2011 Big Scuba Show


 

This was the official website for the 2011 Big Scuba Show in West London. It was the UK's newest dive gathering.
The content is from the site's 2011 archived pages.

Show overview


The First Stage will be the centre piece of the show. Monty Halls has some surprises in store and there will be lots going on all weekend including our awards ceremony, competitions you can join in and a fashion show.

Question Time Saturday Afternoon will stage Question Time with Monty Halls and a panel of experts, this is your chance to ask those questions you’ve always wondered about. You can post questions on our facebook page in the run up to the show.

Experts and Speakers We have a great range of experts and speakers turning out to tell their tales of the deep including;Andy Torbet – expert in extreme diving & Dan Stevenson – Fantastic UnderWater Videographer and expert on wreck diving and rebreathers. We also have diving experts on destinations, polar expeditions, technical diving and cave diving plus lots more. Watch this space for more announcements!

Knowledge Chamber The Knowledge chamber will be an informal but truly informative area to question and chat with a wide range of diving and technical experts. This relaxed and friendly feature is proving to be extremely popular, with experts from Malta, Side Slung, BSAC, Destinations and Kit Manufacturers all on hand to answer you diving questions. The Knowledge chamber provides you with the unique opportunity to talk to experts in the diving industry so don’t miss out.

Bubble Wars The Big Scuba Shows newest and most exciting feature – Bubble Wars! This will be a really fun and active zone open to all who fancy their chances at walking on water. Climb inside your huge inflated plastic ball then try running, walking, jumping or simply floating on water while you stay completely dry! This feature is guaranteed to make you smile and pull the crowds in so get your show ticket now and come and join us.

BSAC Try Dive Pool BSAC will be running ‘Try Dives’ throughout the whole show in our specially designed pool. If you’ve always wondered whether you’d like diving - what better place to come and try. With a show packed full of offers, samples & experts you’ll find out all you ever needed to know about the diving world. If you’re already a converted diver then this gives you the chance to bring along and introduce your mates to scuba diving and have a great day out.

The British Underwater Image Festival is the biggest underwater video and photography competition in Europe. Check out the stunning exhibition and see the best current underwater images chosen by our top judges. Relax in our comfortable theatre and see the winning films and videos. Plus the winners will be announced live at The Big Scuba Show with guest judges including Alex Mustard, Charles Hood, Colin Doeg and Simon Rogerson. The DVD category will be presided over by Emmy-winning cameraman Peter Scoones.

The Big Names - Northern Diver, Oceanic, Typhoon, Mares and many many more. Our country partner Egypt is hosting its largest ever UK show stand. And the British Sub-Aqua Club will be there in force!

We have lots more exciting features planned which we will be announcing in the autumn.

 

BIG SCUBA SHOW NEWS

Friday, 18 February 2011 10:51

The winners of the British Underwater Image Festival will be announced at The Big Scuba Show. A gallery of the winning and highly commended images will be on display at the show and the winning films will be shown in the film theatre.

The winning photographers will be presented with their awards at a ceremony in the Film Theatre at 14.00 on Sunday. The DVD category winners will also be shown on the First Stage at 17.00 on Saturday and 16.00 on Sunday.

There are also talks and workshops at the show to interest underwater snappers. Photographer Steve Jones will be speaking about taking pictures in Antarctica in his talk ‘In the steps of Shackleton’ at 14.00 on Saturday and photojournalist Michael Aw will be giving a talk called ‘Exotic, erotic and extreme’ at 16.00 on Saturday and 12.00 on Sunday.

For those tech savvy diver/entrepreneurs Shoot To Kill will have reps here to discuss marketing from a website. This will include a smart presentation that includes specific methods for handling a store, a service, a download service, with info pertaining to payment systems. As the business grows, the need for customer service leads to a reliance on automated help desks, and that requires the engagement of support services to help with things like Zendesk setup and search engine optimization. No good having a website if it can't be found. We expect a big crowd for this one, so come early and chat.

Michael will also be running a photo clinic – bring along your underwater photos and Michael will give you advice on techniques and tips for improving your shots.

The team from the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) are pleased to support the very first Big Scuba Show 2011!

We are now inviting ALL divers and non divers to visit our stand over the show weekend to discover just how easy it is to dive with BSAC.
Learn, train and dive with friends…BSAC welcomes all divers – from absolute beginner to the highest grade – and with an internationally-recognised training scheme, a packed Skill Development Course programme and plenty of opportunity to dive with one of our many social and friendly dive clubs, you’ll certainly be in good company.

 


Discover more….
Visit BSAC at The Big Scuba Show, you’ll be able to:

• Take a free try dive with our team of expert BSAC instructors or, for the youngsters, sample snorkelling with some fun and games in the pool

• Find out more about learning to dive with BSAC – we will have a host of experts on hand to advise you how – and where - to get started

• Continue your diving with new friends…did you qualify overseas and are now curious about diving in the UK? Are you an instructor looking to teach in a club? You’re not alone! Find out how easy it is to join and dive with BSAC…and make the most of our excellent range of membership benefits.

• Meet our dive clubs – we will have divers from around the UK who can tell you first hand about club diving in the UK

• Make a difference - sign up to support our joint marine conservation work with the Marine Conservation Society

• Tell us about your favourite UK dive on the BSAC Graffiti wall. 

• Take advantage of our gem of a membership offer for new divers or divers who have trained with other organisations.

• Meet the BSAC team….who can advise you on every aspect of your training and diving with the friendliest dive club in the world!

BSAC will also be holding its annual Diving Conference at Olympia on Saturday, 19th February. Open to all BSAC Instructors, Diving Officers and branch representatives, delegates also get free access to the Scuba Show on the same day. For more information and to buy your conference ticket visit our site. Keep up-to-date with all the latest BSAC news in the run up to The Big Scuba Show. Follow us on facebook and twitter.

www.bsac.com 

About the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC): BSAC trains, protects and represents 35,000 active scuba divers and snorkellers. It is the UK National Governing Body and official voice of scuba and snorkelling, working with organisations like the Health and Safety Executive, the RNLI, Marine Coastguard Association (MCA), Marine Conservation Society, HM Treasury’s Receiver of Wrecks, DEFRA and other diving organisations.

BSAC is the world’s largest diving club and has 1,100 sociable, family-based local branches and more than 325 diving centres spread across the country and worldwide. From beginner to expert, BSAC provides extensive diver training and the resources and back-up divers need to keep skills sharp and to help them enjoy diving safely. It welcomes membership of divers trained by all other agencies.

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‘BECOME A BETTER DIVER’ SEMINAR AT THE BIG SCUBA SHOW

Thursday, 17 February 2011 10:12

Andy Torbet, Charles Hood and Marcus Greatwood will be answering your questions on taking the next step in diving at the Big Scuba Show at 13.00 on Saturday and Sunday in the Knowledge Chamber.

Whether you have questions on kit configuration for DIVE’s equipment guru Charles, want to know more about running expeditions from action-man Andy, or want tips on calming pre-dive nerves from freediver Marcus, this is where you need to be.

The informal question and answer session will be aimed at divers who want to take the next step in diving – whether that’s embracing technical diving, going deeper, discovering undived sites or taking on new challenges. If you’ve become stuck in a diving rut, this seminar could give you a few ideas and renew your enthusiasm.

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PLAN YOUR BIG SCUBA SHOW

Wednesday, 16 February 2011 10:44
With the Big Scuba Show just three days away, there’s something for everyone whatever your interests or experience. Here are some ideas of what’s on to help you plan your visit.

If you’re new to diving:

  • Enjoy a try dive or snorkelling experience in the BSAC pool
  • Find out more about learning to dive in the Knowledge Chamber at 11.00
  • See Monty Halls talk about his underwater adventures on the First Stage at 12.00 on Saturday and 15.00 on Sunday

If you want to develop your diving:

  • Get advice at the ‘Become a better diver’ seminar in the Knowledge Chamber at 13.00
  • Find out about new, exotic diving destinations at the ‘Taking your diving further’ seminar in the Knowledge Chamber at 17.00 on Saturday and 16.00 on Sunday
  • Bid for a chance to go hard-hat diving at the Dive Fest stand
  • Find out how to improve your breathing techniques with No Tanx

If you’re thinking about technical diving:

  • Check out the ‘Diving with sidemount cylinders’ seminar in the Knowledge Chamber on Sunday at 16.00
  • Hear Rick Ayrton’s talk on Deep Wreck Mysteries at 15.00 on Saturday and 10.00 on Sunday in the Knowledge Chamber
  • Get a taste of commercial diving with The Underwater Centre at the Display Pool
  • Do a rebreather try dive at the Technical Pool with MR Diving

If you’re into underwater photography:

  • Bring your photos along to a workshop with photographer Michael Aw at 12.00 on Saturday and 11.00 on Sunday in the Film Theatre
  • The British Underwater Image Festival DVDs and stills will be on display all weekend and the Awards Ceremony is on Sunday in the Film Theatre at 14.00
  • Steve Jones will be speaking about underwater photography in Antarctica at 14.00 on Saturday in the Film Theatre

If you’re concerned about conservation:

  • Jo Ruxton will be speaking about Plastic Oceans and the campaign to rid our seas of plastic at 11.00 on Saturday and 12.00 on Sunday in the Knowledge Chamber
  • Join the campaign to stop dolphinariums at the Egypt stand
  • BSAC will be launching their new environmental campaign Your Eyes Underwater

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WIN MARES REGULATORS IN THE BUBBLEZONE

Tuesday, 15 February 2011 11:26

Dive equipment manufacturer Mares are sponsoring the Bubblezone at the Big Scuba Show – and giving away two sets of Mares Abyss 22 regulators in a prize draw.

In the Bubblezone, you have the chance to literally walk on water – inside giant, inflatable balls that roll on the surface of a pool.

Having a go in the Bubblezone costs £3, which includes a donation to the Big Scuba Show’s nominated charity, the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund. You can also enter the prize draw by donating to the charity or visiting the Mares stand.

One lucky winner of the Mares regulators will be drawn each day. For more information, visit the Bubblezone at the Big Scuba Show.

PROGRAMME

SATURDAY 19 FEBRUARY

FIRST STAGE
10.00 - 10.45 - Monty opens the show and introduces our entrants in the Commando Spirit ‘Escape the Dunker’ challenge
11.00 - 11.45 - Britain’s Secret Seas: behind the scenes of the BBC’s new UK diving series with Sarah Conner and Paul Olding
12.00 - 12.45 - A Wild Life: Monty talks about his greatest underwater encounters, from squid to whales
13.00 - 13.45 - Winning Films: clips from the top British Underwater Image Festival videos
14.00 - 14.45 - Question Time: Monty chairs a Q&A session with John Nightingale, Simon Rogerson, Charles Hood and Sarah Conner
15.00 - 15.45 - Brave, brilliant and barmy: Trevor Norton talks about the extraordinary antics of the eccentric pioneers of diving
16.00 - 16.45 - Awards Ceremony: BSAC Awards followed by the inaugural DIVE Awards
17.00 - 17.45 - Winning Films: clips from the top British Underwater Image Festival videos

KNOWLEDGE CHAMBER
10.00 - 10.45 - Cuba: the Caribbean time machine – John Spencer Ades
11.00 - 11.45 - Learn to dive – our panel of experts will answer all your questions
12.00 - 12.45 - Ocean discoveries: Dr Jason Hall-Spencer talks about scientific breakthroughs under the sea
13.00 - 13.45 - Become a better diver – advice on everything from breathing to kit configuration
14.00 - 14.45 - Plastic Oceans – Jo Ruxton talks about the campaign to rid our seas of plastic waste
15.00 - 15.45 - Deep wreck mysteries – Rick Ayrton
16.00 - 16.45 - The Wildside: Andy Torbet offers an alternative guide to extreme diving in the UK
17.00 - 17.45 - Taking your diving further – our panel on where to find the ultimate diving adventure

FILM THEATRE
10.00 - 10.45 -  A continuous loop of the best videos from this year’s British Underwater Image Festival
11.00 - 11.45 - British Underwater Image Festival films
12.00 - 12.45 - Photo Clinic: Michael Aw offers advice on how to improve your photos
13.00 - 13.45 - British Underwater Image Festival films
14.00 - 14.45 - In the steps of Shackleton – Steve Jones on underwater photography in the Antarctic
15.00 - 15.45 - British Underwater Image Festival films
16.00 - 16.45 - Michael Aw – Exotic, erotic and extreme
17.00 - 17.45 - British Underwater Image Festival films

SUNDAY 20 FEBRUARY

FIRST STAGE
10.00 - 10.45 -  Brave, brilliant and barmy: Trevor Norton talks about the extraordinary antics of the eccentric pioneers of diving
11.00 - 11.45 - The Wildside: Andy Torbet offers an alternative guide to extreme diving in the UK 
12.00 - 12.45 - Question Time: Monty chairs a Q&A session with John Nightingale, Simon Rogerson, Charles Hood and Sarah Conner
13.00 - 13.45 - Britain’s Secret Seas: behind the scenes of the BBC’s new UK diving series with Sarah Conner and Paul Olding
14.00 - 14.45 - The Arctic Mariner Expedition: Kevin Oliver and Major Tony Lancashire
15.00 - 15.45 - A Wild Life: Monty Halls talks about his greatest underwater encounters, from squid to whales
16.00 - 16.45 - Winning Films: clips from the top British Underwater Image Festival videos

KNOWLEDGE CHAMBER
10.00 - 10.45 - Deep wreck mysteries – Rick Ayrton
11.00 - 11.45 - Learn to dive – our panel of experts will answer all your questions
12.00 - 12.45 - Plastic Oceans – Jo Ruxton talks about the campaign to rid our seas of plastic waste
13.00 - 13.45 - Become a better diver – advice on everything from breathing to kit configuration
14.00 - 14.45 - Leopards on ice: Jamie Watts on polar diving
15.00 - 15.45 - Diving with sidemount cylinders – David Jones
16.00 - 16.45 - Taking your diving further – our panel on where to find the ultimate diving adventure

FILM THEATRE
10.00 - 10.45 - British Underwater Image Festival films
11.00 - 11.45 - Photo Clinic: Michael Aw offers advice on how to improve your photos
12.00 - 12.45 - Michael Aw – Exotic, erotic and extreme
13.00 - 13.45 - British Underwater Image Festival films
14.00 - 14.45 - Awards ceremony – British Underwater Image Festival
15.00 - 15.45 - British Underwater Image Festival films
16.00 - 16.45 - British Underwater Image Festival films

VISITING THE BIG SCUBA SHOW

How to get there
Olympia is situated in the heart of West London and can be reached easily by a variety of ways including tube, bus and train. Even if you’re familiar with the venue we would recommend planning your visit in advance.

Car Parking
It’s quicker and easier to travel to Olympia by public transport.

London Congestion Charging Zone
The Western extension of the zone was dropped in January and Olympia is now a good distance from the charging zone. If you plan to travel through central London you should check whether you are going to go into the charging zone.

The Congestion Chargeoperates from 07:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday (excluding Public Holidays).  The charge is £8 if you pay by midnight on the day of travel or £10 is you pay by midnight the following charging day.

Disabled Access
Olympia National Hall access is via the main entrance on Hammersmith Road; lifts are then used to access each floor. For any special access requirements or requests please contact the switchboard on 020 7385 1200.

Olympia can also provide a manual wheelchair loan, hearing assistance or assistance dogs.

Accommodation
There is plenty of accommodation available around Olympia, please click here for a full list and hotel locations. Preferential rates are available at the following hotels:

•    The Hilton, Olympia
•    K West, Olympia
•    Novotel Hammersmith

Food & Drink
There are plenty of options both inside and outside of the venue. Here is a full list of the best bars and restaurants in and around Olympia.

Opening Times
Olympia will be open for The Big Scuba Show at the following times:
•    Saturday 19th February 09:30 – 10:00 Instructor Preview.
•    Saturday 19th February 10:00 – 18:00 Open to the public.
•    Sunday 20th February 10:00 – 17:00 Open to the public.

 

… on to 2012!


The 2011 instalment of the Big Scuba Show was a roaring success, with thousands of divers braving the unfavourable weather to make it to London Olympia for the debut.

Fun was had by all on the floor, from the exhibitors to the visitors – some were looking for holiday adventures or to improve their kit wardrobe and technique; others were getting to grips with their very first try dive. 

The major hits of the weekend were the First Stage talks and Knowledge Chamber, which give divers of all levels of experience insight into various aspects of diving. The BUIF theatre also saw a constant stream of underwater photography enthusiasts eager to get a look at the outstanding selection of images on display.

The support forthcoming from the visitors to the Royal Marines and the Commando Sprit campaign was overwhelming, with thousands of pounds being raised throughout the course of the weekend. The show also saw two divers don a traditional hard-hat underwater for the first time!

Congratulations to the winners of our various competitions! You already know who you are and we wish you all the best on your upcoming voyages!

As the organisers of the Show, our work is never done, in fact we are already looking ahead to 2012’s Big Scuba Show, which promises to be BIGGER than ever before. Check back here from time to time to see the itinerary as it is built up and make sure you keep the weekend of 18th 19th February 2012 free!


TheBigScubaShow.com