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Taking a plunge at Essex's first diving festival
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| Special day Chloe and David Newcombe at the festival with baby James Picture: DAVE HENDERSON FPDUC3 |
SCUBA diving enthusiasts from across south Essex watched frogmen take the plunge at the county's first ever diving festival.
The Essex Festival of Diving, held at the Underwater Studios, in Archers Fields, Basildon, gave budding divers and film lovers a chance to see demonstrations on marine conservation, diving techniques and underwater film and photography.
The studios, which have a
six-metre deep tank, provides training for divers, actors and rescue teams. It also doubles as a film set for Hollywood blockbusters, music videos and commercials.
Just some of the famous stars to swim in the studio's waters include Daniel Craig, training for his role of James Bond, and Essex funnyman Lee Evans.
More than 100 people attended the festival, with 25 people braving the water to experience diving for the first time.
Tracy Cutting, event organiser and diving instructor, said: "The festival was a huge success and people really enjoyed themselves and the experience.
"I think it will encourage people to take up diving and we've had a lot of enquires from people about snorkelling as a starter."
People of all ages and abilities were willing to go for a dip, including babies from Little Dippers swimming club, and even a blind man in his fifties.
Tracy, who dived with the man, said: "Scuba diving was something he had always wanted to do and he asked us if we could help him.
"That was a really exciting thing to be part of, and I was chuffed he was happy for me to take him into the water. Seeing how much he was enjoying himself was great and something I will always remember."
The festival included a talk from the Marine Conservation Society on UK fish life, and also lectures on topics as varied as beach cleaning, shoreline surveys, coral conservation, and even sharks.
Tracy said: "The talks were the best part for me, and I think people went away with a really positive attitude. I particularly enjoyed the talks on UK marine life, as they highlighted how colourful diving in this country can be.
"I think it will encourage people to dive more in the UK."
A mine clearance team from the Royal Navy also gave a demonstration using specialist equipment, including face masks with communication systems.
The two-day festival - organised with Ocean Optics, which specialise in underwater photography, and the Scuba and Water Sports Marine Training Trust, which trains divers - also saw the launch of a new diving club.
The Essex Dive Club is looking to recruit 35 divers who will meet twice a month to dive and socialise, starting in September.
Tracey said: "We have already had a really great response from people wanting to join."
To find out more information, call 01268 270171.
5:54am Sunday 6th July 2008
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