October 2011
DIVE LOCALLY
WHERE IT REALLY MATTERS
TAMPA & ST. PETERSBURG
FLORIDA
Two Cities, One Great Place to Dive
BONAIRE
The Second Time’s A Charm
KIDS SEA CAMP
Dad-Just Five More Minutes
LAKE JOCASSEE The Secret is Out Volume 1 Issue 7 $1.95 US/$2.25 Canada
FIND US ANYWHERE
DIVE LOCALLY, WHERE IT REALLY MATTERS
Pick us up today in your local dive shop. Find us on the web using your smartphone, Kindle, iPad, or Tablet PC.
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OCTOBER 2011
more info online at www.divenewsnetwork.com
Southeast Dive News
The complete resource for diving in the Southeast.
www.sedivenews.com
Publisher / Editor-in-Chief Rick Stratton rick@divenewsmag.com Art Director Philip Wilson graphics@divenewsmag.com Editor Jamie Farris editor@divenewsnetwork.com Production Manager IJ James ij@divenewsmag.com Expo Coordinator Selene Muldowney expo@divenewsmag.com Accounts Manager Tove Chatham Mailing/Collections Dianna Ritchie Advertising Sales Manager Keath Allen (360) 240-1874 x105 keath@divenewsmag.com Circulation/subscriptions 360-240-1874
Dive News Magazine is committed to promoting the sport of scuba diving in the Southeast. We will present a practical, unbiased point of view regarding all aspects of the sport of scuba diving. The Dive News Magazine believes in honesty and integrity in business and will support all efforts related to this. We encourage readers to participate in determining the content of this publication by giving us their opinions on the types of articles they would like to see. We invite letters to the editor, manuscripts and photographs related to diving or diving-related business. Send us your stories and photos! IMPORTANT NOTICE The Dive News Magazine reserves the right to refuse service to anyone. The contents of Southeast Dive News are opinions of individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor or its staff. The publishers and contributors assume no responsibility for any mishap claimed to be a result of use of this material. Diving is an adventure sport containing inherent risks. Improper use of diving equipment or diving techniques may result in serious injury or death. Readers are advised to use their best judgment in each individual situation. MOVING? In order to continue receiving your magazine uninterrupted, please notify Northeast Dive News when you change your mailing address. To ensure uninterrupted service, please contact us six to eight weeks before the change of address occurs. You can call us at 360-240-1874 PST or email us at nediver@nedivenews.com or mail at: Bedrock Publications P.O. Box 1494 Oak Harbor, WA 98277
IN THIS EDITION
◄ Cover by Annie Crawley
Holly Wakely poses, using her Sealife Camera for her PADI Master Seal Photo Mission during Kids Sea Camp Palau 2011 with Sam’s Tours. PADI Instructor Annie Crawley, founder of Dive Into Your Imagination and member of Women Divers Hall of Fame took the cover shot, during Kids Sea Camp Palau 2011.You can visit her websites at www.AnnieCrawley. com or www.DiveIntoYourImagination.com to learn more, or join Annie on a Kids Sea Camp trip in 2012. To find out the schedule for upcoming trips go to www.KidsSeaCamp.com
Monthly Columns Publisher’s Note.................................4 Incoming Mail.....................................5 Southeast Hot News..........................6 Southeast Activities............................7
Wreck Racing League.....................8-9 Ecoweek.............................................9 Tropical Dive Directory................22-23 Local Dive Directory....................22-23
LOCAL DIVE DESTINATION 10 Tampa and St. PetersburgTwo Cities, One Great Place to Dive
Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg diving is an adventure that takes some patience but it is the one dive spot where you can “go over the edge” literally. Tampa and St. Petersburg offers a myriad of limestone ledges that have become home to countless marine species. Come and go off the ledge with writer Mike Hughes. By Mike Hughes
SOUTHeast DESTINATION 14 Lake Jocassee – The Secret is Out
Quick…what do the movie “Deliverance”, an antique Chinese sailboat, and a mysterious lodge sitting in 300 ft. of water, have in common? The answer… they are all right at home in a man-made lake that sits majestically in a place ominously named the Devil’s Fork State Park. Join writer Keath Allen as he take a trip back in time to discover the beginnings of one of the SE’s most popular recreational stops. By Keath Allen
TROPICAL DESTINATIONS 18 Bonaire–The Second Time’s A Charm
With its pristine reefs and diverse marine life Bonaire gives the diver an opportunity to see an environment untouched and unspoiled. I couldn’t wait to get back after my first trip last November so when my daughter, Amanda, and I were invited back to take part in the Kids Sea Camp I jumped at the chance. Join me as I show you that some things are definitely better the second time around. By Rick Stratton
TROPICAL EVENTS 20 Kids Sea Camp Dad-Just Five More Minutes
It is the most amazing thing you could ever do for your kids. I know this to be true because I did it for my kid just a couple of months ago. I expect to be on the “cool dad” list for some time after taking my 12 year old daughter to Bonaire to take part in Kids Sea Camp. Join me as I show you what great memories are made of. By Rick Stratton
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puBLISHER’S NOTE
Do you have an opinion? Contact us: editor@divenewsmag.com
SHARE YOUR PASSION Bonaire diving trip. Photo courtesy of Kids Sea Camp
T
he Dive News Network continues to build on our premise to Encourage, Educate and Inspire divers and non-divers to stay active, learn about, and discover the amazing world of diving. Through our shared passion, we can build a stronger community and hopefully inspire others. Sharing your stories will foster a healthy, active dive family. Help us build this community – Share your passion! Divers are passionate…passionate about their diving, their equipment, their environment, their pictures, their stories. With that passion is the desire to share those stories, those adventures, photos, videos, lessons learned and boasting rights. We harness the magnitude of the internet and the power of print to tell your stories by providing you a simple forum where you can submit your passion. Our website is no ordinary site, it is filled with interactive pages, videos of dive sites, incredible glossy photos and amazing articles. But that is not all…we invite YOU to submit your experiences. We have unlimited space online to share what you have
to say about dive events, dive site and gear reviews, adventures, upcoming activities, and club meetings. We can share your story with the dive community. Share your best stories, videos and photos and you may find yourself published in print! That’s right….we take the best and publish those stories in our printed magazines! Visit us online www.divenewsnetwork.com We want you to send us your news, events, stories, photos, videos and announcements and we will do the rest. Share your best with the dive community! This is really about passion and sharing our collective experiences. We want to share your stories and become part of your community. Help us build, foster and encourage other divers and non-divers to share these experiences and drive the desire to become an active dive member. Rick Stratton
Rick
facebook.com/Rick.Stratton1 rick@divenewsmag.com
NASE Doesn’t Offer a Remedial Mask Clearing Course, Either… The number one complaint among dive operators is that new divers can’t control buoyancy. And no wonder! The typical scuba student spends up to 90 percent of his time in the water standing, sitting or kneeling on the bottom. How can he ever learn buoyancy control doing that? The situation is so bad some agencies offer remedial buoyancy control courses to try to help new divers fix problems that never should have been allowed to happen in the first place. That’s just plain wrong. NASE doesn’t offer a remedial buoyancy control course any more than we offer a remedial regulator recovery or mask clearing course. To us, buoyancy control is not a “skill” to be demonstrated by doing fin pivots in open water. Controlling buoyancy is at the heart of everything we teach, right from the start. Find out how easily you can fix one of the biggest problems in diver training. Visit www.ScubaNASE.com/buoyancy. And be sure to visit us at DEMA, booth 1583, for a special opportunity for dive professionals.
www.NASEworldwide.org
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CHECk OuT OuR NEW WEBSITE: WWW.DIvENEWSNETWORk.COm
mONTHLy aRTICLES
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
ricK, Dude, I am living vicariously through your magazine! I wanted to take the time to tell you how much I really appreciate all the stories you do every month. I am new to your magazine here in Florida but it seems like you have a lot of information every month. I really enjoy the fact that it is totally local! Now if I can just convince my wife to let me dive all those spots! Thanks for you magazine, Steve Pierce Panama City, Florida
Save the Date for Rebreather Forum 3
Are you a Rebreather Diver, Instructor or Dive Centre? It’s time for a Peer Review. Rebreather Forum 2 was held in California in September 1996. The subsequent Conference Proceedings were published and they’re still considered an exceptionally useful reference paper. http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/7555 Over the last 18 years rebreather technology, ethos, training et al has radically changed hence Rebreather Forum 3 (www.rf30.com) has been organised. It’s going to be held on 18 – 20 May 2012, Orlando, Florida. Powered by the AAuS, DAN and PADI; RF3 will address the major issues surrounding rebreather technology and its application in sport diving. We will be bringing together specialists, experts, experienced practioneers, manufacturers, and ancillary companies representing a variety of communities to discuss this technology and share information. Topics up for discussion include;
steve,
And I live vicariously through our readers. We really enjoy compiling all the information for the magazine and getting it out to the local divers. Let me invite you to share your experiences with us. I have found over the years the best people to tell our readers about diving are, well, our readers who are divers! So thanks for reading and please pass the word along... that we have local dive news for local divers. And dude, we’ll keep the stories coming so we can help you convince your wife to let you dive all the great spots!
• • • • •
Rebreather Incidents Physiology and Rebreathers Rebreather Design, Construction and Testing Training and Operations Rebreathers in Expeditionary Diving
Come and be part of a major event in Rebreather thinking – Rebreather Forum 3 – the biggest international Rebreather Conference Supported by; Fourth Element, IANTD, Juergensen Marine, rEvo, Shearwater Research Co-promoted by Dive News Network
Rick
the Power See JT-40D All the features of the JT-50. Smaller and designed for single tank use. The air cell is extremely streamlined and the frontal width in swimming position is barely wider than an average person’s shoulders. Style: Buoyancy capacity: Bladder material: Shell material: inflator length: mounting grommetS diStance:
Circular doughnut 30lbf (13.6kgf) / 40lbf (18.1kgf) 420D TPU coated nylon 1680D PU coated ballistic nylon 16” (tech elbow) 11”
Automatic pressure relieve valve/pull dump at left waist side Low pressure BC hose included For single back mounted tank only (100cuft / 15L internal volume)
info@istdivingsystem.com WE SuppORT LOCaL DIvERS - LOCaL DIvERS SuppORT THE INDuSTRy.
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HOT NEWS
get your business noticed by sending us your NEWS/EvENTS: editor@divenewsmag.com
FaNtasY Fest tO stage ‘aQuatic aFrOlic’ Sea monsters, mermaids, creatures of the deep, and escapees from Davy Jones’ locker will be in attendance in Key West on Friday, Oct. 21-30, during the island city’s annual Fantasy Fest celebration. Themed “Aquatic Afrolic” this year, Fantasy Fest features 10 days of masquerade balls, costume contests, parties and oceaninspired escapades climaxing in a glittering grand parade set for Saturday. The festival schedule includes a pirate bash, (Sea) Monsters’ Ball, soiree for sea nymphs and sailors, burlesque extravaganza, themed costume competitions, tea dances, and parties worthy of Poseidon himself. For more info visit www.fantasyfest.net.
Funds raised will support the Divers Alert Network (DAN) and the Mile of Hope Children’s Cancer Event. For more info visit www. DiscoveryDiving.com
discOverY diviNg’s 32Nd aNNual treasure huNt FOr charitY Help is needed to make Discovery Diving’s 32nd Annual Treasure Hunt on Saturday, Oct. 15, a success. The Treasure Hunt is a charity event held every year in October. Last year travel agencies, resorts, manufacturers and local businesses donated more than $32,000 in prizes. The day of the Treasure Hunt begins with a scuba dive at the Radio Island rock jetty with divers seeking treasure in the form of numbered oyster shells. Divers then return to the dive store for a pig pickin’ feast and the drawing for prizes. The food and fun lasts well into the evening. This event is one of the largest single day gatherings of divers in North Carolina.
disNeY dives mOre thaN a cartOON eXPerieNce In celebration of their continuing alliance with Walt Disney World Resorts® this year’s industry trade show in Orlando, Florida, NAUI is once again offering the very popular Disney Dives at Epcot® Dive Quest for Nov. 2-5. The Seas at Epcot® features a 6 million gallon indoor aquarium, considered to be one of the world’s most impressive man-made ocean environments – offering guaranteed calm seas, no current, and unlimited visibility. Divers are surrounded by more than 65 species of marine life; including dolphins, sharks, rays and a rainbow of tropical fish! You must be SCUBA-certified to participate in this experience. For more info visit NAUI at www.naui.org.
grOve scuba is mOviNg Grove Scuba in Miami, Florida is moving to a bigger and better location at 2809 SW 27th Ave. The new location will allow Grove Scuba to stock more items, and will give the dive shop the opportunity to offer more services. As Miami’s only PADI 5 Star Instructor Training Center, they offer everything from beginning certifications to instructor training. Grove Scuba also has a bilingual staff of instructors so they can offer all their courses in both English and Spanish. For more info visit www.grovescuba.com.
32nd Annual Treasure Hunt Oct 15th, 2011
WHat iS diScoVeRy diVing’S tReaSURe HUnt?
For groups of 6 or more starting
• one of the largest single day gatherings of divers on the East Coast. • a fundraising event for DAN. • a Big Old PARTY!!!!!!
The cost includes 4 days of diving and 5 nights of lodging in one of our 2 lodges.
For the last 32 years, we have been going to everybody and anybody, diving related and non-diving related, begging for donations and have been fairly successful. We have, in the past, ended up with enough prizes for all participants to receive at least two prizes and in some cases three prizes. Get more information or REGISTER TODAY!
www.discoverydiving.com or use the gettag with your smart phone!
at $509 per diver.
We invite you to venture to the ocean floor to experience for yourself the mystery and beauty of the sunken vessels on one of our 3 exclusive dive charter boats. Due to the proximity of the Gulf Stream, we have WaRM cleaR waters with temperatures in the low 80’s and visibility often over 100 feet. We’re a FUll SeRVice dive store offering sales, instruction, rental, repairs and wonderful days on the water with our competent and caring crews. We’re walking distance to Historical district of Beaufort. and paddling distance (ocean kayaks available) of several great after dive hang-outs. Please visit our website for more complete information at
www.discoverydiving.com
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http:/ / gettag.mobi
6
Weekday Special
Discovery Diving’s Treasure Hunt is
discovery diving co., inc., 414 Orange St., Beaufort, NC 28516 phone: 252.728.2265 • fax: 252.728.2581 email: dive@DiscoveryDiving.com • www.DiscoveryDiving.com
SEND uS yOuR NEWS/EvENTS fREE aT EDITOR@DIvENEWSmag.COm
Do you want your event listed here? Contact us: editor@divenewsmag.com
New Program Brings dive resorts and retailers Together Cayman Islands Dive Operators is working with Dive Center Business Magazine and the nation’s dive stores for the launch and pilot testing of a new “discover diving referral program”. The purpose of the program is to encourage people who have tried a vacation dive to become certified with their local store when they return home. This program provides them the information to connect with a local store, and at the same time gives retailers the leads and a means for follow up. A customer takes a discover-diving experience in the Cayman Islands and optsin to accept additional information about diving. Back home they receive an email from the Cayman dive operator thanking them for trying diving, encourages them to continue the experience by visiting a local dive store, and then provides the names and contact information of their nearest retailers. The Discover Divers’ Retail Connection Program is currently being piloted by Cayman Islands dive operators who want to partner with dive stores to help grow the diving industry. For more info visit www.dtmag.com Pilot Whale Rescue Volunteers Needed The Marine Mammal Conservancy, located at MM 102.2 Bayside in Florida needs many more volunteers to work 4 hour shifts throughout the weekends to help rescue pilot whales. The most critical demand is at night and volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Volunteers need foot-protection (booties, water shoes or sneakers) and wetsuits. Although there are tarps to protect from the sun, please bring hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. There is a camping shower set-up so you can shower off at the end of your shift if you desire. For more info visit tinyurl.com/whalevolunteers October Oct. 4: Orlando Reef divers, 7 p.m., Paddy Murphy’s, Baldwin Park, FL. www.meetup.com/Orlando-Reef-Divers Oct. 5: Nautical Nudists Dive & Boating Club, 7 p.m., Check Website for location, Land ‘O Lakes, FL. www.nauticalnudist.com Oct. 5: South Florida Divers, 7:30 p.m., Lauderdale Isles Yacht Club, Land ‘O Lakes, FL. www.sfdi.com Oct 6: Caloosa Dive Club meeting, 8 p.m., Cape Coral Yacht Club, Cape Coral, FL. www.diveclub.org Oct 6: Jupiter Drift Divers, 7 p.m., Jupiter Fire Station Community Room, Jupiter, FL. www.jupiterdriftdivers.com Oct. 6: Sarasota Scuba Club, 7:30 p.m., Fraternal Order of Police Hall, Sarasota,
CLUB MEETINGS & EVENTS
FL. www.sarasotascubaclub.org Oct. 6: Under Sea Adveturers Dive Club, 7 p.m., Best Western Hotel, Deerfield Beach, FL. www.usadiveclub.com Oct. 11: Bay Area Reef Runners, 7 p.m., Chili’s Grill & Bar on Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, FL. www.barrdivers.com Oct. 11: Atlanta Reef Dwellers Scuba Club, 7 pm, Hudson Grill @ Brookhaven, Atlanta, GA. www.atlantareefdweelers.org Oct 11: Sea Tigers Spearfishing Club, Rousse Trim & Stairs, Harvey, LA. www.seatigers.us Oct. 11: South Florida Underwater Photography Society, 7:30 p.m., El Palacio Hotel, Miami, FL. www.sfups.org Oct. 11: Waterloggers Dive Club, 6:30 p.m., Beef O’Bradys, Melbourne, FL. www.sealevelscuba.com Oct 15: Discovery Saturday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Eco Discovery Center, Key West, FL. Floridakeys.noaa.gov Oct 17: Sea Turtle Dive Club meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Jasper Dive Center, Jasper, GA. www.seaturtlediveclub.com Oct 18: Atlanta Aquanauts Northside Monthly Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Cheeseburger in Paradise, Atlanta, GA. www.meetup.com/Atlanta-Aquanauts/ Oct 18: Orlando Reef Divers meeting, 7 p.m., Paddy Murphy’s, Baldwin Park, FL. www.meetup.com/Orlando-Reef-Divers/ Oct. 19-23: Key Largo Pirates Fest, Key Largo, FL. www.keylargopiratesfest.com Oct 19: Central Florida Pleasure Divers, 7 p.m., Denny’s Restaurant, Orlando, FL. www.cfpdivers.com Oct 19: Suncoast Reef Rovers, 6 p.m., Nokomis Community Center, Venice, FL. www.suncoastreefrovers.com Oct 20: Caloosa Dive Club meeting, 8 p.m., Cape Coral Yacht Club, Cape Coral, FL. www.diveclub.org Oct 20: KSC Barracuda Dive Club meeting, 6:30 p.m., Merritt Island Library, Kennedy Space Center, FL. www.kscbarracudas.org Oct 21: DUI Dog Rally. Lake Rawlings, Rawlings, VA. www.dui-online.com Oct 27: Bubbles up Jacksonville Monthly Member Meeting and Future Dive Discussion, 7:00 p.m., see site for location. www.meetup.com/bubblesupjacksonville Oct 27: Sink or Swim Scuba Divers Meetup, 7 p.m., Gastonia, NC. www.meetup.com/Sink-Or-Swim-ScubaDivers November Nov. 1: Fanta-Seas Dive Club meeting, 7-9 p.m., Fanta-Seas Divers, 1400 Eatonton Rd., Ste. 750, Madison, GA. www.fanta-seadivers.com
Nov. 1: Orlando Reef divers, 7 p.m., Paddy Murphy’s, Baldwin Park, FL. www.meetup.com/Orlando-Reef-Divers/ Nov. 2: Nautical Nudists Dive & Boating Club, 7 p.m., Check Website for location, Land ‘O Lakes, FL. Nov. 2: South Florida Divers, 7:30 p.m., Lauderdale Isles Yacht Club, Land ‘O Lakes, FL. www.sfdi.com Nov. 3: Caloosa Dive Club meeting, 8 p.m., Cape Coral Yacht Club, Cape Coral, FL. www.diveclub.org Nov. 3: Jupiter Drift Divers, 7 p.m., Jupiter Fire Station Community Room, Jupiter, FL. www.jupiterdriftdivers.com Nov. 3: Sarasota Scuba Club, 7:30 p.m., Fraternal Order of Police Hall, Sarasota, FL. www.sarasotascubaclub.org Nov. 3: Under Sea Adveturers Dive Club, 7 p.m., Best Western Hotel, Deerfield Beach, FL.www.usadiveclub.com Nov. 5: Atlanta Reef Dwellers Scuba Club, 7 pm, Hudson Grill at Brookhaven, Atlanta, GA. www.atlantareefdweelers.org Nov. 8: Sea Tigers Spearfishing Club, Rousse Trim & Stairs, Harvey, LA. www.seatigers.us Nov. 8: South Florida Underwater Photography Society, 7:30 p.m., El Palacio Hotel, Miami, FL. www.sfups.org. Nov. 8: Waterloggers Dive Club, 6:30 p.m., Beef O’Bradys, Melbourne, FL. www.sealevelscuba.com Nov. 8: Atlanta Reef Dwellers Scuba Club, 7 pm, Hudson Grill at Brookhaven, Atlanta, GA.www.atlantareefdweelers.org Nov 8: Clearwater Hogs Spearfishing Club meeting, 7 p.m., Ocean Sports, Dunedin, FL. Call Carl Nelson (727) 515-4672 Nov 9: Bay Area Reef Runners Club Meeting, 7 p.m., Pssghetti’s, Clearwater, FL. Genny Donaldson (727) 365-6172 Nov. 12: 3rd Annual Bridge Run, Key Largo, FL.www.jewfishcreekbridgerun.com Nov. 15: Atlanta Aquanauts Northside Monthly Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Cheeseburger in Paradise, Atlanta, GA. www.meetup.com/Atlanta-Aquanauts/ Nov. 15: Orlando Reef Divers meeting, 7 p.m., Paddy Murphy’s, Baldwin Park, FL. www.meetup.com/Orlando-Reef-Divers/ Nov. 16: Central Florida Pleasure Divers, 7 p.m., Denny’s Restaurant, Orlando, FL. www.cfpdivers.com Nov. 16: Suncoast Reef Rovers, 6 p.m., Nokomis Community Center, Venice, FL. www.suncoastreefrovers.com Nov. 17: Caloosa Dive Club meeting, 8 p.m., Cape Coral Yacht Club, Cape Coral, FL. www.diveclub.org Nov. 17: KSC Barracuda Dive Club meeting, 6:30 p.m., Merritt Island Library, Kennedy Space Center, FL. www.kscbarracudas.org
We support local divers - Local divers support the industry.
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NEWS aND EvENTS
REgIONaL NEWS
Wreck Racing G o e s I nte r n a t i o n a l
Photos Courtesy of Wreck Racing League
Formula Formula H20’s H20’s 2011 2011 season season finale finale
October 7th – 9th
at
www.wreckracingleague.com 8
T
he Wreck Racing league and Formula H2O has dove into its second season of underwater racing after taking the oceans by storm in 2010. And now the newest underwater sport has gone international! The concept of racing underwater scooters, or diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs), was born out of a brainstorming session between Joe Weatherby, and Dave Sirak. Weatherby spearheaded the 2009 sinking of the Vandenberg as an artificial reef off Key West and Sirak at WFTV-Channel 9 in Orlando. The two men were meeting to figure out what to do to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Vandenberg sinking when they came up with the idea to race each other around the rather large ship. Thinking others might like the idea the two men opened the race up and the response was overwhelming. “We thought there might be some other people who would enjoy the idea but we had no idea just how popular it might be,” said Sirak. In 2010 the newly formed league held five races, each one more successful than the last. When 2011 rolled around they got an unbelievable offer…to license the concept out to a dive school/club in Italy. On June 4 Formula H2O headed east for the Italian coastline! underwater
DIvE LOCaLLy - WHERE IT REaLLy maTTERS
Grand Prix of Rome was born. In a partnership with the Italian scuba organization Sea Scout, the Wreck Racing league brought the fastest growing underwater sport to the seaside town of Santa Marinella near Rome and what a response they received. “It was really interesting to see the Italian take on the sport,” said Weatherby. “It was quite an honor to have people in another country so excited about this sport.” Sirak says from the beginning the excitement for the new sport has been almost overwhelming. “We were really encouraged by the competitors’ enthusiasm at the first races,” says Sirak. “At the Fort lauderdale for the Gold Coast underwater Grand Prix held Aug. 22 a fleet of 24 racers did laps around the sunken freighter Tracey at 70 ft.; the response just kept growing.” Weatherby says he is unsure when exactly they looked at each other and said, hey we are on to something, but it’s obvious they are now other countries want to emulate them. Formula H2O racing is now officially described as an action packed sport combining underwater scooters and scuba diving racing on artificial reefs. The Wreck Racing league or WRl is the sanctioning body for Formula
REgIONaL NEWS
WRECk RaCINg LEaguE
WANTED
LIONFISH HUNTERS
“Obviously we are pleased because copying a concept is the purest form of flattery.”
October 7-9
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park H20 Racing and Sirak says they now hold the patent to the concept. “It is all moving very quickly,” says Sirak. “Joe took me on this adventurous ride through the world of diving and hasn’t let up yet. Of course now that I’m having so much fun, I don’t want it to either.” This year’s season for wreck racing is winding down. The season finale will be held October 7-9 for the Weeki Wachee Warrior Challenge to be held at the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Florida. Both Weatherby and Sirak are looking forward to a long and fun-filled future for Formula H2O. “It is spreading,” Sirak says. “Obviously we are pleased because copying a concept is the purest form of flattery. To be honest I can’t wait to see what comes next.” For more info visit www.wreckracingleague.com ■
FLORIDA KEYS
LIONFISH DERBY
Saturday, November 5th Lower Keys at Hurricane Hole
Key West, FL
Photos Courtesy of Wreck Racing League
Weeki Wachee Warrior Challenge
2011
Torpedo DPV Designed to provide divers with greater mobility and less air consumption, giving them more bottom time (within tables) and far greater range. Available from your local dive store or directly from our factory.
Over $3,000 in cash and prizes for the top three teams for Most, Biggest, and Smallest Lionfish Categories. Help control the Lionfish population. For information or registration go to: www.reef.org/lionfish or call 305-852-0030
October 31 - November 6 ecoweekfloridakeys.com
Visit us at DEMA! Booth #2640
1-800-489-6774 • 727-733-2218 www.torpedodpv.com info@torpedodpv.com
WE SuppORT LOCaL DIvERS - LOCaL DIvERS SuppORT THE INDuSTRy.
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SOuTHWEST fLORIDa
SOuTHEaST DESTINaTION
TAMPA AND ST. PETERSBURG Two Cities, One Great Place to Dive
Photo Courtesy of Mike Hughes
By Mike Hughes Writer, Dive News Network t’s no big mystery or clandestine secret as to why there’s not a lot of shore diving near Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg. The clarity in Tampa Bay can be low near the shore. However, once you travel out just a short distance the water clears up and the viz is what one would expect of Florida waters. Yet another consideration is you may have
I
DIVE CHARTERS Tampa St. Petersburg Clearwater
U.S. Coast Guard Certified Dive Boat
(727) 798-1269 TanksALotDiveCharter.com 10
Photo Courtesy of Mike Hughes
to go out 25 miles before the water gets 70 ft. deep so in Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg but the shallower diving areas offer many unexplored nooks along the way. Normally boat diving is the key to a grand dive experience. In order to reach depths of 130 ft. plan to sail or motor out 80 to 100 miles. The area offers some great dives but they require a little travel time. The water can change temperature drastically depending on the time of year you decide to hit the Florida coast. It can be 82 in the summer and 57 from January to February, so this may also play into your plans. The vis is another consideration and can range from 25 ft. to 100 ft. between June and August; comparable to the Caribbean island of St. Croix. I asked the local dive what the best dive sites to explore were and they were happy to help out, so I can pass
the info on to you, our readers. Shallow and unexplored. When choosing which dive site was most popular, many said, hands down, is Wreck of the Sheridan on Pinellas County Artificial Reef #2. This wreck is full of baitfish and large grouper cruising in and out and a large rectangular encased raised letter “S” mounted on a wall makes a great backdrop for taking pictures of fellow divers. The DT Sheridan was an ocean going 180 ft. long tugboat in her day but she now rests at 75-80 ft. About 100 yards out from the Sheridan is the180 ft. long uSCG Blackthorn. This Iris Class Buoy tender was struck by a 605 ft. tanker the SS Capricorn, caught by an anchor, and capsized. The badly damaged ship was towed out to Reef #2 and sunk on Jan 28 1980. A local charter, Tanks-A-Lot
SIgN up fOR OuR NEW E-SuBSCRIpTION aT WWW.DIvENEWSNETWORk.COm
SOuTHEaST DESTINaTION
Photo Courtesy of Mike Hughes
Dive Charters, has videos on YouTube you can view this site. One spokesperson from Tanks-A-Lot told me the site is so popular because the water conditions make it feel like swimming pool diving. Any skill level, novice or advanced, will find easy diving conditions and thirty plus years of reef growth. Our second popular dive site is Veterans Reef. The reef sits at 42 ft. and consists of three steel barges in a rectangular shape stretching approximately 300 ft. by 600 ft. A Lockheed Neptune P2V-3 plane rests in the center. A tall yellow buoy with a U.S. flag on top marks the surface spot commemorating past veterans at this site while underwater are a lot of soft corals dotting the structures. Divers can expect to see tiny sardines, small grunts, and huge Goliath groupers at this site. If we are going to talk about Tampa Bay diving we have to mention the ledges. There are limestone ledges running everywhere along the west coast of Florida; ledges
Tampa
where the reef stands now, and ledges that following the shoreline millions of years ago when waters were lower and rivers were more abundant. Chances are where ever you decide to take a quick dive overboard you may find one of these ledged prehistoric reefs. There are so many of them they are constantly being re-found and renamed. It is not unusual to find reefs with crazy names such as Dire Straits and One-eyed Willy, however some dive sites have more respectable names such as Madeira Beach Reef or Tarpon Spring Reef. Some reefs are known for the artificial structures sunk on them such as Indian Shore Reef with 2 WWII LSM landing ships, a silt hopper, and 125 pillboxes at 46 ft. Treasure Island Reef #2 at 35 ft. has a shrimp boat and pieces of concrete. St. Pete Beach Reef has rubble from the old Corey Causeway sunk in 1976, pieces of the Skyway Bridge, and in 1984 they sunk a 200 ft. barge and 10 army vehicles here. Some dive sites are known for one item in particular. The Tug Orange at 45 ft., which is 100 years old and is home to Nurse sharks. The Gunsmoke, an old shrimping boat, had a run in with bundles of an invasive weed called Mary Jane in some circles, (marijuana) and local officials
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Photos Courtesy of Mike Hughes
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took such offense to this, they sunk the boat in 1977; it rests at 80 ft. Besides being a popular wreck for fish and soft coral, the Gunsmoke has had a storied history including association with alleged turn-of-the-century pirates and other bone breaking encounters. I should mention South County Artificial Reef at 45 ft. has two reef systems and is known for Nurse sharks activity as well as Whale sharks. They have recently been found near The Tug and Barge at 105 ft. The limestone reef ledges themselves have been recently shown to have an increase in frogfish sightings as well. Folks at Jim’s Dive Shop in St. Petersburg told me their two top dive spots besides the Sheridan were the Army Tanks and The Rube Allyn. 8-10 tanks and an artificial reef stacked like a pyramid out of cement bridge pieces, culverts, and other material are interesting. What I liked most about talking to the folks at Jim’s was the fact they have started a local geocaching movement to give divers one additional compelling reason to dive the local waters. What a great move to bring divers out to have fun at local dive sites. Oh, and sure, everyone boasts they have waters filled with bonito, cobia, hogfish, kingfish, mackerel, snapper, and wahoo, but I am here to tell you, not quite like Tampa and St. Petersburg. Not only do the areas offer diving but also dive oriented activities
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Photo Courtesy of Mike Hughes
such as The St. Petersburg Open which claims to be the world’s largest spearfishing tournament. Members of the St. Petersburg Underwater Club, established in 1952, have been holding the tournament since 1966 with approximately 300 participants and thousands of spectators each year. How can you go wrong with a 90 lb. amberjack, 90 lb. grouper, or a 9 lb. lobster? Finally, another thing I like about diving in St. Petersburg and Tampa is both cities are not far from many spring diving sites so you can try a little fresh water diving too on the same trip. If you are in Orlando at the famed Disney World on vacation it’s not too far away to add on a day or two of diving off the west coast of Florida. After all, Orlando is a town where the biggest company is operated by a mouse and everyone can use a break from a small world once in a while. Better yet, come to Tampa, and take a Minnie two-day break in Orlando to see some Goofy sights between dives. You win either way. ■ A special thank you to the following Dive Shops/Charters for their support: Tanks-A-lot Depth Perception Ocean Sports of North Pinellas Nacosis Scuba Scuba Haven Suncoast Dive Center
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SOuTH CaROLINa
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LAKE JOCASSEE The secret is out
Charles John descent on son prepares to mak e the first Attakulla Lo dge provided by in 2004” Photo Debbie Fle tcher
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By Keath Allen Writer, Dive News Network he movie “Deliverance”, an antique Chinese sailboat, and a mysterious lodge sitting in 300 ft. of water; what do all these have in common? The answer… they are all right at home in a manmade lake sitting majestically in a place ominously named the Devil’s Fork State Park. Although initial land purchases began in the early 1910s, Duke Energy’s predecessor companies began purchasing in earnest the land that would become lake Jocassee in upstate South Carolina in 1963. Their hydro-electric plant would harness the energy of four major rivers and provide electrical power to millions of customers thus making way for Lake Jocassee, created after a 385 ft. dam was constructed. The beneficial result is one of the state’s best recreational areas covering 7,980 acres with 92 miles of shoreline. Duke has done a lot to develop Lake
T
DIvE LOCaLLy - WHERE IT REaLLy maTTERS
ith, Debbie , Jackie Sm and Chris th ou R ill B son, L-R: rst harles John Fletcher, C g in front) made the fi to in el ne . Pho 04 20 in Salter (k e kulla Lodg tcher dive on Atta ovided by Debbie Fle pr
Jocassee into the recreational area it is today. In the late 1980s they developed what is now Devil’s Fork State Park giving public access to the lake. The park sits on 622 acres with two campgrounds near the water and 20 villas available for rent. Managed by the South Carolina Parks Department, the park gives easy access for fishing, boating, water skiing and a separate area developed for divers. In the 1990s Duke sold 47,000 acres to the state to become known as the Jocassee Gorges. The recreational area, including the land around Lake Jocassee, now extends into North Carolina. Divers have their own areas in the lake. A 25 acre cove, accessed by the right hand remote ramp in Devils Fork State Park, is prime for shore diving. The staff from Lake Jocassee Dive Shop has done a lot to maintain and develop the cove for divers although boaters also use the area. It offers depths of 150 ft., two training platforms and easy access. This area is popular for divers of varying experience levels, from students
SOuTHEaST DIvE DESTINaTION
LakE JOCaSSEE
Attakulla Lodge in it’s heyday Photo provided by Debbie Fletcher
to advanced open water divers. Some of the points of interest in this area include “The Bones Family”, a group of skeletons humorously placed in various scenes at 40 ft. and the “Jocassee Memorial Gardens”, a mock graveyard artistically set by a diver with a great sense of humor sitting at 30 ft. A full basketball court with a bowling ball provides the opportunity for a pickup game of hoops to beat any weekend at the neighborhood park. The area has also been developed for students and divers who wish to better develop their diving skills. Cygnus Scuba, a shop from North Carolina that often uses Lake Jocassee as a training area, has created an underwater navigation course just off the right side of the access ramp. Painted concrete blocks mark distances in 10 ft. increments along the 100 ft. horizontal course for divers to measure fin kicks. This small navigation course sits at 20 ft. and is a great training tool for new divers.
d behin of liams ourtesy il W Betty Photo C er lodge ie Fletch Debb
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Debbie Fletcher and her daughter Pam watch the monitors closely as the first team of divers descend upon Attakulla Lodge” Photo provided by Debbie Fletcher
Visibility in this area varies with the season, just like fresh water sites. The average is 20-25 ft. in the heat of summer and 50 + in winter. Summer temperatures allow for diving in wet suits, but dry suits are recommended in winter when the water temperatures dip down to the upper 40s. In addition to the great shore diving from the park, there are even more possibilities for boat divers. Two walls known as the “shallow wall” and the “deep wall” are favorite dives just across the lake. The shallow wall reaches depths of 60 ft. and is a great location for newly certified open water divers to experience everything a wall has to offer. The deep wall, reaching depths of 175 ft., gives advanced divers a place to stretch beyond the 60 ft. limit. The most famous wreck in Lake Jocassee is commonly referred to by local divers as the “Junk”. This 40 ft. Chinese teak sailboat, imported from China, sits in just 40 ft. of water when the reservoir is full and is easily accessible. It is located in the quarry area of the lake and marked by two buoys moored on each side of it. Despite being cleared of all structures prior to flooding the valley, there are several remnants of life as it was before the hydroelectric station was built. Three graveyards can be found under water. The most famous of these graveyards, Mt. Carmel Cemetery, once stood on a small hill above the valley floor. The cemetery was not made famous by divers, but by Hollywood, when it was featured in the movie “Deliverance” starring Jon Voight and Burt Reynolds in 1972. The tombstones sit at 138 ft. Dan Keeran from Upstate Scuba dives at the lake regularly. He says Mt. Carmel Cemetery is one of his favorite dives. “The history makes the dive interesting and the forest is a lot of fun to swim through,” Keeran said. The fairly recent discovery of Attakulla Lodge is quickly attracting the attention of technical divers. The lodge was a private residence later turned into a summer get-away for people trying to escape to the quiet valley. It was originally thought to have been
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Underwater Gravesite Photo provided by Debbie Fletcher
lost to the power of the water as the reservoir filled. Bill Routh, owner of Lake Jocassee Dive Shop, learned about the lodge in his research of the lake. He spoke with one of the family members, Debbie Fletcher, who told Bill her brother had seen debris from the lodge getting caught in the trees as the water filled the valley. Undeterred, Bill was able to get the coordinates of the land plot, had them converted to GPS coordinates, and got to work searching for signs of the lodge. Trolling with a camera at 300 ft. in early August 2004 Routh saw the first images of the Attakulla Lodge. “It was two o’clock in the morning and I was alone on my boat when I first saw images of the lodge,” Routh says. “I was shocked and exhilarated. I immediately wanted to call everyone and tell them I’d located it, but at two o’clock in the morning there was nowhere for the excitement to go.” He called Debbie the next morning and immediately put a plan into action to explore what remained of the lodge. On August 7 2004, the first descent was made on the lodge. Debbie Fletcher went out in the boat with the team, including Jackie Smith and Charles Johnson, the divers who would make the first successful dive to the lodge. Routh, Chris Salter, and Kim Salter supported the mission from the boat and water as the safety team. In addition to the lodge, tech divers have been making other discoveries in the depths of Lake Jocassee. A girl’s camp, once filled with the laughter and screaming of children on summer break, and a steel bridge once part of the road through the valley, now sit quietly at 320 ft.
Roof Tiles Photo provided by Debbie Fletcher
With so much history, and so much to offer, Lake Jocassee may be one of the best kept secrets of diving in South Carolina. Routh and the Lake Jocassee Dive Shop run charters on the lake, often taking recreational divers and technical divers out at the same time. The locations of the dive sites are so close to each other, sport divers can get two dives in on the “junk” or the walls, while a team of tech divers make their way down to the deeper structures. It’s surprising more people haven’t discovered the great diving in Lake Jocassee. It’s beautifully developed recreational diving areas and historical treasures are waiting to be explored. It is only a matter of time before the secret is out and Lake Jocassee will become a destination hot-spot for divers. ■
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17
BONaIRE
TROpICaL DESTINaTION
BONAIRE
The Second Time’s A Charm
otos c
Ph
s Sea
y Kid ourtes
Camp
Photo
s cou
Photos courtesy Kids Sea Camp
rtesy
Kids
Sea C
Maduro
amp
Photos courtesy Kids Sea Camp
By Rick Stratton Publisher, Dive News Network
Y
ou know how you can go see a movie a second time and you are just amazed by all of the things that you notice that you missed the first time around…my trip to Bonaire in September this year was exactly like that! Bonaire, an island located in the southern Caribbean has quickly become one of my favorite dive destinations. Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao all make up a group referred to as the “ABC islands of the leeward Antilles” and are located approximately 50 miles north of Venezuela. Calm weather and waters full of marine life makes the Bonaire area a playground for divers. A yearly average temperature is 82 degrees while the water temp sits at a bath water warm 80 degrees makes the island an any-time-ofthe-year dive destination. The reefs are well preserved and offer an amazingly diverse marine community and it is said that Bonaire’s fish population is the most diverse in the Caribbean and ranks among the best anywhere. Bonaire with its pristine reefs and diverse marine life gives the diver an opportunity to see the environment 18
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TROpICaL DESTINaTION untouched and unspoiled. I couldn’t wait to get back after my first trip last November so when my daughter, Amanda, and I were invited back I jumped at the chance. I stayed at the Caribbean Club Bonaire this time around and I was not disappointed by the accommodations. Located north of Kralendijk at the foot of Bonaire’s hills and just steps away from some incredible dive sites this was a friendly and affordable place with full resort facilities. They recently added some new condos on site and they were great. On this second trip to Bonaire I was able to spend some time diving and once again exploring Bonaire. In September the coral spawn so it was incredible that we happen to be there while it was taking place. We dove with Buddy Dive Resorts and their contribution to the trip made it that much better. The staff is friendly and family focused making it a great place to take your family for a dive experience. The facilities were great and Agusto, the dive manager, and Paul, the facilities manager, did an amazing job keeping up. There entire staff was incredible. One of the really cool experiences I had this go round was the chance to meet the famous Captain Don. Captain Don’s Habitat is a world famous Dive Resort that was founded in 1976 by renowned underwater environmentalist and author Captain Don
EaSTERN CaRIBBEaN Stewart. His vision for the perfect dive resort is reflected in the design of the resort. It is water front with a world class restaurant on the grounds and right across from where I was staying at the Caribbean Club. I went over to get Captain Don to sign a copy of his book, Reef Windows, a book dedicated to Bonaire’s Dive sites, and had a drink with Jack Chalk the manager of the tiki bar Deco Stop while I waited. What a great experience! Bonaire is a popular dive destination and when you ask divers where they want to Photos courtesy Kids Sea Camp go, often many will tell you Bonaire is on the list. In fact, 90 and her husband Ed Koopman established percent of the travelers who go to Bonaire a donkey sanctuary on Bonaire for sick, are divers and over 80 percent are United wounded and orphaned donkeys. The States based. The island even has a seamless primary objective of Donkey Sanctuary money transfer system in order to cater to Bonaire is to offer a sheltered, protected life US residents. to all the donkeys of Bonaire. It is a really I would task anyone traveling to Bonaire interesting place to visit. for diving to attempt to experience it all. So if you are looking for a family There are some very interesting land based oriented place to dive and explore while activities such as hiking and historical tours. meeting some of the most interesting There is a Donkey Sanctuary where they people, Bonaire is where you want to head. house the generations of donkeys who were Family…diving…great people…what long ago brought to the island. more could you ask for. ■ In 1993 Dutch Nationals, Marina Melis
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19
LIfE aND STyLE
famILy aDvENTuRES
KIDS SEA CAMP “Dad-Just Five More Minutes”
Photo s Kids S courtesy ea Ca mp y courtes Photos a Camp e S s Kid
By Rick Stratton Publisher, Dive News Network
K
ids Sea Camp Family Dive Adventures is, hands down, the most amazing trip I have ever done with my kid. My 12-year old daughter Amanda and I had a week we
Photos courtesy Kids Sea Camp
will remember forever. I now have secured myself a spot on the cool dad list. As parents most of us feel we have to give up our dream trips once we have kids. Margo Peyton completely changed that when she had a different idea 11 years ago. She decided to make scuba diving and travel, a
family affair. Margo combined the perfect ingredients for what we scuba parents, and grandparents, have been waiting for, a family dive vacation. In July Amanda and I packed our suitcases, stowed our gear and headed off to Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire with Kids Sea Camp. The week exceeded our expectations. Amanda made new friends from all around the world and I got to relax and enjoy diving with Amanda. The adventure included a full week’s schedule of events and educational programs for families with kids age 4-17. I even dubbed it an edu-tainment trip.,education and entertainment all at the same time. One really fantastic component to the KSC week is each certified kid received a SeaLife DC1200 Digital Underwater camera. Margo says with her own kids the hardest part of diving with them is getting them to slow down and enjoy the dive. By giving the kids cameras it would help them focus on marine life and give them family memories to last. The kids get to take part in PADI courses and specialty courses offered during the week, such as; Rescue, DPV, Digital photo, Boat diver, Nitrox, and as Amanda completed her Jr. Adventure diver certification. KSC adventures don’t just cater to kids, parents have fun too. The Camp promotes
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full service dive center, activity desk, two swimming pools, restaurant, pool bar, a beach volleyball court, vehicle rentals and the famous drive-thru air and Nitrox fill station. Built with active people in mind, Buddy`s knows exactly what is needed to make guests comfortable both during their busy day of scuba diving and exploring, and after.
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WE SuppORT THE SOuTHEaST DIvE COmmuNITy
LIfE aND STyLE
famILy aDvENTuRES
Photos courtesy Kids Sea Camp
an awareness of marine related issues, with a strong focus on conservation while providing a safe family friendly place to dive. I really enjoyed the ease of the jump off the dock diving with my daughter any afternoon at Buddy Dive. Calm clear water, teaming with big schools of fish, eels, box crabs and huge Tarpon. The week included, 3 meals daily, photo clinics and slide shows, night dives for kids and adults and marine art painting. It all ends with graduation and a poetry contest with great prizes like digital cameras, strobes and wide angle lenses. During my week at Buddy Dive, there
GEAR BOX
were a total of 56 kids from ages 4-17. They are split into age appropriate groups; the largest group was the teen group which is exactly where my daughter fit in. The group is then divided into specialty courses. Margo told me that it is incredibly rewarding for her to watch the kids grow and become better divers each year. “I feel like these kids are a part of my family,” said Margo. “We have watched some of them since they were 4, 5 and 6 years old, now they are still diving with me at 15, 16, and 17.” The last time Amanda was at KSC was 2 years ago. I was pleasantly surprised, as was she, that she recognized many of the kids from her last trip. This made her trip that much more fun. Amanda had a great time making new friends and meeting other kids that dive. Before it was over they all exchanged Facebook information. She has developed a network of KSC friends to keep in touch with. The feel of Kids Sea Camp is amazing. There is always something fun going on, live music, tubing, slack line and sailing. Amanda got to do a drift dive, a boat dive
waterPrOOF wetsuits trade-iN PrOgram
and photo dives. I had a great time diving watching her have fun. She is now almost as committed to the sport of diving as I am. It has always been my dream that she enjoy scuba diving because my life is so much about diving. As a journalist, I am amazed at the process. I took a video of every segment of Sea Camp, as I went through and watched my footage; I began to realize the kids were great divers. They get the technology, using dive computers and cameras, one little guy even schooled me about using a digital camera. He talked about video editing and software and which were the best cameras; this kid was only 13 years old and he made me feel like an amateur. I can honestly say again, that this was, as the Kids Sea Camp tag line reads, “A memory to last a life time”. I am glad that Amanda and I went. I do think that my daughter 5-more-minuted me quite a bit conning me into allowing her more and more time to be with her dive buddies/friends each day, but it was time well spent. For more info on KSC visit www.familydivers.com. ■
cressi bcd
Waterproof is beginning a new program that Cressi has introduced a new back will benefit the diver who wants to trade-in his older inflation travel BC designed to help make gear for an upgrade. The company has announced dive travel more affordable and enjoyable. a trade-in program that will allow scuba divers to The new Air Travel BCD has started upgrade to a newer suit. With finances being an shipping to Cressi-affiliated dive centers. issue for everyone this is yet another way to save The Air Travel BCD was developed in money and upgrade your equipment/gear. The response to divers wanting a lightweight upgrade program, available for a limited time BC that would be more appropriate for through authorized Waterproof dealers, involves travel – specifically ‘Air Travel.’ The Air Travel three Waterproof models, the W1, W2, and the is light weight, extremely durable and it folds up W3. In order for divers to participate, bring your into its included travel bag. To help introduce existing wetsuit to a dive store, select one of the Air Travel to the dive industry, Cressi has the qualifying models and receive a 20 percent launched a national advertising and promotional discount immediately. Waterproof suits have an campaign. For more details, visit Cressi at www.cressi.com Get the free mobile app for your phone exclusive design that provides exposure protection in a fashionable Get the free mobile app for your phone http:/ / gettag.mobi and comfortable way and now…they are upgradable. For more info hella mariNe seavisiON 0754 lights http:/ / gettag.mobi visit www.waterproof-usa.com Hella Marine 0754 series surfacemount SeaVision LED underwater lights are heavy-duty lights specifically OceaNic vt 4.0 a Full-Featured wrist-mOuNt dc designed for permanent submersion Oceanic’s VT4.0 is a wrist-mount dive below the waterline. Ideal for smaller computer that’s loaded with features. A vessels, the powerful, energy-efficient hose-less air integration, with the ability to LEDs are available in luminous blue or read up to four transmitters and the ability white options. Hella Marine SeaVision to track three gas mixes. It has a three0754 lights are completely sealed to IP 68 standards in nylon, axis full-tilt digital compass and a choice thermally conductive housing. The thick convex Borofloat glass lens of two algorithms, one relatively liberal, offers clarity and reliability under extreme heat and pressure, and will one relatively conservative. There’s a not blacken or crack. The six LEDs generate a light output of 1,000+ Deep Stop feature, a Buddy Pressure lumens at 10-28V DC. Power consumption is less than 18W. Easily Check feature and the ability to customize surface mounted on fiberglass or wood hulls, the data presentation. The VT 4.0 has a niceeach light measures 6.46” L x 2.98” W x 1.14” sized display screen which allows Oceanic to D, weighs only 1.3 lbs. and is pre-wired with include a very intuitive on-board menu system. 6.5’ of twin core marine cable. Recommended An easy to program system as far as both dive installation position is 5-6” below the waterline, settings and personal preferences, divers don’t with each unit set 3-6’ apart. For more info visit have to refer to the owner’s manual. For more www.hellamarine.com info visit www.oceanicworldwide.com Get the free mobile app for your phone 21 21 LOCaL DIvERS DON’T JuST DIvE LOCaLLy - THEy DIvE gLOBaLLy! http:/ / gettag.mobi
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Pelham
(205) 663-7428
Store/Charter
FLORIDA
Pirate Island Dive Shop
Southern Most Diving
Big Pine
(305) 974-DIVE
Charter
Force-E Scuba
Boca Raton
(561) 368-0555
Store
Boynton Beach
(561) 732 8590
Store/Charter
Boynton Beach Dive Center
Captain’s Corner Dive Center Southpoint Divers Wet Pleasures Dive Outfitters
Key West
(305) 296-8865
Store
Key West
(800) 891-3483
Charter
Lantana
(561) 547-4343
Store
Dolphin Sun Dive Charters
Boynton Beach
(561) 886-8925
Charter
Sunshine Scuba
Largo
(727) 585-0938
Store/Charter
Tanks-A-Lot Dive Charters
Clearwater
(727) 798-1269
Charter
Cave Excursions
Live Oak
(386) 776-2299
Charter
Live Oak
(386) 776-1449
Charter
Madeira Beach
(727) 320-0201
Store
Grove Scuba
Coconut Grove (305) 443-1313 Store/Charter Dive Outpost
Crystal River Water Sports Crystal River (352) 795-7033
Charter
Suncoast Dive Center
Scuba Network
Deerfield Beach
(954) 422-9982
Store
Abyss Dive Center
Marathon
(800) 457-0134
Store/Charter
Scuba Network
Delray Beach
(561) 330-8501
Store
Cave Adventures
Marianna
(850) 272-2346
Store
The Scuba Center
Delray Beach
(561) 278-7020
Store
Diver’s Den Miami
Miami
Dunedin
(727) 733-1919
Store
Scubadventures
Naples
(239) 434-7477
Store/Charter/Training
Store
Ocala Dive Center
Ocala
(352) 732-9779
Store
Orange Park
(904) 269-8021
Store
Ocean Sports of North Pinellas Divers Discount Florida
Fort Lauderdale (800) 752-6386
Lauderdale Diver
Fort Lauderdale
(800) 654-2073
Store
Scuba Extreme Adv.Sports & Travel
Scuba Network (E Sunrise Blvd)
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 467-7872
Store
Scuba Tiger
Scuba Network (N Federal Hwy)
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 491-7793
Store
Scuba Network
Sea Experience
Fort Lauderdale (954) 770-3483 Store/Charter The Dive Station
(305) 595-2010 Store/Charter
Orange Park (904) 264-4744 Store/Charter Orlando
(407) 354-1234
Store
Orlando
(407) 843-3483
Store
Panama City Beach
(850) 230-8006
Store/Charter
Captain Pete’s Diving Outfitters
Fort Myers
(239) 337-9564
Store/Charter
Bay Breeze Dive Center
Gulf Breeze
(850) 934-8363
Store
Dive Pros
Pensecola
(866) 348-3776
Store
Atlantic Scuba, Inc.
Holly Hill
(386) 253-7558
Store
Dr Dive
Pensacola
(617) 943 5553
Charter
Atlantic Pro Divers
Jacksonville Beach
(904) 270-1747
Store/Charter
TROPICAL DIVE DIRECTORY BAHAMAS Small Hope Bay Lodge 800.223.6961 www.smallhope.com
BelIze Calypso Beach Retreat 303.264.8333 www.calypsobeachretreat.com Hugh Parkeys 888.223.5403 www.belizediving.com Sun Breeze Hotel 1.800.688.0191 www.sunbreeze.net
BONAIRe Buddy Dive Resort 599.717.5080.518 www.buddydive.com Divi Resorts 954.545.0269 www.diviresorts.com Quest Dive Adventures 770.992.8414 www.questdive.com
BRITISH VIRGIN ISlAND NV Yacht Charters 443.829.8576 www.nvcharters.com
22 22
Dive Locker
Scuba Shack/Wet Dreams Charters
Pensecola
(850) 433-4319 Store/Charter
An alphabetical listing of participating dive shops, charters, live aboards and resorts in tropical locations around the world.
cAYMAN ISlANDS Divetech@Cobal Coast Dive Resort 888.946.5656 divetech.com cobaltcoast.com Southern Cross Club 800.899.2582 www.southerncrossclub.com Sunset House 800.854.4767 www.sunsethouse.com
cOSTA RIcA Quest Dive Adventures 770.992.8414 www.questdive.com
cOzUMel Albatros Charters 888.333.4643 www.cozumel-fishing.com BlueBubbleScuba 987.872.4240 www.bluebubble.com Island DreamsTravel 800.346.6116 www.divetrip.com Scuba Du 310.684.5556 www.scubadu.com Sea Robin 951.824.9073 www.searobincozumel.com www.nedivenews.com
cURAcAO Ocean Encounters 800.932.6237 www.oceanencounters.com
fIJI Beqa Lagoon Resort 800.542.3454 www.beqalagoonresort.com Beyond the Reef 691.350.3483 www.diveyap.com Dolphin Bay Divers Retreat 679.992.4001 dolphinbaydivers.com Lalati 877.750.0233 www.lalatifiji.com Qamea Resort & Spa 649.360.0217 www.qamea.com Scuba Travel Ventures 800.298.9009 www.scubatravelventures.com Wananavu 679.669.4433 www.wananavu.com
GAlAPAGOS Blue Ocean Marine Pty.Ltd. 415.830.3846 www.abyssworld.com Northeast Dive News JANUARY 2008
WE SuppORT OuR LOCaL DIvE SHOp - WITHOuT THEm WE WILL NOT HavE a DIvE INDuSTRy.
DIvE DIRECTORy
TROpICaL DIvE DIRECTORy
Viking Diving
Pensacola
(850) 916-3483
Charter
Force-E Scuba
Pompano Beach
(954) 943-3483
Charter
Scuba Network
Pompano Beach
(954) 785-0399
Store
Port Charlotte
(941) 627-3888
Fantasea Scuba Force-E Scuba
Riviera Beach (561) 845-2333
Coral Reef Dive Shop
Slidell
(985) 641-9888
Store/Charter
(228) 392-7830
Store/Charter
MISSISSIPPI The Dive Shop Llc
D’Iberville
NORTH CAROLINA
Store Charter
Black Jack Tech Diving
Aberdeen
(910) 426-3483
Store 6pack Charter
Depth Perception
Tampa
(813) 689-3483
Store
Atlantis Charters
Atlantic Beach
www.atlantischarters.net
Scuba Haven
Tampa
(813) 972-4455
Store
Discovery Diving Co.
Beaufort
(252) 728-2265 Store/Charter
Conch Republic Divers
Tavernier
(800) 274-3483
Store/Charter
Poseydon Dive Center
Beaufort
(252) 504-3483
Store/Charter
Narcosis Scuba Center
Tarpon Springs
(727) 934-6474
Store/Charter
Cape Fear Dive Center
Carolina Beach
(910) 458-7390
Store/Charter
Venice
(941) 483-3483
Charter
Frisco
(703) 818-1850
Charter
(352) 528-5770 Store/Diving Outer Banks Diving
Hatteras
(252) 986-1056
Charter
Triad Divers Supply
High Point
(336) 886-8808
Store
Monroe
(704) 219-0198
Store
Morehead City
(252) 726-9432
Store/Charter
(252) 638-3432
Store
Florida West Scuba & Charters Blue Grotto
Williston
Dive Hatteras
GEORGIA Dolphin Dive Center
Athens
(706) 548-3483
Store
Diver Style Scuba
Adventure Dive Center, LLC
Albany
(229) 888-3483
Store
Olympus Dive Center
The Dive Shop on McEver
Gainesville
(770) 503-0040
Store
Divin’ Dawgs
Lawrenceville
(678) 407-2442
Store
Ghost Fleet Dive Charters
Marietta
(770) 973-7909
Store
Rum Runner Dive Shop
Dive Dive Dive, Inc. The Dive Shop
New Bern Wanchese Winterville
(252) 491-8475 Store/Charter (252) 439-4390
Store/Charter
SOUTH CAROLINA
Wet Set Scuba & Travel
Stockbridge
(770) 389-9949
Store
Diver’s Den Georgia
Saint Marys
(912) 882-7078
Store/Charter
Charleston Scuba
Charleston
(843) 763-3483
Store/Charter
South Georgia Dive Charters
Saint Marys
(912) 882-7078
Store/Charter
Upstate Scuba
Clemson
(864) 653-3483
Store
LOUISIANA
Columbia Scuba, Inc.
Columbia
(803) 788-9166
Store/Charter
Underwater Adventures
Baton Rouge
(225) 927-3483
Store/Charter
Bermuda Triangle
Greenville
(864) 286-3483
Store
Red River Scuba
Bossier City
(318) 629-3483
Store
Low Country Scuba
Mount Pleasant
(843) 884-1500
Store/Charter
Mike’s Dive Center
Lake Charles
(337) 430-0073
Store
Coastal Scuba
N. Myrtle Beach
(800) 249-9388
Charter
True Blue Watersports
Lake Charles
(337) 310-1681
Store
Off The Wall Charters, Inc.
Salem
(864) 944-9255
Charter
Metairie
(504) 888-4882
Store/Charter
Shreveport
(318) 222-3483
Charter
(703) 263-0427
Store
Harry’s Dive Shop Scuba Ventures
Divencounters Alliance 877.323.DIVE www.divencounters.com Red Mangrove 00593.2.3823801 3823941 www.redmangrove.com
HAWAII Maui Dreams Dive Co 808.874.5332 www.mauidreamsdiveco.com
HONDURAS Deep Blue Resort 504.95.76.36.97 www.deepblueutila.com Utila Tours 800.668.8452 337.893.0013 www.utila.com
INDONeSIA Kungkungan Bay Resort & Spa 530.347.2300 www.divekbr.com Lembeh Hills Resort www.LembehHills.com 62.812.441.18.000 Pindito Liveaboard 831.818.8594 www.pindito.com Sea Safari Cruises 623.6172.1212 www.seasafaricruises.com/
Northeast Dive News JANUARY 2008
VIRGINIA Adventure Scuba Company
Tasik Ria Resort Spa & Diving 62.431 -.824.445 www.tasikria.com Worldwide Dive and Sail 866.258.6398 www.worldwidediveandsail.com
MexIcO Abyss Dive Center 52.984.873.2164 www.abyssdivecenter.com Aquanauts Dive Adv. 998.206.9365 www.aquanautsdiveadventures.com
ReD SeA - eGYPT Fly & Sea Dive Adventures 888.995.DIVE(3483) www.redseadiving.ca Learning Through Travel 516.781.5556 www.learningthroughtravel.com
ROATAN CoCo View Resort Roatan 800.282.8932 www.roatan.com GoRoatan.com 888.405.8737 www.goroatan.com
SeA Of cORTez/SOcORRO ISlANDS Rocio Del Mar 602.558.9580 www.rociodelmarliveaboard.com www.nedivenews.com
Chantilly
ST. cROIx (U.S. VIRGIN ISlANDS) BVI Scuba 284.540.2222 www.bviscubaco.com Cane Bay Dive Shop 340.773.9913 www.canebayscuba.com Jost Van Dyke 800.778.8066 www.jostvandyke.com
ST. kITTS Dive St. Kitts 869.564.8914 www.divestkitts.com
ST. VINceNT Bequia Dive Adventures 784.458.3826 www.bequiadiveadventures.com
THAIlAND Sairee Cottage Diving 667.745.6126 www.saireecottagediving.com
TURkS & cAIcOS Oasis Divers 649.946.1128 www.oasisdivers.com Dive Provo 649.946.5040 www.diveprovo.com
WaNT TO SuppORT LOCaL DIvINg IN yOuR paRT Of THE gLOBE? EmaIL kEaTH@DIvENEWSmag.COm!
23 23
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Northeast Dive News JANUARY 2008