You can either complain or do something about the problem: The choice is YOURS!

[dumpsterDiver]

WOW. Thank you all for your interest in Around the World Under the Sea.

Let me see if I can hit the biggest question that's been asked me, both here and elsewhere:

"How do you plan to distribute the program(s)?"

From the start the plan has been to use the Internet for distribution in order to bypass country-specific broadcast limitations.

For the most part, the Internet is available to users/viewers worldwide; the same cannot be said of broadcast entities on over-the-air (OTA) or cable systems. We really want this to be seen by anyone with an interest "Around the World" as easily as we can.

Some folks have messaged me personally, asking why I am going to all this trouble (especially since it takes up quite a bit of my time and effort).

The answer to that is quite simple. I believe that diving is a lifestyle that needs to be promoted in order to attract people to participate in it. We need to invite folks into the adventure of the sport--and the way to do so is to show them the sights, fun and places they can go in a positive manner. Snow-skiing does this, so does surfing--why should scuba diving be any different? After all--all three are gear-intensive sports are they not?

"What will each episode consist of?"

Basic outline calls for the following:

1. Diving segment

The underwater portion, where certain dive sites and wildlife are highlighted.

2. Topside segment

This consists of back history of the location, and where possible local environmentalist interviews highlighting conservation efforts by the local populace.

3. Skills Segment

Here, a skill a diver practices will be shown, in order to demystify what a diver knows and show the public that they can also participate in the underwater realm with proper training. This may also be a segment that focuses on a certain area of diving that leads to a career in the sea.

--------------------
Now, let me take a moment to speak to some of the thread drift that has occurred here by asking a question of my own:

Why do some folks I'm reading comments from here seem adamantly opposed to an attempt to increase the number of people participating in our sport to maintain viability?

It strikes me as incredibly counter-productive (as well as narrow-minded) to not want to increase the number of potential dive buddies we can all have. That's what the video series is for, and why I'm fighting so hard to bring about.

If you have a beef with training agencies, manufacturers and their practices or other similar concerns--why aren't you taking it up with them rather than shoot down this effort out of hand?

The Kickstarter campaign, BTW, is an All-Or-Nothing affair--if we don't reach the funding goal, no funds taken or distributed.

I'll do the heavy lifting. I've committed myself to do that for you. I only ask that you contribute to the campaign effort, and urge everyone you know to do so as well.

The link is at the bottom of this message.

The ball is in your court--in ALL of our courts.

---------- Post added June 18th, 2014 at 11:07 AM ----------

OH---and before I go off to teach class today, allow me to thank NetDoc for this forum for the effort.

I suspect he remembers back when Scubaboard was starting out from scratch as well.

Again, my thanks.

---------- Post added June 18th, 2014 at 11:15 AM ----------



Thank you.

Scuba diving and surfing similar because they are both gear intensive?

If that is the premise, I would have issues with it.

Surfing is for cool, young, athletic people... scuba is expensive, it is popular with fat, old, out of shape people, it takes tons of expensive gear, often costs a lot to maintain, costs well over $100 or more for two people to do it for 25- 75 minutes.

Surfing may cost nothing once the gear is purchased, especially if you ride the bike to the beach.

 

[flots am]

Which past are you talking about Willis? I've been diving since 1969, and it was obvious that it had been an industry long before that. Again, your premise is faulty which undermines anything you add after that.

OK, Arnold you win!

The SCUBA Industry is fine.

Please carry on.

flots

 

[DiveNav]

.....Surfing may cost nothing once the gear is purchased, especially if you ride the bike to the beach.

Likewise, Scuba diving may cost nothing ($5 - or less - to fill a tank) once the gear is purchased, especially if you drive few miles to Laguna Beach.

 

[ChickenFried]

If you have a beef with training agencies, manufacturers and their practices or other similar concerns--why aren't you taking it up with them rather than shoot down this effort out of hand?

John, first of all thanks for answering a lot of the questions that have come up in the thread. Your participation here will surely help to drive more people to your campaign. Secondly, I don't necessarily think that there are many people that are opposed to the kickstarter campaign per say. I personally would like to see growth in the sport and I think that your idea is a good one and will get new people interested. My previous post came about because I was not pleased with the heavy handedness of this entire thread. Basically, it's making the assertion that if we don't do something about it (donate money), then we have no one to complain to when the scuba industry collapses. I spend thousands of dollars a year on scuba and feel like I am doing my part! The idea behind my earlier message was that the "industry" as a whole needs to be more involved in with outreach and sponsoring efforts like this. They are the ones who will take the lion's share of the rewards, why are they not taking more of the risks? Anyway, good luck with your campaign. I will probably be donating towards it, despite this entire thread.

 

[iluvtheocean]

Not that it's exactly the same thing but there is already at least one "scuba tv show" already in production. Scubanation does TV and web stuff. I think they're on FSNFL (who airs my beloved Rays games frequently)! However, I'd watch both if they were both airing.

I backed it. Figure what the heck, I won't miss the few bucks. Maybe I'll have a few minutes of interesting dive footage to watch someday as a result.

their shows are worth watching for the most part and they are nice guys and fun to dive with.

 

[undrwater]

I'm curious if there is any evidence that the industry is in an economic backslide.

 

[iluvtheocean]

to get the majority of a US audience to watch a scuba show -- it's either got to have an oddball appeal (like the reality shows) or have pretty ladies on it.... or popular well-known celebrities...

I would say a documentary of several already scuba-certified celebrities actually diving with us regular joes would work wonders... would have the celebrity appeal but would show that anybody can dive (so to speak)

 

[The Chairman]

Basically, it's making the assertion that if we don't do something about it (donate money), then we have no one to complain to when the scuba industry collapses.

I'll take the blame for this. I originally wrote this for a group of professionals on Linkedin, many of whom complain incessantly about the state of the industry and how it's declined. We see it in the decline of attendance at the DEMA show which has been nicknamed by some the "travel, trinkets and training show". Frankly, the internet, including ScubaBoard has been blamed by many, including DEMA, for the general malaise of the industry.

 

[Mike]

to get the majority of a US audience to watch a scuba show -- it's either got to have an oddball appeal (like the reality shows) or have pretty ladies on it.... or popular well-known celebrities...

I would say a documentary of several already scuba-certified celebrities actually diving with us regular joes would work wonders... would have the celebrity appeal but would show that anybody can dive (so to speak)

There is a new tv show trying to fill the bill.



Divers will have to take it with a grain of salt as the drama transparent to those in the know, but it's going to appeal to non-divers or those curious about diving.

 

[gtstricky]

I really think a well written show sitcom or drama show would do well for the industry. Think "Friends" combined with "ER" and "Love Boat" at a resort dive center.

There would be the older strick dive shop owner and his cute 12yo daughter who can sell any resort guest on learning to dive. The group of 4 or 5 twenty somethings that have not figured out the meaning of life and have come to work the shop from different backgrounds and histories. There would need to be the usuall sexual tension between a few of them as well as a sketchy background on someone that creeps into the story line every so often.

Now you just need weekly guest apperiances by big name actors/actresses playing the roles of "dumb blonde" or "excentric millionaire couple". It would need the drama of a boat breaking down in a storm, or a plane accident that the dive crew rescues... the usual stuff that happens.

First episode should have the remaining cast of Gilligan's Island on....