On one day, around the world, 15,000 AWARE Divers in more than 100 countries around the globe will document every item found beneath the water’s surface to help prevent the marine debris epidemic affecting our ocean planet

At least 6 million tones of debris enter the world’s oceans each year, harming wildlife and underwater environments. The scuba diving community is influencing change by using their unique skills to remove underwater debris and gathering data to inform conservation.

Project AWARE Foundation tackles the devastating impacts of marine debris by supporting divers and volunteers in year round underwater and shoreline cleanups. In 2009, AWARE divers worldwide took the plunge and collected 555,000 lbs of debris that would have continued to be out of sight and mind for most.  

Global Dive gets organised for Cleanup Day by our Conservation Crusader, Instructor Alex, and this year is no different.

Register your details with the shop and come along for the day.

When: Saturday, 25 September 2010, 9:00am (divers to meet at 8:30am)

Where: Mission Bay

Related Pages

• Club Night : Sharks and our ecosystem
• Club Event : Sea Week Kickoff
• Project Aware Trip Report
• International Cleanup Day

Crayfish / Photograph by Andrew Simpson

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Grey Moray Eels / Photograph by Ian Skipworth

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Why wouldn't you want to look silly and have fun on a day like this? / Photograph by Tara Sutherland

Whilst the Netherlands were still celebrating their win over Brazil in the FIFA World Cup, and the All Whites were tucked up in bed back in New Zealand, a glorious day was breaking over Matheson Bay, north of Auckland.

Saturday 3rd July 2010 was going to be a monumental day, as today the first Global Dive Scuba Olympics were being held.

With a 9am start ahead of them, most team players and Global Dive officials made their way to Matakana bakery for that all important first coffee of the morning.
Once caffeine levels were restored, it was a short hop to Matheson Bay, where the fun was about to begin.

After everyone had said their hello’s, it was down to business, and the first thing on the agenda was to erect the marquee and to make sure that the generator was up and running, for those all important hot drinks that the divers would need.

Once up, it was briefing time where Anna explained just how the day was going to pan out, what events were being held, and of course who the teams were.

Despite 5 teams entering, only 2 turned up on the day.

Team All Reds / Photograph by Andrew Simpson

Team Name: All Reds

Representing: England

Team Members: Glynn, Kate, Rachel & Steve

Identified by: Red neckerchief and red face paint

Team Name: Scuba Cats aka “Underwater Pussies”

Representing: British Isles

Team Members: Fiona, John, Jono & Pete

Identified by: Rugby Shirts – England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales

With their gear together and kitted up, it was time for the fun to begin.

First up was the Beach Shot Put.
Rules: You must be in your wetsuit with fins and mask on, and snorkel in your mouth, whilst throwing a 1.5kg weight as far as you can.

Team Scuba Cats / Photograph by Andrew Simpson

Technique was going to be the essence, with brawn losing out to style.

After this, it was off into the balmy 14 degrees water for the next three events.

25m No Fin Running Race, Solo Equestrian and Underwater Shot Put.
As the teams and officials disappeared into the cold calm sea, it was time for a cup of tea made by the Tetley guru himself, Andrew, and a chance to take in the beautiful scenery and spectacular weather we were having.

30 minutes later, divers started emerging from the depths, and once back on land, the laughing and bantering began between the teams, debating over scoring of races and methods used to complete the challenges.

Whilst the teams were slipping into something a bit warmer, the BBQ was just hitting the correct temperature for the sausages to go on, accompanied with the choice of hot tea, soup or Milo.
There were many contented, full people, eagerly awaiting the half time scores.
An early breakaway for the Scuba Cats, despite a disqualification for Pete for allegedly crawling on all fours in the run.

Tug O war and the red team pull... / Photograph by Andrew Simpson

All Reds = 8 Scuba Cats = 17

After a substantial surface interval, Anna gathered the teams together to brief them on the afternoon’s events.

Two rounds of Beach Tug – O – War, the starting event this time round, and again all teams had to be wearing their wetsuits, fins, mask and snorkel.
Despite pulling with all their might, the All Reds could not contend with the power of the Scuba Cats. I know the Scuba Cats will want to say it was skill as to how they won the round, but we all know the truth – WEIGHT!!!!

With this in mind the All Reds decided to play a sneaky in the second round and let go of the rope. With Jono on his backside and Pete flat on his back, roars of laughter and cheers filled the air.

Then, back into the cold water for 30 more minutes, the brave but slightly insane teams and officials prepared for two more underwater events – Gymnastics and Pony Bottle Relay Race, before the final event of the games – 25m Beach Race – and yes you’ve guessed correctly, it was in wetsuit, fins, mask and snorkel.

With the line drawn in the sand and the finish tape in their sights, both teams were eagerly waiting for the start.
When the quacker sounded, all eight team members charged for the tape, with legs and fins flailing everywhere. With screams of encouragement, Glynn finally crossed the line, and the games sadly came to an end.

Final score!!!! Scuba Cats the victorious winners.

Winning team / Photograph by Andrew Simpson

With a quick change back into dry clothes and their dive gear packed away in their cars, both teams gathered for the awards ceremony.
Spot Prizes were given out for outstanding performance, and finally it was time for the Global Dive Scuba Olympic trophy to be awarded to the winning team. With a big round of applause the trophy was raised into the air, thus ending the very first Global Dive Scuba Olympics.

As a spectator, I would like to thank everyone involved for such an amazing day.

Anna and Andrew for being such great hosts, Tara for topside photos and for keeping score with the help of the underwater officials, Nick, Bronson, Tom, Lee, and Francois. Marty and Dave, for the photography both on land and underwater.
Simon and Veronika on the BBQ, and a big thanks Leigh for making such an awesome trophy, which I am sure will be highly fought for, for years to come.
The All Reds and Scuba Cats for being such good sports, and entering into each event with great enthusiasm and gusto.

Last, but not least, Matheson Bay for turning on such good weather and flat seas.

[View with PicLens]

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• Underwater Olympics
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This will be on Saturday 3rd of July at Matheson Bay, near Leigh.

Global Dive is holding an Underwater Olympics Day.

This will be on Saturday 3rd of July at Matheson Bay, near Leigh.

Teams must have 4 team members.

If you do not have a team of 4 members, no problems!

Still enter your details into the form below and we will help you make up a team on the day.

Each team will select a country to represent.

It will be first in first served on the country allocations!

Your team must have an identifying uniform.

The cost is $20.00 per team.
Or $5.00 per individual.

Lunch on the beach will be provided.
The awards ceremony will be held on the day.

Global Dive Instructors will be the judges and we will be both photographing and videoing the days events.

Bring your families, bring your friends.
Bring at least your mask and your snorkel if you want to watch all the goings on.

Final Registration will be required by the Club Night before the events.
This will be Monday 28th June 2010.

Related Pages

• Global Dive Underwater Olympics
• The “Guts” of a Marine Forecast
• Club Night : White Shark Conservation Trust
• Follow us on Twitter

Be the first to get the news, join the discussion on dive equipment, dive sites or find a buddy or a boat.

Our Facebook friends even get special offers!

Click the Facebook logo to go to our page or take a look at the feed on the right side of our site pages.

Related Pages

• Dive Team Profile : Tara Sutherland
• Global Dive Training Events
• Global Dive Trip Schedule
• Making The Transition

Scorpion Fish / Photograph by Anna Clague

Anna took this photograph of a Northern Scorpion Fish in Eastern Arch.

Anna used a Sea&Sea DX1G with a YS110 Alpha Strobe and a wide angle lens.

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Black Spiny Sea Urchin / Photograph by Jamie-Lee Thorpe

This is an annual competition held during the weekend Photography liveaboard at the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve hosted by professional photographer Richard Robinson.

Jamie-Lee took this photograph of the Black Spiny Sea Urchin in Tie Die Arch using a Sea&Sea 860G camera and a YS-27 strobe.

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Doto Nudibranch / Photograph by Ian Skipworth

This is an annual competition held during the weekend Photography liveaboard at the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve hosted by professional photographer Richard Robinson.

It is a tiny Doto nudibranch about 6mm long snapped in the gloom of Eastern Arch at about 22m depth.

It is taken with a Nikon D90 and 60mm micro Nikkor lens.
Skip says “The macro lens is almost a necessity for snapping critters as tiny as this”.

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