Divas in Dubai

This past weekend of March 9-13 saw out the Dive Middle East Exhibition held in conjunction with the Dubai International Boat Show at the Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi. More than 300 exhibitors set up shop which was a marine-related extravaganza to a much quieter crowd than previous years. Exhibitors provided an opportunity for enthusiasts to learn about the latest in diving equipment, services, supplies and industry innovations, with live diving demonstrations, presentations on the latest diving gear and interactive training programmes on offer.

There was the usual presence of the more prominent dive gear suppliers and manufacturers; Beuchat, Cressi, Al Masaood, Scuba Dubai, Al Boom Marine, Gulf Marine Sports and also Al Boom Dive Centre. The Emirates Diving Association was there in full support of members and the local diving community, and they hosted the diving demonstrations throughout the duration of the show.

This year’s event attracted the highest ever number of superyachts from around the world to Dubai. With 26 boats in excess of 21 metres. In spite of the apparent decrease in number of visitors the DMIC say that there is a 36 percent increase over last year for this key sector, highlighting the confidence in the Dubai International Boat Show for business opportunities in the region. World class companies such as ART Marine, Emirates Boats, Gulf Craft, Al Hareb Marine, Sunseeker Middle East and Al Yousuf Motors presented themselves to the region’s most affluent buyers.

Comments from exhibitors were generally indicated that the economic decline was evident as the show was filled with onlookers as opposed to actual interested buyers.

Some fancy gimmicks were on display for the person who does not have to ask the price of any item, including the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer, the U-boat Worx C-Quester 2, and no less than a Bentley Continental Supersports which one could leave at the dock while sailing away in a new “green and clean” Wallyship. Such dreams and notions are held by just a few.

The boats on show included 26 superyachts, including the sleek-lined 73 metre Silver Zwei, which is the world’s fastest conventionally-powered motor yacht. Showcased by BehneMar, the maritime arm of Behne Middle East Investment Holding, the lithe aluminium mega-yacht delivers exceptional design, comfort, reliability and fuel efficiency, and can reach a top speed of up to 27 knots.

Splayed out on the grass next to the marina was a shiny array of sleek Mercedes Benz cars sponsored by the UAE dealer Gargash Enterprises. The new 2011 Mercedes E class Convertible was on display along with an exclusive viewing of the limited edition Maybach Landaulet.

With around 15,000 berths realised or under development in the GCC, and half of those in the UAE, due to be completed by the end of next year, it is thought that the region is well set to support a buoyant leisure marine industry. The UAE currently has the largest density of realised and planned marina developments.

Article by Francesca Koe, Deeperblue.com

Sunday night in Los Angeles, California at the Kodak Theatre THE COVE took home the Oscar for the Best Documentary Feature; the award was accepted by producer Fisher Stevens. Louie Psihoyos directed the award winning film that was funded by Jim Clarke. Freediving world record holder, Mandy-Rae Cruickshank and her husband Kirk Krack, of Performance Freediving International, were not only proud members of the film’s cast, but were also mission critical members of the “black Ops” team who placed the video and audio equipment that allowed the world to see and hear what was actually happening in Taiji.

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The March edition of the Emirates Diving Association Magazine is now out.

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Deeperblue.com News Editor Francesca Koe reports:

This past weekend, the Writers Guild of America, awarded Mark Monroe best documentary screenplay for his writing on The Cove. With this latest award, Louie Psihoyos’ film, The Cove , becomes the first documentary feature to ever sweep all four of the guild prizes awarded for documentaries – the Producers, Directors, Editors, and now the Writers guild respectively.

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Under the patronage HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, the Fazza’ Championships include traditional sporting events including falconry, hunting with dogs, archery, freediving (hiyari) and the renowned youla championships.

The Diving Championship (Hiyari), commonly known amongst international freedivers as the “Dubai Range Rover Freediving Competition), will be held at the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi from 8th April 2010 – 9th April 2010. First prize is normally a Range Rover however details of the competition are yet to be received this year.

Please note that the dates may alter at the last minute so competing freedivers coming from overseas should allow a couple of days before and after the advertised dates in case of change. Deeperblue will be in contact with the organisers and publish updates as they are received.

In previous years there has only been one female competitor. All females are encouraged to come and compete. Anyone who would like to compete and needs training before the event is welcome to join the freedivers of Dubai every Tuesday or Thursday evening. Contact me on diva@divasindubai.com for more details.

To reserve your place in the competition please call +971-4-362-4399. Note that calls are not always answered and some persistence may be required. The Dubai Shopping Festival website should be watched as information will be posted.

FreedivingUAE.com members are inviting Freediving World Champion Patrick Musimu, and the first man ever recorded to dive beyond the 200 meters mental barrier on a single breath in No Limit discipline. Patrick does not teach Freediving but rather guide people in their progression to what he calls “The Art of Free Diving”. He is well known for his Flooding technique (equalizing his ears and sinuses by flooding them with sea water instead of air when diving deep), he is also known for dry Gym training for freediving.

The free diving clinic will be a 5 day clinic that will combine classes, gym and open water sessions. Participants will be introduced to sled diving as well, which is the device used for No Limit and Variable Weight disciplines in free diving.

Is this a clinic for everyone?

If you are keen to understand your barriers and discover how to lift them; keen to learn adapted breathing exercices and new breathing patterns; to learn how to master equalizing; to learn and understand how to train outside water; if you intend to progress and discover new depth; if you intend to understand how to plan your progression and to focus on your Self, then this clinic is for you.

If you are satisfied with what you already have and don’t intend to develop your free diving abilities, then you don’t need to attend this clinic. PLEASE NOTE: This clinic is for freedivers, beginners were they or advanced of all levels,but basic freediving knowledge and practice is required, if you haven’t attend any freediving courses yet then you need to attend one before April and get basic knowledge and experience of freediving so you could benefit from the clinic, basic safety procedures and standards and basic theory of freediving is not the scope of this clinic and there is no guarantee that any of it will be explained therein.

To receive more information about this clinic please email Adel Abu Haliqa at Adolphindeep@gmail.com.

Have you ever come across a situation where you wished that you could have assisted, and just stood there feeling helpless?  Have you ever witnessed an accident where someone could have been saved and you did not know what do, or had too much fear to help?

An Emergency First Response Course (EFR) can teach you to overcome those fears and you can learn practical, easy techniques that could save someone’s life in any situation, whether in the office, downtown in the shopping mall, or a loved one at home. You can learn how to perform CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Rescucitation) and also Primary and Secondary Care techniques which will help you to properly handle potentially life-threatening situations, whether you are a diver or non-diver.

EFR is a comprehensive programme composed of two modules that can be taught over 2 days, with fun instructional materials and the use of scenarios making it interesting and easy.*

The cost of each course is 850AED and includes all training and certification. The courses can be conducted anywhere, at your home, in the office or a training centre of your choice.  For information call Sara-Lise on +971-50-4368696 or email diva@divasindubai.com.

*Note, this is not a professional paramedics course and is only designed to provide First Aid assistance. Please also note that there a Good Samaritan law in the UAE that protects and holds harmless individuals who are qualified to intercede in a life threatening situation if acting within the scope of their training.  Expats should familiarise themselves with local laws before providing any public assistance.

A two day freediving trip has been organised by Freedivinguae.com, for the weekend of 15-16th January 2010.  All freedivers welcome. Diving is 3-5 hours weather dependant, per day. Boat cost is shared between divers present, maximum payment would be around 175AED per person per day.

Accommodation is available at the Oceanic Hotel in Khor Fakkan, and the divers will meet at Divers Down Dive Center at 08h45.

Contact me diva@divasindubai.com for more details.

Weather forecast clear for the weekend.

Theory starts Sunday 10th January 2010.

This course will be held in Dubai and Divers Down, Khor Fakkan (Sharjah) on the East Coast. The dive centre is based at the Oceanic Hotel.

Course price is 2900 DHS and includes training, student manual, boat dives and certification. It does not include equipment.

3 Star Course

This course is designed to continue a freediver’s training beyond the level of AIDA ** Freediver. The aim of this course is to help the student freediver develop the skills and knowledge necessary to plan and participate in freediving activities, independently with similarly experienced freedive buddies.

Basic course outline:

Maximum depth 30 metres – minimum 24 metres

The Knowledge development takes a while, about 4-5 hours, plus an exam. This is done over two days as it is quite intense.

Static/ dynamic sessions

Again, this can be done at one time, although sometimes for the 3 star it is better as 2 sessions, lasting 2 hours for the static and 1-2 for the dynamic

Open water training- 4 sessions over at least 2 days – a minimum of 4 days to complete the course.

To confirm your place on the course and in anticipation of your attendance I require:

1) Your full name

2) Full postal address

3) Contact telephone numbers

Please note that you will be required to provide your own freediving equipment. This should include the following items:

1) Wetsuit with hood, neoprene socks and gloves
2) Long freediving fins and/or monofin
3) Snorkel and low volume mask
4) Rubber weightbelt

If you do not have the equipment above and wish to purchase items then this can be arranged from visiting http://www.deeperblue.net/shopping/ or at Gulf Marine Sports (Abu Dhabi or Dubai). Call Firas 0504467956. You may also find gear at Hayaari, call Wassim Zein +971 – (0)50 – 6215375 http://www.hayaarisub.com/

In addition you will require a Freediving lanyard which is available for rent from me. Please note, that if you have your own lanyard, it must be between 70 and 100 cm long with a non locking carabiner at one end and a one handed quick release shackle at the wrist end. Weight will be provided for you on the course.

Booking and cancellation conditions:
If you do not come to the course on the days booked for theory and pool you will be charged 100dhs. I need 48 hours notice prior to cancellation. If you do not come to the course on the days of the boat dives, you will be charged 200dhs to cover the boat costs. I need 48 hours notice prior to cancellation. If you can’t make the course and want to swap to a different date, 1 week’s notice is required before the start of the course otherwise you will incur rescheduling or cancellation charges. If you need to reschedule or cancel then please me know immediately.

To sign up, I can be contacted on diva@divasindubai.com.

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