DATELINE: 16th October 2001

WANT A ROLEX? THAT'S JUST FOR STARTERS
Visiting the recent Dive Show in Birmingham was a 24-year-old who is having the year of his life. While there, on a stopover between international dive trips, he was presented with a Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch, but he has already been showered with thousands of pounds worth of choice dive kit, photo and video gear and a £15,000 expense account.
This week Joe Rees Stevens flies to the Seychelles for three weeks to help out with an underwater survey; soon he will be improving his underwater camerawork in the field under guidance from the best, the BBC Blue Planet's Doug Allen. Most weeks until next April will find him moving between equally exciting work experiences revolving around the underwater world.
Joe, who comes from Cornwall, is the first Rolex European Diving Scholar, which is why he is leading such a charmed life. The scholarship, sponsored by Rolex Watch and backed by Diver magazine, is an extension of the educational activities of the Chicago-based Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society, which has run scholarship schemes in the USA for 27 years.
You could be Joe's successor, but you must apply before the end of November.
What would it take to be the next Rolex European Scholar? Joe is a PADI Divemaster, has a first in environmental sciences, was best student in his graduating year, speaks five languages and has travelled widely in pursuit of his interest in marine ecology. But don't let that put you off - if you are fit, have done at least 25 dives and are a qualified diver aged between 21 and 25 and with good academic credentials, 2002 could be your year.
If you think you qualify, visit www.owuscholarship.org for details and an application form, or contact European Scholarship Co-ordinator Elvin W D Leech at PO Box 19, Lurgan, Craigavon BT66 7US, Northern Ireland, tel/fax: 028 3882 0462.

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