It’s one of the most anticipated events for French divers: the international dive show is once again set up as usual at the Parc des Expositions at Porte de Versailles, from January 11 to 14, 2019. With two arranged levels, 19,000 m² of surface area, and nearly 500 exhibitors, this new year should bring its share of surprises, discoveries, and beautiful encounters for visitors.
Citizen Science
This 21st edition is marked by the theme of transmission, sharing, and wonder, giving a special emphasis to citizen science. This show thus supports scientific projects and their educational impact on the diving public. Biologist Patrick Louisy is the ambassador of this citizen science theme, with his exhibition dedicated to seahorses. In a massive blue box installed at the show, he will immerse the audience in the heart of the Thau lagoon, a privileged sanctuary for the sea horse. An interactive exhibition that will unveil the numerous researches conducted since 2005 in this astonishing ecosystem.
Guillaume Néry and Julie Gautier, patrons of the show
The freediving couple sponsors this 21st st edition. True emotion bearers through their numerous achievements (Narcose, Free Fall, Ama, Runnin’…), they will unveil, exclusively, their latest film One breath around the world: an epic that took them freediving around the world, discovering incredible landscapes and meeting numerous underwater species. Guillaume Néry remains in the spotlight as he will also present a beautiful book, À plein souffle (éd. Glénat), as well as his new clothing brand Bluenery.
Fashion shows, exhibitions, and signings
In addition to meeting the 500 exhibitors present at this event, the public will be able to discover the latest neoprene trends during fashion shows. They can escape into the magnificent photo exhibitions of:
Patrick Louisy (Seahorses),
Greg Lecœur (A Breath of Mediterranean),
Alban Michon (Arctic Expedition),
Laurent Ballesta (Best of the photographer biologist’s expeditions).
This show also marks the release of numerous books:À plein souffle by Guillaume Néry,Seahorse by Patrick Louisy,Immersions by Rodolphe GuignardThe Adventures of Théky by Franck Girelli and René Heuzey…
Authors will engage in signing sessions throughout this weekend. Finally, like every year, the public will be able to attend numerous screenings and conferences or immerse themselves in the large pool at the heart of pavilion 5 for introductory freediving, helmet diving, or ‘mermaid diving’ sessions and try their hand at target shooting or diving with the iBubble drone.
Photo and video contests
The dive show is also the meeting place for underwater image lovers. A video (short film or clip) and photo contest will reward the best image takers. The two themes of the photo contest this year are: ‘seahorse and their cousins’ and ‘citizen science, study, and civic engagement in diving’. Nearly 1000 photos have been submitted for this contest. The results will be announced on Friday, January 11 at 7 pm during the show.Practical info: the show will open its doors on Friday, January 11 from 10 am to 9 pm for an evening opening, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 January from 10 am to 7 pm, and finally Monday 14 January from 10 am to 3 pm. Entry: €13, free for children under 8. Parc des Expositions – Pavilions 5/1, 5/2, and 5/3 – 1 place de la Porte de Versailles – 75015 Paris. More information on the dive show website 2019.