Divefest - or should it be DryFest

Bit late in posting a quick update on Divefest but after three hectic weeks I'm only now back in front of a computer (must take laptop next time).

For those who remember, Divefest was the first of its kind festival into the UK bringing diving and entertainment in one event.

Thanks to the British weather (great the weekends before and after but blowing a hoolie on the weekend of Divefest) we had to brave strong winds and bad weather at Pentewan Sands near Mevagissey, Cornwall.

As a result we didn't even manage to get in the water. Well technically not true.

Instead, the Aquasport lot donned our drysuits and headed to the beach for a game of cricket.



And when the ball was smashed into the sea we all decided on a bit of body surfing in the crashing waves, made all the easier with a buoyant drysuit. As soon as I can find the pics I'll post them.

The lack of diving led someone to suggest it should have been called DryFest, but knowing we couldn't dive we enjoyed a fair few beers and a barbecue as well.

Despite the lack of diving, we still had a fantastic time and can't wait to do it next year.

Apparently Monty Halls managed to get a bit of depth but the poor weather and churning seas (Force 8 Gale at one point apparently) knocked the viz down to about 2m and sent the marine life scurrying for shelter.

Read here for a full review.

Drop Zone Tahiti Premiere's at Divefest

PADI has announced it will premiere the movie Drop Zone Tahiti at Divefest in Cornwall on Friday May 15.

The movie follows the exploits of professional surfers and divers Holly Beck, Alex Gray and Cheyne Magnusson on a "unique journey both above and below the surface" as they explore coral reefs, dive with sharks and surf the world’s heaviest waves of Teahupoo.

It is hoped the movie, sponsored by Bodyglove will help bring younger people into the sport.

Check out the trailer below and a making of at the bottom.

Trailer One


Trailer Two


Making of

Divefest and Basking Sharks

While the research into foreign dive destinations continues to trickle in, we've already got a UK trip planned - and it's going to be a cracker in Cornwall.
DiveFest is a brand-new diving festival (it does exactly what it says on the tin) and is set to be the UK’s biggest diving event of the year.
And Aquasport International are going to make even better.
Around 40 of us staff and customers are already signed up to go and we've got three nice boats booked for the weekend's diving.
With a post-dive beer or two thrown in, it promises to be a party weekend in mid May.
If you don't know what it's about, check out the website for the full run down.
In a nutshell, there's going to be to be diving and diving and diving.
And that’s not all. There’s a party on the beach on the Saturday night, with a band, hog lamb roast, dancing and a bonfire. Famous divers, such as Monty Halls, (that will send my missus' heart a-flutter) will be speaking about their work and there will be films shows.
Diving manufacturers will also be on hand to show their latest products and in some cases give you a chance to dive with their new kit.
Any dive site recommendations would be gratefully received.
A couple of us are also planning to spend the whole week down there and I was hoping for a bit of basking shark watching.
Amazing Cornwall is a good site for spotting the gentle giants of the ocean particularly in late spring and summer when (he's the science part) warm water from the Atlantic pushes into coastal waters on the western coasts of the UK and brings microscopic nutrients to the surface (that's plankton bloom to most of us). These blooms feed other tiny animals which are the basking shark's favourite food.
Results from the Wildlife Trusts' Basking Shark Survey (click for the summary or full report)suggest we might be a little too early in the season.
During the 2006 season, the project recorded 303 sharks, the most ever recorded in a year by the study group. Researchers said one area stood out clearly as a shark hotspot from Lizard Point west to the Runnelstone Buoy. July seemed to be the peak month
The eight year study also highlighted a remarkable change in shark distribution over the study period, with a marked decline in sightings in the South West of England, and an increase off Scotland.
The report identified numerous threats to the species particularly as by-catch in fishermen's nets. Colin Speedie who led the study project said the proposed Marine Conservation Zones proposed by the Government were desperately needed.
“We need to see Marine Conservation Zones set up to help rebuild healthy seas in order that UK waters can truly support the marine life once common off our shores," he added.
The Shark Trust also has also published some interesting studies on basking sharks in conjunction with the Marine Biological Association.