In a world full of great dive sites, drawing up a definitive list is hard, but certain basic conditions will guarantee a great dive site. This recent survey provides a handy list supported by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI):

Coming in at number 10, Cozumel Island, Mexico. Although located disastrously close to Cancun, Cozumel is relatively untouched. The island’s best dive spots include a 40-seater plane that was destroyed in 1977 as part of a disaster movie. The world’s fifth largest underwater cave was also discovered here in the early 90s.

Number nine is Turks and Caicos, two groups of tropical islands which have a swashbuckling pirate heritage. Although in recent times a hiding spot for the rich and famous, the islands still provide many spots to enjoy, including a vertical wall dive off Grand Turk and schools of whales in Salt Cay.

Belize comes in at number eight. This tiny nation is home to sites such as Shark Ray Alley, where divers mingle with sharks and stingrays, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which features shallow reefs, and the renowned Blue Hole. This last site was made famous by Jacques Cousteau who declared it one of the top ten scuba diving sites in the world, and divers still agree with him. The Hole’s eponymous deep crystal waters are home to a number of types of sharks as well as other fauna.

The Maldives, at number seven, are a great spot to stop whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, with shallow lagoons or deeper channels with faster currents. The wreck of the Maldives Victory also provides some fun for wreck divers, and Shark Point is a must-see for thrill-seekers (for obvious reasons).

For those looking for abundant wildlife in more accessible areas, Cocos Island in Costa Rica has the reputation of being one of the best big animal dive destinations. The island has often been ranked highly by PADI members and comes in at 6 in the survey. (Big animal seekers: if you can’t make it there, the waters around Bali, Indonesia, are also renowned for big animal sightings.)

At number five is the Red Sea. This is a popular site for divers all over and in the Sudan side features the wreck of the Umbria, one of the world’s most photogenic wrecks.

Number four, Bikini Atoll, in the Marshall Islands, was a nuclear-testing site in the 1950s. Today, it is home to myriad marine wildlife that enjoy the habitats provided by the sunken warships there. Outside visitors were only allowed in to this site in 1996 and divers can still gratify their explorer instincts while swimming in the Atoll’s waters.

Little Cayman in the British West Indies is the place for some old-school Caribbean diving, including Jackson’s Blight, a sheer coral cliff that drops over a mile deep. Little Cayman is number three of the list.

Bonaire, ranked number two on a former PADI list, is a cover-all-fronts site. The island has scenery, colourful reefs and plenty of shallow diving.

Finally, the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, remains the premier site for great diving – and any visitor will soon see why. Although it is probably the most famous dive site in the world, the ongoing preservation efforts ensure that there is still plenty to see on the Reef, and divers can experience the thrill of diving on a reef visible from space.

Divers will have the best experience when exploring the spectrum of diving conditions, but quick consultation with this list will ensure you dive in the best mix!

Did you know that in two of his movies (Dr. No and the Man with the Golden Gun), the famous spy, James Bond, actually put on scuba gear to explore the beautiful waters of the sea near Phuket in Thailand? Why? Because these waters are simply some of the most beautiful in the world – and without question, the diving is as action-packed as any James Bond adventure. And that’s not all. The live-aboard boats that we charter to serve as your home base on these exotic diving adventures are so luxurious, they could be in the movies, too. Don’t get me wrong – you don’t need to wear a white dinner jacket or evening gown in to dinner, but this attire would not seem out of place on vessels of this caliber.

By action-packed, I mean the excitement of seeing five types of sharks: whale sharks, silver-tip sharks, leopard sharks, white tips and black tips. But unlike the “007″ movies on the silver screen, none of these sharks poses a threat to our divers; they just make the diving extremely exciting. And, as a side note while we’re on the subject of “biggies,” there are three dive sites near the sharks where a diver can expect to encounter huge Pacific manta rays.

And would a James Bond movie be complete without some love scenes? Well, we have them, but they’re a little different here. Instead of cuddling, our divers see mating cuttlefish on at least three dive sites. Also expect to see blue ribbon eels, manta shrimp, at least four colors of sea horses, harlequin ghost pipe fish and more nudibranches than would even be fair to put in a movie.

Bad guys? Yep – we got ‘em, but not the “have gun, will travel” types. Instead, they travel in big schools, masquerading as large chevron barracudas, moray eels, and lion fish the size of footballs – so watch where you position yourself while you’re taking the absolute most enchanting marine photos of your life. Because unlike the “007″ moves, none of our divers carry spear guns. Instead, they arm themselves with every kind of underwater camera imaginable. Then, when back on the boat, their captured images come to life with very professional processing. Oh, and did we mention that silver and black bannded sea snakes are fairly common, and far more exotic and interesting than one of those evil women pursuing “007.”

The diving in Thailand is just plain spectacular, with soft corals in every color, big schools of silver jacks, anemones surrounded by clown fish of many different varieties, and lots of emperor angels. Then there are the banded butterfly fish and Moorish idols, while some of the bommies are surrounded by schools of millions of silver glassy sweepers and bright orange basslets that flow through the coral valleys like mercury. But diving is not the only reason to visit Thailand, as most of our adventurers add excursions into the interior of this fascinating country to further make this experience irresistible.

What’s more, this fantasy doesn’t stop in Thailand. It also ventures into the world-renowned waters of Burma, where we encounter “Max,” the 12-foot nurse shark; comical and bizarre frog fish; and the ornate and delightful scorpion leaf fish. All in all, the diving is probably way beyond your wildest dreams, including the glamorous accommodations.

Aboard ship, divers are spoiled with every amenity known to modern man on a diving trip: Gourmet meals, satellite phones, e-mail capability, and a luxurious living room decorated with furnishings that not only are contemporary, but extremely comfortable. The staterooms are so large, we expect you’ll be pleasantly surprised, and all are complete with en suite baths.

In addition, the crew is the key to making this excursion a success. They know how to handle expensive cameras, and the divemasters proficiently locate the spectacular marine creatures for you. Your safety is a top priority with both the diving and the dive boats.

With thousands of sophisticated fitness programs available in the market, people tend to forget that health need not be expensive and that the best way to keep fit need not be complicated. Many fitness programs involve having to count calories and measure the balance of carbohydrates and proteins in food intake which is both time-consuming and extremely boring. A fun way to revive the fun in fitness is looking at good old exercise, the best of which is said to be swimming.

Swimming is an exercise that can be learned and done by anyone, the old, the young, athletes who have undergone bones/muscle operations and even pregnant women. It is a wise investment to learn how to swim properly, aside from the good it does to one’s body, it is also considered an important survival skill that may come in handy at one point in life. Swimming is also a fun way to spend quality time with the family, be it in a swimming pool or the beach, swimming is a common family activity enjoyed by children. Learning to swim also paves the path to fun water sports like surfing, wake boarding, jet skiing, etc. That aside, swimming requires movement from the entire body which is why it is a great exercise.

Injured athletes often find swimming the best therapy as it improves flexibility without causing pressure to joints and muscles. Swimming also improves the circulatory and cardiovascular systems aside from lowering blood pressure. For this reason, swimming is advisable for those who run risks of heart-related problems and asthma. Those who exercise to loose weight may take on swimming regularly to burn calories. To loose body fats, one would also need to remember to match swimming with a controlled and disciplined diet. While swimming burns a lot of calories, the amount of energy needed on swimming naturally makes the body crave for more food intake.

There are four strokes practiced in swimming – crawl stroke, back stroke, butterfly and breast stroke. Crawl stroke is the most widely used as it is the quickest and most efficient style. The backstroke requires one to lie facing the sky, done properly, this stroke is said to bring out curves in the body. The butterfly stroke is the most challenging technique to learn. It requires a lot of strength to master this stroke. Breast stroke is the easiest technique to learn and is considered to be the least-stressful of the strokes. This stroke can be done leisurely through laps. Done properly, each of the swimming strokes is a great exercise for the whole body.

Swimming is indeed a great exercise for those who love the water. At the end of the day, if a person is not interested in the sport, the enjoyment is lost and the drive regularly practice laps will not be enough to keep one healthy. Swimming may be the exercise that works out the whole body but without love or interest in the sport, it is not the best exercise for everybody.

Lebih Beach, situated in Lebih village, about 9 km south of Gianyar city must be the best-known beach in Gianyar. It has good waves for surfing and an abundance of tasty seafood served along the shore.

The leader of Fishermen’s Association in Lebih, Made Bebas said that this beach had great potential as a marine tourism site. He also pointed out that the beach is a perfect place for surfing and any other water sport, while the panorama of the beach is also very beautiful.

Spokesman of the Gianyar local government, Wayan Arthana, S.H said that sports events are held annually in order to promote the Lebih Beach. Various water sports are held, such as swimming, beach tug of war, beach volley-ball and swimming competitions.

Many kinds of local sea food are served, including Sate Languan (fish roasted on skewer), grilled fish, fried fish, fish balls, pepes ikan (roasted fish wrapped in banana leaf), and many others, all at very reasonable prices.

Visitors can also enjoy the row of thousands of traditional boats moored along the beach, the scene being especially attractive in the morning. The row of the unique boats on the black sands is very beautiful when seen from a distance.

Scotland, a home to wonderful diverse range of wildlife, beautiful coastlines, and fantastic and breathtaking scenery, can be a great place for sea kayaking holidays. Paddling amongst the rocky and stunning limestone islands that has secret coves, sea lions and resident dolphins, one can kayak with a speck of adventure in their hearts and a admiration for this wonderful coastal environment with all this marine life alive. While kayaking, you can encounter the sea seals, the porpoises the birds of the wildlife and also the otters and experience their richness in Scotland. Scotland sea kayaking, with the pristine beaches and the rugged coastlines, would be a unique experience and a lasting one.

Sea Kayaking Holidays, an inspirational journey, along the sheltered bays and the mountain hills with the kayaks, can be pleasant and funny. Kayaking, best suited for the adventurous and not for the slow and the faint hearted, can be thrilling and exhilarating. A passion for the outdoor activities, kayakers will love the idea of kayaking in the icy cold gushing waters and getting wet and feeling your strength taking its drive to skip the dangerous spots. Watching, the caves and cliffs gliding by, with all its fascinating beauty, can be magnificent and you will feel frenzy to take a dip and lull your nerves! Expert trainers will give you instructions, on how to tackle the obstacles, while kayaking and teaches you different tactics of paddling, so that you can be the masters of the game at the end of the day. Get on your kayaking goodies like buoyancy, surf helmets, boots, wetsuit and other practical things like good sunscreen, shorts, T-shirts, dark glasses, flashlight, towels and even the first aid box. You can even boost your weekend with some of the other activities like surfing, star
gazing, bird watching, snorkelling, beach games, bushwalking and navigation.

Scotland sea kayaking, is a hilarious sport, and you guys can have all the fun of being in a kayak and sailing through the chilly waters. Get into the tide and race between the winds with the kayak and feel fit like a paddler, for this is a sport that gonna make you more capable and challenging.

Eagles Gamble on Disgraced NFL Star Michael Vick

Michael Vick is back in the NFL. When he finally gets in a game, it might be at a new position.

Looking to add a new dimension to their offense, the Philadelphia Eagles gave Vick a one-year deal with an option for a second year. Vick wasn’t brought in to compete with five-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb for a starting job, but the two could end up on the field together.

“He’s an unbelievable athlete, both running the ball and throwing it,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said. “I’ll think of something for him.”

The most likely scenario would be for the Eagles to use Vick in a variation of the Wildcat offense that the Miami Dolphins made popular last season. Vick also is familiar with the West Coast offense, though he ran a different version with Atlanta than the one Philadelphia uses.

“He can definitely make a lot of plays,” Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown said.

The deal was announced during Thursday night’s preseason opener against New England. Suddenly, no one cared about Tom Brady’s first game in 11 months.

The 29-year-old Vick, once the NFL’s highest-paid player, has been out of action since 2006. The former Falcons star was convicted in August 2007 of conspiracy and running a dogfighting ring, and served 18 of a 23-month sentence in federal prison. He also was suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

“I’m a believer that as long as people go through the right process, they deserve a second chance,” Reid said. “He’s got great people on his side; there isn’t a finer person than Tony Dungy. He’s proven he’s on the right track.”

Commissioner Roger Goodell conditionally lifted Vick’s suspension on July 27, allowing him to sign with a team, practice and play in the last two preseason games. Once the season begins, Vick can participate in all team activities except games, and Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by Week 6 (Oct. 18-19) at the latest.

Nationals Sign Top Pick Strasburg for Record $15M

Locked in last place, on pace for another 100-loss season, the Washington Nationals knew they needed the sort of young ace everyone expects Stephen Strasburg to be. The easy part: selecting Strasburg No. 1 overall in June’s draft.

The hard part: signing the San Diego State pitcher by Monday night’s midnight deadline.

Washington got it done, agreeing with Strasburg on a record-breaking contract worth about $15 million over four years. The struggling team and the hard-throwing right-hander resolved everything at “11:58 and 43 seconds,” Nationals president Stan Kasten said.

“People thought it would take to the last minute,” Kasten said, smiling. “We didn’t even need that last minute.”

The deal is worth roughly 50 percent more than the previous highest guaranteed deal for a player in baseball’s amateur draft, the $10.5 million pitcher Mark Prior got from the Chicago Cubs in 2001.

“We thought we signed the player for his value,” acting Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said, calling Strasburg “the most coveted amateur player in the history of the draft and a potential front-line starting pitcher.”

Strasburg gets a four-year contract covering 2009-12 that will pay him slightly more than $15.1 million. The exact amount depends on prorating his $400,000 salary for this year, based on the date the contract is official.

If no agreement had been reached by the deadline, the team would have relinquished its rights to Strasburg. A year ago, Washington failed to reach an agreement with its first-round selection, Missouri pitcher Aaron Crow.

At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, and with a fastball that can reach 100 mph, Strasburg is projected to be precisely the sort of power starter the Nationals have lacked since moving from Montreal to the nation’s capital before the 2005 season.

“He’s chomping at the bit to get out on the mound. He’s ultra-, ultra-competitive,” Rizzo said, “and I think he was getting a little tired of sitting around the house.”

I just look at the Top 10 teams through five weeks in High School Football according to ESPN and saw that three of the top 10 happen to be from…….yep you guess it, FLORIDA. And what makes this even more special is that two of the three are from Broward County, my county. Any Questions? Oh year did I neglect to mention that football power states like Texas, California and Ohio only have one each??? WOW!!!

1. Trinity (Euless, Texas) 4-0

2. Lowndes (Valdosta, Georgia) 5-0

3. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 3-0

4. Gateway (Monroeville, Pa. ) 5-0

5. Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) 5-0

6. Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) 3-0

7. Armwood (Seffner, Fla.) 4-0

8. Colerain (Colerain, Ohio) 6-0

9. Oscar Smith (Cheapeake, Virginia) 4-0

10. Deerfield Beach (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) 3-0

No related posts.

So this offseason has had it fair share of surprises.  From Baron Davis going home to LA to Brand moving to Philly to Magette going to Golden State there has been enough drama to keep the NBA news junkies happy.  But when you look back to the 2008 offseason, you will probably remember this as the summer where 8 NBA players went to Europe to play, with more possibly on the way.  Ben Gordon’s name has been bandied about in rumours of going overseas.  You can’t ignore the rumblings that two of the biggest stars in the NBA Kobe & LeBron have said they would consider the move at a price of 50 million PER YEAR!  

It seems like the only solution now is for David Stern to lift the salary cap.  This may be the only way to keep the best players at home.  Now there are a lot of repercussions for making such a drastic change, much of which would have to do with the Yankees syndrome of Major League Baseball, but at some point, enough is enough.  I wouldn’t get too scared just yet, as none of the 8 players who have gone so far are legitimate all-stars, but all it might take is just one major name and the wave may be unstoppable.  We are heading into murky waters Mr. Stern. Tread carefully.  

Vick Will Not Travel With Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will not travel with the team for their preseason game at Indianapolis.

Vick is not eligible to play in Thursday night’s game. Vick is allowed to travel.

But an Eagles spokesman said Tuesday that coach Andy Reid does not usually bring players who will not play.

Vick, who has been practicing with the Eagles, can only play in the last two preseason games.