Fly Underwater With Subwing: A New Carbon Fiber Watersport Product From Norway.

Subwing is a new water sport product invented in the summer of 2010 by Simon Sivertsen. It allows you to fly through the water, much like a dolphin. The Carbon Fiber 'wings' allow you to glide, turn and twist as much as you'd like at the water's surface or ocean's bottom, while being pulled by a boat.





Simon and his team have worked to perfect the Subwing’s performance, feeling, and design - and with multiple patents pending, have finally launched the product.




The Inspiration:
It all started when Simon went on a trip in the Mediterranean sea with his family’s sailboat. Some driftwood came floating by and gave Simon an idea. With a pen and paper, he started to flirt with the idea of attaching rope to the driftwood, imagining that being pulled through the water from behind the boat might be fun.




The next time they went ashore, Simon searched for some appropriate driftwood and collected the best pieces. Once home, he tried the new invention. The idea was OK, but something was missing.

He began to think about how it could be done better. At a shopping center in Italy, he bought two cutting boards, a garden hose and a couple of Gardena-links. This inspired the idea of hanging two wings together, which gave completely different control.



To develop the underwater wing he called 'Subwing', he took time off from the university for one year. At home in Kristiansand, he tested the product in the winter ice-cold seawater.

For awhile he had to tape his wet-suit hood with duct tape so that he could test the new prototypes. He got right down to designing and drawing a new shape for the wings, and started looking for more appropriate materials. After a year of working with design and finding the right materials, the wings have been perfected.



Simon is now ready to share his invention with the world. And hopes people will have as much fun and enjoyment as he and his friends get from it.



The Subwing gives you the opportunity to explore the sea in a way as never before, choosing your own pace and gliding directly above the ocean sand floor. You can do thrilling twists and turns, or simply cruise along the surface.

The movement of the SUBWING can be easily controlled by tilting the wings in different directions. You can easily achieve dives (up and down), sideways movement or spins.



The Subwing is attached to a boat with a recommended rope length of about 15 meters. The speed of the boat should be about 2 knots. If you use a longer rope, it's easier to achieve deeper dives.

The only additional equipment needed is a diving mask. If desired, snorkel and fins can be used, but this is not necessary.

If you want to equalize the pressure in your ears, the rear triangle rubber grip is designed for controlling the SUBWING by one hand. Note that reasonable amount experience with the SUBWING is needed before attempting to use the triangle grip.



Subwing is produced with high quality materials to achieve the right stiffness in combination with a lightweight and durable structure. It is constructed of carbon fiber, using advanced and innovative production methods.

SUBWING is designed for underwater sports activity and is patent-pending.


• The Center swivel is made of a combination of rubber and stainless steel.
• The ropes that is attached to Subwing is made of Dyneema fibers, considered the world’s strongest fiber used in ropes.
• The ropes are permanently glued into the stainless steel fastenings in the wings with waterproof epoxy.


above: Graphics on the Subwing are as shown in the above picture.

Subwing consists of the following parts:
- Two carbon fiber wings with rubber pads for perfect grip.
- One detachable center swivel.
- One attached rear rubber triangle.
- Ropes attached to the wings. (You still need a rope to the boat)

Note:
NEVER use any type of compressed air when diving with SUBWING.
Always read the manual before use.
The wings are handmade and there may be slight cosmetic differences for each wing.

Subwing
$795.00: Carbon Glossy
$795.00: Carbon Matt

Extra
$40.00: Subwing Rope
$20.00: Subwing USB



Subwing AS
Holskogveien 48
4624 Kristiansand
Norway

An Art Exhibit 100 Feet Below Sea Level. Life Below The Surface by Andreas Franke.

100 feet Below Sea level - The Exhibition
One Year after Andreas Franke's visit to the Vandenberg his images of the wreck were filled with charming stories and now they are exhibited on the most relevant place possible, where the project began.

Since August 4th 2011 divers can benefit from a very special experience and find a package of 12 images placed on the hulk of the artificial reef General Hoyt S. Vandenberg located 100 feet below sealevel and approximately seven miles south of Key West.

Andreas Franke's exhibition contains the twelve works below, showing everyday scenes from past times. The stage of those scenes is the very place the pictures are now exhibited, on the Vandenberg.

The 12 Photographs:













The images are encased between sheets of Plexiglas with a stainless steel frame. A silicone seal keeps out the water. The images are attached to the ship by strong magnets which grants a damage free removing after the end of the exhibition.



Andreas says that the images are "Mystified scenes of the past that play in a fictional space. Dreamworlds, where you can get lost or you can identify with. This makes a new and unexpected atmosphere."






Visiting the exhibition with chartered Boats is possible out of Key West.

About The Ship:
The Vandenberg - From Troop Transporter to Art Gallery

The ship later known as General Hoyt S. Vandenberg was launchend in 1943. Initially it was named USSGeneral Harry Tayler and acquired by US Navy as a troop transport ship for WW II.

In 1961 the ship was transferred to US Air Force, converted to a missile range instrumentation ship and renamed to Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg. In this function the Vandenberg served US Air Force and US Navy till its military retirement in 1983.

The Vandenberg Its second career started in 1998, when the ship became the stage for the science-fiction movie "Virus". It substituted the Russian vessel Akademik Vladislav Volkov. Some of the cyrillic lettering is still visible on the hull today.

In 2008 a group of investors auctioned the Vandenberg. The vessel was transferred to Key West to get sunk and convert to an artificial reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. In 2009 all necessary preparations were done and finally the Vandenberg got sunk on 27th May 2009. The 523 feet long ship is the second largest artificial reef in the world. More information at www.bigshipwrecks.com

In 2010 was Andreas Frankes first visit to the Vandenberg. He did several dives and shot loads of pictures which should give new food to his thoughts. This was the beginning of "Life Below The Surface" and Vandenbergs last conversion so far, the conversion to an underwater art gallery.

About The Photographer:
 

Andreas Franke is in business for more than 20 years and nowadays one of worlds most respected advertising photographers. For Luerzer's Archive he is listed several times in "200 Best Ad Photographers Worldwide" and his work is honoured with the most important awards in business. Andreas Franke in Key WestClienst like Ben&Jerry's, Coca Cola, Ford, Heineken, Visa or Nike are just a few of global brands which trust on his abilities.

Additionally to his commercial work Andreas worked on several personal projects. "Life Below The Surface" is his freshest and most sensational.

Andreas Franke on his work "In my photography I try to construct illusionistic worlds. I like to see things from a different angle and I try to create new kind of views. Thereby taking images of a sunk ship and bringing life back to the ship by filling these images with stories was always very interesting for me. By diving the Vandenberg I finally found the perfect stage and the last obstacle to realise my idea was removed.

My work is always based on a strict concept, which is photographically and technically perfectly implemented. Every little detail is part of a precisely arranged production. There is no space left for fortuity."

images and information courtesy of the artist and KeyNews

Obscenely Decadent Valentine's Gifts

Most of us don't have $10,000. to spend on a Valentine's gift, let alone $2,000,000.
But for those lucky few who do, here are a few thoughts.

Below are some options from a 1.7 million dollar space ship ride to a diamond-encrusted Mercedes 600SL (That's right...if you have to ask, you can't afford it). A photo engraved on 6.8 grams of pure platinum. And a custom home theater.

Perhaps you'd prefer your own private island for the two of you?

Maybe a 1.5 million dollar underwater venture?

Okay, so this list is completely useless for the average joe, but we can dream, can't we?

If any of you want to know more about these items, simply click on the pic and through the magic of the internet, you'll be there!