Dive into Spring!
30 April–3 May, 2010 at Pentewan Sands, Cornwall
If you’re considering coming to Dive Fest, don’t delay, book your tickets now to take advantage of the advance bookings discount at http://www.divefest.co.uk/
Divers can sample some of the excellent diving to be found along the Cornish coast. The British Sub-Aqua Club will be giving non-divers the chance to try out scuba for the first time and will be hosting snorkelling tuition in one of the two pools that have just been built as part of Pentewan Sands’ brand-new Seahorse Centre.
The festival offers a wide range of events, speakers, films, bands and exhibitors. Exhibitors cover the spectrum of all things underwater, from kit manufacturers to travel companies as well as the major diving training agencies including BSAC and Padi.
As one of the UK’s best-value festivals at £40 for a weekend, including a meal on Saturday night (with couple and group discounts for advance bookings and day ticket options available – under-16s go free if accompanied by a ticket-holding adult), there will be plenty to do in addition to the diving.
Festival-goers can see the winning finalists of the British Underwater Image Festival sponsored by Cameras Underwater – the UK’s biggest and most prestigious underwater video and stills photograph competition; and can also take part in Saturday’s Splash In photography contest.
Over the course of the weekend there will be six music acts, kicking off with the Friday night Life on Mares party featuring girl band Eden and acoustic duo The People’s String Foundation.
Divers should also keep an eye out for the 10 silver stars that have been placed on various local dive sites. Find one and they can exchange them for prizes at the DIVE magazine stand. People can also take advantage of Pentewan’s beautiful beach and the fantastic new facilities.
For those with kids, there’s the opportunity to go to one of the circus skills workshops or learn to dance street-style with Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist dance group Flava. Children and adults will also enjoy the cutthroat antics of the Pirates of St Piran, who will be playing their traditional instruments and putting on a sword-fighting display.
British Divers Marine Life Rescue will also be on hand to give a demonstration of how to rescue a stranded dolphin. Using a water-filled life-size model, the BDMLR will show what it takes to save a beached cetacean.
On Sunday there is a Caribbean party hosted by the Cayman Islands. Tickets to this event cost an additional £5 per person and include entry to see the film Cayman Went, a rum tasting, a Caribbean meal and a reggae band. The band’s second set will be open to everyone. Tickets to this event are limited to 350 people and can be bought upon arrival at Dive Fest.
For more information and for tickets, see http://www.divefest.co.uk/
