Watersports blog

More than 2,400 divers have set a new world record on Monday for the biggest mass dive. This stunt was officially recognized by the Guinness World Records.

Guinness World Records adjudicator Lucia Sinigagliesi said that the 2,486 divers who strapped on their scuba diving equipment and dove in masses have officially set the record. The diving took place at the coast of North Sulawesi in Indonesia.

Sinigagliesi noted that the event was well-organized due to the number of people who participated and that no untoward incidents took place. She stated that the feat will be placed under the “Most People Scuba Diving Simultaneously” category.

The stunt effectively broke the record that was set in 2006 at Maldives where only 958 divers participated in the mass dive.

Iskandar Sitompul, Navy spokesman, said that the undertaking became possible after they staged the Sail Bunaken 2009 event. This is one of the country’s efforts to build up Manado, a Sulawesi town, as a global tourist destination.

The friends and family of Staff sergeant Joseph Russo were shocked on Sunday when they found out that the 47-year old soldier drowned while snorkeling at the popular Ocean Reef Park in Singer Island in Florida.

Russo served with the Florida Army National Guard and was assigned for a nine-month duty in Afghanistan with the 715th military police company from Melbourne Beach. Prior to that, he worked at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Palm Beach.

According to reports, the authorities were contacted by fisherman in the aforementioned area after they discovered a snorkeler that seemed lifeless near a cluster of rocks at the Ocean Reef Park. Lifeguards were the first ones to arrive at the scene and immediately performed CPR on Russo.

The authorities immediately rushed Russo to the nearby St. Mary’s Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The soldier’s former colleagues said that Russo is a great colleague who’s dedicated to his work and a great friend to others.

Despite the initial findings showing accidental drowning, authorities are still conducting an autopsy to confirm if this is indeed the cause of death. The funeral arrangements are still being processed as of press time.

Sportswear giant Nike Incorporated announced last week that its subsidiary Umbro is now headed by its new Chief Executive Officer and President Jim Allaker.
Umbro, a sportswear and equipment supplier based in Cheadle, England, is a subsidiary of Nike. Allaker replaced Matthew Cook who has decided to leave the company in order to pursue other interests and opportunities. This development was also announced by Nike on its press release.

Allaker has been an integral part of the company, having served as Nike UK and Ireland Vice President and General Manager for the past three years. Taking over Allaker’s old post would be 42-year old Marc Van Pappelendam, the Vice President and General Manager of Nike Eastern and Central Europe.

Nike added in its release that Allaker has an extensive experience in running the company based on his 21 years of service for Nike, having held positions in operations and finance in Europe and U.S. He has also served as Vice President of Finance, Planning and Operations for Africa and Middle East.

Nike Affiliates President Eunan McLauglin is optimistic that Umbro will continue to expand and attract more consumers under the leadership of Allaker.

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The popular Myrtle Beach in South Carolina seems to benefit more from the financial crisis as increasing number of tourists flock this destination for its fames water sports.

The water sports business owners in the area revealed that there’s a significant increase of tourists availing of their jet ski units or signing up for parasailing adventures even though the prices start at $135.

Instead of lowering down their prices due to the crisis, the business owners concentrated on offering services that is worth their current rates.

Richard Thomas, the owner of the Thomas Outdoor Watersports that operates in the beach, said that he had apprehensions about the outcome of his business after the financial crisis started. However, he noticed that there’s an increase of profits this year compared to 2008.

Another business operator Charlie Mize said that his business flourished due to customers returning for the second or several times because of their excellent service.

He revealed that they attracted customers because they dared to make a different approach – make things personal.

Vacations at the beach usually entail having fun with loved ones and friends that’s why water sports have become a huge hit at this side of the country.

A Filipino-American who had no arms when she was born has experienced another adventure when she embarked in scuba diving recently.

According to reports, Arizona resident Jessica Cox is currently undergoing scuba diving training in order to get certified one day. In an interview with the Philippine media, she said that one of her goals is to enjoy the beauty under the seas when she visits her home country.

Cox has achieved a lot even though she has no arms. She’s a licensed airplane pilot and car driver. With these accolades, she has toured the U.S. and the world since she’s a motivational speaker. She inspires everyone to have a goal and do their best to achieve it.

Her scuba diving trainer is Illinois-based Jim Elliot, the founder of Diveheart Foundation.

Elliot said that scuba diving is great for everyone even with physical disabilities because there’s no gravity involved. This way, anyone can move their bodies in ways that can’t be achieved on land. He added that there’s extra motion for the body when under water.

Cox is reportedly doing well with her training, using her feet to propel herself and swim underwater in a special swimsuit. She considers that a major challenge for now.

In an effort to prevent the extinction of shad and herring, two of three affected fish species along the Delaware, an environment agency in New Jersey is now pushing for the limitation of fishing in the area.

The Department of Environment Protection’s (DEP) Fish and Game Council officials are now pushing for the maximum limit of 10 alewife and blueback herring to be caught every day. The limit on American shad will be from six to three. The rules will undergo public hearing on September 8, 2009 at Robbinsville.

Lewis Fishery personnel Steve Meserve said that the plan sounds feasible because shad and herring are starting to disappear in the rivers as massive fishing has been taking place in the area.

Meserve’s company monitors the health of the river. He revealed that the last few years saw a drastic decline of the aforementioned species in the river.

In the early 50’s, the shad also was in danger of extinction but the numbers rebounded as massive efforts such as river cleanups were conducted at that time. This could be an option that the officials may consider in order to save the species once more.

World-renowned event rider Lottie Prentice became the newest face of sportsbra giant LessBounce. In this partnership, Prentice will help the company in its efforts to assist charity organizations like Help for Heroes, a non-profit group that helps the military.

The 31-year old athletic will be endorsing the sportsbra and other lady apparels offered by LessBounce. An amount of 2.50 pounds per each sportsbra purchased will immediately go to the Help for Heroes organization. The charity group helps those servicemen who bravely fought for the country and got injured in the process.

Prentice said that it did not take her long to accept this deal because she’s a big fan of the aforementioned charity. She added that she’s now actively involved in helping the injured servicemen following the death of a close friend in Afghanistan.

Selaine Saxby, founder of LessBounce, said that the company will continue helping Help for Heroes. They also sent sportsbras to servicewomen who are designated in different stations across the world.

Emma Parry, co-founder of Help for Heroes, said that the fundraising activities really help their organization in continuing to assist those who are in need.

Prentice and her horse Cool Decision will be featured on the upcoming LessBounce catalogue.

A popular water sports instructor based in Scotland reportedly died in a freak accident during one of his windsurfing activities.

Allan Bunyan encountered a sudden gust of wind in the sail of the board which seen him flying off to the rocks. He was at the island of Cumbrae near the National Watersports Center where he works as coach and instructor.

According to reports, authorities and emergency medical team rushed to Bunyan’s body but he was already lifeless. He was 47.

The father of two was hailed as one of the top instructors when it comes to skiing, sailing, waterskiing and windsurfing. He’s also a registered mountain bike instructor.

The death is currently being investigated by local authorities. However, initial findings revealed that the incident was just a tragic accident.

A police spokesman said that they received a call at around six in the event last Friday stating that a man was seen swept off his surfboard and landed among the rocks.

Bunyan is a popular person in the community having served nine years at the Glasgow City Council outdoors center, working and assisting kids. He’s a well-travelled person having visited countries such as Germany, Greece and Yugoslavia.

The World Surfing Games takes place next week at Playa Hermosa, Jaco, Costa Rica and hundreds of participants from all over the world are expected to grace this South American paradise for this prestigious event. The Denny Irish Surf Team is among those who are preparing well for the competitions hosted by the Costa Rican Surfing Federation.
Surfers from more than 40 countries are expected to compete in events that will be staged from August 1 to 8, 2009.

The Irish team is headed by Stevie Burns (team manager) and Marcos Dias (coach). The team members are Emmet O’Doherty (Longboard), Liam Joyce (Open), Ronan Oertzen (Open), Tahlia Britton (Women), Stephen Kilfeather (Open), Fergal Smith (Open), Nicole Morgan (Women) and John McCurry (Longboard). These players are reportedly working hard to at least equal or surpass their records in past European and World Junior events.

The Irish team finished 16th in last year’s World Surfing Games. This is said to be their best result yet and with the tough training regimen they went through for this year’s event, surfing aficionados believe that the team has what it takes to improve on its record and may even get victories along the way.