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From Roman ruins to tectonic plates: 2014 was quite a year for Jill Heinerth

From Roman ruins to tectonic plates: 2014 was quite a year for Jill Heinerth

Diver, cave explorer – someone who just loves to go diving at every opporutunity. 2014 has been memoroable for many reasons for Jill Heinerth. Here's why: Any memorable dives of the year? Diving in the rift between the Eurasian and North America tectonic plates in Iceland was a real highlight. Slinking through towering icebergs in the misty ocean near Disko Bay Greenland was unforgettable and snorkeling with ten women across the Arctic Circle was a memory I will not soon forget. Was there anything you feel gutted you didn't do? I traveled to Croatia for a diving event that was fabulous but I had hoped to do some significant cave diving as well. Europe was experiencing some epic flooding at the time and many of the regions for cave diving were inaccessible. But you still went diving? I can’t really complain… I did get a couple of caves dives in any case and a terrific visit to a 1st Century Roman shipwreck. The archaeological work was being conducted by a large group of international students. I spoke to them about exploration, science and water conservation and they took me to their workplace – a Roman wreck of great significance.Looking ahead to 2015, what's number one on your tick list?I am heading out on for cave diving project in Cuba. If all the travel permits come in, I will be working with some scientists on documentation and exploration. I’ll also do some training for local scientists who have not had access to international expertise in cave diving. What other projects are you working on? I am working with an artist on some potential exploration of spring caves in Turkey. Many of these locations are significant Roman archaeological sites. Margaret Tolbert, painter and conservationist, has been traveling to Turkey for almost 30 years, painting the stunning landscapes around the springs. She is rallying an inter-disciplinary team that includes artists, scientists and explorers and I look forward on developing that project with her in the coming year.Where will you spend the holiday period? My holidays will be spent primarily underwater. I am working on some camera testing with a colleague from National Geographic. We are going to be cave diving with some new cameras and brand new lighting technology developed by Light and Motion. We were shooting some test photos and video over Christmas. For me, that is the best present I could ask for – a chance to do more of what I love most! All images ©Jill Heinerth
January 02 2015
Under the Pole project on ice

Under the Pole project on ice

Mid-winter is traditionally a time for hibernation and holing up before the better weather of spring arrives. And so it is for the Under the Pole expedition who are currently over-wintering in Greenland. “All our suppliers are now installed in front of Ikerasak in our wintering place,” the team say in their latest dispatch. “The strong winds of these last weeks have not let the sea ice form. We hope to see the WHY [the team yacht] immobilized in the sea ice at the end of December.” “We have still two hours of light despite the fact the sun doesn’t rise any more above the horizon. Navigation is still practicable and we’ve made some back and forth to Uummannaq to pick up crew members and to protect us from the violent storms. At the beginning of December we registered winds of more than 65 knots! During 20 hours the crew did shifts to keep an eye on the hawsers and to protect the boat from the icebergs that came and hit the boat’s hull.” Despite this, diving conditions have been exceptional. “Visibility is magnificent, worthy of the incredible environments that we found at the North Pole in 2010. This winter is going to be remarkable,” adds Ghislain Bardout, expedition leader. Under The Pole is a series of submarine polar expeditions aiming to explore the hidden face of the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions in their diversities. The expedition, which is supported by Suunto, aims to further our scientific knowledge of the region and environment. For more info: www.underthepole.com All images © Lucas SANTUCCI / Under The Pole
December 30 2014
#Paradise contest closed. Winners announced soon

#Paradise contest closed. Winners announced soon

The #Paradise contest is now closed and we will be announcing the lucky winners soon. Thank you to everyone for taking part. We have been overwhelmed by the number of images that you have sent in! Inspired.
December 15 2014
3 days to enter #paradise contest

3 days to enter #paradise contest

Crystal clear waters, incredible sealife, unspoilt beaches and untapped diving sites. And did we mention the pure luxury that only Ayada Maldives can offer? You could be enjoying all this and more next month but only if you send us your most memorable diving moment. There are just three days left before the contest closes. Already we have been inundated with your submissions – over 1,000 received so far. But we want to see more. Check out the collage below for some inspiration and then click here for all the details on how to enter. The contest closes at 9am CET, Monday 8th December. We look forward to seeing your entry!
December 04 2014
Win an exclusive diving trip with the Suunto team and the Scuba Diver Girls to the luxurious Ayada Maldives

Win an exclusive diving trip with the Suunto team and the Scuba Diver Girls to the luxurious Ayada Maldives

Share your most memorable diving moment and dive with the Scuba Diver Girls in the Maldives. Want to win an all-expenses paid VIP trip to one of the world's best dive sites? Now's your chance! The Suunto team is organizing a photo shoot and is heading to the luxurious Ayada Maldives with the Scuba Diver Girls, in January 2015 and we'd like you to join us. All you have to do is share your most memorable diving moment with us. So long as it captures the joy of diving, it could take you one step closer to the dream trip. © Janice Carter Plunge in and win Your ticket to paradise could be an inspiring image or video that captures your favorite diving moment. There are three ways to participate: Post and tag your image or video #SuuntoDive and #Paradise on Instagram or Twitter Upload an image or a link to your video as a comment on the official contest announcement on Facebook, click here. Or complete this form and hit submit.  © Ayada Maldives Relax above, explore below Your entry could take you to Ayada Maldives, a luxurious 5-star retreat located in the Southern Atolls. The private island, which is ringed by a pristine coral reef popular with dolphins, offers 112 spacious villas and suites, all with private pools and thoughtful five-star detailing. More info: www.ayadamaldives.com Test Suunto dive computers You'll also have the chance to test a range of Suunto dive computers, and with the Suunto team on hand you'll receive an expert demonstration from the people who made the products.    Let the Scuba Diver Girls guide you through an underwater world that is rich in species and explore some reefs that have rarely, if ever, been dived before. We look forward to seeing your special diving moment! The Scuba Diver Girls will select the three best entries. The contest opens on November 19th and closes on December 8th. The three winners will be announced mid December on Suunto.com. The trip to the Maldives is scheduled for January 10th-17th, 2015, so be sure to save the date! Read more on the terms & conditions here.
December 04 2014
No new world record for Will Trubridge

No new world record for Will Trubridge

The line between success and failure is a fine one – something the freediver Will Trubridge knows only too well. He has notched up 15 world records during his career. But yesterday, he did not manage to add another to his tally. His attempt to reach 102 m in the completely unassisted discipline of CNF – where divers descend and ascend without fins or any other aids – was not successful. He reached his target depth but got into trouble near the surface and signalled for help to make the last few meters and was helped to the top by the safety divers. Watch the epic video of his performance here: Speaking afterwards Will said: “There's definitely disappointment about not reaching the goal I set myself. I prepared a lot for this dive and I feel like everything went well. In the freefall I was feeling good but just today, I just wasn't quite capable. Though I'm disappointed not to achieve the goal, there is some content in the fact that I gave it my utmost best shot. And so much of my motivation to pull out all the stops in this attempt today came from the numerous messages of support that I have been receiving in the lead up. I'm definitely going to attempt this again. This was just a plot twist. I will probably have another crack in the Spring.”
December 03 2014