We take this as a time to sit down and reflect on what has gone well, and what can be improved as we continue to grow. We take pride in the fact that we are still growing, even in a year that has been challenging on many levels. We know however, that our success comes from you. We want to continue to offer the best selection and interesting designs that help you express your personal style and show off the sport you love. Thank you for your business and for spreading the word to your dive buddies.

Refer a friend. The best advertising we could ask for comes from you, our valued customers. We know we wouldn't be sucessful with out you and we would like to ask for your help. Please let your dive buddies know about us!

Considering the fact that water covers 70% of the planet it is strange that many people pay such little attention to the health of our seas and oceans.

Many of us gaze in wonder at the natural beauty of a sea scape or dream about swimming with dolphins or going whale watching without considering how our constant demand for cheap fish in our supermarkets and fossil fuels with which to cook the fish and heat our homes impacts on marine habitats. It is perhaps easier to ignore pollution in the seas and oceans as for many it is not as immediately visible as it is on land.

Other marine species are struggling as a result of global warming and changes in sea temperatures. Average sea temperatures have risen around 1ºC over the past century and are forecast to rise an additional 3ºC over the next 100 years unless we dramatically cut fossil fuel emissions.

The impact that humans have had on the world`s oceans is almost catastrophic. Sea beds have been devastated by such fishing practices as bottom trawling. Coastal developments, built so that we can enjoy the coastline have destroyed any number of marine habitats. Ships travelling long distances often carry `alien` species into other habitats in ballast water with devastating effects on indigenous populations.

There is so much you can do to prevent the further destruction of our oceans and so many of these efforts won`t even cost a penny (although charitably funded conservation groups always welcome donations!) Volunteer on a beach clean up day or weekend. Hundreds of sea creatures die each year from getting tangled in or eating litter that gets discarded on the beach. If you are lucky enough to live near the coast, sign up for beach watches and surveys.

Every time you visit the supermarket or eat in a restaurant you can have an impact by choosing not to buy or eat endangered fish species such as shark, monkfish or skate. A recent campaign in the UK has managed to persuade all the country`s top markets to stop selling most of these fish. Make an effort to find out where the fish comes from and if it comes from sustainable sources and is ethically caught. If the answer is no, then don`t buy it. If enough people do this, the supermarket will be forced to stop selling it.

In the case of a natural disaster like a hurricane or an environmental disaster such as the latest oil spill in the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand, get involved in the clean up. You can even combine this sort of thing with a holiday. How much better and productive to do some good on your time off as opposed to vegetating on a beach or in the pub?

If you enjoy the outdoors and spending time by the coast then make sure you are dressed for the occasion. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as bad weather, just inadequate clothing. Many mainstream brands are cottoning on to the fact that we like to look good even when we are mucking around outdoors, brands such as Animal clothing offer a great selection for spending time on the beach in any season.

Whilst it can be tempting to pack up your kit bag and book a cheap flight to warmer waters, in this day and age of carbon friendly behaviour, not to mention the economic situation, it might pay in many ways to look a bit closer to home. If you learnt to dive abroad you may be a bit nervous about taking your first plunge into the chilly, low vis British waters, but with a bit of knowhow and a good 8mm with hood (or preferably dry suit) you could find an absolute gem of a dive site right under your nose.

It`s a popular misnomer that all the UK waters are cloudy, cold and void of marine life. If you know where to look there are actually a whole host of reasons to dive closer to home. Pick the right dive site and the substrate, coupled with the favourable currents can produce crystal clear waters with visibility of up to 20m or more, statistics to rival the Maldives. Also, if you know what you`re doing, you don`t always need to freeze your BCD off in UK waters. That lovely Gulf Stream which brings us our temperate climate also brings with it pockets of warm water streams which arte nutrient rich and a haven for marine life. Admittedly it`s not quite the bath temperature, shortie wearing experience you will get in the tropics, but still makes for a year round pleasant dive and an unique experience overall.

Once such hidden gem can be found in the North East of the British Isles. The Isle of Skye in Scotland, famous for its tasty whiskies and massive man made causeway, is one of those little known places which is in just the right place at the right time. Despite being in the far North of our island, this Inner Hebridean Island is perfectly placed to catch the best of the Atlantic Gulf stream and to create an underwater haven, ripe for exploration by intrepid divers.

Unlike the more popular overseas resorts there is no queue on the shot line and no barrage of dive boats awaiting your return; just you, the sea and the sea life. Novice divers can enjoy the sheltered side of the island whilst more experienced divers can challenge themselves with the more taxing drift dives around the island wall. From lump suckers to spider crabs, feather stars to urchins, there is a kaleidoscope of colour and life lurking beneath the waves in this Scottish paradise. If you have never dived a truly dense Kelp forest then this is one thing you have to try. There is nothing quite like emerging from a kelp jungle to see a WWII wreck stretched out in front of you, or parting the fronds to reveal a cheeky wrasse staring back.

Much of the area is still as yet unexplored, so experienced divers can make the most of the self guided tours and 64 launch points around the island to explore undiscovered reefs, little known wrecks and hidden caves and crevices. Make the most of your holiday freedom by opting for one of the UK holiday cottages on the island, which will allow you the space and time to plan your trip just the way you want it.