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The Dive Tribe and Emperor Divers have teamed up to create Emperor Dive Tribe, El Gouna.

Adding to the long-established Emperor dive centres in Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Nuweiba and Sharm el Sheikh, divers now have an even greater choice to dive with Emperor Divers' expertise coupled with the Dive Tribe knowledge of the El Gouna area.

The Dive Tribe has an excellent reputation for quality, safety and service. Established in October 1999, the centre has won several awards for excellence and under the management of award-winning Red Sea dive company, Emperor Divers, guests can take advantage of an enjoyably enhanced experience. Together, the centre offers the full range of day diving and dive courses and a variety of water sports.

For more information on diving Emperor El Gouna, email info.reservations@emperordivers.com

 

Commentary by Duncan McAllister, Sharm's Dive Centre Manager

It's strange how all the important awards each year happen around the same time and you don't know which one to attend. There's the Oscars, Baftas, Emmys, Grammys and - most importantly - the EDs.

The EDs are voted for by the instructors themselves and therefore reflect their own ideas on how each individual performs. This year the awards were attended by everyone in the dive centre from jetty staff to boat crews and, of course, the instructors. It also made me realise we have over 55 staff here in Sharm and they all deserve a mention for their hard work throughout the year and the service they provide to our guests and friends.

Not only was it the first time so many of us had been together but it was also Dan's leaving do, so it all just seemed to fit into place as a great night and occasion.

So not to keep you in suspense anymore here are the categories, nominees and winners.

Favourite Instructor Award       Pete, Denis, Elise, Terry and Shaun  
The winner Denis
Team Player Award                Denis, Dan, Roger, Terry                   
The winner Terry
Most Social Award                 Roger, Mat, Elise, Shaun                  
The winner Roger
Most Improved Instructor         Liz, Ryan, Elise                               
The winner Ryan
Biggest Contributor                Carol, Ali (Senior Driver), Dan            
The winner Dan
Biggest Mistake                     Ryan, Steve P, Sonya                     
The winner Steve P
Favourite Egyptian Staff          Ali (Senior Driver), Gamal, Saad        
The winner Ali
Most Improved Egyptian Staff  Gamal, Saad, Ali (Equipment)          
The winner Saad
Best Boat                             Marcus, Shorouk, Kastan Sea                                    
The winner Kastan Sea

 

  Terry receives his ED from Steve H

   Ali receives his ED from Denis

   Dan receives his ED from Duncan 

   Denis receives his ED from Carol

  Roger receives his ED from Susi

   Ryan receives his ED from Tammi  

 Steve P receives his ED from Laura

   Saad recieves his ED from Dan

 

Dive Tribe and Emperor Divers have teamed up to create Emperor Dive Tribe, El Gouna; a great mix as you now have even more choice to dive with Emperor Divers coupled with the Dive Tribe experience of the El Gouna area.

The Dive Tribe has an excellent reputation for quality, safety and service. Established in October 1999, the centre has won several awards for excellence and is now managed by award-winning Red Sea dive company, Emperor Divers. Together, the centre offers the full range of day diving and dive courses and a variety of water sports.

Longwood is offering some excellent deals for groups so book your new diving experience today:
info.reservations@emperordivers.com
or
www.longwoodholidays.co.uk

or

www.regal-diving.co.uk

 

2009 has proved to be a year of changes for Emperor Divers and their technical arm, Tekstreme Diving. Long has Emperor been able to boast one of the most well-established professional Technical diving operations, with much credit going to the expertise and experience from the Manager at the time, Aaron Bruce.  Aaron was with the operation for nine years, training the team to extremely high standards resulting in Tekstreme Diving having such a first-class reputation.

Aaron, along with fellow Instructor Chris Berry, has now branched out to create their own Technical centre, which has a large emphasis on the world of Rebreathers. So what does that mean for Tekstreme Diving? It means the "Next Generation".
What Aaron leaves is a team of Technical Instructors that will lead the way and maintain and grow the excellent character and service of Emperor's Technical department.

The team now falls under the watchful eye of Cat Parfitt (pictured left and below). Cat has been with Emperor Divers for eight years working as a safari guide and Instructor. She began her diving career many years ago by doing a try dive with Emperor Divers. Since that point she has completed all courses under the Emperor umbrella with her Technical Instructor courses under Aaron. Cat's main drive and focus over the last five years has been to establish herself within the Tekstreme Team and with a mentor such as Aaron she could not have wished for any better guidance.
Tekstreme Diving will continue to offer technical courses, technical guiding and safaris in all Emperor's centres. "We welcome new and existing friends and guests to dive with our team, which is bursting with enthusiastic, professional instructors who have a strong commitment and passion for what they do," explains Cat.

You can keep up to date with recent events and special offers by checking out the web site www.tekstremediving.com. Or join the Tekstreme Diving Facebook group with postings on the most recent diving courses with a variety of on-land and underwater photos. Your input is welcomed so that the Team can provide an extensive information source for the diving community. 

"Take care to all, happy diving and we hope to see you soon with us here at Tekstreme Diving."

Cat Parfitt and the Tekstreme Team

A couple of weeks ago, Sharm's dive centre manager, Duncan McAllister, held a cocktail party for some of the staff. As the creative juices flowed, their thoughts turned to creating an Emperor cocktail. Several versions were concocted but we need your help with deciding the official WINNING cocktail.

In the end it was decided that it should really be a proper cocktail made in a shaker and poured into a Martini/Collins glass, the classic 'Y' type glass. You can read shot for part, or reduce the quantities as you wish. They should be made in a shaker with three icecubes and served chilled into an empty glass (tip: put the glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before using). The two contenders are as follows:

1. Vodka (1 part), Malibu (1 part), Blue Curacao (1 part), pineapple juice (4 parts) - top with a cherry and umbrella as appropriate.

2. Vodka (1 part), White Rum (1 part), coconut cream (1 part) and pineapple juice (4 parts) - topped as above.

We also made a 'Red Sea Breeze' and a 'Tiran Island Ice'; our versions of a Sea Breeze and Long Island Iced Tea:

Red Sea Breeze - Vodka (1 part), fresh lemon (1 part), grapefruit juice (2 parts), dash of Grenadine - made in a shaker with 3 cubes of ice.

Tiran Island Ice   - Vodka (1/2 part), Gin (1/2 part), Tequila (1/2 part), White Rum (1/2 part), fresh lemon (1 part), soda and lemonade to taste. Serve in a highball on the rocks.

Have some fun making them at home - especially the 'Emperor Blue' and vote for your favourite. We will then get the winning cocktail served in the Debrief Bar at Sharm's dive centre ready for your delectation!

Do please leave a comment and VOTE for your favourite to  help Sharm's bar do its Tom Cruise bit...well you might need to use your imagination!

Emperor's Course Director Steve Prior is very proud and honoured to be singled out to receive a unique prize.

PADI Area Representative, Terry Johnson, who made the presentation said, "This special 'Contributions to Diver Education' Award recognises the high quality and excellence of Steve Prior's teaching. It's not just the quantity of good instructors that he produces but also the extra service over and beyond the requirements."

Terry Johnson stressed that the award was over and above the PADI Platinum Course Director Status that Steve earned in 2008 for the high number of successful Instructor Candidates.

Steve Prior was obviously thrilled, "It's always good when your efforts are recognised. Our aim has always been to create enthusiastic and effective instructors. I have to thank Janet, my wife, for constantly looking for ways to improve our courses. It's because of her that we can really tailor our teaching to the needs of each individual candidate."

And as the proof is in the pudding, here some past candidates have their say:

"Hoorah! for the first time in my life physics is easy!" Mel, Essex
"It was not just a PADI IDC but a life changing experience." Kevin, Jersey
"You are both amazing people; so warm and friendly and amazing teachers." Jacqui, Epsom
"Your enthusiasm for teaching people and your ability to open people's eyes to alternatives is just amazing and the proof is in the pudding." Caroline, Thames Ditton

As you most probably know Emperor Divers in Sharm offers the unique opportunity to do a mini overnight safari to see the Hammerheads off the back of Jackson Reef or do night dives on Thistlegorm. Well we did until the Egyptian Authorities changed the rules on the specification of boats that could do this. The changes do make sense and boats now have to be equipped to full safari boat standard if they are to stay out overnight.

So Emperor has purchased a safari boat - meet the latest addition to the Sharm fleet - MY Orchid.

Now there is every likelihood that Emperor Sharm will rule the local waters and be the only land based dive centre to offer these unique overnight trips. If you are not sure about being on safari all week but fancy giving it a go and do a "Cruise and Stay" type arrangement come and try our overnight trips aboard Orchid.

Emperor Divers has over 800 members on its Facebook community.

Join us today and meet new friends (and old) and keep up to speed with what's going on. Once you add a friend to your Facebook list you'll always know when they are adding things to their blog or updating their profile.

Sign up today and be welcomed into the 'Emperor Family'!

Dive Centre Manager, Duncan McAllister, reports...

"If you have ever dived with Emperor Sharm you will know what was meant by The Blue Wall. It was that round table by the office where all the Emperor instructors sat at the end of the day having their beer and only a very few brave guests would enter the circle of blue shirts. For years different managers have tried to break down that wall using various means; some ideas being the Charity Wall, the building of a shaded area with more tables and lighting and the establishment of the De-Brief Bar, but all to no avail.

We relocated the De-Brief Bar to the poolside at the Bay View Hotel and brought the shaded area and tables with us, but still no joy. We sat for the first week around the table as always and it seemed The Blue Wall had survived the move. That was until 'popcorn' was found.

In our second week, unbeknown to us, the hotel barmen started to serve popcorn at the bar. First it was the quick-witted and smart guests that moved up to the bar area but The Blue Wall held. Then Roger and Dav deserted the round table, keeping the secret of popcorn to themselves and so The Blue Wall held. By day three the truth was out, popcorn was being served at the bar, and The Blue Wall crumbled. So, if you like a divers bar (with discounted beer), mixing with the instructors, and popcorn, you know where to come."