${locales[`en`].title}

This is the full, incredible story of how Finnish diving group Badewanne discovered the wreck of first world war German submarine U 26. In their own words, the group's Juha Flinkman tells the story: Late May in Gulf of Finland, weather is perfect with slight seas and some overcast, but good visibility. We’re kitting up to dive in one of the Europe’s busiest sea lanes. Ships of all sizes and shapes steam buy westbound along the lane leading out of the Gulf to the Baltic Proper. And where we’re diving is right at the bend, where every skipper wants to cut the corner as close as possible to save time and precious fuel. Subsequently, with the kind help of Helsinki Traffic Control, we have received a special permit to dive the site. Traffic control directs all ships approaching the site to pass us, and informs them of our intentions. Hence the VHF is constantly blaring instructions to approaching traffic, approximately one ship every 10 minutes!What lies on the seabed that could be so worthwhile to dive to, that would warrant such grandiose operation? Well no other than U 26, one of the first “Ace” boats in the First World War, and certainly the most successful submarine operating in the Baltic during the entire conflict. The U 26, under command of Kapitänleutnant Egewolff Freiherr von Berckheim, sank Imperial Russian Navy armored cruiser Pallada in October 1914, during the first months of the war. This made von Berckheim one of the first “Aces” of the emerging Ubootswaffe branch in the Kaiser Navy. Von Berckheim and his entire crew received the Iron Cross from the enthusiastic Kaiser for their efforts, and in late summer 1915 they returned to Gulf of Finland with their trusty mount U 26, to wreak havoc among Russian shipping. This they did with good success, until late in August the luck that carried them through their dashing exploits ran out. Russian Navy had for a long time been very annoyed with the success of German U boats in the Gulf, and in order to stop this, had ordered minelayer Ladoga to lay a barrage across the mouth of the Gulf. However, U 26 was already inside the barrage, trying to get back to its base after a successful patrol. What happened, and when, we will never know, but U 26 hit one of Ladoga’s mines and sank with all 30 hands.A couple of weeks earlier, while running a side scan sonar sweep along the line of barrage laid by Ladoga, Immi Wallin observed a submarine wreck forming on the screen. Subsequent sweeps revealed that the boat is old, and most probably German, so the practical possibilities were U 10 or U 26. Soon we would find out!JJ-CCR’s strapped to our backs, bailouts and deco tanks snapped to place, fins on. Immi manouvers Yoldia right by the buoy and we go over the side. The water is rather clear even on the surface, but whatever waits at the bottom we have no idea. However, now as we descend the shotline it gets clearer and clearer as our lights probe the darkness. And suddenly she’s there! Visibility is absolutely brilliant all the way to bottom, which seems to be glacial clay. The shot weight hasn’t touched the wreck, but lies almost two meters to the side. Closer inspection reveals that the sediment is saturated with oil that has seeped from U 26’s tanks during her 99 years stay at the seabed. We swim towards the stern, which has sank deep into sediment as we could already see from side scan images. The deck casing is visible maybe 10 meters behind the conning tower before disappearing into the clay. Broad, flat-topped saddle tanks typical to the U-23 class appear from the clay and run along the sides of the hull. On top of starboard side tanks we can see the collapsible radio aereal masts with their raising/lowering mechanisms. There is some trawl wrapped around the bows and conning tower, and only apparent damage to the boat seems to have come from the trawl: conning tower railings have been twisted and ripped off, and the ship's wheel which has stood on the open bridge, has been torn away by the trawl, and by an insane twist of fate has ended up in a space behind a ripped off hatch on the starboard side of the conning tower. There the wheel rests, still wrapped in trawl netting. Most importantly, the conning tower layout is definitely class U-23, so it seems we really are looking at U 26. But we need to check further.As we approach the bows, we can clearly see the for’ard diving planes, which are distinctly located low on the hull, well below water line when surfaced. This detail excludes U 10, which has these diving planes located above waterline. Everything else also matches what we know of the U 26: torpedo tubes, their outer hatches, bow shape. We can now be sure we’re looking at the elusive U 26, one of the most sought after wrecks in the Baltic. Here she is, resting on the seabed with her crew and Kaleu’nt von Berckheim. An even 100 years after she was commissioned to the Kaiser Fleet, and 99 years after she last reported in. I have heard somewhere that old submariners don’t consider the boats that never returned from patrol as “lost”, but refer to them as “still on patrol”. Well, here she is, resting on the Gulf seabed, proud and alone as she was when she still patrolled these waters. A touching memorial to fates of war: brief success followed by swift and inevitable death. We swim silently along the side towards our shotline, our RB’s not breaking the silence of almost a century.As we can now be sure we have the U 26, we call the dive at runtime minute 17, and start our ascent along the shotline. Deco stops tick by, and eventually we surface. Yoldia is ready and picks us up quickly. It’s only after we are seated, and remove the loop from our mouths, that the whooping starts. Yes, it’s the twenty-six! And yes, the viz is bloody excellent! As the whoops echo around the deck of Yoldia, the next crew is preparing to dive, this time to shoot video. We quickly brief them with Jouni, and then they disappear over the side. Well folks, just another day at the Gulf of Finland, the Definite Wreck Paradise of the World. Images ©Badewanne

You’ve seen the diving videos of the Scuba Diver Girls and now you’re wondering how to get started with your own adventures. Margo Sanchez, president of the team, shares their secrets. “It’s what everyone asks,” says Margo Sanchez when discussing the girls' many adventures. Along with her sister-in-law Stephanie Adamson, Sanchez formed what is perhaps the most-watched team of female divers in the world, with large followings on Facebook and beyond. Whether it's advice for the newly certified diver about meeting more local dive buddies or suggestions for the veteran divers about their next exotic scuba trip, Sanchez suggests utilizing local resources. Dive shops are always a good hook-up. “Look for your local Suunto dealer dive centers,” says Sanchez. “They're usually a great starting point for training, equipment as well as adventure and travel.” She adds that dive clubs are another fantastic resource for organized dive trips, group events and making new friends. Meetup.com is also a popular online resource used by many divers to find and join local dive clubs. “Most importantly, local dive clubs, groups and shops are all good for one thing – meeting buddies who share a passion for the same sport and are excited to experience the next adventure,” says Sanchez. Images © Brad Holland and Jennah Caster

They are one of the most popular team of female divers in the world. Co-founder Margo Sanchez gives us the lowdown. The Scuba Diver Girls are perhaps the most popular girls in the underwater community – and certainly some of the most active. Located in San Diego, California, the ocean is the girls' backyard. In their cold water dive gear and their Suunto dive computers, Margo Sanchez and Stephanie Adamson dive multiple times each week. If they are not diving in their local southern California waters, they are traveling the world looking for the next hot spot for amazing sea life. This fun, adventurous dive team got started when Stephanie, a PADI dive instructor, invited Margo to learn how to dive. Stephanie wanted to share her love with the ocean and the amazing experience of being under the water with her family. Margo instantly felt a connection to the underwater realm, but also was amazed at how much fun it was to dive with Stephanie, her sister-in-law. As the girls began to dive together and share their adventures with their friends on socialmedia their popularity grew in the dive community. Industry leaders and manufacturers commented that the girls were 'bringing the fun back to diving'. Margo and Stephanie quickly realized that there was a lack focus on women in the dive industry. From dive gear to online content much of the industry was focused on men. The girls decided it was time to put a female spin on the sport and began to build their online presence as Scuba Diver Girls. “When we started posting our dive photos and videos on social media, there was a lack of interesting content about and for women in diving – we received an overwhelming response,” says Sanchez. She says the team made it their mission to put a brighter focus on females in the sport. The girls worked with various manufacturers, including Suunto, to test dive gear and give feedback to the companies from the female diver perspective on fit, usability, as well as look and feel. "Much of the gear we were originally using was designed with a man's body as a base for fit and then they just put some pink on it and called it women's gear,” Sanchez explained. Together the girls began racking up dive destinations and posting photos and footage of their amazing adventures online. Their community, which started back in 2009, has grown to over 500,000 Facebook fans who actively interact and communicate with the girls each day. You can join the community via their many social channels and get the best content and information on their dives, gear and amazing destinations. Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube Images © Tanya G Burnett, Brian Kirby and Margo Sanchez

Suunto Zoop is a great choice for your first dive computer, its full decompression capabilities and nitrox mode mean it's designed to give you years of serious fun. This Tuesday we take a look at how to enter and change the nitrox settings on the Zoop. Get support for your Suunto product at support

On a dark, stormy December night in 1944 a fleet of five German warships was cruising the labyrinthine waters of the Gulf of Finland. Due to navigation error two of the ships ran into their own German minefield between Porkkala and Naissaari and were lost. Badewanne, a Finnish, non-profit organization representing a group of voluntary divers that have been documenting shipwrecks in the Gulf of Finland for more than 15 years, recently dove down to one of the destroyers, the Z36. Juha Flinkman, one of the Badewanne divers, gives us a guided tour: “Diving to the wreck of Zerstörer (Destroyer) Z36 is a unique and eerie experience. As you glide down the shotline into the darkness, the beam of your light first picks up a scary mess of mast, radar aerials and – trawl, lots of it! Carefully avoiding the trawl you descend towards the superstructure past a quadruple 20 mm flak gun wrapped in netting, barrels sticking through the mesh. Passing over the port side of the bridge wing, you suddenly stare at the muzzles of a twin 20 mm Flak gun mounted on the fo’csle deck. The barrels vainly aim at the unreachable sky far above. This flak gun is situated a little aft of “Bertha Geschütz”, that is B-gun of the main armament of 127 mm guns. These Mob 36b type destroyers weren’t supposed to have any such armament here, but what the heck, maybe the Skipper just wanted some extra anti-aircraft hardware installed! Later, swimming from the gracefully arching bows towards midships, your lights pick up mighty Rheinmetall-Borsig barrels of Anton and Bertha Geschütze still defiantly pointing forwards, but never to be fired again. Even the riflings inside the barrels are clearly visible. Even when diving in the clear parts of the wreck, the ever-present trawl netting looms, if not in your vision, then in your mind. You must always be aware of this danger – there is no room for carelessness. This wreck is very big. It was distinctly once a very powerful warship, but now lays with her back broken on the seafloor, wrapped in trawl, and her payload of death strewn all around. A dark and a lonely place.” All images: © Badewanne

A team of French explorers has set sail on an ambitious scientific expedition to chart the western coastline of Greenland from both above and below the waterline. The group set off from Concarneau, France on January 16th and will spend the next 22 months on the expedition. The first phase will see them sailing up the west coast of Greenland, carrying out detailed surveys before wintering on the boat in the Nares Strait. A third phase, from March to June next year, will the see them undertake a 600 km adventure as they cross northern Greenland with Inuit and dogs. “It's an amazing dream come true,” says expedition leader Ghislain Bardout. The expedition website reveals the many goals of the expedition: “Under The Pole is a series of submarine polar expeditions aiming at exploring the hidden face of Arctic polar regions. We will explore the coastal ice sheet, open sea ice sheet, glacier fronts, icy fjords and the continental shelf between the polar circle and the north of Greenland.” Suunto is pleased to be an expedition partner and is supplying the team with a range of products. The scientific aims of the expedition include listing the polar submarine biodiversity during a complete season to a depth of 130 m and studying the relations between atmosphere, ice and the ocean. Stay tuned for updates from the team. All images © Emmanuelle Périé / Under The Pole

Freediving is a sport that attracts some of the most unique athletes on the planet — men and women who can hold their breath for several minutes and plunge to impossible depths of the sea. This weekend sees the start of one of the highlights of the freediving calendar — the Suunto Vertical Blue. On November 9th, 36 athletes from 16 countries will join the event host and dual world record holder, William Trubridge, to compete in the nine day competition at Dean’s Blue Hole, Bahamas. Along with an unmatched location at the world’s deepest underwater sink hole, Suunto Vertical Blue offers the prospect of battles between the world's top freedivers. Among those attending this year is Alexey Molchanov, the current world record holder in Constant Weight (CWT). His record breaking dive to an astounding depth of 128 meters (420 ft) is held in awe by the freediving community but there are hints of greater depths to come. Pursuing him is William Trubridge, current world record holder in the disciplines of CNF and FIM. Trubridge has his eye on reclaiming his national record in CWT as well as challenging his own, legendary CNF record of 101 meters (331ft). Says organizer William Trubridge: “The biggest names in men's freediving will be there and will go to their body's absolute limit in order to secure a title or medal! But Suunto Vertical Blue is more than just a competition — it has a convivial atmosphere that makes it special. We have people who haven't trained for long and are diving to 30-50m, right up to the biggest names in the sport, who are setting national or world records at almost every event.” Freedive depth disciplines consist of three categories:Constant Weight No Fins (CNF): The freediver descends and ascends without any assistance (only using arms and legs without fins). Constant Weight with Fins (CWT): The freediver descends and ascends using fins/monofin and the use of arms. Free Immersion (FIM): The freediver dives without the use of fins/monofin, but pulls a rope during descent and ascent. Says Trubridge: “CNF and CWT are the two most popular disciplines. CWT gives the deepest performances, while CNF is seen as the purest expression of human aquatic potential. FIM is more of a relaxed discipline, but there are definitely some very serious practitioners there as well!” He adds that the sport has moved away from 'sled-diving' — where freedivers use artificial means such as a weighted sled and balloons to descend and ascend. It is seen as a more dangerous fringe activity and is not a discipline at regular freediving events. Comments Mika Holappa, Business Unit Director, Suunto Dive: “Suunto Vertical Blue is a really unique competition. Dean's Blue Hole is an amazing location and the freedivers are some of the most inpiring athletes around. We're very pleased to be supporting this event once again and wish everyone the best of luck.” Competitors have six official dives to challenge themselves and their rivals to obtain the coveted Suunto Vertical Blue Championship title. There are also significant prizes on offer — including a purse of almost $20,000 in cash, as well as a selection of Suunto D4i and D6i dive computers. For daily updates, latest news and spectacular images, check out the Facebook fanpages of Suunto Diving and Vertical Blue.

It is the world's deepest blue hole of its kind. Plunging to 203m (666ft) just a few metres from the shore, Dean's Blue Hole in the Bahamas is an awe-inspiring natural wonder. It's also the perfect venue for the sport of freediving. Last month it was home to the Suunto Vertical Blue, the largest freediving event of its kind. It saw 56 athletes from 21 countries battling to reach incredible depths on a single breath of air. Over ten days, two world records and 65 national records were broken in the course of 252 individual dives. On the first day of the competition on November 21, Ashley Futral Chapman (USA). broke the Constant No-Fins (CNF) women's world record with a dive to 67m in 3'15. The North Carolina native dived without fins and used a modified breastsroke technique to achieve her third world record. The Russian freediver Alexey Molchanov raised the bar to a new level with a world record dive to 126m in Constant Weight (CWT), in a time of 3'46. This is the discipline of diving with just a monofin for assistance. Mid-competition the Suunto Vertical Blue looked set to turn into a clash of the titans as just minutes after Molchanov's dive, organizer and Suunto ambassador William Trubridge sought to recapture the record. On this occasion, the multiple record-breaker made a technical mistake and turned back too early. Two days later Trubridge made another attempt but in the end the fates were not on his side. However, by diving to 121m on the penultimate day of the competition he achieved a new national record for New Zealand. Each freediver accrued points for each dive during the competition and Trubridge also finished top of the overall rankings. Afterwards he said: "I'm a bit disappointed with my own performances but given the enormity of Suunto Vertical Blue I can't be too disgruntled. The results speak for themselves. We had the most performances of any depth competition ever and I have had more athletes tell me that this was the best comp they've ever attended!" "Alexey, Ashley and many other athletes all gave outstanding performances." He added: "I will take a break at Christmas and get back into training in January." One of the surprises of the competition was the Japanese freediver Tomoka Fukuda who achieved a national record of 65m in Free Immersion (ascending and pulling on a rope) as well as an 80m dive in CWT despite the fact she's only been competing for a year." Other national records fell to France, Britain, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, the Czech Republic, Spain, Mexico, Israel, Tunisia and Finland. The overall winners were: WomenGold: Alena Zabloudilova (Czech Republic)Silver: Ashley Futral Chapman (USA)Bronze: Tomoka Fukuda (Japan) MenGold: William Trubridge (NZ)Silver: Alexey Molchanov (Russia)Bronze: Robert King (USA) The overall winners each received a Suunto D6is. Suunto, the world's leading dive computer brand, is the official depth gauge used at all AIDA World Record freedive attempts. Mika Holappa, Dive Business Unit Director at Suunto, says: "With so many of the world's top athletes taking part and so many fantastic World and National Records, Suunto Vertical Blue has been an amazing festival of freediving and we are proud to have been involved. William Trubridge should be congratulated not only for his inspiring dives but for organizing such a successful event." William Trubridge, organizer, added: "What makes Vertical Blue a special event is that it gives the athletes free reign to mine their aquatic potential. If you left your diamonds in the basement of a 40-story skyscraper that flooded up to its roof then these guys could freedive down the lift shaft and collect them for you. The deepest dives last in excess of four minutes, but that's not four minutes of holding your breath in your bathtub — it's four minutes of propelling yourself through the water column, while combatting pressures that would crush a soccer ball to the size of a tennis ball and which exert mind-numbing narcosis on neural circuitry. It's four-minutes that takes place in another dimension, where time is drawn out into an eternity — an eternity that lasts but a single breath." About William Trubridge:Freediving is in Trubridge's blood. Born in Britain, the first few years of his life were a nomadic existance sailing around the world on his parents' yacht before the family settled in New Zealand. He learnt to swim at the age of 18 months, and was freediving to 15m by the age of eight, competing with his older brother to see who could bring back a stone from the deepest depth. But it was not until he was 22 that he discovered competition. Since then the 32-year-old has broken numerous freediving records. He was the first man to break the 100m depth barrier completely unassissted — without the use of fins, rope or weights in 2010. He also holds the record for ‘Free Immersion’ — 121m — where divers descend and ascend by pulling on a rope. In 2011 and 2012 he received the World's Absolute Freediving Award (WAFA), which ranked him as the world's top freediver. A selection of the record dives are available on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/VBFreediving More results and reports can be found on www.facebook.com/verticalblue and www.deeperblue.com.

Suunto, the world’s leading dive computer brand, introduces an optional software update bringing usability and performance improvements to the Suunto DX, Suunto D6i, Suunto D6i Novo, Suunto D4i and Suunto D4i Novo. Suunto's D-series dive computers are known for their refined design and solid functionality. The new software update 1.5.9 builds on consumer feedback and makes the devices even more user-friendly whether you're an experienced technical diver, freediver or an adventurous spirit new to the diving world. The new enhancements include:  The dive mode selection is moved to sub menu ”General Settings” to make it easier to change and dive with the desired mode. Easier and quicker digital compass calibration brought to D6i (similar to the DX) adds the possibility to calibrate the compass also underwater. Stopwatch usage simplified. Enhanced battery and pressure sensor checking. This optional software update is available to existing Suunto DX, D6i and D4i owners via Authorized Suunto Service Centers. Please note, Suunto authorized battery change points are not able to offer this software update. When you send your dive computer for servicing or a battery change, the software will be updated at the same time without an additional cost. Without a battery change or other service procedure the cost is a handling fee that varies from country to country. D4, D6, D9 and D9tx can not be updated – you can identify the model on the backplate of your dive computer. Please contact your local Suunto Dealer or Suunto Contact Center for more information. For contact details and updated user guides check out support. You can also check out the D-series learning tool or visit the Suunto YouTube channel for how-to-use videos.

Software update brings gas time, CCR mode, real-time gas consumption and compass bearing lock. Suunto EON Steel grows with you as your diving skills evolve, thanks to its customizability and durability. As communicated with its launch last fall, you can update the EON Steel software yourself. The update now coming out brings much sought after new features. Gas time The new gas time reading allows you to estimate how long you can continue diving, taking into account your current tank pressure value and breathing rate. Rebreather mode Closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) mode makes Suunto EON Steel a great backup dive computer on rebreather dives. Combined with the Suunto Fused™ RGBM, the CCR features give you extra confidence on your rebreather dives. Gas consumption A first for dive computers, Suunto EON Steel calculates real-time gas consumption. As you improve your diving skills, you’ll see your comfort level reflected in the rate: the more relaxed you are, the less gas you consume. Compass bearing lock The new compass bearing lock helps you orientate yourself underwater and ensure you maintain your direction of travel. For example, you can set a bearing lock for the direction to the reef before leaving the boat. You can download the free update to your EON Steel through the Suunto DM5 software. Check out more details about the Suunto EON Steel software update 1.1.

The update brings new features such as CCR and gas time. Suunto EON Steel grows with you as your diving skills evolve, thanks to its customizability and durability. As communicated with its launch last fall, users can update the Suunto EON Steel software. The software update coming out in June introduces much sought after gas time, rebreather (CCR) support and real-time gas consumption. The update also brings compass bearing lock and further improvements. As soon as the update is available, you can download it to your EON Steel free of charge through the Suunto DM5 software. Stay tuned!  Suunto has developed many diving innovations in the last 50 years – including the first diving compass and early dive computers. Handmade in Finland, each Suunto dive computer is individually tested before leaving the factory.

Suunto’s next generation dive computer receives global iF Design Award 2015 Suunto is pleased to announce that Suunto EON Steel, the fully customizable dive computer, has been awarded the iF Design Award 2015 in the Product category. This award is an important recognition of the Finnish company's success in developing diving innovations in the last 50 years. Handmade in Finland, Suunto EON Steel combines advanced technology with a bright color screen and customizability to let you choose exactly what you want to see on your dive. The easy-to-use dive computer was developed in close relationship with active divers around the world. It has been extensively tested including dives in the caves of an old limestone mine in Ojamo, Finland. Creating reliable products designed for the harshest of elements has been a part of Suunto’s heritage for almost 80 years. Comments Björn Bornemann, the Designer of Suunto EON Steel: “We’re thrilled to receive this prestigious award which is a fitting tribute to the hard work of the whole product team. With heavy-duty housing, a stainless steel bezel, and user updatable software, Suunto EON Steel is built to last.” The iF Product Design Award was introduced in 1954 and is a highly prized seal of quality annually conferred by the International Forum. Every year the iF attracts more than 2,000 product entries from around 37 nations, which are judged by renowned experts. www.ifdesign.de

The Suunto DX, introduced in January 2013 as the world’s first CCR-compatible wrist-sized dive computer is now available in silver too. Coming with a titanium or elastomer bracelet, the Suunto DX Silver is both a serious diving tool and a stunning piece of design. Check out the new variants online or at your local Suunto dealer where it will be available soon.

The all-round dive computer comes out in two new editions The Suunto D4i is now available in two new colors to guide divers on their underwater adventures. With four dive modes – including freediving – Suunto RGBM algorithm, and the option of wireless integration, the Suunto D4i is the dive computer of choice for all divers looking for a lightweight, reliable and stylish dive computer. With the pink edition, it gets a splash of color. It's the perfect fit, whether blending in with a coral reef or your style out of the water. The gray Suunto D4i makes for a modern and streetwise alternative to black. The Suunto D4i is already available in black, white, blue and lime. It features a soft silicone strap, ensuring maximum comfort as well as a superb fit and is designed to suit the needs of all divers – for every diving occasion. The Suunto D4i Novo Pink and Gray will become available in January.

Suunto is rolling out its latest dive planner, Suunto DM5. The Suunto DM5 (Windows/Mac compatible) allows you to download your dive logs for advanced analysis and create dive plans. DM5 offers a quick and easy way to plan your profile and gases. You can also plan a series of dives. Transfer planned gases and settings to your compatible dive computer with a single click. For the upcoming Suunto EON Steel, the fully customizable dive computer with a bright color screen, DM5 provides display customization and firmware updates. DM5 supports the following Suunto dive computers: D4, D6, D9, D4i, D4i Novo, D6i, D9tx, DX, Zoop, Vyper, Vytec, Vytec DS, Cobra, Vyper2, Vyper Air, Cobra2, Cobra3, HelO2, EON Steel. Once installed, DM5 automatically recognizes your Suunto dive computer. For further information about DM5, please click here.    Instructions for new users and current DM4 users:Download Suunto DM5 for free here:FOR WINDOWSFOR MAC Current DM4 users will automatically receive a notification to update to DM5.

The next generation dive computer is here, offering full customization and amazing color screen.  What's next for dive computers? That question has come a little closer to being answered today as market leader Suunto unveils the Suunto EON Steel, the first fully customizable dive computer. It's so intuitive it takes ease of use to a new level. Full customizationWith Suunto CustomDisplay™, you can tailor your EON Steel so that it shows exactly what you want. You can choose from a traditional text-based interface or a graphical view, and customize up to five different displays with Suunto DM5 software, the program that transfers your logbook data to your computer for detailed analysis. Unrivalled clarityThe EON Steel also offers divers unrivalled clarity thanks to its new, innovative wide-angle BrightSee™ screen. The brightness, high color contrast and easy handling mean the display can be read in all conditions, whether you're diving in shallow and light waters, or deep and dark ones. Comments Mika Holappa, Dive Business Unit Director at Suunto: “We are delighted to launch the Suunto EON Steel, which is the result of our desire to produce the best possible diving computer for active divers. Its customization possibilities and ease of use make it ideally suited to every diving occasion.” Diving with you for years to comeThe Suunto EON Steel will grow with you as your diving and skills evolve, thanks to the way you can customize it to your needs. With user updatable software, including a free fixed point CCR upgrade in 2015, it will dive with you for many years to come, whatever diving you're into. It comes with the choice of a strap or bungee attachment so it can be physically customized as well. The Suunto EON Steel uses the highly advanced Suunto Fused™ RGBM algorithm to maximize your dive time. When used together with the new Suunto Tank POD, you can get tank pressures from multiple PODs with just a glance at the wrist. The EON Steel is rated to 150 m and offers a dive time of 20-40 hours after one charge – meaning it's ideal for those week-long liveaboard trips. Finland-based Suunto has developed many diving innovations in the last 50 years – including the first diving compass and early dive computers. Creating reliable products that are tested and designed for the harshest of elements has been a part of its heritage for almost 80 years. The Suunto EON Steel builds on that tradition. The bezel is made from brushed stainless steel while the housing uses reinforced composite. The Xensation™ glass display is also built to withstand every diving situation. Inside and out the Suunto EON Steel is made with the most advanced components, making it extremely durable and accurate. It's another reason why the Suunto EON Steel makes the perfect partner for your diving adventures. The Suunto EON Steel will be available in spring 2015, at the recommended price of €999. The Suunto Tank POD is available at €299.

What’s next for Suunto dive computers? That question will be answered this fall when we unveil our latest creation for divers seeking the best. This advanced, large display dive computer with a bright color screen grows with you. Suunto has developed many diving innovations in the last 50 years together with divers - including the first dive compasses and early dive computers. Our next dive computer continues this tradition of co-creation with you - our diving family - and we thank you all for your valuable feedback.Creating reliable products designed for the harshest of elements is a part our near 80-year heritage. The next great Suunto dive computer adds another chapter to the extraordinary Suunto story. Want to know more? Sign up here and you'll be the first to receive additional details about this exciting new product.

On January 19th 1883, a naval disaster occurred close to Borkum Island off the German coast. Whilst ferrying European emigrants to New York, the SS Cimbria (pronounced ‘Zimbria’) collided with the British SS Sultan. Due to the thick fog, Captain Julius Hansen decided to anchor for an extra day. Although the conditions hadn’t improved he opted to continue, and shortly after hearing another signal the two ships crashed. The Cimbria sank quickly, and 437 people lost their lives. Among the passengers were many wealthy businessmen, which is why myths about highly valuable cargo (valued at €35m) have been associated with the wreck ever since. The Sultan was unable to help but managed to make it back to the harbor. The accident is considered the second most tragic in naval history after the loss of the Titanic in 1912. Rediscovered in 1973, several expeditions have aimed at examining the wreck and salvaging historically valuable items. Though it is said that some of the passengers carried gold with them, the main intention has been to revive its history as there are many well-preserved insights to discover. Andi Peters, professional diver and Suunto Ambassador has dived the Cimbria already many times already and was involved in the "Cimbria-1883 Project" in 2007 that led to an exhibition in 2009, which can also be visited online .    Now Andi and his crew are heading back down to see what condition the wreck is in and whether storms have revealed any previously undiscovered items since his last dive five years ago. The team is going to spend approximately 30 dive-days sonar-scanning for simulations as well as creating illustrations, shooting movies/images and possible salvaging from the wreck. The conditions at the dive site can be tough due to currents and limited visibility (3-5 meter max). The tides leave only short time frames for work on the 115 x 30m area where the wreckage lies at depths of 30m. There is no notable structure of the once 100m long steamer anymore. Only the steam generator, the anchor winch and the propellers are easy to identify. The deck has fallen apart and most of the parts are covered with underwater plants and mussels or buried in the sand. It is expected that the wreck will be vanish entirely in the near future.   The crew is going to head out today for first check dives... we'll keep you posted on the progress.

A team of French explorers has set sail on an ambitious scientific expedition to chart the western coastline of Greenland from both above and below the waterline. The group set off from Concarneau, France on January 16th and will spend the next 22 months on the expedition. The first phase will see them sailing up the west coast of Greenland, carrying out detailed surveys before wintering on the boat in the Nares Strait. A third phase, from March to June next year, will the see them undertake a 600 km adventure as they cross northern Greenland with Inuit and dogs. “It's an amazing dream come true,” says expedition leader Ghislain Bardout. The expedition website reveals the many goals of the expedition: “Under The Pole is a series of submarine polar expeditions aiming at exploring the hidden face of Arctic polar regions. We will explore the coastal ice sheet, open sea ice sheet, glacier fronts, icy fjords and the continental shelf between the polar circle and the north of Greenland.” Suunto is pleased to be an expedition partner and is supplying the team with a range of products. The scientific aims of the expedition include listing the polar submarine biodiversity during a complete season to a depth of 130 m and studying the relations between atmosphere, ice and the ocean. Stay tuned for updates from the team. All images © Emmanuelle Périé / Under The Pole

Learn everything you need to know to confidently explore the underwater world with just a mask, snorkel and fins. Dipping beneath the surface of the ocean opens up an incredible new world. It can expand our minds and bring us closer to our blue planet. With snorkeling, there’s no need for dive training or to carry heavy dive equipment. All you need is a good mask and snorkel, fins, a rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen, basic knowledge, and the new Suunto 9 Peak Pro so you can use the “snorkeling mode”. Are you planning on trying snorkeling for the first time? Or maybe looking for the best snorkeling locations for kids so you can share the experience with the whole family? Then before you go, read our 15 tips and keep everyone safe and ensure you all fall in love with snorkeling.   Become a good swimmer This tip seems obvious and easy to overlook. But the better swimmer you are, the more enjoyable and relaxing your snorkeling trip will be. And being a good open water swimmer isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. It requires training and practice. If you live far away from the ocean, or rarely go swimming in open water, then we recommend spending some time working on your swimming before your family snorkeling trip. Otherwise, you might find it strenuous rather than fun. Consider getting swimming lessons, and practice open water swimming. It’ll go a long way. Read more about open water swimming! Learn to relax in the water This tip is really a continuation of the previous one. Being a good swimmer isn’t only about fitness, strength and technique. Though those are important for snorkeling in open water. It’s also about a kind of trust and relaxation. That’s also why it’s valuable to get lessons and spend time in open water before your snorkeling holiday. The upshot is when we trust that our body can float, we no longer flail around in the water trying to keep ourselves from sinking. Instead, we can relax, let the water hold us and conserve our energy. This is another aspect of swimming we need to practice. It takes time to gain that trust.   Learn to breathe through the mouth This is something you’ll start to learn when you get swimming lessons. It feels unnatural to begin with. It’s helpful to become familiar with before going on your snorkeling trip. While snorkeling, you’ll breathe in air through the snorkel above the surface into your mouth, and out through your mouth. You can begin getting a feel for this before your trip by visiting your local pool and practicing with a mask and snorkel. Hold on to the edge of the pool with your face down in the water and your body and legs stretched out. Kick your legs to keep your body close to the surface and smoothly breathe in through the snorkel. By breathing calmly and deeply, you avoid building up C02 in the body. Breathe out through the snorkel slowly, too. Start at your own level, but try to work up to extending your in and out breath to around four to five seconds.   Get snorkeling lessons You’ve arrived at your snorkeling destination and the whole family is eager to get started. Slow your roll, and see if there’s somewhere you can get snorkeling lessons or get a guided session. You’ll learn more that way about gear, technique and what to look for. You’ll feel more confident and have more fun.   Get good gear Invest in good quality snorkeling gear and learn to fit it properly. This will reduce annoying interruptions and obstacles when you and the family are out in the water. If you’re renting gear at your snorkeling destination, try to rent newish gear that’s the right size.   Position your snorkel properly This is another thing you can practice in a pool. While snorkeling, the back of your head should be above the surface. Your snorkel should be on a 45 degree angle with roughly half the tube above the surface. Keep your head down and look a little ahead. This will prevent you from accidentally sucking in and swallowing water. Make sure your mask and snorkel fit you and are positioned properly.   Expel water this way It’s normal for a little water to get caught in the snorkel’s reservoir. It’s annoying because it interferes with having a smooth breath. If that happens you need to clear it. To do that, take a full breath and exhale forcefully to blow all the water out. Inhale slowly and gently. All clear!   Prevent mask fogging Next to having water in your snorkel, a foggy mask is the most annoying thing. It stops you from really relaxing and taking it all in. There’s tons of blog article explaining how to prevent this, but it comes down to this: Clean your new mask with dishwashing liquid before going snorkeling. Apply a defogging solution before your sessions. Rinse your mask once you’re back on land.   Go with a group or a buddy We don’t recommend going snorkeling alone. Ever. It’s safer and more fun to go with a group or at least with a buddy. That way you can keep an eye out for each other. And make sure you tell someone onshore when and where you’ll be going and when you’ll be back by.     Track your snorkeling session with a Suunto 9 Peak Pro The new Suunto 9 Peak Pro GPS sport watch is the fastest, most powerful watch we’ve ever made. It has a best in-class battery life and is the first Suunto watch to include a snorkeling - or mermaid sport mode. You can track your snorkeling session, including your dives down to -10 m, with this watch and it will tell you your depth while you’re out there. Back on land, you’ll be able to see more info about your dive in Suunto app, including a map of where you swam, distance, duration, heart rate and depth. Read more about how to use the snorkeling mode here!   How to dive down This is a skill worth learning because it will allow you to see marine life more closely and in detail. Just remember, don’t push it. The big risk of breath holds is they can lead to blackouts and having one underwater is dangerous. So consider getting professional lessons and start with shallow dives and follow your max depths and time it on your watch. Then gradually extend the times and depths as your capacity increases. Here’s how to dive down: take a deep breath (but do not hyperventilate) and roll forward by bending your upper body to a 90 degree angle. Your feet will be vertical above the surface and once they hit the water start kicking and swimming down. Make sure you equalize by pinching your nose to avoid any discomfort in your ears as the pressure changes. Always do this with a buddy who stays at the surface while you dive.   Keep it calm and sheltered your first time This tip is especially important if it’s your first time and you’re not familiar with swimming in open water. Choose a time that’s calm — you’ll get better underwater visibility that way too — and in an area that is sheltered from wind and swell. Then you won’t get pushed around as much and use less energy. Use MyRadar to keep track of the weather.     Learn to read the ocean This is another thing that takes time. It’s especially hard to learn if you have never lived close to the sea. One of the best ways to learn this is to talk to an informed local and ask them about the currents, tides, dominant wind directions and other things to look out for. With this local knowledge, you’ll be better able to choose your time and locations.   Prepare your body before taking the plunge You know your location and time, you have all the gear and are set to go. One last thing — get your body ready. Here is how: Make sure you are well hydrated. Drink plenty of water in the hours before your session. Don’t go out with a full or empty stomach. Have a snack shortly before you go. When you get to the beach, spend 15 minutes stretching and doing mobility exercises to warm up your body.   Know your limits You want to have a snorkeling experience that’s pleasurable and makes you and the family love it and want more. So know your limits and the limits of everyone you’re going snorkeling with and respect them. This specifically relates to depth, conditions and duration. If you or someone else in your group isn’t confident in deeper water, don’t push it. Stay in shallower water where they feel comfortable and will have a good time. Same principle for conditions; if a wind whips up while you’re out there and it makes it more challenging for your kids, then don’t be afraid to call it a day. There’s always tomorrow.

Watching Suunto ambassador and freediver William Trubridge swim underwater like a dolphin across New Zealand’s wild Cook Strait, it’s easy to believe he possesses some sort of preternatural ability. There are, after all, few people on the planet who can swim 32 km in that manner for nine hours and 15 minutes. In March this year, Trubridge achieved a world first: he swam under the surface of the strait before surfacing, and diving under again, all the way across, using the dolphin kick to propel him. A channel crossing of this kind had never been done before. He did it to raise awareness about the plight of New Zealand's endangered Maui and Hector's dolphins. During his swim, his Suunto D6i Novo dive computer recorded 943 dives. Watch the short clip below below to see him in action. Mastering the dolphin kick didn’t come easily to Trubridge. He’s had to work at it. “When I first started free diving, I struggled with the movement, and it’s probably because I never swam butterfly at high school,” he says. “It’s not a natural movement for me. It requires a lot of flexibility in your whole back and I didn’t have that at first. I still don’t have it to the same degree as some other free divers.” He has patiently practiced the technique over a number of years. All that training has paid off. Who better to ask about how to develop a powerful dolphin kick? Trubridge did his epic swim to bring attention to New Zealand's dolphins and to pressure its Government to protect them. Why master the dolphin kick? Simple answer: it feels awesome. “You can really fly through the water at a good speed for a human being,” Trubridge says. “It’s fun to play in waves. You can swim towards a wave as it’s about to break and jump out the back of it like dolphins do. Or you can swim down to 10 m, turn around and swim back up as fast as you can and actually breach clear out of the water because of your speed. It’s a lot of fun to play around with a monofin.” It’s also an important stroke for freediving, especially for the Constant Weight discipline. Using a monofin and a dolphin kick is the most efficient propulsion, and is best the way to dive the deepest and longest. How is it done? It’s the same stroke as butterfly swimming, however it’s done underwater. A monofin or flippers are used in freediving to gain a bigger surface area for propulsion. “The movement is generated by an oscillation of the pelvis, forwards and backwards, controlled by your lower back, and abdominal muscles,” Trubridge says. “It starts a wave that’s sent down your legs into the fin. In order to transmit that wave efficiently you need to keep your legs straight, using your quadriceps, hamstrings and calves. Your upper body, ideally, stays pretty stationary. You can have your arms out in front of you which is a lot more streamlined, or by your sides which is more relaxed.” How to develop the underwater dolphin kick? Technique before power One common mistake, Trubridge says, is to start out practicing the dolphin kick with a monofin. Because the monofin is so powerful it compensates for bad technique. “You can bend your knees, and move inefficiently, and still get good propulsion with a monofin,” Trubridge says. “My advice is to always start with something that doesn’t have the same surface area, like really small flippers, and practice dolphin kick with those, which will be a lot more difficult.” Alternatively, try without flippers. The practice: Underwater, extend your arms and try to dolphin kick and get good speed. Don’t be put off if you don’t move forward at all; it takes time to develop the technique. Vertical dolphin Position yourself vertically in deep water with just your head and shoulders out of the water. Extend your arms above your head. Now, try the dolphin kick, keeping yourself as high above water as possible while staying in the same spot. “It becomes tiring very quickly,” Trubridge says. “It trains the muscles you need in your core and legs, and after a while you will find yourself slipping down into the water.” Land-based exercises Any exercise that improves core and leg strength will help. However, Trubridge says specificity of training is important. “Squats, crunches, those sorts of things, will target those muscles, but I prefer to target them in a way that is more specific to the way they are being used in the stroke,” he says. Hanging bar exercises Swinging: Find a hanging bar, and hang from your hands, with your palms pointed away from you. Using your core muscles, swing your legs back and forward, keeping them as straight as possible. Don’t use momentum to swing, but rather the abdominal muscles. Pike pull up: From the hanging bar, do a pull up with your legs in the pike position, or in front of you at a right angle to your upper body. Monofin or flippers? The monofin is the best for deep dives, maximum speed and efficient movement. The downside is they are hard to wear for long periods of time. They have to be strapped to the feet very tightly, which can cause blisters and cramps. Flippers are better for relaxation, recreation – spearfishing and snorkelling, for example – and for training. They offer more versatility.

New Zealander William Trubridge has emerged from the Cook Strait jubilant after becoming the first person to complete a channel crossing by swimming underwater. Trubridge used his incredible breath hold diving ability to swim under the surface, like a dolphin, before surfacing, and diving under again, all the way across. He followed conventional channel crossing rules, such as not resting on a boat or float, except for two changes: all propulsion had to take place underwater on a breath hold, and the use of a wetsuit and fins/monofin was permitted. “We had strong currents and cold water patches, rough seas, it was like being in a washing machine at times,” he says. “I was getting cramps, cold, blisters, the usual stuff. But I still feel like I got off lightly; there were so many things that could have been different, and for each one of those I probably wouldn’t have made it. I’m feeling a lot of relief and jubilation at the end to make it.” The Cook Strait separates New Zealand’s North and South islands, and is considered one of the world’s most unpredictable and treacherous stretches of water. At it narrowest points, it’s a mere 22 km across. But what it lacks in lengths it makes up for in fierceness: wild unpredictable weather and powerful currents, chilly water that can cause hypothermia, stinging jellyfish and a population of curious sharks. “Crossing the Cook Strait is like trying to hit a bullseye, with the target on the back of a bucking bull,” Trubridge says. “The currents are so powerful, and reversed direction at least three times during the swim, mean that hitting the closest piece of land (Perano Head) required constant calculations and course corrections. I’d heard many tales of channel swimmers coming within 500 m of land and battling against currents for another four hours before succumbing to cold and fatigue without reaching the shore.” The decision to attempt the first “human aquatic crossing” was made suddenly when a good weather window coincided with advantageous low tides. Trubridge had previously done only a few six to eight-kilometer training swims to prepare. “I knew I wasn’t really built for this kind of thing,” he says. “My sport (depth diving) is primarily anaerobic fitness, so I don’t have well developed aerobic muscle fibers. My body type is pretty much the exact opposite of what you need to have for this kind of cold water swimming.” Thoughts about the plight of New Zealand’s Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins, and wanting to save these precious and intelligent animals, kept Trubridge moving forward despite the challenging conditions and 15-18 degree water. “The main reason for doing it has always been to bring more awareness to the situation with the dolphins,” Trubridge says. “These are the two subspecies of New Zealand dolphin that occupy the North (Maui's Dolphins) and South (Hector's Dolphins) islands. Both subspecies are threatened by extinction.” Trubridge is calling on the New Zealand Government to act quickly to save the dolphins. The fishing industry must be better regulated to protect the dolphins. He invites divers around the world to put pressure on the New Zealand Government to act before it’s too late. “I made it across about five times slower and with five times as many dives as it would take a Hector’s Dolphin to make the same crossing, but it showed that if we can swim like a dolphin between our two islands then they too should have the freedom to do the same.” WATCH NOW: Will Trubridge crosses Cook Strait "like a dolphin"

© Mike Board When an earthquake struck Indonesia in August, Kate Middleton’s home on the island Gili Trawangan (neighbouring Bali) was shaken, but not destroyed. “We were lucky to have very little damage, just a couple of walls in the yoga hall,” she says. The 30-year-old Canadian-New Zealander owns a yoga studio, freediving school and organic cafe on the island. It’s in the clear waters, teeming with exotic marine life, around the island that Middleton trains as a competitive freediver. Click here to donate to the Lombok Earthquake Support effort underway. She wasn’t on Gili when the earthquake struck; she was thousands of kilometers away on a different island: Greece’s rock climbing mecca Kalymnous, in the southeastern Aegean sea. “In 2015, I gifted myself a trip here to learn to rock climb,” the gold medalist says. “I did a beginners and intermediate course back to back, and was totally hooked. The following summer I returned and stayed for two months, climbing almost every day. Now I’m back again.” © Kalyja Rain Beginner’s mind Currently working on climbing a grade 6c route, Middleton is focused on cultivating presence on her climbs, rather than being concerned about numbers and statistics. Competition freediving demands, structured, disciplined training, and what she calls a “monofocus”. “What I love about both trail running and rock climbing is it’s really easy for me to maintain a ‘beginners mind’ with them,” Middleton says. Here are her four reasons rock climbers should learn freediving © Kate Middleton 1. Relaxing into it The biggest challenge for people new to freediving is learning to relax. “Most of us know how to push and force our way into things, instead of knowing how to relax into our power,” Middleton says. In freediving, relaxation is key for being able to dive deeply on a single breath. Relaxation calms the breath and reduces the heart rate, which conserves oxygen. Tension, stress, force increase the heart rate, wasting energy and oxygen. “I see where that crosses over into climbing,” she says. “I’ve seen my friends practically float up 50 m overhangs, and I feel they are relaxing into their ability, rather than forcing it. I also see a lot of climbers who climb in a different way, that is more aggressive, and that doesn’t seem to be as efficient or enjoyable.” Click here to read more about Middelton’s yoga and freediving journey. 2. Breathing well “Freediving gives you a really great awareness of your breathing and breathing patterns,” Middleton says. “Any time the breath is getting out of balance, maybe due to stress, it’s very easy to pick up on that. This has helped me a lot when I’m climbing. I notice when I’m in the crux of a climb, or when fear starts to edge in, and I start to hold my breath. I then take some deeper breaths, with a steadier rhythm, and then I come back to presence and can continue climbing.” 3. Mastering fear “Freediving has given me such a sensitivity to what’s happening with me. Because relaxation is so critical for freediving, especial deep diving, I can see so clearly how fear manifests in the body and how tension escalates. If I can catch it early, then it’s a lot easier to regulate and work with.” 4. Finding your power When most people hear about freediving it seems a little mad, dangerous, even suicidal. But in actual fact, learned properly, it is a safe sport that shows us we can do so much more than we believe. “What I’ve learned from freediving is this body is so capable,” Middleton says. “I know without me having to understand it, that my body knows how to adapt and wants to adapt. I thrive in these environments that aren’t our everyday comfortable spaces. That gives me a lot of trust.” True grit Middleton says it’s not only freediving helping her to climb, but vice versa, too. “I’m getting more grit from the climbing,” she says. “When I fall, it hurts a bit more. I have to want it more to get over the crux of a climb. I fail a lot more. It would be easy for me to give up and say it’s beyond me, and stick to easy climbs. I’m learning to tap into the inner determination and fire that really wants to overcome the hurdle.” Lead image: © Mike Board More stories about freediving: Learning the joy of freediving. Is the ultimate cross-training ... breathing? The one thing every freediver needs. How deep can we go?

Suunto ambassador Jill Heinerth has undertaken some extraordinary diving expeditions over the years, but none are quite so unique as the Sedna EPIC Expedition. In her own words below, she describes the team's bid to snorkel across the Arctic. I had my eyes trained on my Suunto Ambit, watching for the approaching landmark. The latitude ticked slowly upwards as the excitement heightened to a fever pitch. The deck was a hive of activity with ten women, scrambling into their drysuits, preparing to leap into the water in unison and swim as a team over the precise location that marks the Arctic Circle. Merino long underwear, a heated vest, a Thinsulate undergarment and finally a cozy drysuit all layered up to protect us from the water that hovered around 2°C. ©SednaEPIC.com – Jill Heinerth Each girl repositioned her Ambit and D4i diving computer on her wrist when suddenly, the positive energy took a startling turn. From above, on the bridge, a voice bellowed an angry retort, “Who’s in charge of this chaos?” he screamed. “I want to know who thinks they are in charge of this fiasco?” The talking stopped instantly and we all craned our heads towards the two figures on the bridge that were backlit by the late night Arctic sun. Whatever they were angry about, it sounded serious. But as soon as we saw them, the deck erupted in laughter. The Captain was wearing a spaghetti strainer on his head. A blonde dish towel appeared like golden locks while he embraced the boat owner Milos, who was wearing a sheep skin vest, large pillow and some women’s clothing. They chanted a traditional welcome to seafarers crossing the Arctic Circe and then finished with, “Now get off my ship!”Giddy with schoolgirl enthusiasm, we leapt into the water to herald this momentous part of our expedition. With my underwater camera, I captured the celebration, relief and excitement of reaching this far north. ©SednaEPIC.com – Jill HeinerthThe 2014 Sedna EPIC Expedition aimed to bring a remarkable team of women together to undertake a long range snorkel relay with a goal to raise awareness of global climate change, loss of sea ice — and the indomitable power of the human spirit. Led by Expedition Founder, Susan R. Eaton, the ultimate goal of the Sedna EPIC Expedition is to snorkel the Northwest Passage. This year, teamwork, technology and outreach techniques were practiced for a longer project that is slated for 2016.It was an honor to photograph and work with such a formidable team of women who will undoubtedly make their mark as environmental advocates, scientists and thought leaders. All images ©SednaEPIC.com – Jill Heinerth