It’s never too early to start planning for 2024. Come diving with us in Antarctica’s Circle & Weddell Sea. Of course, there will also be some spectacular shore excursions. More details soon. PM me if you are interested in coming along. And who knows… we just might create a signature martini for this epic adventure.
Booking Link: Here
Itinerary Details: Here
Scuba Program Details: Here
— Jennifer Hayes & David Doubilet,
National Geographic Underwater Photography Legends
& Storytellers
David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes
A long, long, long time ago I embraced photography as my primary form of creative expression. Mainly because I felt I did not possess the talent to be a painter. Anyway, I awoke this morning to a lovely message from an Art Teacher in Monroe, Louisiana. In a roundabout way it seems that one way or another… I’m determined to channel my inner Van Gogh through my photography.
Our story, “Teamwork in the Depths” is published in the current issue of “Alert Diver Magazine.” Last fall, Stephen Frink, editor of Alert Diver asked if we would author a story given the premise that underwater photographers are increasingly sharing the ocean with equally passionate underwater photographers and there may be fierce competition to compete for a photo op. As Kathryn and I had recently been diving in the Philippines with a large group of underwater photo pros, and while the pressure should have been intense to come home with the very best images, our social media posts implied we were working in a climate of camaraderie, respect, and support for getting the best image… all while not stressing the marine environment. Many thanks to Stephen and his talented team at Alert Diver. The consistently high quality of this publication speaks volumes about their teamwork.
The feedback we have received from our peers says it all for us:
“I certainly agree with all of this!”
“Good work bro & Kathryn!”
Here is a link to the story online: HERE
Jett & Kathryn BritnellThe world’s largest gathering of pioneers of exploration in space, in the oceans and on land came together in New York City on April 22, 2023, for the Explorers Club Annual Dinner (ECAD) at The Glasshouse to celebrate the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and resource conservation. The Dinner is the highlight of a week that included special events featuring many of the world’s most famous and distinguished explorers. ECAD is the longest-running charity gala in New York City. Since 1896, it has raised funds to support yearly operations – from putting explorers in the field to the Club’s yearly slate of 100+ public programs to the maintenance of its HQ building and historic archives to fieldwork, scientific research, and student grants, to name a few beneficiaries. Currently, there are just 3,827 Explorers Club members worldwide.
Ice Tower for Explorers Club signature cocktail.
Canadian Chapter TableWe had a blast in NYC attending ECAD events and the Annual Dinner. ECAD is the longest-running charity gala in New York City and since 1896, it has raised funds to support yearly operations – from putting explorers in the field to the Club’s yearly slate of 100+ public programs to the maintenance of its HQ building and historic archives to fieldwork, scientific research, and student grants, to name a few beneficiaries. Currently, there are 3,827 members worldwide.
Canadian Chapter DInnerMost of our Canadian Chapter members were able to get together for drinks or dinner during ECAD week. All I will say it was gratifying to see that the Canadian Chapter had commandeered three tables this year at ECAD. I was also told by more than one person that the Canadian Chapter is viewed as being the “gold standard” of chapters. It takes a village and accolades such as this are a direct reflection of the combined efforts of our chapter’s Executive Team and volunteers.
Jaclyn WhittalI was also the beneficiary of some exceedingly kind words from a remarkably talented individual. Jaclyn Whittal has been forecasting and reporting on the most extreme weather across North America for 13 years. She has stood in front of the world’s largest ever recorded tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma, has been in the centre of 9 hurricanes, and reported on countless blizzards, wildfires, and floods across the U.S. and Canada. She’s worked as a meteorologist, journalist, host, and field producer on the hit storm chasing series STORM HUNTERS for The Weather Network… and is also a Fellow in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and a newly elected Fellow in The Explorers Club. With all affection I call her the “storm-chasing babe.” And she has become a trusted friend to both Kathryn and me.
Last year, Kathryn and I accepted an invitation from diving legend and Atlantis ImageMakers Ambassador, Marty Snyderman, to fly to the Philippines in August, with an international group of nine other underwater photo pros, to participate in Atlantis ImageMakers 2022, hosted by Atlantis Dive Resorts and Liveaboards, Philippines.
Our collective mission for two weeks between the two resorts, Atlantis Dumaguete and Atlantis Puerto Galera, was to do nothing except come along and… “bring a great attitude, dive safely, and above all have fun!” We did all that, and more. While we were under no obligation to do so… we decided to write a story about it for our adventure column in Luxe Beat Magazine.
Flamboyant cuttlefish. Photo by Jett Britnell.
Jett Britnell Photo
London’s immortal drinking dens have been part of the storied town’s cultural fabric for centuries. Swarthy smugglers, roguish pirates, drunken sailors, dreaded press gangs, a great fire, multiple wars, literary legends, inebriated philosophers, dubious politicians, spurned lovers, hell raising thespians, ribald poets, hedonistic rock stars, gentrification, and a global pandemic could not bring London’s celebrated pub culture to its knees. Shrouded in history, London’s boozers are rife with tall tales of excessive indulgence, scandals, and allegedly stories of spooky paranormal activity. These worn-in social shrines of yore have been the backbone of British society and provided a meeting place where people from all walks of life could order an amber elixir, soak in the atmosphere, and get drunk on history.
The Coal Hole entrance. Photo by Jett BritnellOur story “Pub Crawling London’s Immortal Drinking Dens” was published this morning in Luxe Beat Magazine and it has earned us our 16th “Editor’s Pick” and another “Feature.” I had to truly take one for the team on this boozer expedition as I had to bend the elbow… I mean… conduct solo research… at several of London’s historic pubs without Kathryn as she was attending some business meetings while in town. With a nod and a wink to Charles Dickens… “It was a far, far better thing that I did than I have ever done; it was a far, far better pub crawl that I went on than I have ever known.
The Mayflower pub. Photo by Jett BritnellStory is: Here
LuxeBeat July 2022For outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, Portugal’s western Algarve is increasingly becoming known for being an ideal hiking destination to immerse oneself in an off the beaten path adventure. Renowned for its wave-swept sea cliff-backed beaches, golden sand dunes, deserted footpaths, and whitewashed fishing villages, the Algarve’s western coastline is breathtakingly beautiful. In the interior, the pastoral countryside is characterized by rolling hills and verdant valleys dotted with cork plantations and small rural villages where time has seemingly stood still.
Rota Vincenta Trail Jett BritnellThe lush forested green spaces are comprised of cork, eucalyptus, and pine trees interspersed with scenic gravel backroads and well-trodden footpaths. Barring any unforeseen heat waves, the climate here is relatively mild during the winter and warm in summer. Many of the natural sites are protected areas and have been designated UNESCO world heritage sites. It’s remarkable that so few people seem to know about the Algarve’s wild west?
Ponta do Castelo Jett BritnellLink to story is: HERE
Well, New Year’s Day 2022 is the day I officially assumed the role and responsibilities of Chapter Chair of The Explorers Club- Canadian Chapter. While it all still seems a bit surreal to me, I’m comforted knowing that we have a group of extremely talented people on the Canadian Chapter’s Executive Team. Tomorrow it’s “Ahead warp factor one“…because all things in life should be more about the voyage… than the destination.
Scuba News Canada Story: Link
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(Play Nice In The Sandbox, Kids. Ask, Don't Steal)
