NEWS & MOVIES ARCHIVE

Diving camp ANAPA

We visited Russia once more. This time we visited Anapa where the first international diving camp was organised by diving club Aqua Globus and where at the same time a conference on overcoming the obstacles for handicapped divers took place. The participants arrived at the conference from all parts of Russia and Ukraine and the Adrian region was represented with five members of IAHD Adriatic: Branko Ravnak, Alenka Fidler, Rajko Prelog, Ivo Lovrenovic and Ales Povse.
Unfortunately the weather conditions were not very kind the whole week of our gathering and we only managed to complete one dive. The diving was organised in front of the club for the beginners and on the Gordopia wreck for more experienced divers. Gordopia wreck lies on a depth of 18 m and is still full of weapons which were its cargo. On a wreck we were surprised by giant medusas that measured in diameter as much as 40 cm. On a dive we were often entertained by numerous crabs as well as some big fishes. The visibility was approximately 2 – 3 m and the temperature of the water was 18° C.
Although we were not able to do many dives our Russian hosts prepared for us an entertaining programme. We visited twice nearby rehabilitation centre where we demonstrated preparation on dive and diving. We took the most courageous participants into the water and diving. One of the people that was the most delighted about this was Vlad, who swam in the pool after three years and for the first time after the injury.
One day of our journey was filled with conference about diving for handicapped divers. We presented our method of schooling people after spinal court injury for all CMAS levels (for divers on level 1, 2 or 3 and instructor categories). Our Russian colleagues presented to us diving for blind and visually impaired divers. Later we discussed the problems that handicapped divers face in Russia and in Adriatic region and signed an agreement between IAHD Adriatic, found Dostupnaja Srijeda and Association for Sport of Handicapped People in Russia. After that we attended a press conference where we presented to local authorities and the journalists that were present the whole time of the camp, what we achieved in last years and what our plans for the future are.
During our stay we also went fishing, however the Black Sea was not very fond of us since we did not manage to catch anything in two hours despite five fishing rods and many baits. However, during the trip, we were able to watch national competition in surfing and enjoy a view on Anapa from the sea side.
We continued the sightseeing of Anapa with bus and we drove to the outskirts of the Kavkaz that are known for its vineyards.  We visited newly build vine cell that uses barrels and other mechanisation from Croatia and drove next to the construction side for the beginning of the “South Stream” that will also pass Slovenia. Anapa is relatively friendly build for handicapped people and that is why couple of times we went to discover the city on foot.
On the last day our hosts made a special surprise for our Alenka. They took her together with Vlad and Ancka to the only dolphin centre in Russia where the dolphins, sea lions and belugas live in the sea. In this time of the year the centre is closed for the public and that is why they watched the training of the animals. Everyone was surprised by disobedient sea lions and skilful belugas and at the end Alenka was allowed to swim with the dolphins.
Our Russian hosts spoiled us on every step of our journey. We got to know their cuisine, habits and learn their language. We have to especially compliment Russian handicapped divers who often do not have good diving conditions but nevertheless show an amazing will and wish after diving.
We would like to thank our hosts that made our journey possible and made us feel at home. We pour our salt blossom from Piran saltern into the Black Sea in hope that one day we will be able to return their hospitality in Slovenia…
 
Yoda in Lenka
 

2. 10. 2013