools. “We had to practice removing our masks and clearing and putting them back on underwater,” Sean said. “That was the scary part, you kind of panicked, but it’s good to know.” The boys didn’t just take the classes to claim bragging rights, Scout Master David Marsh said. Seven of the boys are in the process of training for an upcoming diving adventure to Florida. In August, the boys and five parent volunteers will head to The Florida National High Adventure Sea Base. Sea Base — as it’s commonly referred to by the boys — is a High Adventure camp that offers educational aquatic programs, according to the Web site. The Boy Scouts’ High Adventure camps are often longer in duration than typical camps. They are designed to allow the boys in-depth learning opportunities about a single subject, like aquatic environments or mountainous regions. “Scuba diving is a really cool experience and it is a great skill to have,” said Scout Andrew Marsh, 15, a freshman at Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus. Sea Base is owned and operated by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. It is based in the Florida Keys with many smaller base destinations the boys will travel to by ship, like Islamorada, Summerland Key, Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island and the Bahamas. There, the boys will find crystal clear water with nearby shore reefs to explore the diversity of marine life. “I really want to see octopus and tropical fish,” said Scout Nick Co, a freshman at Pacific Cascade. “Something more eye-pleasing.” The live on-board adventure the boys will go on will not only let them put their new skills to use but will also teach them sailing skills aboard a 57-foot schooner they’ll help sail through the Keys. Once launched, they’ll have 15 dives, including three night dives. But more than just fish, the boys will learn about corals and reef ecosystems as well as reef conservation and methods being used to help preserve them, Marsh said. They will also have the opportunity to earn additional diving certifications through their dives. “This is something he is really interested in doing,” said Will’s mother, Angela Dodeward. “It is a great learning experience.” But more than that, their Scout Master hopes it’s a new skill, like many Boy Scouting skills, the boys will take with them throughout their lives. “Anything active these guys are involved in that gets them outside and away from the screen is a good thing,” Marsh said. “We really try to encourage them to push themselves and try new things, like hiking, climbing mountains and scuba diving. These are all things they can do for a lifetime and Boy Scouts encourages that.”

PADI would like to thank all divers who signed the 2009 European Shark Week petition and who organised an event to collect signatures in October last year. It was signed by over 90,000 citizens from 16 European countries urging Spain to end its opposition to improving the EU ban on finning. Read more about it on Project AWARE's Blog.

PADI and Project AWARE encourage all scuba divers to support the designation of the Chagos as the world’s largest protected area, and by doing so, help preserve one of the most unspoiled marine environments left on Earth. Please add your voice by simply adding your name to the Protect Chagos petition. There is only three weeks more to convince the government that a no-take Marine Protected Area is the right decision. Learn more about this initiative on Project AWARE's blog

• supports 10 children in local AWARE Kids conservation activities.
• supports one underwater cleanup, providing data for marine debris solutions.
• activates 10 volunteer divers, monitoring coral reefs for stress and bleaching.
• 0 contributes to threatened shark protection and sustainable global ecosystems.

To find out more about Project AWARE Foundation’s ongoing conservation efforts and to become directly involved visit www.projectaware.org.

The PADI family extends heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the people of Haiti as they struggle to recover from the devastating effects of a massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

A tight-knit, global community, PADI Members and Divers are contacting PADI Offices around the world offering help and support to those fighting to survive in the quake’s aftermath.

Right now, what the people of Haiti need most is food, clean drinking water, medical attention and shelter. The PADI organization believes the fastest way to deliver this much needed aid is to donate directly to relief efforts familiar with helping people in this region. Therefore, PADI Offices are encouraging divers worldwide to donate directly to organizations currently responding to the Haiti disaster.

If you are seeking to provide support to the victims of the Haiti earthquake, contact the charity of your choice or view a list of charities currently involved in Haitian earthquake relief efforts at charitywatch.org.

Keep your eyes peeled because PADI will announce the winners of the 2009 Go PRO Challenge Worldwide Testimonial Contest next week! Remember, 1st prize is ,000 US and the First Runner -up will get ,500 US. Are you one of those hapless souls who wish you entered, but never quite got around to submitting a video or captioned photograph? Well, you’re not totally out of luck, because the 2010 Go PRO Challenge Testimonial Contest starts on 1 January. And, winning is going to be easier than ever! That’s because in 2010, there will be 100 prizes - and one hundred winners - from every corner of the planet. And, you’ll have additional choices for the format of your submission: not only will you be able to submit a captioned photo or home video, you can submit a written testimonial instead. Check back after the holidays because the all new info and 2010 contest rules will be posted on padi.com/gpc. In the meantime, here’s a suggestion for your top New Year’s Resolution for 2010: “I will Go PRO (or, get another rating), send in my most passionate testament to why “I’m a PADI Pro for the love of it!” and take home a PADI-branded iPod or one of the other cool prizes in the 2010 Testimonial Contest!” Stay tuned to padi.com/gpc for next week's announcement of the 2009 Testimonial Contest winners.

Click here to view the clean up in Mirfa on video!

It’s that time of the year again… use your 2009 PADI Diving Society benefits to purchase gifts for family, friends and your dive buddies, find great deals on traveling for the holidays, and take advantage of your 2009 benefits before the New Year.

If you’re not a Society member – join today and take advantage of these great ways to save in 2009:

Make hotel reservations for your holiday getaway Take advantage of your Choice Hotels benefit – a 15 percent discount at over 5,800 participating Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, Econo Lodge® and Rodeway Inn® brand hotels and Ascend Collection® properties worldwide. Choice Privileges® members can enjoy additional savings* and don’t forget to get Choice Hotels® gift cards for family and friends this holiday season!

Give the gift of art Receive 10 – 25 percent on selected artwork from Rogest and Wyland.

Don’t worry about who’s picking you up from the airport Save on your next car rental - society members will receive special rental benefits for the rest of the year. View the coupon for AVIS Worldwide.

Capture every underwater moment this holiday season Purchase a new underwater camera and housing for you or your dive buddy – Society members can take advantage of rebates from Olympus and SeaLife. Plus, check out the online directory to see if your local PADI Dive Center or Resort is offering an benefits on the PADI Digital Underwater Photography Course.

Convenience your dive buddy to go diving with you this winter Purchase a new DUI drysuit and get a Free DUI StretchLiner.

Taking the kids to Disneyworld? Why not explore the living seas with Epcot Aqua Tours and Epcot Dive Quest? Orlando Florida Society member can save 10 percent on admission.

All 2009 offers are currently posted to PADI Diving Society's online benefits directory and will expire 31 December 2009

The good news is – most offers continue in 2010, plus PADI Diving Society has new Society benefits from: Discover new adventures and dive buddies with PADI Diving Society. As a 2009 member, you’ll enjoy more than ,500 US in special offers**. Also enjoy additional savings and information on dive gear and travel from PADI Diving Society Member-only publications; Sport Diver, Sport Diver UK, or Scuba Diver AustralAsia magazine.*** *Choice Privileges® members can earn points towards FREE room nights, airline rewards and more wonderful redemption offers while taking advantage of the PADI Diving Society discount. Just be sure to reference both the PADI Diving Society Special Rate Identification 00800683 and Choice Privileges member number when making your reservation. Not a member? Sign up to be a Choice Privileges member by going to www.choiceprivileges.com/signup/PADIDS. **Some rebates and savings valid only for residents of the United States and Canada. See the terms and conditions for each offer. ***Magazine publications vary by region

Take a trip to The Cove for an insiders look at Ric O'Barry's journey with dolphins. View The Cove trailer.

PADI and Project AWARE are calling on divers and underwater photographers for their help in gathering images of the world’s threatened marine animals and plants by contributing their images to ARKive, the UK-based charity whose mission is to promote conservation through wildlife imagery. Threatened marine species make up just ten percent of the current material held in ARKive, reflecting just how hard these films and photographs are to collect, so the divers underwater images are urgently needed to help fill the watery gaps in the rapidly growing library. Many divers, amateur and professional alike, take fabulous photographs of a broad range of threatened species, so this is an opportunity to work with ARKive and help the wide variety of amazing animals and plants that give pleasure to so many divers. Photographs and video give these threatened species a face, they give those who won’t ever be lucky enough to see them in the wild the chance to understand their characteristics, their biology and the threats they are currently facing. “Underwater photos can describe the beauty and diversity of our underwater environments as well as highlight the urgent need for conservation. It’s crucial that divers contribute their photos to a good cause and help bring attention to the plight of the world’s endangered marine species” says Suzanne Pleydell, Project AWARE Foundation (International) Director. “It’s hard to raise support for an animal that has no face in the media and good underwater images can make a huge difference” adds Suzanne.

PADI International Limited Director, and passionate underwater photographer, Mark Caney, comments “Divers are so fortunate and privileged to be able to experience the beauty and wonders of the underwater world. I encourage divers to donate their images to give ARKive the best means possible in their quest to raise awareness for the world’s underwater creatures”.

ARKive promotes conservation and builds environmental awareness through wildlife photographs, films and sound clips – which are being pledged by many of the world’s top photographers and filmmakers. The aim is to produce a global, centralized record of all 16,928 species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This will provide an invaluable conservation tool - a quick, easy and free online source of information for anyone keen to learn more or to help with conservation efforts.

A list of the ‘most wanted’ images is published on the ARKive website http://www.arkive.org/ and to check out if your species appears on the Red List see http://www.redlist.org/. Anyone wishing to donate images can e-mail ARKive’s media research team – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or upload to www.flickr.com/groups/arkive using the tag ‘marine’. For more information about underwater photography visit http://www.projectaware.org/ and the 10 Tips for underwater photographers.

So far around 38,000 films and images have been given a safe-haven in the ARKive digital vault. More than 3,000 media donors are actively contributing to the project, from major broadcasters, film and photo libraries to conservation organizations and academic institutes, as well as many individual filmmakers and photographers. All media is donated freely on the understanding that it will be used as a resource for scientists, conservationists, educators and the general public, and not for commercial purposes.

Notes:

ARKive is a not-for-profit initiative of Wildscreen, a UK-based charity whose mission is to promote conservation through wildlife imagery - http://www.arkive.org/ .

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ provides taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on plants and animals that have been globally evaluated using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. For more information, see www.iucn.org/redlist.

Check out the new video from Borneo Divers and see why PADI Diving Society is headed to Sipadan, Borneo in 2010.

PADI Diving Society's Ocean Safari is 24 June - 3 July 2010. Visit www.padi.com/borneo for all of the details.

• Sharing this information with your fellow divers, friends, family, and work colleagues
• Posting a link to your website / blog if applicable
• Making a donation to support Project AWARE
• Upgrading your PADI certification card to the Project AWARE Limited Edition “Shark on a Reef” card

Your voice counts. Please help Project AWARE and the Shark Alliance promote shark conservation including urgently needed revisions to the EU finning ban. European Shark Week is a unique opportunity for European citizens around the world to demonstrate their support for shark conservation and effect urgently needed changes.

European Shark Week 2008 saw the collection of more than 100,000 signatures. This was a huge success for the Shark Alliance and more importantly for shark conservation not only in Europe but worldwide. Let’s make it even bigger this year to ensure European Fisheries Ministers follow through on the Shark Plan’s initiatives and truly safeguard sharks.

Thank you for your support.

Thank you to all participants! Your response has been overwhelming.