Celebrated shark handler Cristina Zenato is joining the line-up of international diving experts taking the stage at the upcoming Birmingham Dive Show, at the NEC on the weekend of 22/23 October.
Cristina is world renowned for her work with sharks in the wild. Based in the Bahamas, she is said to be the first woman in the world to have induced the state of relaxation known as tonic immobility in Caribbean reef sharks through specialised handling techniques.
Her ability to work with several types of shark in this manner has allowed her to study sharks up close with no stress for the animals, inducing a relaxed state in the sharks and using it to remove hooks from sharks’ mouths and parasites.
She has helped scientists collect data, has developed a Caribbean Reef Shark Awareness Distinctive Specialty, and was the initiator of a campaign that resulted in the protection for all species of Bahamas sharks.
Set to appear on the Centre Stage at 4.40 on the show Saturday, Cristina joins speakers including Monty Halls, Paul Rose, Dawn Kernagis, Andy Torbet and Mark Powell, who will all be sharing their remarkable diving insights and expertise at the eagerly-anticipated weekend event.
And the Dive Show is delighted to welcome another new speaker – in the person of underwater photography guru Martin Edge. Taking up the slot planned for Amanda Cotton, who is standing down due to illness, Martin will be appearing on the Centre Stage at 2.00 on both the Saturday and the Sunday to explore ‘The Art of Inward Lighting’.
Located in the popular PhotoZone area of the show, the Centre Stage presentations will form part of an exciting range of in-hall attractions at DIVE 2016, which will play host to more than 200 exhibitors including many of diving’s leading equipment manufacturers and retailers. These include two in-hall pools dedicated to scuba try-dives and rebreathers, the new TekDeck, the popular PhotoZone, the British Isles Experience, the Asia-Pacific Showcase and the Caribbean Village.
And for those with training as well as travel in mind, experts from the likes of PADI, BSAC, SSI, SAA and IANTD will be offering guiding hands throughout the weekend.
There will also be a free-to-enter draw for all Show visitors to win an 18-day trip to the Philippines worth £8000.
DIVE 2016 opening times are 9.30-6.00 on Saturday 22 October and 9.30-5.00 on Sunday 23 October.
Ticket prices are just £9.50 per person if booked in advance (a saving of £5 off the on-the-day price of £14.50).
DIVE 2016 is a DIVER Group event in association with Dive Worldwide.
12-Oct-16
