Into the blue

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29 August 2006

by Mike and Remon onboard the Esperanza

©Gavin Newman/Greenpeace

To hold a banner. That is what they told Remon and me yesterday during the meeting. We are both very enthusiastic about the underwater world and love to dive, but we had never yet held a banner in the liquid. Without really knowing what to expect we agreed, of course. At land it is not a big deal to hold a banner, so what would be so difficult underwater then? However, it turned out that it wasnt so easy as we expected!

After arriving at this beautiful island we were invited for a delicious lunch by the locals. A perfect start to go on with the preparations for the dive. The whole dive team, about 10 people, got ready and we had a last briefing before entering the blue.

The camera guys wanted it perfect of course, with a nice foreground with a nice background (us in between) plus a perfect light from behind

©Gavin Newman/Greenpeace

Remon: After a couple of minutes in the blue, we started to get in position, according to Gavin, our photographer. When you hang a banner on a building, you can use ropes and you have to deal with the wind but underwater we had to deal with many other things, like current, not damaging the corals and staying stable with nothing to hold on to. Hmmm, not easy we found out!

I landed myself between the lovely corals and fish on a small piece of coral free bottom with sand, Mike next to me. It was time to unfold our banner. We both had one end and swum away from each other. If I pulled too hard on the banner, I took the banner with Mike to me and vice versa, after a while we got the hang of it, Gavin and the vidoegrapher Derek started to shoot

Mike: We got all the signals from Gavin, who told us to go more down, up to the left or to the right. Between trying to do all that, we took care of the other signs from Gavin to hold the banner straight and in a good angel

After all, we must say that we learned a bit about holding a banner into the blue, but most important is of course the message on the banner! The underwater world is such an amazing place and needs to be protected!!!

Are you an ocean defender already?

Cheers, Remon & Mike

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Comments

Hey guys, its kieran here, Remons friend and instructor, looking good Remon, that neutral bouyancy hover paid off... Amy is very proud of you, we both love the work you are all doing and we will help protect the oceans wherever we go. Peace guys....

Posted by: Kieran Scotting at August 30, 2006 5:03 PM

Hi Remon, Hallo Mike!

Good to hearing from you. I guess u had no problem with Gavin around.

Mike, how was that course u took around Portugal?

Remon, safe trip back home from Spain?

Posted by: M at August 30, 2006 6:22 PM

Hai Remon.

Once I was A hippy and dreamed of traveling round the world and fight for good things.
You are dooing the thing I alway's dreamed of and I am very proud of you.
It is lovely that you can and may do this beautifull work, keep up the good work.
Give my regards to Mike.

Love mum.

Posted by: Anneke van Willegen at August 30, 2006 7:58 PM

Hi Guys,
believe me: I'm jealous ! See you soon, greetings to all of you!
Cheers Paul

Posted by: Paul at September 5, 2006 10:45 AM

Hallo Gang,
Keep it up !! See u soon

Posted by: Raoul at September 13, 2006 7:44 AM

Hey my favourites!
Good job! I'm proud of you! You really look great on camera!...and you can write as well?!
Believe me, I'm jealous too! But I'll get there...soon!
Cheers to the other guys: Swedish and Spanish African dancers ;-), Sabine, Bentchen...

Until then: Go on...Save the world ;-)
Peace-ing from Cape Town, Christine

Posted by: Christine at September 17, 2006 7:37 PM

Christine! hallo! All is klar?

U could be right, maybe we have two new diving stars!

Hallo, Mike! Hi, Remon!
How are the bulbs o/b? And the welding material? Or.. should i ask about that little divig room?

Posted by: A Spanish African Dancer at September 25, 2006 12:29 PM

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