DIVE 2000
NEC BIRMINGHAM

I know this is not really a diving log however, this section of the site seamed as good a place as any to to put a report about Dive 2000, the International Sub-Aqua & Watersports show at the NEC Birmingham over the weekend of 7th/8th October 2000...

Dive 2000, sponsored by Diver Magazine was heralded in the official show guide as, The Best & Biggest dive show of its kind on earth! Boasting over 200 exhibitors, offering the latest in diving equipment, leisure wear, diver training opportunities and worldwide dive holiday destinations. Throughout the weekend there would also be some of the worlds leading divers making outstanding and entertaining lectures and presentations. Well that was the hype but what of the actual show? The Webmaster reports on his visit.

Fairly recently qualified as a diver and looking to purchase some gear, Dive 2000 appeared to be an event that shouldn't be missed, at least for me! Having talked it over with Sarah and persuaded her she might at least enjoy the travel side of things (being a non diver but being a travel agent), we headed off to the NEC early on the Sunday morning. Armed with a pair of pre-booked discount tickets and, the promise from Sarah of a wetsuit for my birthday, the two and half hour drive down the M1, buzzed by high powered motorcycles heading for the Donnington Park race meeting, was fairly uneventful.

We arrived shortly after the show opened and, like a kid in a toy or sweet shop, Sarah had to keep a tight hold of me as we went through the door, if only to prevent my credit card getting a serious hammering! We made a plan of action to do an initial once round of the exhibitor's stands in the hall and then have a coffee. After that a second tour would be made of the items of most interest and perhaps spend some money. At least that was the thought process however, its only any good making a plan if you are going to stick with it! Needless to say after our initial stop start progress, distracted by lovely shining new scuba gear, the plan was out of the window and we resorted to just going with the flow... The slow moving flow of people like us who were now starting to gridlock the isles between the stands.

So much to see & so little time. So much to buy and so little money! At least that's how it felt to me as we wandered around the show. After a couple of hours of wandering aimlessly and some light refreshments, it was time to secure the purchase of the wetsuit promised to me. Wet or Semi-Dry? One piece, two piece or shorty? 3mm/5mm/6mm/7mm? Where was I likely to do most of my diving and consequently, get most use from whichever suit purchased? I thought I had sorted out all these questions before getting to the show however, here they were again spinning around in my excited child like mind.

By now, some two and a half hours after we had arrived, Sarah pulled me to one side and probed my head for the original specification that had been agreed upon. 5mm-7mm one piece steamer for the holiday diving with the option of hooded over jacket/waistcoat for diving in colder waters. Something along the lines of the Scuba-Pro Trade wind range. The three makes I had originally been interested in were Scuba-Pro, Cressi-Sub and Beaver however, my attentions were drawn to a suit by Body Glove on the Andark Diving stand at £79.95, nearly half the original price.

As Sarah was doing the paying and being noted for her frugal nature, my decision was made, now the problems. Size XL please said I... "Sorry Sir, sold out a very popular size" said the assistant. Was my hope of a bargain to be dashed? Not a bit of it. The chap on the stand informed me, "there should be some in stock back at base and they would hold the show price for me", all I had to do was contact their shop on Monday and my new suit would come winging north, courtesy of the Royal Mail by return. I went off muttering and wishing I had lost a few more pounds in my recent and partly failed get fit campaign! At least if I had done a little better, Andark had some smaller sizes and I would have had my new wetsuit.

All was not lost, Sarah bought me a knife, a log book cover and a slate for my birthday to placate me and told me the wetsuit could be part of my Christmas present. Relatively happy, and loaded down with dive operators leaflets, dive holiday brochures and other assorted freebies, we left the NEC mid afternoon to head back to Yorkshire.

Had the show been what I had expected? Had it been a worthwhile trip? Did Dive 2000 live up to the sales hype? In a word YES, at lest for me however, it should be remembered that as it was my very first dive show, I could be a little biased! Still, it was a good day out and one I could recommend to any diver who has never been before...

Did I get my wetsuit? Another simple answer NO! Unfortunately when I contacted Andark on the Monday, yes they would have held the show price for me but they were totally sold out. The next stock would be in by December, just in time for Christmas. The price? "About £199.00 Sir"... Back to the drawing board I suppose!!