Diver To Attempt Record 30-Mile-Dive

Here's an interesting project that will test the endurance of a SCUBA diver looking to set a new record, while also raising awareness for the plight of the world's oceans. In September, deep sea explorer and combat diver Scott Cassell is going to attempt a 30-mile long dive that will take him from the Catalina Islands to Los Angeles. The dive is expected to take 24-hours to complete and will be the first of its kind in terms of length and time.

Global Reef is making a documentary of the dive and is currently raising funds for the project. You can find out more by watching the video below then clicking here to read up on Scott and why he is doing this. You'll also be able to donate from that same page.

Staying submerged underwater and swimming for that long is going to be insanely tough. I can't imagine who tired you would be after just a few hours under the water. I have no idea if he plans to surface to change out his oxygen bottles or if they've come up with something different to address that issue. Either way, it's going to be one very difficult day in the water.


30-MILE-DIVE from GLOBAL REEF on Vimeo.

Win The "Best Dive Job In The World"

Here's one for the scuba divers out there. Bali dive company Blue Season Bali has launched the latest headline grabbing "best job" offers, this time giving us all the chance to win the Best Dive Job in the World.

Much like Australia's Best Job in the World contest, the lucky winner this time out will be sent to the Indonesian island of Bali for seven months where they'll get to live in paradise, rent free, for the duration of their stay. They'll also be fully outfitted with some top of the line scuba gear, be treated to unlimited diving, and receive PADI dive instructor training completely paid for, including all certifications and exams. That prize alone is worth more than $15,000 and could change the winner's life forever, setting them up with a new job in a tropical location. To view the complete prize package click here.

Entering the contest is very easy. Simply go to the official website and either submit a one minute video, or a 500 word essay, explaining why you should win the contest. After that, you can sit back and wait for it to end, which doesn't happen until February 28th of 2011, when the Blue Season Bali staff will select a winner. To be eligible you must be 18 years or older at the time the prize is awarded.

For more info checkout the website and the video below.

10 Best Secret Scuba Destinations

I'm not a scuba diver, at least not yet, but I know a number of readers who really enjoy it. For those who enjoy their adventures beneath the ocean, Wide World Magazine has a great article just for you, offering up their selection for the ten best undiscovered scuba spots.

The gist of the article is a simple one. We all know what the best dive spots in the world, such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Blue Hole, and so on. But this list gives us a look at some of the best dive spots in the world that hardly anyone knows about. The list contains something for everyone, offering dives in a variety of types of water and mixing in reefs, wrecks, and more.

Some of the locations that make the cut include Spitsbergen in Norway, where divers have the opportunity to encounter whales and walruses, and Pemba, Tanzania, in which offers everything from reef diving on one side to challenge drift diving on the other. One site, Port Sudan out of the Sudan, can only be reached by a single flight a week, but offers amazing wreck diving, including a ship that went down with a load of Toyota vehicles onboard. Wild!

Reading about these amazing sites makes me only want to get certified all the more. If you've already gone through certification however, you better start booking your tickets. With Wide World sharing these secrets, it won't be long until the word is out.

Cameraman Robbed By Manta Ray!

Another great video today courtesy of The Adventure Life. This time, it's footage of an underwater cameraman shooting some amazing shots of gigantic manta rays near Kailua-Kona in Hawaii, when one of them decides to make off with the camera. It's simply amazing to watch this big fella' glide ride up, grab the camera, valued at $5000, then disappear into the darkness.

I'd hate to have to explain that one to the boss. At least they caught the perp in the act.

Aquatic Adventures in the Florida Keys

This morning I posted a story on Gadling about my trip to the Florida Keys last week. In that story I shared the details of a very unique, and fun, way to explore those islands that I had never considered before - by jet ski!

Now, before I go much further, let me address a couple of topics. First, I was brought down to the Keys by the fine folks at the Personal Watercraft Industry Association to introduce myself, and a couple of other travel writers, to their Blue Rider Program. Blue Rider is a joint venture between the PWIA and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, in which they are working together to promote ocean awareness and a plan for the sustainable use of ocean environments.

A decade ago, the thought of using a persona watercraft, aka a "jet ski" in any body of water, let alone one that is protected, seemed laughable. But technology has brought us a long way in the past ten years, and today's PWC are now 90% more efficient than they once were, and 70% quieter as well. The result is that the current generation of jet ski is now one of the most eco-friendly vehicles out on the water.

What makes these little watercraft even better is that they allow you to visit places that larger boats can't go. For instance, while zipping around the keys last week, we were in water that was just 1.5 feet deep at times. We also maneuvered back into the mangrove trees, exploring natural waterways that lead deep into the groves, which creating a sublime feeling of being close to nature. And when we visited some more remote coral reefs, we could cut the engines and float, while fish swam all around us. I even had the amazing experience of watching three nurse sharks cruise by beneath me. It was great!

When you're done communing with nature and enjoying the natural sights, you can take the PWC's out into the open water, and really open them up. These babies can hit upwards of 50 mph, and when you combine that with choppy water, you'll catch big air, which really gets the adrenaline pumping.

They are very fast and very fun, and the perfect way to explore the Marine Sanctuary, both above and below the water. At one of the coral reefs we donned snorkeling gear and hopped in the water, spending the next 20 minutes watching the fish play, miles from land or just about anything else for that matter.

I had the chance to take two different cruises in two different areas of the Keys, and both were spectacular. They were each more than 25 miles in length, which can actually wear you out after awhile, but I loved every minute of it. And when we returned to shore, there was plenty to see and do on dry land as well. I spent my time visiting an old lighthouse, a Civil War era fort, and the Key West home of Earnest Hemingway. It was a wonderful tropical get away with a nice mix of relaxation and adventure, and I recommend the Keys as an escape for anyone.

8 Adventurous Spots From Around The World

Adventure travel website Wild Junket has a great story up today listing eight adventurous spots from around the world. The article actually links each of the locations with an adventurous activity that will give travelers a challenge, while fueling their desire for adrenaline fueled fun in unique places around the world.

The eight spots listed are, as you can imagine, all quite unique and interesting. Starting with rock climbing in Jordan, their number eight selection, gets things rolling with a great suggestion that isn't the first place that comes to mind when you consider a destination for climbing. Likewise, number seven on the list is Thailand, where they suggest you go sea kayaking. There are a lot of things that you can do in Thailand, but generally sea kayaking isn't the first that comes to mind. Other locations that make the list include Borneo (caves and jungles!), South Africa (sand boarding), and Australia, which is lauded for its great scuba diving.

We're now a month into the new year (Where did January go by the way?), and it's time to start putting together our own travel adventures for the year ahead. Over the weekend, I began to do just that, and my destination corresponds with their number one choice as well, which is Nepal, where they recommend mountain trekking. As it just so happens, that's what I'll be doing. The plan is to head up to Everest Base Camp in April. Hopefully it'll all come together, and I'm sure I'll be sharing more on that as we get closer to the spring.

So? What's on your agenda for 2010? What adventures are you planning and what remote place is calling to you?

Thanks to the Wend Blog for the heads up on this cool story.

Nat Geo's 25 Best New Adventure Trips for 2010

2009 is nearly behind us already. Can you believe it? Where did this year go? With a little over two months left, it is time to start looking ahead to 2010, and planning your adventures for next year. Fortunately National Geographic Adventure is here to help, offering up their picks for the 25 Best New Adventure Tours for next year.

The list is pulled from the latest issue of the magazine, which is hitting newsstands today. But you'll find the entire list of destinations and the recommended tour operator on this page, with links to articles with more specific information on each trip when you click on the name of the company.

For instance, if you're thinking of traveling to Botswana (which I am!), Adventure recommends Explore, Inc. as your guide. Clicking on the company's name on the webpage will take you to a new page, like this one, that gives details on the specific tour. The Botswana trip includes a visit to the Okavango Delta, where you can get up close and personal with lions, leopards, elephants, and more.

Adventure lists some amazing adventures from around the globe. They have paddling trips in Bhutan, trekking tours in Nepal, and scuba trips to Tonga. A little something for everyone's taste.

So? Where would you like to go in 2010? Should we start organizing that Adventure Blog Expedition to some place amazing?

First Ever 9000 Meter Ascent?

I caught this earlier today on Eddie Bauer's First Ascent blog. While it is light on the details, it is the teaser for an upcoming expedition sponsored by the cash strapped outdoor apparel company that is trying oh so hard to get back to its roots and make a mark once again with the real outdoor crowd.

It seems two unnamed athletes will be making the "first ever 9000 meter ascent" by first SCUBA diving to 152 meters down, and then climbing Everest. The blog post says that this will begin in February, so presumably they'll make the dive just before they travel to Nepal and begin their ascent of the tallest mountain on Earth, which just so happens to stand 8848 meters in height, giving them a combined total of 9000 meters.

The blog also urges us to "Be First! Get Sponsored." Which seems to indicate that Eddie B. has more cash to splash around on these types of projects. While I'm sure this is a noble venture, and the whole SCUBA dive to Everest Summit will probably garner some attention, I'd personally rather see them fund some expeditions to more remote regions for more daring climbs. This just seems like another Everest publicity stunt, which we've seen so many times over the past few years. Anyway, they even put together a teaser video that you can check out below too, although you're better off watching the one of Babu Sherpa that I posted below instead.