Latest news with #OpenWater
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Cry Before Dawn return with first major release in 36 years
Exclusive | Irish band's six-track EP includes limited edition 'Wexford' vinyl version The 'Best Irish Group' of 1989 are turning back the clock with their first major release of new material in almost four decades. In a nod to their Wexford roots, Cry Before Dawn's milestone release will include a collectors' limited edition purple and gold 12-inch vinyl record, available to pre-order from Friday. The band's first new recordings in over a decade were produced by Grammy nominated Chris O'Brien and Graham Murphy at The Production Suite in Dublin. New single Open Water – out on June 4 – is hallmark CBD, guitar-driven pop-rock with a distinctly Irish flavour, soaring chorus and the unmistakable crystal clear vocals of charismatic frontman Brendan Wade. An extended six-track Open Water EP or mini-album released Friday, August 1, but on pre-order from this week, will include brand new tracks Peace and Freedom, When It All Breaks Down, Learning How To Fly and Open Water as well as a reworking of 2011 comeback single Is This What You're Waiting For and a special live recording of fan favourite Victorians. The mini-album will be available on CD and on vinyl as well as download. Fans who order the record in the pre-sale will nab a special bonus: a wrist band giving them entry to the live launch in Wexford on August Bank Holiday Monday. Bass player Vinnie Doyle says that while the songs are new, the material 'is a clear link between the old and new Cry Before Dawn'. He's particularly looking forward to the launch in the band's hometown which will take place on the first weekend of Fleadh Cheoil 2025 in Wexford, when the town will be buzzing. 'The people of Wexford have always been our secret weapon. If they get behind this record, we think it could go all the way the top.' Of course, Cry Before Dawn are no strangers to those heights. Their first album, 1987's Crimes of Conscience, reached number two in the Irish charts and spawned a number of hit singles. Together with second album, 1989's Witness For The World, it catapulted the band to multiple award wins, tours of Ireland, the UK and the US and appearances on the highest profile TV shows across the Irish Sea. After an extended break, Cry Before Dawn reunited in 2011, releasing both a 'Best Of' album and a live set recorded at Wexford Opera House. Since then they've become fixtures on the live circuit with sellout shows around the country and appearances at summer festivals. In the run-up to the release of the extended EP, the 1980s heroes will be airing the new material at a number of live gigs, including Limelight 2 in Belfast this Friday, June 6; The Academy, Dublin, on June 7; Forest Fest in Emo Park, Laois, on July 25; Monroe's Live, Galway, August 1; Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick, August 2; and Crescent Concert Hall, Drogheda, August 3, before bringing it home to Wexford for the record launch. For full info on the pre order of the Open Water EP on vinyl and CD, plus details of the live launch wristbands offer, visit Cry Before Dawn's Facebook and Instagram channels from this Thursday.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Eighties music giants Cry Before Dawn in first major release of new songs in 36 years
In a nod to their Wexford roots, Cry Before Dawn's milestone release will include a collectors' limited edition purple and gold 12-inch vinyl record, available to pre-order from Friday. The band's first new recordings in over a decade were produced by Grammy nominated Chris O'Brien and Graham Murphy at The Production Suite in Dublin. New single Open Water – out on June 4 – is hallmark CBD, guitar-driven pop-rock with a distinctly Irish flavour, soaring chorus and the unmistakable crystal clear vocals of charismatic frontman Brendan Wade. An extended six-track Open Water EP or mini-album released Friday, August 1, but on pre-order from this week, will include brand new tracks Peace and Freedom, When It All Breaks Down, Learning How To Fly and Open Water as well as a reworking of 2011 comeback single Is This What You're Waiting For and a special live recording of fan favourite Victorians. The mini-album will be available on CD and on vinyl as well as download. Fans who order the record in the pre-sale will nab a special bonus: a wrist band giving them entry to the live launch in Wexford on August Bank Holiday Monday. Bass player Vinnie Doyle says that while the songs are new, the material 'is a clear link between the old and new Cry Before Dawn'. He's particularly looking forward to the launch in the band's hometown which will take place on the first weekend of Fleadh Cheoil 2025 in Wexford, when the town will be buzzing. 'The people of Wexford have always been our secret weapon. If they get behind this record, we think it could go all the way the top.' Of course, Cry Before Dawn are no strangers to those heights. Their first album, 1987's Crimes of Conscience, reached number two in the Irish charts and spawned a number of hit singles. Together with second album, 1989's Witness For The World, it catapulted the band to multiple award wins, tours of Ireland, the UK and the US and appearances on the highest profile TV shows across the Irish Sea. After an extended break, Cry Before Dawn reunited in 2011, releasing both a 'Best Of' album and a live set recorded at Wexford Opera House. Since then they've become fixtures on the live circuit with sellout shows around the country and appearances at summer festivals. In the run-up to the release of the extended EP, the 1980s heroes will be airing the new material at a number of live gigs, including Limelight 2 in Belfast this Friday, June 6; The Academy, Dublin, on June 7; Forest Fest in Emo Park, Laois, on July 25; Monroe's Live, Galway, August 1; Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick, August 2; and Crescent Concert Hall, Drogheda, August 3, before bringing it home to Wexford for the record launch. For full info on the pre order of the Open Water EP on vinyl and CD, plus details of the live launch wristbands offer, visit Cry Before Dawn's Facebook and Instagram channels from this Thursday.
Vancouver Sun
22-05-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Helpful hacks for flying with snowboards, bikes and other sports gear
Jay Clue coughed up a $280 overweight-bag fee because of a single mistake that he will never make again. As a globe-trotting photographer and diving instructor, Clue finds himself on the road often. In 2024, he logged more than 160,000 air miles. His pre-flight packing routine has become almost second nature: carefully 'Tetris-ing' camera and scuba equipment into two checked suitcases and a carry-on. His one misstep? Plan your next getaway with Travel Time, featuring travel deals, destinations and gear. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Travel Time will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'I forgot that my diving wet suit was still damp, along with some other items in my kit,' Clue said. 'Those few pounds made all the difference.' Because his carry-on and second checked bag were filled to the brim, he wasn't able to move any items to decrease the weight. 'I learned the hard way to blow-dry your scuba gear if it doesn't dry outside,' he said. Sound Intel, now that I'm a newly certified diver. In January, I earned my PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Open Water credentials. While I plan to acquire gear of my own soon, the idea of packing it all, frankly, scares me. I interviewed Clue and other outdoorsy travellers about how they best optimize flying with their gear, whether it's ski boots or mountain bikes. Although it might be counterintuitive, said travel writer Gunnar Olson, you can sometimes save by having more luggage. 'Two checked bags, with the weight equally distributed, can often be cheaper than one overweight bag,' said Olson, a winter sports fanatic and a host of 'The Thrifty Traveler Podcast.' It pays to do the math and dig into the airline's policies before booking a flight. Many airlines also consider a ski bag and a boot bag to be a single checked item. Olson recommended having the rules available on your phone at the airline counter. 'That way, if you get an agent unfamiliar with the policy, you can show them,' he said. Choose the right suitcase for your gear from the get-go, said Alisha McDarris, co-founder of Terradrift, an online source for outdoor adventure tips and gear reviews. For bikes and other fragile items, you can fly with hard- or soft-sided gear bags. Hard-sided bags are more protective but are generally heavier. 'If purchasing a dedicated case, pay attention to how much it weighs, especially in combination with your bike,' said McDarris, an avid mountain biker. 'You can pack heavy assembly tools in a separate bag, like your carry-on, in case those extra pounds are what put you over the airline's limit.' Most major carriers treat bike dimensions differently than traditional luggage, usually working in travellers' favour. However, if a bike is heavier than 50 pounds, expect a fee, just as you would with a checked bag. Don't forget to snap a few reference photos before zipping everything up, Clue said. 'I have so much gear that I kind of like to know how it was all oriented when I unpack,' he said. Don't want to pay for a checked bag? Those who hold elite status, carry co-branded credit cards, travel in premium cabins or are active-duty military members are typically off the hook. However, overweight- and oversized-bag fees still apply. Several airlines, including Turkish Airlines and Air Tahiti, allow travellers to bring scuba equipment free or at a discount (with restrictions). If there's no way to avoid checked-bag fees, try to purchase your allowance in advance. Some airlines provide a small discount for prepaid bags at least 24 hours before departure. By prepping in advance, you might even realize it makes sense to procure more luggage. 'Get your gear set up days before leaving, and weigh it at home,' Clue said. 'Besides paying for your checked bag, if you notice you're going to be way over the weight limit, maybe even buy another suitcase.' Consider suitcases that don't scream, 'There's expensive gear in here!' Some softer-sided rollerboards are protective and can still shield what's inside without looking like true gear bags. 'I try to go with suitcases like the Pelican Aegis duffel, where I can be somewhat incognito in the airport, so people don't know I have thousands of dollars' [worth] of stuff,' Clue said. This can be helpful when you get to your destination, too. 'If I'm walking around a new city, I want to be as low-profile as possible,' he said. Check whether your insurance policy can cover lost or damaged belongings. Sport-specific policies, such as dive insurance or ski insurance, often include the cost of rentals if an airline loses your gear. Even general travel policies cover lost or damaged equipment as part of your baggage and personal effects. Sometimes protecting your precious gear is just as important as protecting yourself.
Otago Daily Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Fairweather qualifies for world champs with stunning swim
Erika Fairweather. Olympians Erika Fairweather, Eve Thomas and Caitlin Deans have all recorded world championship qualifying times in an impressive 800m freestyle final on the opening day of the New Zealand Swimming Championships in Auckland. Fairweather showcased the form which saw her reach four Olympic finals last year. The 21-year-old led the race from start to finish, recording a time of 8:21.67s to go well under the world champs qualification time of 8:34.62s. Eve Thomas pipped Caitlin Deans for second place with a of 8:29.32, just over half a second ahead of Thomas. "It means so much to me to make that qualification time," Deans said. "Everyone swam such a good race so I'm really stoked. Sharing the pool with Eve and Erika and having them to push me along has made me a better athlete and got me to where I am and it's great that we all swam under that time." North Shore's Louis Clark won the men's 1500m freestyle in a time that qualified him for the 3-kilometre knockout Open Water event at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore in July. Another athlete to punch his ticket to a world event was 18-year-old Igor Russanov who qualified for the World Junior Champs with his fifth place finish in the 50m Freestyle final. Sixteen-year-old Ariel Muchirahondo continued his fine run of form, picking up the first long course open national title of his career, storming home to win the men's 400m Individual Medley. In the multi class events Viking Swim Club's Gaby Smith took out the women's 100m Breaststroke final. The SB9 swimmer went under the World Para Swimming Championships qualification time. In the men's 100m Breaststroke Joshua Willmer finished third to break his SB8 New Zealand record twice in one day and go under the World Championships qualification time. In the women's 50m Freestyle Chelsey Edwards added another national title to her name, while Zoe Pedersen finished third setting a New Zealand 18-years record and going under the World Junior Championships qualification time. Olympian Hazel Ouwehand retained her national title in the women's 100m Butterfly. More than 350 athletes are competing at the championships.
Irish Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Couple's horrifying final moments after being left in shark-infested water
It's been 26 years since the chilling disappearance of Tom and Eileen Lonergan, a case that still sends shivers down the spine. The terrifying vanishing of the couple spurred the making of a major movie after they were last seen diving near their boat tour on January 25, 1998, only to vanish without a trace. Regrettably, the baffling mystery around what happened to them has never been solved. Tom and Eileen, both from America, had journeyed to Port Douglas in Northern Australia for what was meant to be an exhilarating vacation, but it turned into a nightmare. They found themselves abandoned in shark-ridden waters by late afternoon, some 40 miles off Queensland's shores, an ordeal so dreadful it later became the subject of a popular film. Their trip was intended to be a dream holiday. Having completed a two-year stint with the Peace Corps in Tuvalu and Fiji, the Lonergans chose to explore the famed Great Barrier Reef. Having met at university in Louisiana and married for ten years, reports the Daily Star detail their shared joy in traveling and diving, reports the Mirror US. Eileen's enthusiasm for diving had evidently influenced Tom over time, and their voyage to Queensland was the pinnacle of their common passions – a trip that would sadly be their last together. Yet, the happiness was tinged with looming unease. An uncanny note found in Eileen's diary just a fortnight before their ill-fated getaway hinted at Tom harbouring a "death wish". She wrote: "He hopes to die a quick and painless death, and he hopes it happens soon. Tom's not suicidal, but he's got a death wish that could lead him to what he desires and I could get caught in that." Their dream dive into the Great Barrier Reef in January 1998 quickly turned into a living nightmare when they were left behind by their tour boat, the Outer Edge. The other divers were unaware as the couple was stranded in dangerous waters off the Queensland coast, notorious for its massive, deadly tiger sharks. Last seen enjoying the underwater wonders 12 meters deep, the Lonergans surfaced after nearly an hour to the horror of finding the Outer Edge had vanished, heading back to Port Douglas without them. It was a shocking two days before anyone realised the couple was missing. Their absence was finally noted when skipper and owner Jack Nairn discovered their possessions, including a dive bag with wallet and papers, on his boat. A desperate yet fruitless search ensued, and chilling evidence emerged over time. Items such as Eileen's undamaged wetsuit, inflatable jackets bearing their names, and most hauntingly, a dive slate from the following morning were discovered after their disappearance. The heartbreaking message they left read: "To anyone W.H.O. can help us: We have been abandoned on A[gin]court Reef by MV Outer Edge 25 Jan 98 3pm. Please help us [come] to rescue us before we die. Help! ! !". Despite the chilling scenario reminiscent of the movie Open Water, evidence suggested that a shark attack was improbable, and as the hours ticked away, the prospects of finding the Lonergans alive faded. The occurrence turned into an international row between Australia and the US, with Outer Edge's legal team inferring the couple could have deliberately vanished, pointing to (leaked) diary entries as evidence for their stance. Rumours of suicide or even a murder-suicide planned by Tom emerged, only to be strongly rebuffed by the Lonergans' family members, who dismissed such notions as slanderous and absurd. Eventually, culpability was assigned to the Outer Edge, with Nairn acknowledging his carelessness. Coroner Noel Nunan firmly attributed blame to skipper Nairn in his concluding remarks at the inquiry into the disappearance, emphasising the duty of the skipper to ensure the well-being of passengers. He said: "The skipper should be vigilant for the safety of passengers and ensure safety measures are carried out. "When you combine the number of mistakes and the severity of the mistakes I am satisfied a reasonable jury would find Mr Nairn guilty of manslaughter on criminal evidence." Although Nairn escaped conviction by the jury, his firm, Outer Edge Boat Company, went under in the scandal's wake. The ordeal brought about regulatory reforms in Queensland, introducing a requirement for dive boat skippers to conduct roll calls for all divers aboard. The chilling disappearance of the Lonergans inspired the 2003 hit film Open Water, which portrayed a young American couple left stranded after an ocean dive. The film struck a chord with audiences, especially in the US where it grossed $30 million on a shoestring budget. Yet, despite the worldwide attention drawn by the Lonergans' disappearance - the political upheaval, the legal disputes, and the Hollywood dramatisation - it couldn't bring them back to shore.
