In November Colona was hosting a GUE (Global Underwater Explorers) Tech 1 course. We were proud to have Richard Lundgren as the leading instructor and mixed group of dedicated students – Bart (our staff member), Tomek from Poland and Steen fom Denmark. The course took 5 days of hard work, but also fun. We all hope that we will see more of this excellent advanced technical training happening at Colona (we will keep Richard by his word then )

(Images by Errki Siirila)

Colona Divers are working hard for the Red Sea and their surroundings.

Last week we got a garbage bag full of coralls from one of our tour operators that they had been collecting at the airport.

On the picture taken by Leif Sörensson you see Christian Andersson returning a Giant Clam back to the sea.

Between the 11th-18th of October, Colona El Gouna had to honor to host Espen Gundersen, Kurt Rohdin & Rolf Gustafsson for a week diving. This trip was the 14th trip to Colona Divers through the last 9 years. They have visited Colona Sharm El Sheikh, Colona Hurghada lots of times before, and this year they decided to try out the diving in El Gouna. They were having a great times with lots of fantastic dives, and we hope to see them here again next year. Here on the photo, they are seen together with Kimmo Hagman and Niklas Funk from Colona Divers.

Finally the new staff arrived to El Gouna

Those who awaits you are from left:
Kristian
Hamed
Mattias
Stefan
Amin
Lars
Mattias
Mohammed (Driver)
Said (Equipment)

Sunny regards from El Gouna Staff

Colona at European Exhibitions

As usual you will find staff from Colona at the European Dive Shows during the coming winter. Please put those dates in your calendar and come visit us if you can.

19 - 27 January - BOOT SHOW in Düsseldorf

25 - 27 January - Ferie 08 in Copenhagen

23 - 24 February - Dive Ireland in Belfast

14 - 16 March - Vildmarksmässan in Stockholm

Weekly Safari

M/Y Francesca does weekly safaris - both northbound to the famous wrecks in the northern Red Sea, as well as southbound towards Safaga and the shipwreck of Salem Express.

Coming up on November 15th-22nd, there still are availability – the plan is to dive the wrecks of Rosalie Moller, Carnatic and Giannis D, as well as the well known reef Shaab El Erg” (a.k.a “Dolphin House”).

At this dive site, we’ve seen lots of dolphins lately; so your chances of diving with dolphins are great!

Price includes unlimited diving, bunk in a shared cabin, all meals, drinking water and a guide from Colona.

Price does not include safari-tax 3 Euro per person per day, equipment rental, soft drinks etc.

Embarkation in the evening of the 15th, first diving day on the 16th.
Last diving day and disembarkation on the 21st.

Nitrox is available.

Minisafari

Our popular 3-days minisafaris, with guaranteed departure, are leaving every Wednesday and Saturday from our jetty at Magawish hotel.

On the safari you get a chance to really experience what the Red Sea can offer, like wrecks, walls, drifts, intense coral reef and peaceful night diving. There are plenty of divesites in the Red Sea suitable for all experience levels, since most of the divesites can offer easy as well as more advanced diving.

The route goes either north or south, with our boat Colona V or Francesca. Check the availability on our website and book today!

Only a few places left on the following date: 17-19 November!

Membership card

Good news for all of you divers who love the Red Sea.

Colona is introducing a membership scheme which will save you money as you dive. Each time you return to dive with us, you will get a bigger discount.

Visit any one of our branches in Egypt and ask about our membership card - then you can instantly join one of the largest diving clubs in Egypt.

New collection of Colona clothes


If you want great, comfortable dive wear, Colona shops have once again restocked with a few new items. Now you can choose between different styles of board-shorts; both in male and female models.

The new “77” T-shirt was an instant hit; we had to make a new order immediately as the stock ran so low already on the first day. A different, more fitted version for girls is on its way and should be in our shops soon.

Since the winter is approaching; you can also choose to snuggle up on our boats in last years craze – the Colona hoodies and sweatpants. Perfect after a dive on windy days. And rumors say –new colors are arriving soon!

Also some other new designs of Colona Wear is coming soon – we’ll keep you updated!

The SS Thistlegorm will be inaccessible from 15th November till 15th December 2007 for urgent conservation measures that will help to preserve this historical and legendary wreck for the future. The closure is part of the new Saving The Red Sea Wrecks Campaign, which is being launched by HEPCA at the UK Dive Show in October.

The Campaign is the first of its kind and proposes a detailed safeguard plan to implement a mooring system, and a change in common vessel operational procedures that contribute to the degradation of the wreck. A complete educational and awareness program will also be rolled out to encourage more environmentally friendly briefings and best practice. The Campaign will later target the Rosalie Moller and other Red Sea wrecks under threat.

During the intense conservation operation, the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm will acquire a complete buoy mooring system; separate descent and ascent lines; and air-escape outlets to allow for pockets of disposed air from scuba tanks to escape.

We have witnessed for too long the long-term effects of an unprecedented level of use on the SS Thistlegorm and many other wrecks in the Red Sea. Without the intervention of proper preservation management we will lose these valuable wrecks forever.

We hope that all diving operators and organisations will stand together to assist in the realisation of this unique operation and the Saving The Red Sea Wrecks Campaign. More information will be available soon.

Colona Joins Facebook

Check out our Facebook Group: Colona Divers

Join up and get in contact with old buddies and staff members.
It's great fun, you can add photos and chat about stuff.

Also check out the photos page and keep an eye out for special offers.

Winners for Dive Ireland Prize Draw

THE WINNERS ARE (AND A BUDDY OF THEIR CHOICE):

6 DIVE PACK WITH COLONA DIVERS SHARM EL SHEIKH.
Ms. M Brownen (mbrownen@yahoo.com)

3 DAY LIVEABOARD WITH COLONA DIVERS HURGHADA.
Mr. Alan Coughlan (coughlanalan1@yahoo.ie)

FREE EQUIPMENT RENTAL FOR 3 DAYS WITH COLONA DIVERS SHARM EL SHEIKH.
Mr. Rob Marson (robmarson6@msn.com)

6 DIVE PACK WITH COLONA DIVERS EL GOUNA.
M. Price (mprice@eircom.net)

DIVER PROPULSION VEHICLE COURSE WITH COLONA DIVERS SHARM EL SHEIKH
M. Don (mdon@oceanfree.net)

Winners please email the relevant Colona branch to claim your prize.

Der letzte Messetag ist vorbei und wir können uns über eine sehr schöne Woche mit vielen Besuchern an unserm Stand freuen.

Die 38. "Boot-Düsseldorf" konnte insgesamt 273.000 Besucher aus mehr als 60 Ländern verzeichnen und ist damit mit Abstand die weltgrößte Wassersportmesse. Schon jetzt freuen wir uns auf die 39. Boot vom 19. Bis 27 Januar 2008.

Das ganze Colona-Messe Team möchte sich bei allen Besuchern bedanken. Wir freuen uns, viele von euch bald auf unseren Basen in Ägypten begrüßen zu dürfen.

Ein ganz besonderer Dank gilt auch Martina und Herbert von unserem Reiseveranstallter TSL. Der Messestand und die Versorgung mit Getränken und Essen während der Messetage war hervorragend.

Neben dem heutigen Gewinner unserer Mini-Safari, Thomas Schirrmacher, wurde auch der Sonderpreis der Woche gezogen: Über eine Mini-Safari inklusive Advanced Open Water Kurs und anschließendem No Limit Hausrifftauchen kann sich Thomas Frei freuen.

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The last exhibition day is over and we can be happy about a nice week with many vistors at our stand.

The 38th "Boot-Düsseldorf" attract all in all 273.000 visitors from more than 60 countries and is by fair the world's biggesr water sports exhibition. Already now we are looking forward to the 39th Boot which will take place from 19th until 27th January 2008.

The whole Colona-Exhibition-Team wants to thank all its visitors. We are looking forward to welcome many of you at our dive centers in Egypt soon.

A special thank applies to Martina and Herbert of our travel agency TSL. The stand and the supply with food and beverages during the exhibition has been excellent.

Besides today's Mini-Safari winner Thomas Schirrmacher we also have the winner of the week's special prize: Thomas Frei won a Mini-Safari including Advanced Open Water Course, followed by No Limit Housereef Diving.

Den heutigen Messetag haben wir genutzt, um uns über die neusten Highlights der Tauchszene zu informieren. Besonders ist uns dabei die neuste Entwicklung im Bereich der Tauchanzüge aufgefallen. Es gibt erste Überlegungen, die Colona-Staff im Sommer mit den Anzügen auszurüsten. Vorerst wird aber Kimmo ein paar Testtauchgänge mit dem Anzug durchführen. Ob davon allerdings Fotos veröffentlicht werden...

Über den Gewinn einer Mini-Safari kann sich heute Jan van Melis freuen. Gratulation vom ganzen Team.

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Today's exhibition day we used to get informed about the newest highlight of the diving scene. We specially noticed the newest development in diving suits. There are first considerations to equip the Colona-Staff with these suits in summer. But before Kimmo will make some test dives with this suit. But if photos will be published... who knows.

Today Jan van Melis can be happy about the prize of a Mini-Safari. Congratulations from all the team.

Neben vielen "alten" und zukünftigen Gästen waren heute gleich 3 Unterwasser-Models an unserem Stand zu Gast. Neben den Fotografen Kimmo und Frank waren die Models Sabine, Uschi und Dagi da.

Natürlich drehte sich wieder mal fast alles um spektakuläre Tauchgänge mit atemberaubenden Bildern. Ok die ein oder andere Geschichte von den sagenumwobenen "After-Dive" Partys gab es natürlich auch ;o)

Gratulieren können wir heute der stolzen Mini-Safari Gewinnerin Sabine Mehnert.

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Beside a lot of "old" and future guests today 3 underwater models visited our stand. Next to the photographers Kimmo and Frank also the models Sabine, Uschi and Dagi have been there.

Of course the main issue has been again the spectacular dives with breath-taking photgraphs. Sure there was also the one or the other story of the famous "After-Dive" Parties ;o)

Congratulations to our proud today's winner of the Mini-Safari Sabine Mehnert.

Colona is presented at the Danish Dive Show - "FERIE 07".

The well knows Danish exhibition is taking place at Bella Center in Copenhagen on the 26th - 29th of January. Colona has a stand (C4:31) with some special offers. Don't miss the Dive Show if you are in the region.

Erst 6 von 9 Messetagen sind um und wir konnten uns schon über sehr viele Besuche von ehemaligen Gästen freuen. Noch erfreulicher ist das wir fast alle der ehemaligen Gäste bald wieder in Ägypten begrüßen dürfen.  

Heute hatten wir eine ganz besondere Glücksfee an unserem Stand. Der Tagesgewinner wurde von Sabine "Hagmann" :o) gezogen...

Der stolze Gewinner heißt Klemens Wangen. Wir wünschen dir viel Spaß bei der Mini Safari.

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Just 6 of 9 exhibition days finished and we could meet already a lot of former customers and divers. But even better is that soon we will welcome almost all of them in Egypt again.

Today we had a special fortune fairy at our stand: Sabine "Hagman" :o) The lucky winner of the day is Klemens Wangen. We hope you enjoy your Mini-Safari.

Walter Comper Redakteur des deutschen Tauchmagazins “tauchen” war heute Gast an unserem Stand. Natürlich gab es ein interessantes Fachgespräch zwischen den leidenschaftlichen Rebreather-Tauchern Walter, Kimmo und André. Bei der Gelegenheit wurde auch direkt eine spezielle Rebreather-Safari geplant. Dabei werden mit Sicherheit auch wieder während der “blasenfreien Tauchgänge” viele erstklassige Fotos von Kimmo entstehen.

Wir gratulieren dem heutigen Mini-Safari Gewinner Ulrich Korf und sagen bis bald auf einem unsrer Safariboote.

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Walter Comper editor from the German diving magazine “tauchen” visit today our stand. Of course a interesting conversation happened between the passionate Rebreather diver Walter, Kimmo and André. At this opportunity we planed directly a special Rebreather-Safari. For sure during the “silent dives” Kimmo will take again a lot of first-class shots.

Congratulation to the today's winner of the Mini-Safari Ulrich Korf. We look forward to see him soon on one of our Safari boats.

Heute kam die Team-Verstärkung in Form des “Extreme Underwater Photographer” und unserem Big Boss Kimmo Hagmann himself.

Natürlich war einer der ersten Wege zu Subtronic um hier die neusten Unterwasserblitze zu sehen. Bei der Gelegenheit wurde auch direkt die Colona Foto-Leihausrüstung ein “wenig” aufgestockt.

Neben den Wide-Zoom Olympus Kameras verleiht Colona demnächst als erste Basis am Roten Meer die passenden Subtronic Blitze. In Kombination mit einem der berühmten Fotoworkshops bei Kimmo stehen den perfekten Shots nichts mehr im Wege.

Der Tagesgewinner der heutigen Mini-Safari ist Marco Gastl. Wir freuen uns auf die Safari mit ihm, vielleicht in Kombination mit einem Fotoworkshop... ;o)

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Today we could welcome one more member in our Colona Exhibition Team "Extreme Unterwater Photographer" and Big Boss Kimmo Hagman himself. One of his first visits today was of course the professional flash manufacturer Subtronic to see the latest Underwater flashes. We took the
opportunity to expand Colona's rental photoequipment a "bit".

Beside the Wide-Zoom Olympus Cameras Colona Magawish will be the first Dive Center in the Red Sea renting the suitable Subtronic Flashes. In combination with one of Kimmos famous Photoworkshops, you will be able to do the perfect shot.

The winner of todays Lucky Draw: Marco Gastl. We look forward to the
Mini-Safari with him, maybe in combination with a Fotoworkshop...;o)

Die HEPCA Red Sea startete gestern mit einer Unterschriftensammlung für ihre neue Petition zum Schutz der Korallen des Roten Meers. Keine Frage das das Colona Team zu den ersten zählten die ihre Unterschrift gaben.

Des Weiteren wurde vom HEPCA Managing Director Mr. Amr Ali und dem Vice Präsidenten Mr Johann Vifiander VDST und das Sharkproject mit dem Preis der “Egyptian Underwater & Lifesavings Federation” ausgezeichnet

Nach dem ihr uns auch heute zahlreich besucht habt mussten wir uns zum Abschluss des heutigen Tages “leider” mit einem Eis abkühlen.

Der glückliche Gewinner unserer heutigen Mini-Safari Verlosung heißt Udo Teichmann. Wir freuen uns ihn bald in Hurghada begrüßen zu dürfen.

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HEPCA Red Sea started yesterday to collect signatures for their new Petition to protect the Corals in the Red Sea. Of course the Colona Team was one of the first that sign it.

The HEPCA Managing Director Mr. Amr Ali and the Vice President Mr. Johann Vifiander awarded the VDST and the Sharkproject with the 'Egyptian Underwater & Livesavings Federation' price.

Also today had numerous vistiors, so "unfortunately" we had to cool down our day with some Icecream. ;-)
Our lucky winner from today is Udo Teichmann. We look forward to welcome him soon in Hurghada.