Where to Cage Dive with Sharks

Featured on Liveaboard.com: 'Great white sharks first appeared around 11 million years ago and can be found around the globe in temperate to subtropical waters. Growing up to 6 meters in length and weighing up to 2 tonnes when fully grown, they are an imposing fish to encounter and very popular to cage dive with.'Where is the best place to see great white sharks?Can you dive with great white sharks without a cage?Find out the answers to these questions and more in the full article:https://www.liveaboard.com/diving/marine-life/where-to-cage-dive-with-sharks 

Top Tips for Safe Shark Dives

Featured in Stuff.co.nz.A US tourist recently died following a shark incident at Cocos Island, Costa Rica. The incident at Cocos Island is thought to be the fifth confirmed, unprovoked shark attack in Costa Rica in the last 400 years. There were 84 confirmed cases of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide on humans in 2016, according to the International Shark Attack File.Scuba diving trips to Cocos Island are currently continuing as normal and the well-known Aggressor fleet has not changed their liveaboard itineraries in the area. At present, only the Manuelita dive site is closed until further notice.Diving with sharks continues to be popular and a highly sought-after activity at premier dive destinations around the globe. Whilst the risk of injury during shark dives is incredibly small, there are some precautions divers, and those new to swimming with sharks, can take for enjoyable and safe shark dives.In this article for Liveaboard.com, featured on Stuff.co.nz, I discuss Top Tips for Safe Shark Dives:https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/themes/adventure/99740371/the-colour-not-to-wear-when-shark-diving

Dives Tours of Titanic wreck to begin in 2018

Blue Marble Private are offering diving expeditions to the Titanic wreck site in May 2018. For $105,129 per person, tourists can explore this world-famous wreck off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada during an eight-day expedition. With the wreck continually deteriorating, this is an opportune time to dive the Titanic before she disappears.http://ca.thescubanews.com/2017/04/06/dive-tours-of-the-titanic-wreck-to-begin-in-2018/ 

Top Shark Diving Tips

Diving with sharks is at the top of many, if not all, divers’ bucket lists. Here are 10 tips to help you have a safe, and fun, encounter with the ocean’s apex predator.http://scubadiverlife.com/top-shark-diving-tips/

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.

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.