Get Evolved, get Scuba Diving in the Galapagos Islands

Fay    New Scuba Holiday Ideas, scubadivingholidays     Dive Trips, diving in Galapagos, Ecuador, Galapagos, Galapagos dive sites, Galapagos Islands National Park, Liveaboards, Pacific ocean, Scuba, Scuba dive Galapagos, Scuba Diving, scuba diving holidays, Scuba Diving Trips, The Galapagos

Situated over 900km off the west coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are an archipelago of volcanic islands and biological marine reserve distributed around the equator in the Pacific Ocean.

An archipelago of volcanic islands with a vast number of endemic species. Image: Flickr/ eutrophication&hypoxia

The islands are famed for their vast number of endemic species of both flora and fauna, especially land animals, which were first studied by Charles Darwin.

So as you might imagine, scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands offers some extraordinary delights.

read more

Sailing Samoa: Before the Tsunami

Mark Moore    sailingbreaks     Lalomanu, New Zealand, Pacific ocean, Sailing, Sailing Breaks, Sailing Destinations, sailing holiday, Sailing Samoa, Sailing Trips, Samoa

A tiny speck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Samoa is not an easy place to access from North America. My friend and I ended up there during our year abroad in New Zealand. It was a magical place.

Samoa, the tropical paradise of the Pacific Ocean. Image: Flickr/ NeilsPhotography

In late September of 2009, a powerful earthquake measuring over 8.0 struck the deepwater trench roughly 150 miles south of the small Pacific Island of Samoa.

The local time was shortly after 6:00 AM when the resulting tsunami made landfall on the southern coast of the vulnerable island nation.

While most of the island slept, those fortunate enough to have been awake had a measly fifteen-minute warning to seek higher ground…

read more

Sailing to the Azores and back for charity

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     Adventures, AZAB, Azores and Back, Pacific ocean, Sail for Cancer, Sailing

Adventurers are rarely selfless souls: most have a charitable goal or are inspired to help others. This year a 2,500 mile race across the Atlantic will show that it’s not just sporting professionals taking adventure sports to another level and  raising money for charity…

Setting sail across the ocean this year is James Hardiman who runs Ocean Elements, a water-sports holiday company based in Wimbledon.

James is an experienced sailor, although he’s about to get a long way out of his comfort zone. By entering the Azores and Back Race (often known as the AZAB) James is hoping to raise £5,000 for Sail for Cancer.

read more

Cook Islands Kitesurfing Competition 2011

Ian K    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts, kiteboardingholidays     Aitutaki, australasia and pacific, Cameron Dietrich, Competition, cook islands, Cook Islands Kitesurfing Association, International Cook Islands Kitesurfing Competition, Jesse Richman, kiteboarding, kitesurfing, Motu Maina Iti, Muri Lagoon, Pacific Island, Pacific ocean, Rarotonga, South Pacific, water sports, wind sports

In June 2011 the Cook Islands will be hosting its inaugural International Cook Islands Kitesurfing Competition in Aitutaki, with some of the world’s biggest names in kitesurfing competing. The Cook Islands Kitesurfing Association has organised the event which promises to launch the Cook Islands as an international kitesurfing destination with some of the world’s biggest names set to compete in the line-up.

The competition opens with an exhibition event on 25th June 2011 at Muri Lagoon and the main competition takes place at Motu Maina Iti off Aitutaki from 29th June to 2nd July 2011.

Two-time world champion Jesse Richman has confirmed he’ll be competing; the Maui born 18 year old is a two-time KPWT champion and has won gold in international competitions all over the world. Also competing and going for gold is Cameron Dietrich, one of kitesurfing’s biggest names and has also been named the sport’s worldwide ambassador.

The judge’s panel will also include some impressive names in the kitesurfing world. Three-time Queen of the Air Susi Mai has agreed to judge along with Tahitian pro rider Moehau Goold.

read more