profile of cmas and paua
DESCRIPTION
Brief Description of Underwater OrganizationsTRANSCRIPT
CONFÉDÉRATION MONDIALE DES ACTIVITÉS SUBAQUATIQUES
I. Background
Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques or The World Underwater
Federation was founded in 1959 and by now it comprises over 130 federations from 5 continents.
In addition to organizing international underwater sport events it is at the forefront of technical
and scientific research and development. It can be associated with elaborating one of the oldest
and most extensive dive training systems.
II. History of CMAS
On the 28th of September 1958, delegates from the following Federations: Federal
Republic of Germany, Belgium, Brazil, France, Greece, Italy, Monaco, Portugal, Switzerland,
the United States of America and Yugoslavia met in Brussels on the occasion of the congress of
the independent International Confederation gathering all underwater disciplines.
With this aim, a meeting was held in Monaco on January 9, 10 and 11, 1959 and a decision to
establish the "World Confederation of Underwater Activities" in brief "C.M.A.S.", was
taken.
This Confederation succeeded, specifically in regard to all functions and responsibilities,
the "Comité des Sports Sous-Marins" (Underwater Sports Committee) of the International
Confederation of Sport Fishing founded on the 22nd of February 1952.
III. Board of Directors
The Steering Committee
President: Achille Ferrero
Vice President: Ivan Nyiri
Secretary General: Alessandro Zerbi
President Scientific Committee: Hassen Baccouche
President Sports Committee: Xavier Duran Soler
President Technical Committee: Kevin O‟ Shaugnessy
Treasurer: Alain Germain
Members
Anna Arzhanova Nevel Lukas
Inkilap Obruk Bozana Ostojic
Sameh Nabil El-Shazly Stanislav Predko
Joao Comes Pedro Oscard Enrique Ruiz Cubillan
Natalia Gechikhina Gunnar Jarvholm
Simon Khoury Llias Xiarchos
Byung Doo Lee Shunji Yoshizawa
COMMISSIONS
CMAS is composed of three major committees. These are sport committee, technical
committee and scientific committee.
SPORT COMMITTEE
Apnoea
The term "Apnoea" designates a sports event where the athlete holds his breath keeping
the face below the surface of the water. Free diving is a technique used in various aquatic
activities. While in general all aquatic activities that include breath-hold diving might be
classified as a part of free diving, some sports are better established than others. Examples of
recognized freex diving activities are (non-) competitive free diving, (non-) competitive spear
fishing and free diving photography. Less recognised examples of free diving include, but are not
limited to, synchronised swimming, underwater rugby, underwater hockey, underwater target
shooting, underwater hunting other than spear fishing, and snorkelling. The discussion remains
whether free diving is only a synonym for breath-hold diving or whether it describes a specific
group of underwater activities. Free diving is often strongly associated with competitive breath-
hold diving or Competitive Apnoea.
Aquathlon
Aquathlon is a martial art and combat sport in the water and
under the water. The origins of the name, 'Aquathlon' are
'Aqua' - water and 'Athlon' - wrestling. The object of
Aquathlon is wrestling between two wrestlers wearing
masks, fins, ankle bands and ribbons. They wrestle under
the water and on the surface in order to tear off their
opponent's ribbon from one of his ankle bands.
Finswimming
By finswimming we mean the
progression with monofin or with two fins
either on the surface or underwater, by
means of the swimmers' muscular force only
and without use of any mechanism, not even
muscle powered. For underwater disciplines
with breathing euipment, only compressed-
air sub-aqua equipment is allowed.
Underwater Hockey
The British Navy invented underwater hockey in
the 1950's to keep their divers fit and to improve
their ability to move and work efficiently under
water. The game came to Australia shortly after
and has evolved into a fast, dynamic sport, played
in more than 20 countries. Underwater hockey is
played in a 25m x 15m pool that is between 2 - 4 m
deep.
Orienteering
Competitions in Underwater Orienteering take place in deep, open water bodies and over various
distances, as prescribed in the competition rules. Competitors must, while remaining completely
submerged without any contact with the water surface, reach specific points or pass specified
points.Competitions in underwater orienteering are based on the principle that orienteering and
searching tasks are performed under water with the aid of a compass and distance meter. The
competitor may only use his/her own muscular strength to propel him/herself. The breathing
apparatus used may only be filled with normal compressed air. Enrichment with oxygen is not
allowed. The only contact with the surface of the water allowed is a buoy line and a safety buoy.
A snorkel and/or knife is, despite earlier safety rules, not compulsory.
Underwater Rugby
Under water rugby was
invented in Köln, Germany 1961
and became popular in the Nordic
countries under the name, UW-Polo.
Before the first Championship in
1978 the rules had to be merged
(different number of players, 4 vs. 8,
playing above the surface, etc). The
game has since then evolved and
now involved 13 counties at the
latest championship
Spearfishing
Competitive underwater fishing is defined as the hunting and capture of fish underwater
without the aid of artificial breathing devices, using gear that depends entirely on the physical
strength of the competitor.
Sport Diving
The Sport Diving is: The set of individual or group competitive events, which need of a
technical, tactical and specific psycho-physical conditions, based on scuba diving abilities, skills
and equipment, develop in swimming pool, regulated and institutionalized within by the
Underwater Activities.
Underwater Photography and Videography
Underwater photography is the process of taking photographs while under water. It is
usually done while scuba diving, but can be done while snorkeling or swimming.
Underwater videography is a video production, the branch of underwater photography
concerned with capturing underwater moving images either as a recreational diving or
commercial documentary, or filmmaking activity.
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Mission Statement
The main focus of the T.C. is with providing the CMAS members with safe diving. This
is achieved through promoting world class standards for all aspects of Scuba Diving and
ensuring adherence of them by member federations and dive providers
Organization:
The makeup and functions of the T.C. is as follows:
President - answers to and is part of the CMAS Steering Committee and Board of
Directors. He leads and guides the T.C. members towards working productively on
projects deemed required by the BOD.
Secretary - ensures the smooth running of the T.C. Organises T.C. meetings, issues
agendas and minutes in a timely manner. Maintains the working files and is the link
between the CMAS Web masters and the T.C.
Standards Director - ensures that the standards created by the T.C. are to a correct
standard and follow world trends.
Education Director- responsible for the teaching material provided to the CMAS
members
Technical Director - concentrates on the aspects of technical diving and supplying this
information to the T.C.
Diving Security Director - ensures that the standards of CMAS are upheld and follows up
on any reported breaches
Special Tasks Director - researches and works on special tasks requested of him by the
president
Members - assist the president and directors in carrying out their duties.
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
The main task of the CMAS Scientific Committee is to bring into focus the important
issues related to the marine environment: invasive species, coastal ecosystems, biodiversity
observation and monitoring to divers around the world. In fact, divers are the first and best
witnesses of the underwater environment condition and must play the role as a major and
dynamic actor of marine environment protection. The CMAS Scientific Committee is settling the
basis of this participative approach of divers to the underwater environment preservation
CMAS holds its 2012 Ordinary General Assembly in Rome Italy. Delegates express their higher satisfaction with President's report when compared to reports of previous years
The Ordinary General Assembly of CMAS saw a
rather high, 80 % representation of the
Federations, members of the organisation. They
heard the President's critical and self-critical
report with majority approval. For many years
the first time the report was confirmed with
unanimous vote. Vice-President-prepared Masterplan got a number of written amendments
from federations that will be incorporated into
the final version of the document.
An agreement of cooperation with UNESCO was
signed at the General Assembly after the presentations of that world body's representatives.
Documents were signed by the Confederation President and the President of the Scientific
Committee.
Committees's annual reports were heard with great interest, together with the report of the
Treasurer on last year's accounts. Running year's budget was also supported by the delegates
with a unanimous vote. The quietus to the Steering Board and to the Board of Directors was
approved with no votes against. This is partly due to the fact, that CMAS in the past four years
managed to improve its annual balance by more than a million Euros and the financial future of
the Confederation looks solid.
Report on the new, - long overdue Statutes - provoked the longest and most heated discussion of
the GA, resulting in a unanimous decision of holding an Extraordinary General Assembly by the
end of November. The purpose is to avoid 2013 elections run by the provisions of the present,
majority criticised Statutes. After the Assembly close, an ad-hoc working group was formed that
will send the draft Statutes to the federations before the end-of-July deadline.
For the venue of the 2013 Elective General Assembly four countries presented their candidacy.
The Philippines, Russia, Spain and Tunisia. By the meeting, Tunisia withdrew it proposal, but at
the meeting, Rome as an alternative was included into the voting. Delegates present appreciated
the fair campaigning of the Philippine delegation and gave their confidence the that country by
40 votes, against 32 votes for St. Petersburg-Russia, 30 for Mallorca-Spain and only 23 votes for
Rome-Italy. No wonder the winning delegation started their celebration in the conference hall
already. Delegates left with a firm determination of changing the Statutes by the end of 2012 so
next year could see a fundamental change also in this respect.
The Philippine Association on Underwater Activities Bid to host the
2013 Elective General Assembly of the World Underwater Federation
Arriving early in Rome on the 14th of
April 2012, the PAUA representatives
comprising
of the Association‟s President Mr. Benedict
Reyes, its Vice President Ms. Karen Chan and
the Philippine Finswimming‟s President Ms.
Mary Ann Reyes immediately coordinated
with
the World Underwater Federation‟s
Secretariat office to make sure that all
requirements needed for the presentation are
complete.
Constant communication was made until the day of the presentation – 21st of April 2012
to ensure that all updates and changes are known.
8 countries signified their intent to host the 2013 General Election but only 4 countries
were chosen to present during the assembly: ROME, ITALY; ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA;
MAJORCA, SPAIN; CEBU, PHILIPPINES.
Arriving early at the venue on the presentation day, the Philippine delegation set up the
promo materials and established rapport with other federation leaders from different countries.
The presentation highlighted the beauty of the Philippines – not only it‟s rich and vast
marine resources but also above water; focusing mainly on uniquely Filipino values such as
hospitality, fun-loving and warm smiles. And of course, rallying the new slogan of the Philippine
Department of Tourism – “It‟s more fun in the Philippines”.
After the votes had been cast, the nervous Philippine delegation in all humility has taken
home the title to host the 13th World Underwater Federation Elective General Assembly 2013 in
Cebu, Philippines.
PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION ON
UNDERWATER ACTIVITIES
The Philippine Association on Underwater Activities (PAUA) aims to unify, develop,
and promote the underwater activities in the Philippines. It is further charged with undertaking
marine conservation projects and sports-tourism.
PAUA envisions the Philippines to have internationally accepted standards in relation to
Underwater Activities. PAUA desires to broaden the reach of Confederation Mondiate des
Activities Subaquatiques (CMAS) to some of the most important Government Agencies that
need more comprehensive skills than just recreation. Most of these agencies believe that only
CMAS can offer the precise training needed for them because of CMAS‟ numerous commissions
and focuses.
It is important to raise the standards of the people who deal with public safety and
regulation of the laws. It is also a vision for the scientific related Departments and Bureaus of the
Philippines to be at par with the internationally accepted standards in scientific diving.
PAUA is an organization which bears the CMAS flag through its endeavors in teaching
SCUBA in the premier university in the country – University of the Philippines for almost a
decade. PAUA has also tapped in the University‟s Marine Science Institute to bear the
certification of CMAS.
Moreover, PAUA through the Philippine Finswimming Federation, Inc. (PFFI) has
promoted the Sports of Finswimming throughout all the regions in the country through
organizing Finswimming Competitions which were attended by some CMAS members in Asia
like JSUF (Japan), KUA (Korea), POSSI (Indonesia), HKUA (Hong Kong) to name a few. With
PFFI‟s effort, it has been accepted by some schools to become a staple Physical Education
subject.
PAUA has also established its credibility with its partners. Proof of this is its receipt of
grant by the Asian Underwater Federation (AUF/CMAS Asia) to host the 1st Asian Underwater
Photo Championships from 26 to 30 November 2011 in the Philippine Shores.
SOURCES:
Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques. Retrieved September 30, 2012 from
http://www.cmas.org.
Philippine Association on Underwater Activities. Retrieved September 30, 2012. from
http://paua.com.ph/
„