Max Holdings Systems offers "no hassle, no headache," easy-to-install scuba tank racks and speargun holders, perfect for when you take borrow your buddy's boat. Pre-assembled, the systems are available in 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-tank units. For the 1-tank unit, you need to purchase an aluminum track onto which an adjustable holder slides. For any of the multi-units, you can either use the track and add a holder, or you can grab one of their nifty suction-mounted attach-and-release systems. Featuring heavy-duty polypropylene tank brackets that fold down when not in use, the combo units also include a speargun holder that sports an extra hook to secure your mask or fins. A single tank holder will set you back about $60 (including the track); a suction-mounted 4-tank holder is $145.

[Via X-Ray Mag]

If you plan to be in the Seattle area late next month, you might want to stop by Underwater Sports' 28th Annual Divers Fair sale. Scheduled for the weekend of July 28-30, customers can save up to 50% on every imaginable kind of dive gear from companies like Atomic, Apollo, Atlan, Cetacea, DeepSee, DiveRite, DUI, Harvey's, High Tide, Ikelite, JBL, Light & Motion, Mares, McNett, Northern Diver, Oceanic, OMS, O'Neill, PADI, Pelican, ScubaPro, SeaLife, Sea & Sea, SeaSoft, Stahlsac, Trident, USIA, Underwater Kinetics, Viking, XS Scuba, and Zeagle.

According to Calvin Tang, who attended last year's event, "this is honestly, hands down, the best time and place to gear up - especially if you've recently got into scuba." In fact, this year's sale features over 100,000 items, including thousands of regulators, thousands of suits, thousands of computers, and hundreds of tanks. Calvin claims the best part of the event is that all the reps show up to answer questions and to demonstrate their equipment.

Sadly for me, the Fair couldn't be much farther away and still be in the same country. This is too bad, especially since I dropped my reg off to be serviced this week. Upon seeing my vintage Dacor unit, the repairman's eyes popped out of his head and he reminded me that Dacor's replacement parts are hard to come by. Depending on the news he gives me, it may be time to buy a new reg. I could certainly use one at 50% off. Maybe Calvin can buy me one and ship it to me.

Although spearfishing is a close cousin of scuba diving, we don't mention it too often on Divester, mainly because I'm not too familiar with the sport. However, after reading Ismail Sunday's two-part series called, appropriately enough, Dummies Guide to Spearfishing Part I and Part II, I know a lot more.

Part I explores the kind of equipment a "spearo" needs, and Ismail provides the names of some brands that are popular. He also explains why a "loading pad" on the chest of a wetsuit is essential for spearos, and why every spearo should own at least 2 weight belts.

Part II explores the most unique aspect of a spearo's tools: the speargun. Ismail opens with the comment, "What must be remembered though is that ultimately it’s not the gun, but the skill of the diver that makes him successful." Of course, we've all heard those sentiments before, but Ismail actually backs up the comment with facts. Further, he explains the difference between pneumatic and band guns, as well as the difference between articulated and dyneema wishbones. Finally, he provides novice spearos with tips on how to select the best speargun for them.

The only thing missing from Ismail's reports is where he goes to catch his fish. Because, ultimately, it's not the skill of the diver, but where he dives that makes him successful.

The 26^th Annual London International Dive Show is scheduled for Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2, in London ’s ExCel Exhibition Center. There will be over 260 exhibitors in attendance. Moreover, the Show will feature talks ranging from discussions of Baltic Wrecks to the Future of Diving. Among the many speakers at the Show will be the Chatterton/Kohler duo; John Boyle; Monty Halls; and Jean-Michel Cousteau. Ticket prices run 7.50GBP per day and gain you entrance to the exhibition halls and the guest speakers. That’s a great deal.

[Thanks, Drew!]

I visited OceanFest last spring. I had a really good time, and I saw lots of cool dive equipment and products. This year’s show is scheduled for April 21-23, in Ft. Lauderdale. Featuring over 200 dive and “adventure sports” related exhibits under giant tents right on the beach, a daily pass costs $9, and gains you access to a number event and of seminars. (Personally, I’m itching to listen to Marty Snyderman’s underwater photography tips, and I’d like to hear some information about Saving the Reefs of Southeast Florida.) According to Dive Newswire, with only two months until the doors open, OceanFest 2006 is anticipating an early booth sell out and is poised to break previous attendance records. I’m looking forward to going. Anybody want to meet me?

[Via Dive-Spots]

South Africa’s eastern coast is known as the Transkei, but its nickname – “the Wild Coast” – says a lot about it. Featuring the rugged Drakensburg Mountains, the area is vast, beautiful – and remote. I spent a few weeks there in 2001, and if I were going to be a hermit, this is where I’d do it. Unfortunately, for 34-year-old spearfisherman Michael Vriese, the phrase “Wild Coast” took on much more weight on Wednesday.

Spearfishing off gorgeous Coffee Bay, a shark attacked Vriese, biting his right arm. Rushed to the airport, he bled profusely, watching as the emergency air ambulance circled above the airport for more than an hour, unable to land because no one was available to switch on the runway landing lights. Finally, with the airplane running low on fuel, a local doctor, Dr. Tinus Laubscher, smashed a window and switched on the lights. The airplane landed, and whisked Vriese to Durban, where he underwent two separate surgery sessions. He’s expected to recover.

Check out IOL’s report of the attack, the account of the waiting, and the marathon surgeries, and you’ll be dumbfounded. What an adventure. And kudos to Dr. Laubscher, Divester’s Hero of the Week.

Less than a week ago, you may recall that a group of bull sharks allegedly attacked and killed Sarah Kate Whiley as she was swimming near Australia’s North Stradbroke Island. This morning, Australian media is reporting another shark attack. It seems that Brian Williams was diving with a small group about two miles off Perth. Apparently, Williams was separated from the other divers in his group, when he was attacked from behind by what is believed to be a 10-foot-long white pointer, (otherwise known as a Great White). Evidently, Williams survived the attack by “hitting it with a spear gun,” although other reports are suggesting that a shark shield worn by a fellow diver may have frightened away the animal. Fortunately, Williams’ injuries – a bite to the left elbow – are not life-threatening.

Of course, we know that sharks do not typically attack divers. The fact that Williams was carrying a speargun suggests that he was fishing, which may have attracted the shark to the vicinity. We’ll have to see what authorities say about this in the future.

South African scuba diver Judian Bruk is in intensive care at the University of Cape Town hospital after accidentally shooting himself in the chest with a speargun. On Thursday, as Bruk emerged from the surf at Cape Point, he accidentally dislodged the spear, which penetrated the right-hand side of his chest nearly 5 inches. After undergoing an emergency operation to remove the spear, which narrowly missed several vital organs, Bruk remains in critical condition.

Evidently, Vicky Roberts had a similar issue with her scuba gear. She believes that as people upgrade their equipment, they wind up with surplus equipment that is still quite usable. According to the Cheshire Online, Vicky's research found that bidding and auctions tend be a turn-off, so she set up Scuba Kit Market for people to buy and sell their gear. The website doesn’t use auctions, bidding, or charge a commission (unless you sell an item). Rather, the price you see is the price you pay and includes delivery and VAT. (Yes, the site is based in the UK.) There isn’t a ton of gear on the website yet, but I think this sounds like a cool way to buy (selected) gear, although, frankly, I’d be wary about purchasing certain used gear, online. A little cautious investigation might reveal some good deals, however.

Manufacturing recalls happen all the time, some you can ignore, some you can’t . I always like to take a look at Scuba equipment recalls, mainly because scuba diving equipment is Life Support equipment and when you think of it that way, you don't want to screw around life support equipment. Some of these are old, some more recent but this list is mainly for you who have never stopped to think that anything other than cars, tires, or coffee makers could have a recall.

The HALCYON BCD Stainless Steel Power Inflator is one that I own and stopped using after it kept auto-inflating at depth. At time of the recall, they didn't have enough in stock, so I replaced it with an old plastic one and forgot about it, until today. Maybe I'll dig it out of the scuba shed and send it back.

Just a quick update Omid Adhami pled guilty to the "illegal taking of a protected giant sea bass." He got three years probation, 30 days of community service and ordered to pay $1,100 in fine. The judge told him that if he violated his probation, he would go directly to jail, (do not pass Go, do not collect $200) and also took his gear.

I'm glad they punished him and made him an example of what happens when you violate a protected marine habitat. Hopefully, this will make others think twice about killing one of these amazing creatures. I would actually like to see them expand these marine reserves in other areas as they act as sanctuaries and nurseries for fish and animal life.

There is nothing more boring than an empty ocean.

The article covers the basics of this sport – how it works, who does it, why the heck someone would even want to do it – and then goes into some detail about records (time: 8 minutes, 58 seconds; depth: Tanya Streeter's 535 feet). There’s also a brief discussion of some of the dangers associated with the sport, like getting entangled in fishing lines or suffering from SWB (shallow water blackout), which is the sudden loss of consciousness within just a few feet of the surface. It’s an interesting article, and an invigorating way to get the blood pumping first thing this morning.