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03/05/2005: "MICKEY DORA PHOTO ........continues below pictures"
Surfers are spoiled. Divers do it tougher. A young surfer travels the world with half a dozen or more surfboards and the latest sponsored surf clothes. He's introduced to all the prettiest girls and gets invited to stay in the best homes as part of the perks. When he departs for the next country he may leave the clothes and surfboards behind as gifts, a new batch awaits at the next destination. In addition he may earn a few hundred grand in a good year while travelling the world.
Imagine diving competitions held in an endless summer style circut around the world!
If marine fashion clothing is ever to be big - then sponsorships will flow to professional photo divers, fin swimmers, free divers and maybe spearfishers.
Competitions staged for the media publicity is the key. Easier now with cheaper, miniature cameras for the recording of underwater staged events.
There is a strong link between surfing promotions and what is possible in diving promotion ...... yet the underwater managers have not been quick at picking up clues.
Malibu (longboards) were the original large surfboards. They slumped in popularity between 1970 and 1980 as the faster short boards suddenly dominated the scene. In 1979 no longboards were being made - at all.
Since then the malibu shape has made a steady comeback. Today 1/3 of all new surfboards are the original longboard shape which offers relaxing and artistic expression of movement.
Some surfers dive and some divers surf. Many surfer photographers take excellent marine pictures with their underwater housings. There is a good connection between the sports, but diving misses out on the sponsorship of it's young players.
