Current 11 digit numbers will also change.

The change goes into effect today, Thursday, although there will be a four-month grace period during which both the old and the new numbers will work.

The new digit will be added after the 01 at the beginning of each mobile number, and the added number is different for each of Egypt s three mobile providers 2 for Mobinil, 1 for Etisalat, and 0 for Vodafone.

According to a report by the government-run Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, the number of mobile phone users in Egypt increased by 22.2 percent in 2010, reaching a total of 59 million users.

To determine which number should be added to any old mobile number, see the list below

Mobinil (old -> new)

012 XXX XXXX -> 0122 XXX XXXX
017 XXX XXXX -> 0127 XXX XXXX
018 XXX XXXX -> 0128 XXX XXXX
0150 XXX XXXX -> 0120 XXX XXXX

Etisalat

011 XXX XXXX -> 0111 XXX XXXX
014 XXX XXXX -> 0114 XXX XXXX
0152 XXX XXXX -> 0112 XXX XXXX

Vodafone

010 XXX XXXX -> 0100 XXX XXXX
016 XXX XXXX -> 0106 XXX XXXX
019 XXX XXXX -> 0109 XXX XXXX
0151 XXX XXXX -> 0101 XXX XXXX

He said ‘Giulio is so animated about freediving and how much he is enjoying it that I wanted to try it too’.

["So proud of Daddy!"]

Mike was a very attentive student, listened and went through the AIDA * course with a mix of ‘oh this is new’ and ‘oh this feels great’!  We saw clown fish, squirel fish, a nudibranch, lots of gobies and crabs and all just off the beach Think a day on the boat is called for now.  Lula (above) wanted her picture taken too, much more interesting than a certificate!  So so cute!  Well done Mike and keep up with the relaxation!

Bye bye Hurghada…. Hello Sharm el Sheikh!

First day was interesting. Picked up at the airport by Honza and taken straight to the hotel so we made it in time for lunch  Result! Honza asked if you are ready to go in the water then Martin is training at 2.30! I met the other judge Miguèl Vannieuwenhoven (www.AndamanApnea.com) and we arranged to go out to the platform to watch. There was the huge barracuda nicknamed Luca, hanging around at 15 metres with rather big teeth! There were some other freedivers training with Andreas on one platform and Martin and his team on the other.  Martin’s team had his lovely wife Niki and organizer David doing freedive safety, videographers, photographers, lots of technical divers and lots of smiling faces, really good to see! Martin did some variable dives and looks like he is ready for some records!

First night in a new place is always a bit strange. What made it stranger were the Michal Jackson greatest hits from the Hotels DJ. Thankfully it stopped at 11 so I could get some sleep. Unfortunately my body didn’t want the same thing and at 5.30 decided that I should be wide awake. Good photo’s from the balcony though. We had a meeting after breakfast and were given cool event T-shirts and nice yellow Judge t-shirt, don’t think anyone is going to miss us!

Line measuring is always fun and in the heat we built up a bit of a sweat too! How many men does it take to measure a line? Quite a few, but it is a rather long line!

Judging Sharm El Sheikh 1st – 10th October 2011

2 Star Course – 16th – 18th October 2011

If you would like another date please mail us and we can see when we can arrange some freediving fun for you!

First dive in the Red Sea

We did theory and pool work as usual on the first day of a 2* AIDA course but the boys were so excited and they could see the sea… so had to give them some time to explore and see some fish!  They were like school kids let out on a break.  There first experience of the Red Sea, fish and corals on a small scale from the beach, some soft corals around the marina and flying fish too.

When they came out of the water you can just see the smiles on their faces, this was the beginning of an exciting few days discovering the Red Sea and her many wonders.

They completed the 2* course after just 3 days and were wonderful students who listened and excelled themselves both reaching over 20 metres in depth and looking good in the water!  Even the turtle was impressed by their finning at the end of the course!  Then it was time to relax before a trip to Cairo today.

Day off on Sunday and then we start with the 3* course on Monday!  Still one place left if you would like to join mail me today

Just Breathe

This is the beginning of a freediving day with Freedive Egypt!  Sitting around breathing and focusing on the day ahead.  We start with stretching followed by deep breathing and relaxation.  Visualisation to get into the right ‘head space’ and to discover any stresses or worries that might be on your mind.  We then discuss the plan and help to eliviate worries or concerns.

Easy to see just from the stance that the guy to Michaels left is going to be using more air on his dive!  Shoulders forward, chest compressed, no room to breathe!

The return journey gave us time for the exam!

Have you ever taken an exam in a nicer setting?  He was a superstar and did really well finishing with 97% pass!

We are looking forward to Michael coming back later in the year to work on more head down equalisation which was much better by the end of his stay but a cold meant unable to complete this time.  I think it’s just an excuse to come back again myself

“Thanks for your help and training
You changed my way to freedive

Michael”

September 2011

1 Star Course - 6th Septebmer 2011

1 Star Course – 7th September 2011

2 Star Course – 8th – 10th September 2011

3 Star Course – 12th – 14th September 2011

1 Star Course – 19th Septebmer 2011

2 Star Course – 20th – 22nd September 2011

2 Star Course – 24th – 26th September 2011

If these dates don’t match with your requirements then mail me to tailor sometime to suit you!

We are in sunny Sharm (its crazy hot here! seems much hotter than Hurghada!) ready for Anna’s Variable Weight World Record Attempt.

The sea is calm and inviting but I can’t get the idea of a hungry shark being out there!

This was the second year of the Great Northern pool competition in the UK. It was extended to two days this year to accommodate a DNF (no-fins) competition this year. It increased considerably in size due to the popularity of last years event. Only a handful of the UK’s top divers were unable to attend in some capacity, all the big hitters and some tremendous new talent were there.

On Saturday the 12th March I was proud to see John Moorcroft top the bill with a tremendous 130m DNF swim. He has a UK record in him for sure still after over a decade on the circuit. He did it for charity too so please follow this link http://www.justgiving.com/John-Moorcroft/. There were also good white card performances for second and third places from Dave King (last years overall winner) and Chris Laycock (last years best newbie.) 

The ladies were led by a new UK National DNF record for Liv Philip using all her experience to pull out a white card, she has only had white cards in my competitions so i am thrilled for her achievement. Kattie Lussier and Meike Holzmann were DNF twins both finishing at the same point, well done.

On Sunday the 13th March which was UK Nationals day, the day almost all belonged to the mighty Dave King with a massive 226m Dynamic swim. Top dive mate, my respect!  I didn’t quite get to get over and see him surface as his top was at the same time as the mermaid of the pool Mandy Buckley. She has fought back this year from a very serious illness and she got in and equalled her personal best from last year and I needed to be there to see it and give her support. Apneists UK’s Mandy Buckley was fortunate enough to collect a new Orca Breath wetsuit from Orca, our generous sponsor. She is going to do a swim for charity in June and you can read more about her and sponsor a good charity here , a truly amazing story!

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=mandybuckley

In the main event Apneists UK’s Chris Crawshaw decided to go for solid white cards and did a great and very easy 150m swim and a 5’30 static for a very respectable 2^nd place in the UK Nationals in his first competition, followed behind closely by Tim Money in third place. Liv Philip won the title for the second year in a row, George Miller again cemented her place as one of the all time best female UK divers with a respectable 2^nd place. Kattie Lussier skidded into third place overall with two exciting dives and Apneists UK’s very own Nikki Bream took the 3^rd place in the UK Nationals. Her shocked look when she heard at the prize giving, and her joy when she realised she was on the podium was one of my favourite moments.

The event ran smoothly, because of the hard work of many. I need to say a massive thanks to all the helpers. I counted over 40 individuals helping over the two days, and they were all essential. Even one of the jobs not being done would have made it extremely difficult if not impossible to run safely and without hiccups. I want to point out at this time they were all volunteers, using their different skills and expertise to help the athletes and I appreciate their help! I have had three days to reflect and it makes me prouder every day to see how our group has come together for this.  People were travelling from as far as London, Scotland, Yorkshire, Bristol and Wales. Oh, and the RED SEA!! Thank you!

George Miller, current UK static record holder said "This year went really well! The event was at the Liverpool aquatics centre, a state of the art facility. I must say my jaw hit the ground when a staff member of the centre asked one of the organisers how deep he wanted the pool for the static competition! I didn’t know that pools could do that! In all seriousness, I’m sure I’m not the only one who felt privileged to be able to compete at such a top class facility.  

The seamless organisation and brilliant atmosphere saw many freedivers, both seasoned and beginner, from several different clubs across the country come together to make a really brilliant day. I think it was reflected in the results. We saw a fantastic national record from Liv Philip with dynamic no fins of 111m and a massive dynamic from Dave King of 226m. The most inspiring swim of the day was Mandy Buckley, who managed a formidable 150m swim. 

I would like to thank the organisers, Steve Millard and his crew from www.freedivers.co.uk , the Liverpool aquatics centre for having us and all those who took part. I’m hoping that next years event will see some international faces."

Here is a selection of short videos including the two National records:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSNSIGxtQwA

http://www.youtube.com/user/seanpetersfoto#p/a/u/1/zS9rmfVYXOs

http://www.youtube.com/user/seanpetersfoto#p/a/u/2/Ue7jbbJ3snw

Thank you to the world class pool, the relaxed & super helpful staff and our generous sponsors:

Lifestyles Leisure

Sean Peters www.sppv.co.uk

George Stoyle www.earthinfocus.com

www.orca.com

Urban Gastropubs

Electrical lighting superstore

No-Tanx

Salt Free divers



www.freedivers.co.uk/team/stevemillard.asp 

 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GEORGE STOYLE OF EARTHINFOCUS.COM

This however was not the usual scuba diving safari!  This was the first Breatheology safari which combined a mixture of breathing techniques, meditation and freediving with personal life planning and goal setting.  This Unique experience was enjoyed by a select group of business owners.

This trip was a culmination of lots of planning from the group organizer Stig Avall Severinsen – the founder of Breatheology and Danish Team coach for the Freediving World Championship winners in Japan 2010. Stigs’ book ‘Breathology – the art of conscious breathing’ has now been translated into English and is available from Amazon together with a selection of T-shirts and sweatshirts.

The safari departed from the port of Marsa Ghalib which is only a 15 minute drive from Marsa Alam airport making it ideally located for southern safaris.

Our first stop was at a sandy bay to introduce the group to static breathold diving.  Holding the breath while lying face down in the water.

A meditation course was also being undertaken during this week run by Danish author Henning Daverne providing useful techniques which can be used in the business environment, everyday life and for freediving relaxation.

After an active first day of discovery we enjoyed a restful night at sea watching the sunset and a multitude of stars.

Morning yoga activated the body and mind for the day ahead to discover snorkeling and experience some beautiful marine life and start to explore the feeling of diving underwater.  For the majority of the guests this was their first time to see the wonders of the Red Sea and the first time to wear a mask and fins.  The journey of freediving discovery had begun!

The week continued to provide new personal insights and interactions with marine life.  We were very lucky to be able to interact with a large pod of dolphins and relive the experience in the evening after dinner as the dolphins enjoyed playing with the freedivers and swimming along with us under water.  We also saw a large white tip reef shark that came along to see what was happening when the guests were discovering their depths and swimming down a line.  This is called constant weight diving when you swim vertically down a line while wearing a fixed amount of weight, a mask and fins.

The lounge area was ideal for group work as well as relaxation where the group enjoyed watching the movies ‘The Big Blue’ and ‘The history of freediving’.

This was a unique safari tailored to meet the needs of this specific group.  I was very happy to be able to provide freedive safety and support for a great group of people and to witness the development of people with no previous freedive experience achieve breath holds of up to 5 minutes and depths of up to 30 meters.

A big thank you to Stig for all of his organization and to Bella Safari’s for enabling me to join this experience in the Red Sea.