IRON-MAN Cozumel 2009

History has been written, Cozumel witness the first IRON-MAN ever celebrated in Mexico. More than 2000 athletes from around the world participated on this event. After a swim of 2.4 miles, a bike run of 112 miles, and a marathon run of 26.2 miles the IRON-MAN Cozumel 2009 concluded.

BEKE, RUTGER from Belgium was the winner with a time of 8hrs. 18 minutes, and 40 seconds. Let me mention that the Mexican athletes where among the top ten on this competition. ALLAN, VILLANUEVA from Mexico came on 7th place, with a time of 9hrs. 1minute, and 10 seconds.

Congratulations Cozumel for a well organized event.

20 Lionfish captured this week

The director of the marine park of Cozumel announced that divers captured 20 Lionfish across the coast, 9 of them where captured north of the island and 2 more by the international pier where the cruise ships arrive. The director mentioned that they have been working in conjunction with the hotels and dive shops to continue fighting the fish.

If you see one wile diving in Cozumel let your divemaster know.

DEMA SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

After spending two days at the DEMA Show talking with the Cozumel Exhibitors, I left very impressed by what this island has to offer not just the scuba diver but families on holiday for relaxation and fun. The Cozumel Promotion Board has coined the well deserved phrase “Cozumel – Exist in the Moment” and be sure to visit the website at http://www.islacozumel.com.mx/.
There are many different types of accommodations on the Island. The Hotel Barracuda http://www.hotelbarracuda.com/  is a great hotel for divers with a Dive Paradise http://www.diveparadise.com/ office right at the hotel. The Hotel Cozumel is very much the family/diver resort www.hotelcozumel.com with all the amenities of an all inclusive resort including an office for Dive Paradise. Dive Paradise is also very equipped to assist the disabled diver.

Park Royal http://www.park-royalhotels.com/  is an upper-end all inclusive resort that is very family friendly with organized activities for the children. Scuba Club Cozumel http://www.scubaclubcozumel.com/ is a Spanish-colonial style diver's resort with meals included and its own dive operation. Dive Palancar http://www.divepalancarcozumel.com/  is associated with the Occidental Grand Cozumel and Allegro Cozumel both all inclusive resorts geared to both the diver and non-diving family.
The Wyndham Cozumel Resort & Spa ww.wyndhamcozumel.com  is an all inclusive resort that offers all the amenities to both the diver and the family and Sand Dollar Sports www.sanddollarsports.com is their dive operation.
Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort www.elcid.com and Babieca Dive Center http://www.marinadivecenter.com/ provide an all inclusive holiday. Babieca Dive Center also offers whale shark snorkeling.
The dive gear exhibited was the best of the best.. I had to go with what was the best innovation that could be seen. Zeagle http://www.zeagle.com/walked away with my two best picks – first the access console has all the gauges/computer easily viable. The best is that the console will fit most hockey-puck type computers. The bezel fastens down and holds the computer in place. Next is the Zena BC with its choice of color inserts – no more boring BC. You have to love the fact that you can interchange the front panels either for fit or a different color – for individualized information visit http://www.zeagleexpress.com/

........By Sheri Denn

Illegal employees mislead visitors

According with the local press, Cozumel is suffering of illegal immigration witch 35% of the immigrants are working without official papers. Employees from various establishments such as Hotels, restaurants, and dive shops are been higher without peppers making the locals very upset. The local’s argument are that the illegal immigrants mostly from South America and Europe come to the island with tourist visas, after their visas expired they began looking for work, stilling the few jobs that are available. For example a few local employees observed that many of the illegal employees do not have the qualifications either the documentation that qualifies them for the job. They give us an example. A diving instructor in Cozumel needs to have a certification, an official permit to be on board of a boat or vessel, a permit to provide diving instruction or guided tours inside the marine park, and attended several seminars for safety boarding and others. According with the local employees none of the “illegal employees” has these documents. The press and the local employees are asking the local authorities to open an investigation. The main issue is that the illegal employees are not the face and essence of Cozumel. The visitors are been mislead by someone that doesn’t know about the island, culture, and people.




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Got dive safety?

Is a fact that every diver fallow the norms of safety, we as divers always concern on “safety first” but how safe you really are? Ironic to say that last week I read on the news that a doctor passed away while diving in Cozumel she was doing a research on illnesses related to diving. The Mexican authorities rule the cause of death as drowning. Divers that accompanied the doctor on her research mentioned that she was ok before diving that nothing seems wrong when the pop up to the surface they fund her floating unconscious they rapidly brought her to the boat when she become vomiting. They rush her to the hospital but unfortunately she didn’t make it to the chamber. Her colleges that where part of the research, mentioned to the authorities that she was beginning to sink due the BC were not holding her 150kilos weight. At this point we will never know what actually happen to her. Is unfortunately that this accidents remained us that safety is not just to make sure your equipment is in good condition it is plenty more to be aware regarding your safety wile you diving such as your health and the environment. It is important to be concern with everything your life depends on it. DIVE SAFE


How safe are you? Give us your opinion.

Get more information on safety diving on DAN http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/

Environmental Concerns in Cozumel

Many people don’t know that Cozumel is facing big environmental issues. Extracting sand from the North side of the island according to the environmental protection agencies this issue could cause several damages to the marine life and the damages o the underwater ecosystem of Cozumel. A big battle is going on between local authorities and environmentalist that are waling to give their lives to protect the sand bank on the north side of Cozumel. Environmentalist groups of Mexico and Cozumel have been appealing to the rule of the courts to extract sand from Cozumel to give it to Cancun and Playa del Carmen for the rehabilitation of their beaches. Is a big controversial issue at first local and federal authorities where concern now they have change their argumentative views. According with environmentalist groups like the CITIMAR in Cozumel the local authorities change their view and no longer wailing to fight to protect the sand bank. The people of Cozumel are very upset and they urge the rest of the community to response to the effect that the local authorities no longer want to cooperate and help to protect the sand banks of the north side of Cozumel.



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DEMA Show Day 1

Nov 4, 2009. What an exciting day! I was impressed by the number of exhibitors representing the Isla de Cozumel and the services offered to the travelers. The Cozumel Promotions Board, Dive Paradise, Hotel Barracuda, Hotel Cozumel, El Cid La Ceiba Hotel, Babieca Dive Center, Park Royal, Scuba Club Cozumel, Wyndham Hotels, Sand Dollar Sports, Dive Palancar, Occidental Grand Hotel, Islad Boat Adventures, Cancun Underwater Museum, Holbox Wale Shark Tour, and many more where all at the show with one goal to let people know that in Cozumel you can "exist in the moment" The most apparent was that it is hard for a dive destination to compete with Cozumel, Can-Cun, Isla Mujeres, and Playa del Carmen when it comes to the best value for your money. This s a huge show and I will be returning on Saturday to complete my reserch for the best dive destination values and the newest dive gear innovations... By Cheri Denn (photo journalist)