LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

[audio:http://surfaceinterval.thepodcastnetwork.com/audio/tpn_surfaceinterval_20061215_014.mp3]

Its been a long hiatus since episode 013, but the boys are back in town. We appologise for the delays, brought on by technical glitches, computers crashing and dying altogether, travel, work and life. We’ll try to behave better in the future…..

In this pre-Christmas episode, we discuss:

• The finding of the Japanese midget submarine off Sydney’s Long Reef
• The awarding of the ex-HMAS Canberra to be sunk off Melbourne as an artificial reef
• Capt. Trevor’s discovery of a wreck off Noosa Heads, and Capt. Trev’s forthcoming book on Wreck Diving in Southern Queensland (see his website for details)
• The reporting in December’s Dive Log magazine that the airline Virgin Blue won’t carry divers without at least a 48 hour surface interval
• Update on the Shadow Diver’s movie, which is now said to be directed by Peter Weir
• Gary Gentile’s book Shadow Divers Exposed: the Real Saga of the U-869
• The DivePortalDVD magazine by John Chatterton and Richie Kohler (the original Shadow Divers)
• Richard Lundgren’s talk at Aquability about wreck diving in Norway
• The OzTek Photo Competition

If you like Surface Interval, tell a friend. Also, we’d appreciate it if you’d consider popping over to PodcastAlley.com and giving us a vote, or giving us a review on iTunes or PodcastAlley.com.

If you’d like to leave a voice message for us, do so by clicking here. Or you can call (02) 90189302 (in Australia) and leave a message there!

Surface Interval Episode 014 (mp3 - 15MB - 44min)

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

Certainly some big names behind this one.

Today, it looks like Ridley Scott is out and Peter Weir, who directed Witness, Master and Commander and a personal favorite of mine, The Year of Living Dangerously is now at the director’s helm.

Peter Weir To Direct Shadow Divers Movie - Divester.

But, Bear, Andrew and Des are going to get the next ep out very soon.  Next day or 2 in fact.

We want your input.  So please post a comment to this post if there are any topics you’d like us to discuss in future episodes.  Or let us know if you’d like to be a guest on the show.

If there’s any (diving-related) topics that you want to discuss, you can also leave a message on our comment line.  In Australia dial (02) 90189302.  From O/S (if you’ve got SkypeOut), make that 61–2–90189302

Speak to you soon.

A major component of the OZTeK’07 Diving Technologies Conference & Exhibition – to be staged at Australian Technology Park, Sydney, Australia over the weekend of the 17th and 18th March 2007 – the competition is open to everyone who resides in the Asia/Pacific region.

Offering underwater photographers enormous scope in subject matter – and with separate judging criteria for both the Professional and Novice sections - the OZTeK’07 Underwater Photo Competition invites entries in any (or all?) of the following four categories: 

Cave and Wreck Diving images are often overlooked in traditional photographic competitions.  These two sections allow specialist photographers an opportunity to compete on an equal footing with other competition categories. 

The Open category allows underwater photographers to use their creative spirit – and desktop imaging software - to manipulate and enhance their images to the limit of their imagination.  This category is unique in underwater photographic competitions and calls for creativity and technical expertise along with photographic skills.  The Video categories will allow entries of up to 5-minutes on any subject and will be judged on Creativity, Videography and Editing.

(To qualify for the major ‘Best Of Show’ Award – open to professional and novice alike – the entrants must submit images in at least two of the individual categories.)

Chaired by Kevin Deacon, internationally renowned as one of Australia’s most experienced, and accomplished underwater photographers, the judging panel will include a number of invited OZTeK’07 Guest speakers.  In addition the viewing public will also have the opportunity to cast their own votes for those images that they deem best in each category. 

Prizes – including dive trips and equipment - will be awarded on the Sunday 18 March 2007 during the OZTeK Conference Afternoon Sessions.

Full details of the OZTeK’07 Underwater Imagery Competition – including the downloadable entry form - can be viewed on the website at: www.diveoztek.com.au

Television personality and environmentalist Steve Irwin has died after being stung by a stingray while filming off north Queensland.

Known worldwide as the Crocodile Hunter, the 44-year-old was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchcry “Crikey!”.

The Queensland Police Service issued a statement saying Mr Irwin collapsed after being stung at Batt Reef, Low Isles off Port Douglas about 11am. He had been filming a documentary.

“Steve was hit by a stingray in the chest,” said local diving operator Steve Edmondson, whose Poseidon boats were out on the Great Barrier Reef when the accident occured.

Steve Irwin was passionate about the environment and about educating people about the natural world.  Whether or not you liked his approach, the world has lost a great educator who brought awareness to the world of animals.

RIP, Steve Irwin.  And condolence to his family and friends.

(Thanks to Cameron Reilly for the tip-off)

Steve Irwin killed by stingray - National - smh.com.au.

The D80 features a new 10.2 effective megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor, bringing a new level of high resolution and sharp detail to the class while also providing plenty of freedom to crop creatively and print impressive enlargements. Nikon’s DX Format sensor and Nikon F bayonet lens mount design assure unprecedented compatibility across the comprehensive assortment of AF Nikkor lenses and DX Nikkor lenses designed exclusively for Nikon digital SLR cameras.

This looks like a sweet camera, with a 10.2 megapixel sensor, great autofocus and other great features.  For topside use, I reckon this would have to be high on the list for serious amateurs.

Underwater, I am not sure.  The SD card is a great storage technology, and probably better than CF as a technical design.  But the sizes of SD cards are limited, with 2GB about the top of the line available now (I know that 4GB have been announced, but I haven’t seen much availability yet).  OTOH, 8GB CF cards are available.  Not having to change cards as regulalry is a big thing for UW photographers, especially with the huge file sizes of the 10.2 megapixel images.

Not withstanding, the D80 should be a strong contender for anyone considering a first DSLR.

According to website hiptechblog.com, Nikon Europe has “Accidentally” leaked photos of the soon to be announced mystery Digital SLR - now known, thanks to the photos, as the Nikon D80. Information about this new camera is still sketchy but it now seems that this 10.2-megapixel Digital SLR will feature an SD memory card slot instead of a CompactFlash slot, and the camera body has a mixture of buttons that seem to merge the functionality of the Nikon D50 and D70s.

Its logical that is will merge D50 and D70s functionality, as its positioned at the higher end (Nikon’s numbering usually suggests that a D80 is higher end than a D70).

The rumour of the SD card is very interesting.  I will be interested to see if thats instead of or as well as the CF slot.  While SD is a great standard, the capacity of a CF is still generally higher (8GB CFs are available, but I think 4GB is the top for CD).  For topside photogs, that may not be an issue, as many prefer to use several smaller cards and swap, thereby reducing potential issues if a card gets corrupted.  For the UW photographers amongst, however, capacity, capacity, capacity is the general mantra.

Whatever happens, it seems certain that innovation in the DSLR space is only going to continue.

Nikon Leaks D80 Digital SLR Photos Just 13 Days Before Launch | Digital Camera Review.

Global warming is having its moment in the sun. The climate crisis is on “60 Minutes” and in Tom Brokaw’s new documentary, on the cover of Time and Newsweek, and in Al Gore’s new movie and best-selling book. But while polls show that most Americans now believe that global warming is real and significantly manmade — in 100-degree Washington last week, it felt more real than ever — they are much less concerned about the issue than non-Americans, and much less willing to support dramatic action to address it.

Unfortunately, it seems to me, that it is easy to blame the Americans.  But we Aussies are doing our bit too to screw up the planet too. 

Simply put, the Inconvenient Truth that Al Gore is warning us about means that we are going to have to make some serious, dramatic and inconvenient changes to the way we live our lives if we want to maintain a habitable planet earth.

I hope that Americans do the one good thing and put Mr Gore into the Presidency.  Then we have a chance that one man’s voice can make a difference.

Warming to the Inconvenient Facts.

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

[audio:http://surfaceinterval.thepodcastnetwork.com/audio/tpn_surfaceinterval_20060720_013.mp3]

Bear and I kick off this episode of The Surface Interval Show talking about some recent diving news:

• The bizzare death of a dive instructor in a pool training accident in Texas (story)
• The death of wreck researcher David Bright on the Andrea Doria in the US (story). David was preparing for the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Andrea Doria, a wreck which has claimed the lives of (too) many divers.
• The Yamashiro Project dive at extreme depths. Conducted by Cedric Verdier one of the speakers at the upcoming OzTek 07 Conference and Exhibition.

Speaking of OzTek,we outlined the wonderful list of guest speakers that Richard Taylor and David Strike have so far lined up. These include:

• Leigh Bishop - deep wreck photographer
• Peter Buzzacott
• John Chatterton - deep sea detective
• Kevin Gurr - rebreather innovator
• Jarrod Jablonski - extreme cave diver explorer and educator
• Simon Mitchell - diving medical guru
• Cedric Verdier - deep explorer

Before taking a break we ask for feedback about digital imaging and whether image manipulation is ok or whether true photography should be limited to what can be achieved “in camera”. Send feedback (see below) and we’ll include that in the next show.

After the break, we play an interview I did with Bob Hollis, diving equipment innovator and pioneer. Bob is the founder and CEO of Oceanic Worldwide, Aeris and is a partner in the wonderful Tawali Resort in PNG’s Milne Bay area. Bob has been diving since the 1950’s, founded Oceanic in the 1970’s and was the visionary behind the first dive computers.

In this broad discussion, Bob discusses

• His early years of diving
• The founding of Oceanic and also the role of Aeris
• Upcoming Oceanic equipment including a rebreather that emits no gas (even on ascent), heads up display mask and dive computers with built in GPS, current sensors and other features.
• The upcoming launch of a new tech diving brand - Hollis
• The vision behind Tawali - probably the world’s best equipped remote dive resort (the place is magic)
• The importance of preserving our marine environment

This was a great interview, and I encourage all divers to listen in to get a feel behind a true thought leader in diving.If you like Surface Interval, tell a friend. Also, we’d appreciate it if you’d consider popping over to PodcastAlley.com and giving us a vote, or giving us a review on iTunes or PodcastAlley.com.

If you’d like to leave a voice message for us, do so by clicking here. Or you can call (02) 90189302 (in Australia) and leave a message there!

Surface Interval Episode 013 (mp3 - 20MB - 57min)

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

Now reprised in its third edition, author Martin Edge has embraced the digital era, giving succinct and usable information pertinent to every underwater photographer - seasoned or novice, using digital or film, compact or SLR.

Practical information is provided right from the outset, with Martin providing “thoughtful and considered” information. This is the crux of why I like this book so much - Edge focuses on his “think and consider” approach, and provides insights into his thinking as he makes an image. Technical information is provided to support the TC Approach, and is not in itself the central theme of the book.

Having embraced the digital revolution, Edge shares his own thoughts about the pro’s and con’s of digital imaging, equipment and settings. Practical, pertinent guidance is provided in an easy to understand way.

One of the impressive things about Edge is that shows how his own photography has changed over the years. As an example, he has openly modified recommendations about strobe positioning between the 2nd and 3rd Editions. An open mind is the hallmark of success in many endeavours, and Edge clearly displays this attitude as a leader in the world of marine imaging.

For me, The Underwater Photographer - Digital and Traditional Techniques is a book that should be on the reading and reference list for all aspiring and experienced underwater photographers.

Buy The Underwater Photographer, Third Edition: Digital and Traditional Techniques from Amazon.com

No word on what the camera is going to be, but rumours position it as a D80 or D90 – a higher end replacement of the D70/D70s. It is known that the camera will have 10.2 megepixels.

Only yesterday I read an interesting speculative roadmap for Nikon on Thom Hogan’s bythom.com site.

Nikon to announce new 10.2mp dSLR :: Wetpixel.com.

According to a press release from the Tyler Police Department, a husband and wife who were taking a diving class said they were preparing for a dive when they noticed the snorkel at the bottom of the indoor training pool. McAlpin entered the pool as the students were putting on their diving gear.

The students later realized the instructor had been at the bottom of the pool for several minutes with the weighted belt on and no breathing apparatus. The man pulled her from the pool and tried to revive her while the woman called for help, police said.

It is almost unfathomable to work out how this happened.  I can only imagine that she either got caught on something, hit her head jumping in or had some other medical condition.

Whatever the cause, condolences go out to this instructors family and friends on their loss.

And to the students who had this terrible experience in their dive course – a big thanks for doing something incredible and trying to save this persons life.  Although she did not survive, you people did the most amazing thing by trying.  Thanks.

Tyler Morning Telegraph - SCUBA DIVING INSTRUCTOR DROWNED WEARING WEIGHTED BELT IN POOL.

David Bright, a leading researcher into underwater shipwrecks, has died after diving to the site of the Italian luxury liner Andrea Doria off Nantucket where he was working in preparation for the wreck’s 50th anniversary. He was 49.

No official word on his blog or the website of his Nautical Research Group.

Condolences to David’s family.

David Bright, researcher of Andrea Doria sinking, dies after dive at the wreck site.

1. Global Warming doesn’t exist. It’s not happening.

2. Okay, it’s happening, but humans are not causing it.

3. Okay, humans are causing it, but there’s nothing we can do about it, we can’t go back to the stone age, it would ruin our economy, it’s worse to act than not to act, etc.

4. Okay, it is possible with technology, efficiency/conservation and smart planning to do something about it, but it’s going to hurt the bottom line of “dirty” corporations.

Kind of reminds of a Yes Prime Minister episode where the public servants were briefing about the four stages of diplomatic intervention in the event that one country might invade another

• Deny its going to happen
• Admit it might happen but emphasise there’s nothing that we should do about it
• Admit that maybe we should do something, but claim there’s nothing we can do
• Admit that maybe there was something we could have done, but it’s too late now………

The sad thing is that there are parallels between these too, and I worry that number four on the YPM list is the way we’re heading……

(Thanks to Musings of an Eco Entrepreneur for the link)

Originally posted on BlueBeyond.com.au

To be staged at Australian Technology Park in Sydney, Australia, on 17th and 18th March 2007 - and already attracting strong interest from leading equipment manufacturers, distributors, training agencies, diving companies and organizations keen to tap into a focussed, passionate and committed audience of divers drawn from around the world - exhibition space at OZTeK’07 is selling fast.

The Exhibition

With something of appeal to divers at every level of experience and interest, the OZTeK’07 event features a full-scale exhibition showcasing the very latest in equipment technology and accessories, liveaboards, dive trips and exotic diving destinations.

Showcasing all of the latest equipment trends and innovations, OZTeK’07 is the region’s biggest dive shop. From cameras to compressors, regulators to rebreathers, snorkels to scooters and facemasks to fins, the world’s leading equipment brands and accessories can all be seen at OZTeK’07.

The Conference

Keeping alive that pioneering spirit that has been the hallmark of explorers and adventurers throughout the ages, OZTeK’07 will again feature one of the most distinguished casts of diving celebrities to ever be gathered together at the one time in the one place.

With a full and continuous programme of theatre presentations complemented by seminars and workshops, all of the speakers and presenters at the OZTeK’07 Dive Exhibition & Conference are internationally acknowledged as being among the world’s leading authorities in their respective fields of diving expertise.

Pushing back the boundaries of diving knowledge in often-remote regions of the world, their underwater exploits include investigation of the some of the world’s deepest and longest caves; the search for and exploration of historic and mysterious shipwrecks; the advancement of our better understanding of diving physics, physiology; and the unlocking of many of the secrets that still lie beneath the ocean’s surface.

Complemented by magnificent films and images, Gold and Silver Pass Holders to the OZTeK’07 Conference will be offered a unique opportunity to meet, listen to, and learn from the very best of the world’s diving best,

The OZTeK’07 Adventure

From shallow tropical reefs to deep wrecks and caves, there’s a diving adventure waiting to be discovered. Catering to every level of diving experience and interest, OZTeK’07 has it all.

Promising an action-packed two-days focussed entirely on diving, further information on the OZTeK’07 Diving Technologies Conference & Exhibition is available on the website at: www.diveoztek.com.au or by contacting the organisers at: admin@diveoztek.com.au

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

[audio:http://surfaceinterval.thepodcastnetwork.com/audio/tpn_surfaceinterval_20060606_012.mp3]

In Episode 012 of Surface Interval, Andrew and I talk a little about some interesting news for divers and underwater photographers, including

• Today’s announcement of the launch of the new Sony dSLR - the A100 (as reported in PhotographyBLOG)
• Pro-whaling nations including Japan set to take control of the International Whaling Commission (see post on BlueBeyond.com.au)
• Article by Dr. Richard Harris (a.k.a. Dr Coconut from Episode 008) appearing in the latest issue of Wreck Diving Magazine (article is titled Good Luck Comes in Threes).
• The discovery of the probable wreck of the SS Iron Knight by the Sydney Project team in 129m off Bermagui on the far south coast of NSW
• The fearless WKPP (Woodville Karst Plain Project) extending their own world record whilst mapping caves in Florida. They penetrated 20,000 feet into the caves, spending 7 hours at 260ft (approx 85m), and a further 14 hours of deco (thanks to Divester for the story)

During the discussion on the Sony A100 we side tracked a little and talked about the Nikon 12-24mm zoom, as well as the new edition of The Underwater Photographer, by Martin Edge (who we hope to have on the show shortly).

After the break, I talked about the very recent trip that Belinda and I made to the lovely resort of Tawali, in the Milne Bay area of PNG. This is a great location with excellent dives and an amazing resort. Listen to my detailed descriptions of the place.

Whilst I was there, I was able to meet and interview Bob Hollis, founder and CEO of Oceanic Worldwide, Aeris and related companies, and a founder and partner in Tawali. This interview, which will be played in the next episode of Surface Interval talks about some advances in dive computers, and includes a scoop for Surface Interval listeners about a major announcement coming from Oceanic shortly. You will hear it here first!

If you like Surface Interval, tell a friend. Also, we’d appreciate it if you’d consider popping over to PodcastAlley.com and giving us a vote, or giving us a review on iTunes or PodcastAlley.com.

If you’d like to leave a voice message for us, do so by clicking here. Or you can call (02) 80114399 (in Australia) or (347) 410-9055 in the US and leave a message there!
Surface Interval Episode 012 (mp3 - 12MB - 34min)

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

The distortion from using a wide angle lens is interesting here – near objects (Bear) pulled closer and made larger, and smaller objects (Cat) pushed away and made smaller. 

\Pearl.

A total of six ships have been discovered in and around Newport Harbour, where it is believed they were sunk by the British in order to prevent easy access by French forces who may have tried to assist in the American independence effort.

Although the Endeavour (renamed as the Lord Sandwich) is likely to be among the ships found (there is a 6 in 13 chance that she is), it will take years before an identification might be made.

The discovery of the latest 4 ships is on the back of intense historical research and ocean searching.  Ballast piles, parts of the keels, a canon, an anchor and even some crockery are among the wreckage found to date.

Hundreds of meters of coral and turtles have been wiped out at Sipadan in a tragic accident involving a large barge and the local irresponsibility of whoever is managing the island. It is incredible ironic that dive resorts were pushed off of the island in an attempt to preserve Sipadan’s amazing marine life, only to result in the destruction of the very resource they were trying to protect. The beached barge was carrying steel and concrete mixing supplies, and so far, no one has reported why so many building supplies were on their way to Sipadan. FiNS Magazine has posted a stirring report written by Andrea and Antonella Ferrari:

Global warming has had a more devastating effect on some of the world’s finest coral reefs than previously assumed, suggests the first report to show the long-term impact of sea temperature rise on reef coral and fish communities.

With the world being 70% water, I can’t imagine the impact on so many food chains that the destruction of one of the most magnificent life forms on the planet – the coral reef – is going to have.

Underwater Times | Study: Global Warming May Have Damaged Coral Reefs Forever.

starsofthepodcast

Originally uploaded by Andrew Newton UW.

Nice of Andrew Newton to put together this image for us. The image shows me, Bear and Dr B.

This is always a fabuolous magazine that is jam packed with info for uw photography nuts.

Issue 30 contains an interview with Martin Edge, author of The Underwater Photographer, product reviews on Sealux and Subal housings for the Nikon D200, and techniques for deep wrecks, muck and macro, moving sharks and more.

Ever wondered what your hosts on the Surface Interval Show look like?

Here’s Andrew Bowie, Greg “Bear” Blair and Des Paroz altogether on board MV Esperance Star.

I bet you’re sorry you asked….

Des and Bear were joined for Episode 011 by our friend, Neil “Webguy” Miller of DiveOz fame. Neil’s a great fan of the show - almost as much as he is of Gary Brolsma, the Numa Numa guy. As a bit of trivia, did you know that the Numa Numa song is actually called Dragostea Din Tei, and was a song by a Romanian band O-zone. See Wikipedia for the story. Another version was performed by Damien. Both are available on iTunes Music Store.

Anywho, back to diving….

We talked about Bear’s recent exploratory trip on the MV Esperance Star, which departed Brisbane and travelled up the Queensland coast. Its an adventurous story, with tales of being run aground, seasickness, surfing the Gladstone bar on a 17m boat and, of all things, night diving. Bear told us about diving the wreck of the Cremer, a wartime wreck that Bear rates as one of the largest he’s dived in Australian waters.
Webby then chimed in to talk about some recent happenings and trivia. Of particular interest was the 20 Steps Under the Sea world record attempt successfully made in Sydney last week. Breaking a 20 year old record, six divers spent a total of 48 hours under the water, walked 1002 laps of a course, totalling 100.2km. Among the divers who set the record were former guests of Surface Interval David Strike and Dave Harasti, along with Jayne Jenkins, Samir Alhafith, Dave Thomas and Simon Hadwin. The crew raised money for the NRMA CareFlight - a valuable services for divers and other members of the community. Donations can still be made here.

We spent a bit of time talking about a malady that affects almost all divers at some time or another - seasickness. Bear talked about his strategies, which include Kwells, and being ready to spend a quiet, contemplative moment or 2, gazing over the side rails of the boat. I discussed an alternative approach which has worked successfully for me and many others - Ginger tablets. In any case, we agreed on when medication needs to be taken, and the need to Coupled with this was watching the horizon.

We would love your comments, so please leave a comment to this post, send us an email, or leave me an audio message.
Surface Interval Episode 011 (mp3 – 20MB – 59min)

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

There is no mention of what will be happening with their PNG based liveaboard boat, MV Paradise Sport (which has just completed an extensive refit). However, I would speculate it may relocate to Australia and base out of either Cairns (alongside Spoilsport), or Townsville and resume the Coral Sea/Yongala destination that was suspended when Spoilsport moved to Cairns.

Its sad news for the PNG dive industry, as Paradise Sport has played an important role in building up international recognition. However, there are many many land based resorts and liveaboards in PNG that will continue the tradition.

Mike_Ball_Dive_Expeditions_Hotnews.

Long stories, involving 17m surfboards, being rear ended while stopped by someone doing 70 and more.

But, we’ll be back soon. A show is going to be recorded tonight, and should be up in the next couple of days

Thanks for the patience, gentle listeners….

This week, Bear and Andrew interview Stuart Ford of Rebreather World. In this absorbing discussion (groan…..), Stuart, Bear and AB talk about

• Getting into rebreathers
• Rebreather World
• Scupedia
• Scuba diving around London
• Proposing at 100m+
• Rebreather friendly diving destinations
• and much, much more

Surface Interval Episode 010 – Stuart Ford (mp3 – 16MB – 45min)

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

Scary Shark: Real or Not? - Divester.

You’ve got to check out this image at Divester.  If its real its an amazing photo.

Surface Interval Episode 009 – Dave Harasti (mp3 – 19MB – 54min)

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

The three amigos (Andrew, Bear and Des) all together again. All is right with the world.

In episode 009, we chat with the Pan Galactics Best Underwater Photographer, Dave Harasti. We’ve chatted about Dave in the past (with the odd friendly shot across his bow), but Dave really is one of diving’s good guys. Not only is he an ace photographer, but he is very definitely one of the most prolific divers in Australia right now.

The only diver knows to have survived being hit by lightning underwater (twice), Dave is a marine scientist currently working with NSW Fisheries on Shark and Seahorse conservation, Dave has interesting stories to tell about:

• Sharks and shark conservation
• Seahorses
• Being struck by lightening
• Getting bent
• Uepi - the world’s best diving (I agree)
• Being on a sinking dive boat

We had a lot of fun with this conversation, and hope you do too!

Surface Interval Episode 009 – Dave Harasti (mp3 – 19MB – 54min)

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

Firstly, about environmental hotspots and the extinction of species.  Some chilling thoughts:

I met with visiting British Professor Norman Myers. He was featured on ABC radio last week, where he argues that “we are well into the opening phase of a mass extinction of species. There are about 10 million species on earth. If we carry on as we are, we could lose half of all those10 million species.”

Secondly about the impact of deep sea trawling.

It is probable that there are a number of rare or endemic species in some of these locations, and the risk is being run of destroying something before we even know it’s there.

I encourage readers to read (and subscribe) to Andrew’s blog and this post, and to think through the issues presented.  In short, we’re killing our planet, and even worse, we are completely ignorant of some of the species we are killing.

Surface Interval Episode 008 - Dr Coconut (mp3 – 14MB – 40min)

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

I was off somewhere on a business trip, so Bear and Andrew recorded a great interview with Dr Richard Harris, aka “Harry” or “Dr Coconut”.

Harry is an Adelaide boy, keen on the local brew. He’s also an anaesthetist (I hope I spelled that good) and hyperbaric physician who has just returned from a 2 year stint in Vanuatu. Whilst there he dived his rebreather on the Coolidge, in the Sarakata Resurgence and around Port Vila.

Listen in to this fascinating discussion about his experiences, ideas and what’s next.

Surface Interval Episode 008 - Dr Coconut (mp3 – 14MB – 40min)

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

Surface Interval Episode 007 – David Strike (mp3 – 20MB – 58min)

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

In Episode #007 of The Surface Interval Show, Des and Bear talk to one of Australia’s wittiest and most enigmatic divers and journalists, David Strike.

A pioneer of commercial and technical diving in Australia, David was a genuinely fascinating person for Bear and I talk to. We covered a range of topics, learning about David’s early diving in the Royal Navy, commercial diving in the North Sea and his ultimate move to Australia and experiences in the local dive scene.

David is also the co-convenor of the OzTek show, so listen up as David “pre-announces” the next event for 2007.

Surface Interval Episode 007 – David Strike (mp3 – 20MB – 58min)

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

In Episode #006 of The Surface Interval Show, Bear and I had the pleasure of speaking with Richard Taylor of TDI/SDI Australia.

Richard is somewhat of a pioneer in technical diving circles in Australia, and we had a light hearted, but nonetheless deep and broad conversation covering technical diving, solo diving, nitrox, the Australian dive industry and much much more.

We enjoyed having Richard on the show, and hope you all get as much out of this discussion as we did! Even if Richard is a kiwi……

Surface Interval Episode 006 - Richard Taylor Interview (mp3 - 19MB - 55min)

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

Bear and I got together to talk about……

diving.

Talked a little about some of the diving we’ve been doing recently - Des on the wreck of the SS Bombo off Wollongong and Bear on some of the shallow reefs around Melbourne.

We chatted a bit about the deterioration of some wrecks, just like the Bombo and the Subs in Port Phillip.

In the newsy part of the show, changes in the camera industry became a topic. With Konica/Minolta making an exit from the camera business, and Nikon leaving all but the very high end of the film camera business, there are interesting times. Film critics will state that film is dead, but our opinion is that it will live on for some time for some enthusiasts. Film still has better dynamic range than digital, and is also better for some applications, particularly wide angle.

Digital on the other hand is more accessible, has a faster learning curve and makes it easy to share your images quickly.

After a couple more news bits, we did something we’ve been threatening to do, and did a “Surface Interval Stealth Interview”, bringing Perth’s Steve James in for a brief chat. As one of Australia’s leading rebreather divers, Steve is definitely someone we want to have back for a longer interview.

Listen up in the next few days for a interview with Richard Taylor of TDI/SDI Australia.

As always, comments are appreciated. Comment below on this post, or shoot an email to surfaceinterval@gmail.com.

Surface Interval #005 (mp3 - 16MB - 47min)

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

With Bear off being Party Bear, and Andrew as the oncall Dr Bowie, Des was joined for the first episode of 2006 by Neil “Webguy” Miller of Dive-Oz.

Webby gave an update on Dive Oz’s progress. Having recently celebrated the 7th birthday of Dive-Oz, Webby revealed that in 2005 over 1.1 million visitors visited the site. The forums are the most active part, and a real sense of community among forum members is shared.

We discussed community in the diving world, with divers being a sociable mob. Divers like to talk about diving, and with the eyes of non-divers quickly glazing over when the subject comes up, online communities like Dive-Oz, and indeed Surface Interval, are great venues.

Webby told us about his most recent dive at Inscription Point, in Sydney, where he saw a unique fish, the Weedy Sea Dragon.

We chatted a bit about underwater photography and GPS. In the case of underwater photography, the topic really focused (’scuse the pun) on the digital revolution and how thats drawn many new people into the pursuit. With instant gratification and greater affordability, underwater photography is much more accessible than it was in the era of slide film on Nikonos and Sea and Sea Motormarine cameras. The era that Des and Webby both started out in.

GPS is now being used to quickly find dive sites, and again is becoming affordable and easy.

In the first half of 2006, Dive-Oz will be adding new features to allow gadget loving divers to get more out of their gadgets, for their diving. Stay tuned…..

Finally we discussed the story of the British woman who married a dolphin in Aqaba in the past week.

If you’ve got a Skype account, shoot us an email with your account details. You never know - we’re often looking to ambush divers into the show to talk diving with us!

As always, comments are appreciated. Comment below on this post, or shoot an email to surfaceinterval@gmail.com.

Surface Interval #004 (mp3 - 14MB - 40min)

LISTEN HERE TO SURFACE INTERVAL

In a bold move, Nikon has announced today that they will no longer sell most of their film cameras. The only film cameras that will continue to be manufactured are the F6 and the FM10. The F6 will be the only one sold in Europe. All large format lenses, and many manual focus lenses are as of now discontinued too.

According to this article on Wetpixel, Nikon has announced that they are out of the film camera market, with the exception of the very high end professional camera, the F6, and the FM10, popular with enthusiasts.

The F80, F90x, F100, F50, etc are all going.

Now the whole argument about whether lenses are Full Frame (i.e. 35mm) essentially goes away. Because digital is the standard

If youre interested in keeping up to date with the latest developments in the corporate blogging world, then you may want to subscribe to The BizBlog Show on TPN! The multi-faceted Tyme White will be your guide to the new look version of the show!

The decision to do so was arrived at after numerous discussions with key diving organisations and an across-the-board range of dive industry sectors. While a number of companies remained committed to the concept of a broad-based consumer-driven dive show, several majors were of the opinion that attendance at the event would place too great a strain on their significantly reduced marketing budgets; especially given the economic down-turn presently being experienced by the entire global diving industry.

With many core organisations unable to make a firm commitment of support, the organisers, Richard Taylor and David Strike, believe that to have continued with the production of a broad-based Dive Show, (one that may not have lived up to the expectations that both exhibitors and visitors have a right to expect) would be irresponsible and not in the best long-term interests of the region’s diving industry.

Having previously staged the enormously successful and highly acclaimed, OZTeK4 Diving Technologies Conference and Exhibition, held in Sydney in March 2005, Taylor and Strike believe that their decision - while disappointing to so many - is, under the circumstances, the correct one to make. Now considering reverting back to a clearly focussed event based on an OZTeK-style format, the organisers have advised all of those organisations booking space at OZPac 2006 of the decision to cancel, and are refunding in full all deposits received.

For further information, please e-mail the organisers at: admin@ozpacdiveshow.com.au

The Convenors
OZPac Dive Show 2006 featuring OZTeK5
Melbourne, Australia 20-22 October 2006
www.ozpacdiveshow.com.au
admin@ozpacdiveshow.com.au

PO Box 1128 Dee Why NSW 2099 Australia

Des was about to head off to Asia, so Bear made sure we recorded an episode of Surface Interval. Andrew was back, and shared his input from the recent Esperance Star trip to Moreton Bay.

We talked a bit about diving with dolphins, which gave Des a chance to talk about his best dive ever - a dive at the curiously named Penguin Reef, near Uepi Island in the Solomon’s - a 90 minute dive that finished with 15 minutes in the shallows listening to dolphin song.

We talked about the possibly discovery of the wreckage of a Japanese midget sub (M24) off Broken Bay, north of Sydney.

Staying on decidedly non politically sensitive subjects, we also talked a bit about the possible introduction of a diving tax in NSW - a subject that Andrew (from SA) and Bear (from Victoria) were remarkably laissez-faire about.

If you’ve got feedback on the show, leave it below, or shoot an email to surfaceinterval@gmail.com. You can include a small mp3 file with voice comments (no more than 1 minute please), and we might include these in an upcoming show.

LISTEN HERE TO EPISODE 003 OF SURFACE INTERVAL

LISTEN TO EPISODE 002 OF SURFACE INTERVAL

Dr Bowie was away this week doing Dr Bowie type stuff. Join Bear and Des as we rant on a bit about diving and related topic. For part of the show, we are also joined by a special guest - Neil Webguy Miller of DiveOz.com.au fame.

In Episode 002 we discuss:

• The recent UW Photographers trip aboard the MV Esperance Star in Moreton Bay
• Why the media seems only to focus on deaths when talking about news in Diving.
• The recent Dive Oz Up Close and Personal (DOUCAP) event held in Sydney
• The upcoming world record attempt for Underwater Ironing to be held on the Central Coast

We’ve received some good feedback following Episode 001, and we will certainly be trying to keep future episodes to 30-40 minutes. Excuse this one being a tad over that at about 47 minutes.

We’ve also got some interesting interviewees being lined up for the future. If you’ve got suggestions or comments, please leave them in the comments below, or send us an email to surfaceinterval@gmail.com. You can send in short mp3’s there if you like as audio feedback. We might include these in future shows.

Also, we mentioned in the show that we’d like to have a future show discussing solo diving, so if you’ve got ideas, opinions or comments, send that email or audio feedback, or comment below.

Hope you enjoy the show.

LISTEN TO EPISODE 002 OF SURFACE INTERVAL

The Podcast Network is conducting a survey about podcasting It would be great if you could find a few minutes to take it.

I am currently part of 2 podcasts on TPN the Surface Interval show about scuba diving, and The Personal Productivity show.

Japan’s whaling fleet has set sail for Antarctic waters where it will make its biggest catch in 20 years.

The boats will aim to catch nearly 1,000 whales over the coming months.

A global moratorium on commercial whaling has been in place since the 1980s, but Japan describes its programme as “scientific.”

Thanks to Kevin for this link.

A big call out to Japan to stop this crap Who needs 1,000 whales for scientific reasons.

I’ve lived in Japan, and have a deep connection to Japan through my martial arts training I know that whale meat was once a part of the cuisine of some traditional communities. As I understand it, whales were hunted and caught by groups of men in small canoes, and 1 whale was captured and taken back to a community for a feast

This type of hunting was very different than the modern fleets that change the balance of power to be decidedly anti-whale.

The international community needs to put pressure on Japan (and Norway and all other countries) to limit scientific whaling to a set and small limit, and only where specific programs can be justified. 5-10 of these animals, per country per year, is more than enough.

These magnificent creatures of the ocean need to be protected and preserved.

LAST CALL FOR ENTRIES IN THE BENEATH THE SEA 2006 WORLDWIDE UNDERWATER PHOTO/VIDEO COMPETITION

December 31st, 2005 is the last day for submitting entries to the 2006 Beneath the Sea Worldwide Underwater Photo/Video Competition.

Underwater photographers, digital and film, will compete for the coveted David Doubilet award for excellence in underwater photography
- the Grand Prize is a trip for one on either of Mike Balls live aboard boats: The Spoilsport sailing from Townsville, Australia
across the Great Barrier Reef into the Coral Sea, or the Paradise Sport in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea.

Underwater Videographers will compete for the distinguished Stan Waterman award for excellence in underwater video - the Grand Prize
is a trip for one aboard the Nai’a in the beautiful waters of Fiji.

Underwater Photographic Artists will compete for the celebrated Jim Church award for excellence in underwater creative photography -this
year’s Grand Prize is a trip for one aboard the M.V. Telita in dramatic Papua New Guinea.

Wherever you live in this wide world, submit your underwater photographic entry to the Beneath the Sea 2005 Worldwide Photo/Video
Competition. For contest rules and entry blank visit Beneath the Sea at their Internet site: www.beneaththesea.org. There you may
see the images of previous winners, get a set of rules and regulations, and download an application form for this year’s competition.

The winners of the Beneath the Sea 2006 Worldwide Photo/Video Competition are announced at the Film Festival the weekend of Beneath
the Sea’s Dive and Travel Exposition, March 24th, 25th, and 26th, 2006, at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey.
In addition to the awards that the Grand Prize winners of each category will receive, there will be prizes for all First, Second and Third place winners.

Here’s a piccie of the hosts of Surface Interval - in diver specific “Smell No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil” mode.

From the left
- Andrew Bowie
- Greg “Bear” Blair
- Des Paroz

I should also mention that I’ll be diving with my co-hosts - Bear and Andrew.

We’ll be aboard the MV Esperance Star, cruising the sites of Moreton Bay.

We hope to record Episode 002 on board the boat, and post that next weekend.

In many respects, the Nikon D100 was the turning point for many underwater photographers switching from film to digital. I continue to use the D100 as my primary camera, even though newer models (D70 and D50, and not to mention the D2X) have hit the market. But none of these have yet tempted me as being the right combo of price point and feature set to enduce me to switch.

I won’t be switching for some time yet, but the Nikon D200, I believe, could be another turning point device, and I will be watching its uptake carefully.

LISTEN TO EPISODE 001 OF SURFACE INTERVAL

Welcome to the Surface Interval - a podcast about scuba diving, wreck diving, technical diving, underwater photography, the marine environment, diving locations and general banter on diving related topics by three Aussie scuba divers.

• Des Paroz is a Sydney based diver and avid underwater photographer. Des works in IT and is also co-host of the Podcast Network’s Personal Productivity Show. Des is a PADI Master Instructor and an instructor with TDI/SDI
• Greg “Bear” Blair lives in Melbourne and is passionate about wreck diving and taking photographs of slow moving objects. Certified to full Trimix level, Bear is also a moderator/administrator on the popular DiveOz website.
• Hailing from Adelaide, Andrew Bowie is keen underwater photographer, cave and wreck diver who also knows a little about diving medicine.

In Episode 001, Andrew, Bear and Des talk a little about their diving backgrounds, and some of the recent diving they’ve been doing.

• Andrew recently returned from Bikini Atoll where he dived on the nuclear testing wrecks, which includes aircraft carriers, battleships and cruisers from WW2 - both US, German and Japanese vessels. Apart from the great diving, Andrew was also struck by the reality of nuclear weapons
• Bear returned recently from a liveaboard trip on the MV Esperance Star to the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Leaving from Bundaberg, the Southern GBR includes the Bunker Group and Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave Island. Des and Bear agreed that in many respects the diving at the Southern end of the GBR is better than that further north.
• Des’ recent diving has been mostly shore dives around Sydney and the Southern NSW coast
• All three of our hosts will be doing a liveaboard trip on the MV Esperance Star in early November, so the next episode of Surface Interval will probably be recorded live
• We discussed slow moving objects in the Ocean, such as nudibranchs and wrecks, and why there are so many photographs of them.

In the coming weeks, we hope to brings news from the diving world, interviews from various famous and not-so-famous identities in diving, and of course general banter and witty repartee.

LISTEN TO EPISODE 001 OF SURFACE INTERVAL