divEr 48
SHOW PREVIEW
T
HE GREAT BRITISH DIVE SHOWis
back, and DIVE 2019 sees the National
Exhibition Centre give itself over to all
things sub-aquatic for the weekend.
You’ll find a hall packed with exhibitor
stands, a continuous programme of
presentations on the stages and in the mini-
theatres and in-water activity for everyone
from beginners to rebreather divers, plus
zones set aside for underwater photographers,
technical divers and, this year, younger divers.
Last year’s move to Hall One beside the
NEC’s main entrance proved popular with the
15,000-plus visitors, so that’s where you’ll find
the Show once again this October.
Organised as ever by thedivErGroup,
DIVE 2019 is the place to renew acquaintance
with buddies from all over the world and to
meet new friends – you could well end up
diving with some of them in the future.
And with so many tempting dive-travel
possibilities set out in the hall, who knows
where DIVE 2019 could eventually lead you?
One possibility is to a free ride for you and
a partner on a liveaboard in Indonesia – see
the opposite page to find out about this year’s
Grand Prize Drawholiday of a lifetime.Kitting up
For many visitors, a major Show attraction is
the chance to see so much cutting-edge dive
gear from a range of suppliers under one roof,and to inspect and contrast their offerings,
with experts on hand to answer questions.
You’ll find an overview of the goodies by the
entrance, in the New Product Showcase.
This could prompt further investigation at
stands around the hall, and you might find it
hard to resist leaving later with a bargain buy!Just the ticket
If your priority is selecting your next diving
port of call, DIVE 2019 will be packed with
holiday ideas from all over the globe.
Talk to your prospective hosts, many of
them divers who know their local scenes
backwards, either on their stands or when they
give their own presentations.
Travel-themed hotspots include the Asia-
Pacific Showcaseand Caribbean Village,
and for staycationers the British Isles
Experienceis a must, with the cream of UK
dive-centre and boat operators represented.Sharing divers
Some star names have
already confirmed their
plans to give presentations
at DIVE 2019, on thedivEr
Stageand elsewhere.
All-round adventurer and
TV presenter Andy Torbet
hasn’t been on our screensso much lately because he has been engaged
on a secret mission – perhaps he’ll give us
some clues at the weekend. One thing is sure,
Andy is never short of a great diving story.
The same applies to Paul
Rose, who has criss-crossed
the world leading Nat Geo’s
Pristine Seas expeditions.
It will come as no surprise
to hear that locating
pristine seas is becoming
increasingly difficult, but if
it’s there, he’s the diver to find it!
Breath-hold master Marcus
Greatwoodtakes his NoTanx
club to Kefalonia this summer,
with plans to freedive the
British WW2 submarine
Perseus. The sub became
famous after stoker John
Capes survived an emergency
ascent from 50m, a five-mile swim and 18
months hiding from enemy forces (divEr,
January). The sub’s escape hatch is still open.
“How I Filmed Every Freshwater Fish in
Britain” – six years, many
thousands of miles and 53
species later, diver and
wildlife cameraman Jack
Perksis the first person to
be able to make that claim.
“It’s basically fishing but
with a camera,” he says.There’s something for everyone,
and that includes divers-to-be,
at the Show of the Year.
DIVE 2019 is on at Birmingham’s
National Exhibition Centre over
the weekend of 26-27 October –
will you be there?GEARING UP
FOR DIVE 2019
☛
2019
diveshows.co.uk