Welcome to Issue #24 of Inside Scuba

Welcome to this issue of Inside Scuba! As we conclude our first calendar year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and enthusiasm. In this issue, we delve into the ethical considerations of marine parks, provide a comprehensive guide to diving California's Channel Islands by guest author Christine Hartley, and feature an exclusive interview with Kraken Sports founder Doug Telesky. Additionally, we offer the latest dive news, review the latest Retra Pro Max strobes and don’t forget our Instagram spotlight . Thank you for being an integral part of our community.

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What’s happening in this edition?

• Can We Love What We Cage? The Dilemma of Marine Parks
• Dive News
• The Power of Strobes: A Deep Dive into Retra Pro Max Features
• Exploring the Depths: A Diver’s Guide to California’s Channel Islands
• Behind the Scenes at Kraken Sports: An Interview with Founder Doug Telesky
• Instagram Spotlight
• Summary

Can We Love What We Cage? The Dilemma of Marine Parks

I’ve long been obsessed with the ocean and its inhabitants, a fascination shared by humanity for ages. As divers, we’re privileged to witness the underwater world firsthand, observing marine life in its natural environment. Many of us, however, were likely first inspired by visits to places like SeaWorld or aquariums. I fondly remember my local aquarium in Chester, UK, and the joy of sharing that experience with my nephew, Oscar.

While divers might sometimes feel a sense of superiority, we must consider how non-divers develop their passion for the underwater world—how they begin to understand something they may never experience directly.

For decades, marine parks and aquariums have aimed to bridge this gap, showcasing magnificent creatures like dolphins, whales, seals, and sharks. These centers were once celebrated as educational and entertaining marvels, offering a glimpse into the ocean for those who couldn’t see it themselves. But as our understanding of marine life has deepened, so has the controversy surrounding captivity. The debate is complex: Are these facilities still relevant? Do they do more harm than good? To answer these questions, we must examine their history, evolution, and the ethical dilemmas they present.

Marine animal captivity dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the display of smaller species in aquariums. The move to larger animals coincided with advancements in tank design and transportation. The 1960s and 70s marked a golden age for marine entertainment parks. Facilities like SeaWorld in the US and Marineland in Canada captivated millions with performances featuring orcas, dolphins, and sea lions. These meticulously choreographed shows highlighted the intelligence and trainability of these creatures. At their peak, these centers symbolized innovation, adventure, and a connection to nature.

However, this booming demand had a dark side: the capture of wild animals. Early capture methods were often brutal…

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Photo Tip of the Week - The Power of Strobes: A Deep Dive into Retra Pro Max Features

For years, I coasted along as an underwater photographer, casually snapping away and coming home with a decent collection of images from each trip. It wasn’t until I joined my first Alex Mustard workshop that I truly began to grasp what underwater photography was all about and how I could elevate my work. The most valuable lesson I learned that week wasn’t about my camera, lens, or housing—it was about the light I used. As Alex explained, photography is all about capturing light, so why not ensure you're using the highest-quality light possible? The one light source we rely on for every photo is our strobe, yet many photographers overlook its importance. Instead, they focus on the latest lenses or cameras with improved autofocus. Shifting that mindset toward investing in the best strobes you can afford can make a world of difference.

If you're looking to upgrade your underwater photography gear, I would always recommend prioritizing strobes over any other piece of equipment. For me, the single most transformative upgrade I ever made was purchasing my Retra Pro strobes. The difference they made to my images was immediate and remarkable. The power, softness, and overall quality of the light they produced were a significant step up from my previous Inon strobes.

Wide-angle scenes became a joy to light, with the even spread of light offering far more forgiving results. Suddenly, I was able to illuminate compositions I wouldn’t have even attempted before. Shooting against the sun was no longer a challenge, and I could effortlessly light up features as large as the bow of a shipwreck.

Since I started using Retra strobes, my personal photography career has…

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In this issue we are fortunate to have an article written by guest author Christine Hartley. Christine tells us about her local diving off the coast of Southern California. We hope you enjoy it and if you would like to write an article about your local dive sites, we’d be happy to hear from you.

Exploring the Depths: A Diver’s Guide to California’s Channel Islands

By Christine Hartley

The Channel Islands are an archipelago made up of eight islands that sit 160 miles off the coast of Southern California in the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean. Famous for their beautiful kelp forests and abundant marine life diving the Channel Islands should be on every diver’s bucket list.

The islands are in a “transition zone” where multiple currents converge, bringing nutrients up to the surface from the deep ocean making these islands a rich marine environment. The islands are split into the Northern and the Southern Channel Islands. Five of the islands; Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara Island are part of Channel Islands National Park, a marine sanctuary.

Northern Channel Islands

The Northern Channel Islands consist of Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel. These islands are slightly colder as the current brings down cold water from Alaska. Anacapa and Santa Cruz are the most visited islands and are accessible on day trips. San Miguel is normally only accessed via an overnight trip due to its distance from the mainland.

Southern Channel Islands

The Southern Channel Islands consist of San Clemente, San Nicolas, Santa Barbara, and Santa Catalina. San Clemente and San Nicolas are used by the US Navy for testing and training and are closed to the public during these activities. All these islands, except for Santa Catalina, are only accessible via overnight trips due to their distance from the mainland. The Southern islands are slightly warmer as the current brings warm water up from Mexico. This is why you can find scythe butterflyfish as far north as Santa Catalina.

How to Get There

Diving the Channel Islands is done mostly from boats that depart from harbors in the greater…

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Behind the Scenes at Kraken Sports: An Interview with Founder Doug Telesky

At the DEMA 2024 Show, one of the world’s largest diving trade events, we had the opportunity to sit down with Doug Telesky, founder of Kraken Sports. Based in London, Ontario, Kraken Sports has become a trusted name in the diving and underwater photography industries, offering innovative gear tailored for divers of all experience levels. Doug shared insights into Kraken’s origins, the company’s approach to product development, and some exciting new releases.

IS: Doug, thanks for taking the time to speak with us. Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us a bit about where you’re from?

DT: Of course! I’m Doug Telesky, and I’m from London, Ontario, Canada. It’s a city roughly halfway between Detroit and Toronto.

IS: London, Ontario—is that the "wannabe" London?

DT: (Laughs) Exactly! It’s not the original, but it’s home.

IS: Is Kraken Sports based there?

DT: Yes, that’s where our headquarters are.

IS: What brings you to DEMA this year?

DT: DEMA is an incredible opportunity to connect with new people and reconnect with industry friends. It’s a big investment to attend, but the face-to-face interactions and the chance to stay part of the conversation in the dive world make it absolutely worth it.

IS: How did you come up with the name “Kraken”?

DT: The name just clicked for me. I wanted something powerful and memorable—something that captured the idea of strength and something that would destroy the competition. The Kraken was the perfect fit.

IS: Why did you decide to start Kraken Sports?

DT: Growing up in a family dive shop, I worked with standard torches and gear, but I noticed gaps in the market. Divers needed better options. I started Kraken to fill those gaps, creating products that meet real-world needs. Today, we’ve expanded into a wide range of gear, but the mission remains the same.

IS: What sets Kraken apart from other brands?

DT: Our focus is on delivering high-quality products at reasonable prices. Not everyone dives weekly or professionally, so we aim to make great gear accessible to all divers—whether they’re occasional vacationers or seasoned pros.

IS: Would you say your primary market is divers or photographers?

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This week’s Instagram Spotlight features Gabriel Jensen. Gabriel is a Pompano Beach, Florida based Scientist, Freediver, and what fishermen call “Sharkhugger”. After overcoming a debilitating fear of dolphins and falling for lots of product placement shots on sharkweek, Gabriel started using a gopro to capture images of sharks, freedivers, and models dressed up as mermaids “for the gram”.

Gabriel found that taking macro images of tiny critters to be quite difficult while freediving and reluctantly acquired a set of scuba gear. Not soon after, the charm and personality of the blennies on his backyard reef took its toll, and Gabriel started a never-ending quest to “get good” at sharing their cute little faces with the world, along with their other tiny undersea neighbors.

Summary

Thank you for reading our latest issue. Wishing you joyous holidays and a prosperous New Year filled with health and happiness. May your future be adorned with thrilling dive adventures, and may the wonders of the underwater world continue to inspire and captivate you.

Andy & Byron