Calling All Writers & Ocean Fans

CALLING ALL WRITERS & OCEAN FANS!I'm looking for new/experienced writers to write about their scuba adventures, marine life profiles, kit reviews, diving tips and ocean conservation initiatives for The Scuba News. With our growing network of regional editions around the globe, this is a great time to get involved and gain some online exposure.If you're interested in sharing your stories* and/or being pitched ideas to help improve your writing skills and share your passion for the oceans, get in touch! 

Kathryn@thescubanews.com*Just like this awesome little nudibranch, no story is too small for consideration.

Top Yoga Diving Trips

The ancient practice of yoga has many benefits for divers that contribute to better, safer dives and good buoyancy control. You can even now combine a diving trip with discovering yoga in various beautiful places around the globe.http://seasia.thescubanews.com/2016/11/24/top-yoga-diving-trips/

Top 5 Places for Holiday Season Diving

The festive season is fast-approaching and, for some of us, that means a chance to travel and explore new destinations with family and friends. I really enjoyed researching top dive destinations for The Scuba News Australia but now all I want to do is check out the awesome diving on offer in Mexico, The Bahamas, Indonesia....http://au.thescubanews.com/2016/11/24/top-5-places-for-holiday-season-diving/ 

Top Tips for Safe Dives

Dive safety is a topic close to my heart and, whilst accidents can and do happen, there is still plenty divers can do to lower the risk of an accident occurring. Check out my top tips for safe dives with our new regional site:  The Scuba News Australia.http://au.thescubanews.com/2016/11/22/top-tips-for-safe-dives/

Diving with chronic back pain

Ouch! I think that was the least offensive word I shouted when I sneezed, herniated a disc in my back and then began a very long road to recovery that included staring at the ceiling for weeks on end. Back injuries can be devastating and isolating, especially because of the limits they place on exercise and hobbies such as scuba diving.But there are ways to adjust and one thing I have learnt is that simple kit alterations, choosing dive sites and water entry types carefully can lead to a pain-free dive and a good dose of happy hormones to aid healing.I also find having a husband who is willing to carry my kit a great help!http://nz.thescubanews.com/2016/11/18/diving-with-chronic-back-pain/  

How to overcome diving anxiety

I love being in the ocean but I am absolutely NOT a natural scuba diver. Actually let's be really honest, I had a very tough time learning to scuba dive because putting my face underwater without a mask sometimes resulted in panic attacks. Having overcome that anxiety with a lot of work, persistence and some awesome techniques, I like to share my experiences and knowledge with others who find diving wonderful but also a little bit anxiety-inducing.Here are my top tips for coping with anxiety, which can be applied to just about any situation in life: http://nz.thescubanews.com/2016/11/18/overcoming-diving-anxiety/

Best Of Marsa Alam, Red Sea

Being English and having learnt to dive in a very cold quarry, the Red Sea has always been one of my top destinations for a dive holiday that includes sunshine and warmth! It is accessible, affordable and frankly stunning. Yet when I lived in South Africa and met tourists from around the world, I realised just how many people are unaware of the Red Sea and all it has to offer.After writing this article about Marsa Alam for The Scuba News this week, all I want to do is hop on a plane and explore these epic dive sites. Pass me the suncream please...http://eg.thescubanews.com/2016/11/18/best-of-marsa-alam-red-sea/  

A Wedding in The Scuba News Family

I have been offline recently and for a very good reason...I have been busy in the north of New Zealand marrying my Man of the Sea! On 18th October 2016, Nicholas and I officially tied the knot. After a week of celebrations including our first scuba dive as husband and dive, we then moved into our home at the other end of New Zealand's North Island. Did I mention we left our respective jobs the week before our wedding as well? It has been a busy and exciting time for us and we don't do things by halves in this family.I am really looking forward to sharing our photographs and stories from the wedding week (especially Nicholas's stunning dive photography) but first there is unpacking to do. I will leave you with this blog from The Scuba News in the meantime:http://www.thescubanews.com/2016/10/18/a-wedding-in-the-scuba-news-family/Mrs Curzon x

My Favourite Critter – Seahorses

Every diver has a favourite critter or ocean giant they like to find during their travels and dives. Sharks, nudibranchs, whales and dolphins are often listed as popular but what about seahorses?Learn more about these fascinating creatures and the well-named Large-Bellied seahorses of New Zealand in my latest article for The Scuba News NewZealand. http://nz.thescubanews.com/2016/10/17/my-favourite-critter-seahorses Large-bellied seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis). Image courtesy of Te Ara. Photographer: Melanie Lovell-Smith. 

Exploring seal and sea-lion populations in New Zealand

Are you looking for a different marine wildlife experience for non-scuba days? How about exploring New Zealand’s populations of seals and sea-lions? With opportunities to view both topside and underwater, spending time with these animals is a great day out for all the family and offers a fascinating introduction into their lives.My article for The Scuba New New Zealand is continued here: http://nz.thescubanews.com/2016/09/18/exploring-seal-and-sea-lion-populations-in-new-zealand/