News
Divestyle March 2013 news
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March/April news
Good day to all of our loyal readers!
Another New Year has come and gone. Can you believe it is March already? I hope that your Festive holidays were restful, even if there wasn't some diving involved.
Another one of your favourite magazines has hit the shelves and it is packed once again with all the information you crave for. Below are a few tidbits to wet your appetite. If you live in the Johannesburg and Pretoria area, your magazine might be a bit late, because of the strike and back-log of post at the main postal hub in Johannesburg.
Our main feature is about the Komodo island. The coral reef is a complex tapestry of individual elements all coming together in unison. Fundamentally the coral reef needs three things to sustain growth: sunshine, nutrients and current. Komodo has an abundance of all three: the warm Indonesian sun, billowing nutrients from the southern ocean and current. Lots of current.
Another nice destination on some or our bucket lists are Bali. Bali rises out of the sea from depths of over 200m, and there are many smaller islands surrounding the mainland. Each of these offers different diving experiences and each is worth a visit. Menjangan must be one of the most beautiful and varied of a fabulous collection of conventional coral dives around Bali.
If local is still the place for you to be (because dream dives takes a bit of saving for) then head down to Umkomaas. Umkomaas is a small, subtropical town adjacent to the rolling sugarcane hills on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Located close by is one of the best dive spots in the world, known as the Aliwal Shoal.
Have you ever heard of Humboldt squids? Almost five years ago Andre Crone were diving in Papua New Guinea in Asia, and while we were preparing for a normal day of diving along the reefs of this area, we were called over to another pier by one of our dive guides. Here we met our dive guide in discussion with a local fisherman who was showing the catch of the day in his self-made boat. At first this seemed not to be anything special, but when we looked closer we found that this fisherman had a very special catch.
Do not miss out on the regulars dive Tech Talk, Med talk, Letters and Industry news. Let us know what you think about the Kruger Millions article.
We would like to thank all of you who send in photographs for the competition and write in for the Crossword, Sudoku and 'Where is it?'. Look out for you name as a winner.This is hopefully enough to grab your magazine and start reading.
National Boat and Dive show
Yes, it will happen again this year. The date is 16 - 18 August at the Coca-Cola Dome. There will be a dive village with all your favourite suppliers and also some great destination spots. Come and support the local guys!
We will have our popular dive talks again this year on Saturday and Sunday. You can book your spot or just pitch and listing to all there is to say.
Saturday
10:30 ~ Nuno Gomes – Cave diving in the whole.
11:45 ~ Johan Boshoff – The living fossils – Coelacanths.
13:00 ~ Barry Coleman – Rebreathers, yesterday and tomorrow.
14:15 ~ Nuno Gomes – Difference between fresh / sea water records.
Sunday
10:30 ~ Barry Coleman – Rebreathers, yesterday and tomorrow.
11:45 ~ Nuno Gomes – Difference between fresh / sea water records.
13:00 ~ Johan Boshoff – The living fossils – Coelacanths.
14:15 ~ Nuno Gomes – Cave diving in the whole.
See what else is happening on www.nationalboatshow.co.za
Old Articles
If you are still waiting for you new magazine, how about whiling your time away and have a look at our archive articles? Visit our website.
E-magazine
If you got yourself an Android, iPad or similar nice little gadget for Xmas (or even before Christmas), you can now get your favourite magazine online - and you do not have to worry about postal workers striking!
Visit our Subscription page here and follow the easy steps. You will be re-directed to MySubs website to complete your subscription.
Support our advertisers
To unsubscribe, send a mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
December News
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December News
If you are reading this, you made it through the Mayan 'end of the world' - Congratulations!
The good news is that all subscribers will have their magazines in the post box by next week - before Christmas. Those who are not subscribed, the magazine will be on the shelves the 7th of January. It is jam packed with couch-travel material and hopefully enough to make you save up for that bucket list trip.
Bilene is just across the border for South Africans and a spot which most drive past to go to the Inhambane area. With the lagoon for snorkelling and watersports as well as reef diving, this is a real gem which you can visit any time of the year.
Many of us only kit up and don't even check if their buddy is OK, but after reading this article on Equipment checking, you will definitely think twice about what you and your buddy are doing. He/She is after all the person who is going to help you if you run into trouble.
Diving with any ocean creature is always a magic moment and at Stingray city in the Grand Caymans this is especially true. These usually shy creatures come close to the divers and can be touched and admired face to face.
In the photography feature is all the tips to fine tune your digital photographs and get that finishing touch for the million dollar shot just right. So go out and try it for yourself. Remember the more you practice, the better you will be!
We hope that you enjoy your Festive season and please travel safely so that you can have another shot at the end of the world. Our offices will be closed from the 21st of December and we will be back in the office from the 14th of January.
Keep the oceans clean and safe diving,
Divestyle team
November news
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November/December edition
Nearing the end of the year once again and it feels like the year slipped through my fingers. But looking back at my diary, there was much accomplished this year. Travel, new products, some great dive shows, new people, to name but a few.
I had the opportunity to visit the Chinhoyi caves with a group of technical divers in July. As you will see in the magazine, it was some great diving. I've done my personal best to 80m on my 500th dive. If this is not an ultimate achievement, I cannot think of few better ways to celebrate 500 dives. Thank you to the whole group who made all the dives possible.
But enough about me, let me tell you what to expect from the magazine this time.
Our main feature of the Philipenes by Scott Bennet is a wow moment captured in writing. Name it and you can see it there. It sounds like liveaboard diving is a must to relax and dive to your hearts content.
If you haven't been to the Red Sea yet, maybe you must put it on your bucket list and visit the not so often dived spots like Saudi Arabia. Andre Crone visited Farasen banks to the south and Yanbu to the north and the uncluttered reef makes for very special prisitne diving. They even had a chance to dive some unknown areas. Looks like a photographers heaven.
Do not miss out on all the new gadgets for Christmas. There are a few thing that I would like to see in my Christmas sock!
The regular competitions and articles are still there and great prizes can be won. The winner of the trip to Ponta and the Suunto dive watch will be announced soon (must just get 10 minutes breather to draw the names).
Remember to visit our Facebook page and post your holiday pictures there so those of us staying at home over the holiday season can travel with you in spirit.
If you still cannot decide where to go this holiday, visit our website with the old travel articles and see if your dream destination is there.
Hopefully the strikes which had the country in a death grip is at an end and you will receive your magazine in your post box soon. The other option is to go digital - visit the subscription page of the Divestyle website and follow the steps to get your magazine on your electronic device.
Safe diving and happy holidays.
Celebrating 10 years
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Dive show 2012
Divestyle has once again a lot of specials and great prizes to give away at the show, including weekends away in Ponta sponsored by Africa Scuba travel and Coral development as well as a dive computer from Suunto and fins from Scubapro. Come renew your subscription or take one out for a friend. Remember that we also have a special on the e-magazine. You will ALL stand a chance to win the prizes. You can also take the weight of your feet at our complimentary hospitality area sponsored by Alternative timber. While you are completing your subscription forms you are also welcome to a cocktail from Original iced cocktails.
If you are bored at home and want to learn more from the best in the dive business, come and listen to our Work shop speakers during the weekend.
Saturday
10:30 ~ Fiona Ayerst – Taking the perfect underwater photo.
11:45 ~ Barry Coleman – Rebreathers the way to zero bubbles.
13:00 ~ Nuno Gomes – How to dive and survive world records in caves or open oceans.
14:15 ~ Barry Coleman – The Deep Wrecks of Southern Africa.
15:00 ~ Gabby Metcalf - The art of Underwater Videography.
16:15 ~ Chris Serfontein – Poseidon Rebreathers: forget (almost) everything you know about rebreathers.
Sunday
10:30 ~ Gabby Metcalf –The art of Underwater Videography.
11:45 ~ Barry Coleman – Rebreathers the way to zero bubbles.
13:00 ~ Nuno Gomes – How to dive and survive world records in caves or open oceans.
14:15 ~ Fiona Ayerst - Taking the perfect underwater photo.
15:00 ~ Barry Coleman – The Deep Wrecks of Southern Africa.
As you know, this is just a taste of what is on offer at the Dive show. Visit their website for competitions, specials, tickets and opening times. www.nationalboatshow.co.za.
See you there!
March 2012 Newsletter
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The year is already ⅙th gone and most divers are still struggling to get over the holiday blues. But luckily for them, there is a brand new Divestyle packed with interesting reading material and excellent photos to keep them busy and help to plan for the April getaway.
Just to keep you updated about the National Boat and Dive show, which is usually hosted in August, it has moved to the weekend of 7 – 9 September. Divestyle will move upstairs once again, but if possible, we are going even bigger! There will be a try-dive pool outside for the brave new souls who want to experience scuba diving and our stand with the normal paraphernalia and a few other surprises will be upstairs with the rest of the dive fraternity. Once again we will have interesting talks on scuba diving topics, with speakers and subjects still being finalised.
The chamber dives are a big hit! We are hosting chamber dives in Centurion, Pretoria. 50 and 75 meter dives are conducted. Divers must be 18 years or older and hold an Advanced certificate for the 50 dive and must have previous experience in a chamber or a Trimix certification card for the 75m dive. Dives is done on weekday evenings and spectators are also welcome. If you want to do a group booking or just as an individual, contact us directly for the cost and terms & conditions.
Durban Underwater club is hosting a unique Underwater Photography and Videography competition this year. It starts on the 31st of March and end on the 29th of April. Entries open on the 1st of March. Photograph entries from Cape Town to Mozambique are allowed. If you want to know more, visit their website www.duc.co.za.
The winners of the Scubapro Seawing Nova fins for November/December and January/February subscription prize have been drawn. November’s winner is Gidion Basson and the January winner is Richard Alcock. Congratulations guys and enjoy your prize! Scubapro is sponsoring a pair of fins for each edition this year, so get your friends to subscribe and if you are still not subscribed – do it now! It is only R150 for 6 editions. You can do it online with an easy to complete form or mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it directly.
March/April Magazine is once more jam packed with exiting and fascinating articles which will make you want to throw your dive gear in the car and go on holiday – again. You can book your ticket for the next cross Atlantic charter for the dive to the Titanic, this is sure to give you Narcosis like never before! Remember to send us a photo of you holding a Divestyle on the bow of the Titanic for the ‘Beat this’ competition.
If that is a bit too deep for you, see what Gerrit has to say about his chamber dive to 75 meters, little bit shallower, but nevertheless a lot of fun.
‘Micronesia’ describes the type of dives you get in Yap very well (although it is a country’s name). But it is also known as a manta lover’s paradise. Sheer drop-off’s and crystal clear waters greet you as you float down, with camera in hand looking at the abundance of macro subjects, with Tuna, Manta rays and other pelagics hunting around you. Once the effort has been made to visit Yap on the Micronesia islands, a trip to Jellyfish Lake is a ‘must’. Jellyfish has evolved to survive without stinging nettles in this lake. At first it is unreal and once you get used to swimming with them, you can observe their behavior closely.
Have a look at the new gear in the Reviews. We are running reviews on a whole range of products from Bushtec and Safari and Tent and you will sure enjoy the quality of their products once you start using it. Have look out for the mask, fins and new t-shirt range as well.
This is enough for you to read until the magazine hits the shelves, so safe diving in the mean while and let us know what you are up to by keeping us posted on Divestyle’s Facebook page.
November 2011 News
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November/December 2011
Newsletter
The year is nearly over and everyone is starting to wind down and look for a nice place to spend their holiday and hopefully get some nice diving in as well.
Chamber dives
Join Divestyle for a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Narcosis safely in a chamber. The chamber dives will be done in Pretoria and all levels of divers are welcome.
50 and 75 meter air dives will be conducted. Persons who want to complete the 75 meter dive must have completed a 50m chamber dive previously (not on the same evening). Medical indemnities will have to be completed on the evening.
Available dates
|
50 meter |
75 meter |
|
|
15 November |
11 Spaces |
'- |
|
28 November |
Available |
Available |
|
12 December |
4 Spaces |
5 Spaces |
Price structure – 50 meter dive R 450, 75 meter dive R 550. Maximum 7 persons per dive.
Dives will start 18:00. As soon as we have more dates available, we will publish it on Facebook and our website.
Terms and conditions
- Full payment must be received to confirm a booking.
- A diver must be 18 years old, hold and Advanced diving certificate with at least 25 dives.
- Proof of 50m chamber dive must be shown before a diver can do the 75m dive.
- Trimix divers with proof of certification will be allowed to dive the 75m without a previous 50m chamber dive experience.
- Cancellation of booking less than 30 days before the date of the dive will cause a forfeit in all payments made.
- Medically unfit divers will also lose their payment, so ensure that you/your divers are medically fit.
- No refunds will be made if a diver has problems equalizing on a dive and the dive has to be aborted.
- If a diver cannot do the dive, he can be replaced by an able person.
Contact Annatjie on 072 432 4841 or mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to book.
In the magazine
You have all seen the picturesque videos and footage of Palau on television and probably like most of us dreamt of this dive destination. The azure blue waters with the contrasting green islands makes you want to pack you dive kit and fly there immediately. Johan visited this piece of paradise and brought back more stories than can be told, some you have to experience for yourself. Read about the dives there and the little critters you can tick-off from you bucket list in the main travel section.
We read and hear a lot about divers who get injured on dives and there is always somebody pointing fingers, but the most obvious finger pointing should be back at ourselves. The question is, are we really capable of rescuing ourselves, never mind our buddy? Read more about what you as diver should do to ensure that you can look after yourself on a dive.
In Photo blues, David teaches us about colour and how you can give those drab pictures a new lease on life.
The colder Cape Townian waters is sometimes a deterrent for us warm blooded divers, but the diversity and special animals you get to dive with down south is so amazing, that the cold water is forgotten until you get out.
DO NOT forget that Christmas is around the corner and if you are struggling to decide what to buy your dive buddy/significant other / yourself, there is some nice ideas in the Christmas gift guide.
Remember to write in for the competitions and send us feedback on the articles in the magazine. We want to hear from you.
Our Facebook site is very active with lots of photographs and funny stories. Click on the link above to visit the site and give us your story/experience/photographs.
Happy reading!
The Divestyle team
August News
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Good day all the Divestyle subscribers, readers, bloggers and Facebook fanatics!
The long awaited August has arrived. We can already feel the winter's claws retreating and starting to look forward to a warmer season.
This is also the month for the annual Dive and Boat show (and if you have not heard about it, then we cannot help it.) It is from 12 - 14 August at the Dome in Northgate (Johannesburg). As usual, we are planning to have a lot of fun and take over the event with a lot of noise and activities.
Here is a breakdown of our activities planned for the weekend:
Friday:
11:00 - Doors open for the public
17:00 - Party on the Divestyle stand sponsored by Blue o Two. (You need to get in before 18:00 to attend the party, as the doors will close and if you are outside, you are going to miss out big time!)
Late - Party end. See ya tomorrow.
Saturday:
09:00 - Doors open for the public
10:15 - Don Shirley – Rebreathers The good, bad and Ugly
11:30 - Barry Colman – Wreck Diving
12:45 - Nuno Gomes – History on Deep Diving
14:00 - Scuba Pro – New Technical Gear
15:15 - Barry Colman – Technical Kit Configuration
16:00 - How to start Diving an Overview
We are also having a charity drive like last year for SANCCOB (Save the penguins) and would appreciate if you can bring your R5 to buy a sticker or give a donation. Visit their website at www.sanccob.co.za.
Between all of this, you can renew your subscription or get a new one for a friend (everybody who renew/subscribes stands a chance of winning either the trip to the Red Sea or a Suunto dive watch). If you are up for it, have a cocktail at our bar and enjoy the great atmosphere at our stand. There will be lots of specials again, so make sure you visit the stand.
Sunday:
10:30 - Nuno Gomes – History on Deep Diving
11:45 - Barry Colman – Technical Kit Configuration
13:00 - Don Shirley – Behind the light zone
14:15 - Scuba Pro – New Technical Gear
15:00 - How to start Diving an Overview
Prizes up for grabs
All attendees to the party, talks and subscribers will have an opportunity to win a trip to the Red sea sponsored by Blue O Two. Suunto is also another competition partner this year and a lucky draw will also determine the winner of an awesome new look dive computer. These are great prizes for any diver and just so much more reason to join us on the stand. Terms and conditions apply to all prizes.
We are in the Main arena, follow the bright orange banners to stand 33B for you dive fix. We also have the best of our T-shirts back this year, so come and get yours at the very special show price.
The Divestyle team
Shark bite on baited dive
The KZN South Coast diving community was devastated this morning (28
June) with the bite by a large Dusky shark on an Advanced SCUBA diver
who was on a dive within the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area (MPA).
Although the injuries sustained by the diver were not fatal, the
incident was nevertheless quite serious with the diver being evacuated
by air. The diver is now in a stable condition following surgery at
Albert Luthuli Hospital in Durban.
Netcare911 Spokesperson Chris Botha commended the Blue Wilderness team
for their exemplary handling of the situation, commenting that “this
young man owes his life to the well trained Blue Wilderness staff who
managed to stop the blood flow so quickly.” Ryan and Clare Daly (Blue
Wilderness), Peter Bauer (rescue diver) and Alistair Louw (local
skipper) were all on hand to assist with the medical care that saved
the diver’s life, and all kept a cool head in a very stressful
situation.
Speaking about the incident, Mark Addison of Blue Wilderness said that
"after over 23 years in the diving industry, and 15 years in the shark
diving industry, this has been the first time we have had an encounter
such as this at Aliwal Shoal. Taking all that we have observed and
learnt over the last two decades, there is no way that one could have
known that that this individual animal would break all of the rules.
However, the young diver is our main concern right now and our
thoughts go out to him and his family during this difficult time.
Anyone who comes into our environment is considered to be a member of
our family and we are very close to the diver and deeply saddened by
today’s events.”
The bite occurred when a large Dusky shark bit at the diver’s fins in
what is most likely a case of mistaken identity. The SCUBA diver was
wearing split fins with black and grey stripes, and to the shark this
may have looked like a small shoal of fish.
According to Addison, “having swum with sharks on thousands of
occasions, I can testify that isolated freak accidents such as this
rarely occur. Although there are more large Dusky sharks around than
usual at the moment due to the presence of sardines, there is no
reason for them to have any more interest in us than they normally do,
and this was really unfortunate”.
These large Dusky sharks generally live offshore, but come closer to
shore during this time of the year as they follow the massive shoals
of sardines that are making their way up the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu
Natal coastlines. Dusky sharks are listed on the World Conservation
Union (IUCN) Red List as “near threatened” and are one of the most
vulnerable of the shark species to exploitation because it reproduces
so slowly and at such a late age.
The diver was part of a team of interns who have been diving with Blue
Wilderness for almost a month. “The interns are well-versed with the
nature of these animals, these guys are competent divers and are
passionate about sharks – that’s why they travelled around the globe
to join us during the sardine run. They have been making a valuable
contribution to furthering our understanding of these sharks at the
Aliwal Shoal MPA” said Mark Addison.
Ends
Issued on behalf of: Blue Wilderness
Press release compiled by:
Rob Evans
Disseminated by:
Olivia Jones Communications
The Dive Expo 2011
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Dive Expo 2011
12 - 14 August at the Coca-Cola dome, Northriding, Johannesburg.
Get your triple fix of recreation, meditation and exploration at the Dive Expo
Exploration meets meditation at 2011 Dive Expo
Diving is not merely an activity – it’s a lifestyle! That’s why dive enthusiasts from around the country will be shelving their fins for the weekend and heading to the Coca-Cola dome in Joburg from 12 to 14 August 2011 for the annual Dive Expo, which forms part of the National Boat Show, sponsored by the South African Maritime Authority (SAMSA).
“Diving is equal parts recreation, meditation and exploration,” says Scubapro’s Rhys Couzyn, who is among the experts hosting informative talks about various aspects of diving at the Dive Expo.
“Whether you’re looking for something fun to do with your friends and family, a means to step out of your usually crazy world for a while or the opportunity to commune with nature on a one-to-one basis, then you probably already know that scuba diving is for you,” he adds.
Divestyle at the Boat show 2011
Divestyle at the Boat show 2011
The latest edition of Divestyle (May/June) is available now. You will see why we are still the biggest dive magazine in southern Africa – we have changed to printing on a thicker and better quality paper to complete the final stage in the evolution of Divestyle. We have also changed some of the regular articles and, due to popular demand, will now run a wreck article and a photographic article in every magazine. Safety is always important, and thus we will also add an article on sea rescue. Some of the regular features will stay the same and we will continue to bring you the latest news from all over the world.
A few of the articles you can browse through is diving in Morrongulo, Wrecks of Southern Africa, how to look after your camera, the top 2 dive destination in the world – Cocos and Brothers Islands and what rebreathers training is all about. The Tech panel discusses e-learning with its pro’s and con’s.
Divestyle is hosting three knowledgeable and renowned speakers who are specialists in their field as well as Scubapro who is launching new products.
