Anniversary Edition
JANUARY 2011
DIVING
Pennsylvania
THE Local Diving Specialists
Ice Diving
A Cool Underwater World
Rich in History - Great in Diving
Galapagos Islands Navigating Life’s Cradle
Volume 7 Issue 1 $1.95 US/$2.25 Canada
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Northeast & Midwest Dive News JANUARY 2011
JANUARY 2011
more info online at www.divenewsnetwork.com
IN THIS EDITION
Northeast & Midwest Dive News The complete resource for diving in the Northeast and Midwest.
www.nedivenews.com www.mwdivenews.com
Publisher / Editor-in-Chief Rick Stratton rick@divenewsmag.com Art Director IJ James Production Manager/Expo Coordinator Selene Peterson Staff Writer Jamie Farris Graphic Designers TJ Pierzchala/Brian Merculief Intern Jack Bayliss Accounts Manager Tove Chatham Advertising Sales Manager Dane Carson (360) 240-1874 x109 adsales@divenewsmag.com Circulation/subscriptions 360-240-1874
Dive News Magazine is committed to promoting the sport of scuba diving in the Northeast and Midwest. 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 it chooses. The contents of Northeast and Midwest Dive News are opinions of individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor or any of 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 and contains inherent risks. Improper use of diving equipment or improper diving techniques may result in serious injury or death. Readers are advised to use their own 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
“Libra” (Northeast Cover) and “Pisces” (Midwest Cover), oil on canvas from the series of the 12 astrological signs completed in 2010 and unveiled at the last Dema Show by the only painter exhibiting on the show floor, for the 13th year in a row. Pascal Lecocq, the unique Painter of Blue® will exhibit in 2011 at the Paris Dive Show, OWU, BTS and ADEX in Singapore and will make children contests and workshops in Paris and Boca Raton, Florida. For more info and pics, please visit: www.pascal-lecocq.com
Monthly Columns Publisher’s Note.................................4
Gear Box..........................................28
Incoming Mail.....................................5
Dive Shop Profile..............................29
Northeast Hot News..........................6
Tropical Dive Directory................28-29
Midwest Hot News............................16
Dive Directory..............................30-31
Northeast US DIVES
12 Pennsylvania - Rich in History, Great in Diversity
Pennsylvania is rich in history with such sites as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall but scuba divers know that the real history revolves around the 1700 ships, freighters, schooners, and other vessels that have come to rest at the bottom of Lake Erie. Here the past reaches up from the depths of the cold Great Lake waters to beckon curious divers to swim with the ghosts of the past. By Mike Hughes
MIDWEST DIVES
20 Ice Diving – Cool Diving in a Cold Underwater World
If you are a person who thinks that ice is only for cooling your drinks, you have another thing coming. Join writer Rich Synowiec for an exciting, and truly inspiring way to dive. Diving under the ice is fantastic and the visibility is truly the best that freshwater has to offer. Discover a way of diving that will keep you diving all year ‘round! By Rich Synowiec
TROPICAL DESTINATIONS
24 Galapagos Islands – Navigating Life’s Cradle
The Galápagos Islands are often referred to as Life’s Cradle because of the work Charles Darwin did while living there and divers from all over the world who dive the Galapagos Islands understand why. Millions of species of marine life make this area their home, untouched by modern technology and unscathed by human interference; this is truly paradise at its purest. The really amazing thing is that you can dive the same site four times in a day and feel like you have been to four different sites because of all there is to see. By Rick Stratton and Jamie Farris
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Do you have an opinion? Contact us: editor@divenewsmag.com
It’s a Season of Hope Right now we need it more than ever Rick Stratton
facebook.com/Rick.Stratton1 twitter.com/nedivenews twitter.com/mwdivenews rick@divenewsmag.com
T
his month is the beginning of a new year for us and I have many reasons to feel joyous and hopeful for 2011. I have recently returned from DEMA Show in Las Vegas. This year’s show was like a breath of fresh air. The show had a fun, feel good, positive vibe that increased throughout the week. This was, by far, the most positive DEMA Show over the last three years, as was evidenced by more laughter and smiles than tears. We went to nearly every booth at the show and asked almost everyone, “How’s it going” and asked them what their plans were for the coming year. Overwhelmingly, the response was positive. Many people told us that they were having an awesome show and were making plans for a more prosperous new year, it’s about time! For us, we had a great show too – our best ever. The many retailers and instructors who stopped by our booth seemed genuine in their respect and appreciation for our magazine. They liked the glossy cover and improved look of the magazine. Our only negative comment came from those folks who said, “Where is MY magazine?”
referencing SWDN and SEDN. Well, I have good news! We are starting two more magazines this year. In March we will launch Southwest Dive News. Southwest will be based in CA, AZ, MN, TX, OK, KS, NB, CO, UT and NV. Like our other magazines it will promote local diving and the local diving community. In April or May we will launch Southeast Dive News. We will base it in LA, MS, AL, GA, Fl and SC. This magazine will focus on diving in the Southeast. It seems crazy to introduce new print publications at a time when others are struggling to stay in business but we have found that print is not dead – in fact it is the preferred reading experience of most people, including younger audiences ages 18-25. The younger folks are embracing print as well as online experiences and so are we. Every article and photo we print is also online. We are in the business of helping the dive community make the connections they need to enhance the dive experience for everyone. Online, print or on your iPad, we deliver the message. So bring on the New Year – it is going to be amazing!
Rick
Come check out our new site www.divenewsnetwork.com
Ocean Wreck Divers of New Jersey was originally organized as the New Jersey Wreck Divers in 1978 by a small group of divers who wanted to dive together. The group was brought together by Joan Follmer who was then teaching in the area.
OWD Flea Market
The SCUBA Flea Market is scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2011 from 9am to 2pm.
Ocean Wreck Divers P.O. Box 1555, Toms River, NJ 08753
(609) 242-7268 info@oceanwreckdivers.com 4
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Northeast & Midwest Dive News JANUARY 2011
MONTHLY ARTICLES Dear Rick and the Midwest Dive News team,
I just want to tell you how much we appreciate your magazine and your positive approach in these “tough times.” I find that these times are challenging but if you work hard, you can survive or even thrive these days. We actually hit $1million in sales at the beginning of November. Not bad for a 4 year old company in a supposed dead economy ;) We are constantly promoting ourselves and our value to our customers. We have 4 Seminars at Our World Underwater, the Midwest’s largest consumer dive show. Friday - Visual Tank Inspection Class - If you wanted to learn how to VIP your own tanks. Saturday - Intro To Tech Diving Seminar by Mike Ridgway with Special Appearances by Corey Mearns (Light Monkey) and Chris Richardson (HOG), also possibly Andrew Georgitsis (UTD) Saturday - Hog Regulator Repair Clinic - If you own your Hog regs, come learn how to service them. Not only for Dive shops, anyone that owns a HOG reg can take the class Sunday - ERDI Workshop - Doing different drills, skills, and team building exercises for Public Safety Dive Teams We also bought our own Dive Boat, to start doing some dive charters on Lake Michigan later this year. We just launched our new website www.diverightinscuba.com and we just became an authorized repair centers for Whites and Pinnacle Drysuits. All dealers and customers get sent to us to fix their suits.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR We are the #1 Whites Drysuits dealer in the country. We are going to have Scooter Races at Haigh Quarry in May and in December we offered Scuba with Santa at the Joliet Park District. Dude, I got too much “stuff” going on.....this is just what popped into my head at 1 a.m. Thanks again Rick! Mike Pederson Dive Right In Scuba Plainfield, IL
Dear Mike and the Team at Dive Right In,
Wow! What a great letter and great accomplishments and all in such a short time. You are right, it is tough doing business these days. But we are growing too and finding that if you devote your time to finding ways of dealing with these times, instead of complaining about them, you find ways to overcome them. I read a paper a few months ago that said, essentially, that if you are doing things like you were just three years ago, then you are using an old model – not likely to be working. I am not saying that I do not appreciate old school values too. But it makes sense not to use old school methods that are not working. Good work promoting your business in a positive way!
Rick
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WWW.DIVECADDY.NET
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 Indian Valley Scuba Receives Top Honor from University of Pennsylvania
Indian Valley Scuba has once again been honored by the University of Pennsylvania Wharton’s School of Business as one of the areas fast growing corporations. IVS owner Dave Valaika is extremely proud. “We received this award when we first began IVS but rapid growth out of the gate is not necessarily hard to do,” Valaika says. “However, we have sustained that growth so it really says something when you get recognized again. Valaika adds that the staff gets a great deal of the credit as does his business partner. “Our staff makes everything possible, they are very hard working,” says Valaika. “My partner Sue Douglass gets a lot of the credit as well for inspiring me to start this. She actually lives in California so she is the managing partner with a 2500 mile phone extension. Internally we have some great people starting with Beverly Loggins. Everyone will tell you that she is who keeps me in line and really is the face of IVS. For more info visit www.indianvalleyscuba.com.
Boston Scuba Show to Honor Blackadar
This years’ Boston Scuba Show to be held on Feb. 26 at the Holiday Inn and Resort in Marlboro, Massachuetts will honor diver John Blackadar. Blackadar will be receiving the Paul Revere Spike Award for his work through the years with the South Shore Neptunes Quincy Underwater Recovery Unit. Blackadar and members of the Neptunes were doing dives deeper than 130 feet, and doing dives that required stage decompression stops (in those days ending at 10 feet) - two of the eventually-to-be-etched-in-granite definitions of “technical diving”. Blackadar and The Neptune’s led the way, and left a clear path to follow, and are being suitably recognized by their peers as the 2011 recipients of The Underwater Club of Boston’s “Paul Revere Spike Award”. For more info on the Boston Scuba Show visit www.easy-diver.com/BostonScubaShow2011.htm.
DIVE SHOW CALENDAR
Show season is upon us, and we are excited to share all the details of what’s coming up. Dive shows allow us a chance to experience diving without actually getting wet! Join the dive community and meet new (and old) friends, see the latest and greatest in gear and most of all enjoy the camaraderie of diving above the water. January 29 – 30
Adventures in Travel Expo
Chicago, IL Donald E. Stephens Convention Center www.adventureexpo.com February 25-27
Toronto Outdoor Show (Scuba World) Toronto, ON International Centre www.outdooradventureshow.ca/toronto February 27
The Boston Scuba Show, 59th Edition Marlboro, Mass. Holiday Inn & Resort
Diver’s Flea Market to be Held
A Diver’s Flea Market will be held on Jan. 23 at the American Legion Hall in Babylon, New York. This yearly event is facilitated by two local divers and offers divers and dive shops opportunities to sell used gear or just swap stories. In the past the event has provided an opportunity to clean out those gear stashes and replenish what you need with gently used equipment. If you have a young diver or are a beginning diver this may be a great place to make that smaller investment in the sport. Contact Savario Pispisa at (631) 669-7104.
March 4-6
57th Annual Boston Sea Rovers Clinic Danvers, MA Crowne Plaza Boston North Shore Hotel www.bostonsearovers.com
Seascapes USA Invades FIJI July 28,20112011! March 12-13,
Scuba Travel Ventures Announces that Warren Sims Joins STV Team
Scuba Travel Ventures’ (STV) newest sales representative can easily relate to the average diver because he is one. Warren Sims handled travel for Durham, N.C.-based, Water World Marine Services before joining the STV team. Sims, who earned his open water certification in 1999, organized individual and group dive trips for clients to Fiji, the Maldives, Indonesia, and throughout Caribbean. Join STV in welcoming Sims. For more info visit www.scubatravelventures.com.
Adventures in Travel Expo
Washington D.C. Washington Convention Center www.adventureexpo.com March 25-27, 2011
Beneath the Sea
Secaucus, NJ New Jersey Meadowlands Expo Center www.beneaththesea.org
That’s right! 2011 will see Seascapes USA in Beqa FIJI!
Fiji - july 28-Aug 6, 2011!
POOL ON PREMISES Instructor Development Specialty & Advanced Courses Air & Nitrox Fills OPEN 7 DAYS
295 Robbins Lane Syosset, NY 11735
• Round Trip Airfare, • Incredible Food • Beach Side Hut Accommodations; • Two Daily Boat Dives • One Night Dive • UNLIMITED shore diving
SPACE LiMiTED
All for $3995
Call Bob at Seascapes: (516) 433-7757 www.seascapesusa.com 433-7757 Many of (631) our dedicated customers have asked us for an exotic trip to a tropical 6
can we go that is different and paradise. So, we thought to ourselves, “ Now, where Northeast & Midwest Dive News JANUARY 2011 affordable? All inclusive and will afford our divers a dive trip to remember for the
See more News & Events online: www.divenewsnetwork.com
The best place
to get your regulator serviced is the store you it from
purchased
Do you want your event listed here? Contact us: editor@divenewsmag.com
Feb. 15: Long Island Divers Association meeting, 8 p.m., Brookhaven Town Community Center, Blue Point, N.Y. www.lidaonline.com Feb. 16: New England Aquarium Dive Club meeting, 6:30 p.m., New England Aquarium, Boston, Mass. www.aqua.org Feb. 16: In Too Deep Dive Club meeting, 7 p.m., Don Antonio’s Bar & Restaurant, Union, N.J. (908) 687-7020 Feb. 17: Pioneer Valley Dive Club meeting, 7 p.m., At the Water’s Edge, Westfield, Pa. lovetodive.com/pioneer_valley_dive_club.html Feb. 19: Aquatic Voyagers Scuba Club of N.Y. meeting, 1 p.m., Gym at Guy R. Brewer & Liberty, Jamaica, N.Y. www.avscdivers.org Feb. 25-27: Toronto Outdoor Show (Scuba World), International Centre, Toronto, On., contact Russ Koehler (800) 891-4859 ext. 272 Feb. 27: The Boston Scuba Show, 59th Edition, Holiday Inn & Resort, Marlboro, Mass., Contact Cecile Christensen (978) 525-3432 Jan. 19: Great Lakes Aquanauts meeting, 7 p.m., Farmington Community Library, Farmington, Mich. greatlakesaquanauts.org Jan. 25: Fort Wayne Diving Club meeting, 7 p.m., Deep Blue Divers, Fort Wayne, Ind. www.fortwaynediveclub.org Jan. 26: Canadian Sport Divers Scuba Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Canadian Sport Subs Dive Shop, Belleville, Ontario. home.cogeco.ca/~csdivers/ Jan. 29 - 30, 2011: Adventures in Travel Expo – Chicago, IL, Annual Trade & Consumer Travel Show, Donald E. Stephans Convention Center, Milford, CT 06461 www.adventureexpo.com Feb. 1: Buckeye Divers club meeting, 8 p.m., Tommy’s Pizza, Upper Arlington, Ohio. www.buckeyedivers.net Feb. 2: DiveQuest Scuba Club meeting, 7 p.m., Valparaiso Public Library, Valparaiso, Ind. www.divequestscuba.org Feb. 3: Kansas City Frogman Club meeting, 8 p.m., Skin N Scuba, Independence, Mo. www.kcfrogman.com Feb. 3: Extreme Sports Dive Club meeting, 6:30 p.m., Extreme Sports Scuba, Joplin, Mo. www.extremesportsscuba.com Feb. 8: Stingray Dive Club meeting, 6:30
Diver’s Cove The AdvenTure conTinues...
Expert D rysuit repair s
Servicing dive equipment since 1985 Supporting our dive retailers they are the heart of our dive community
3651 Bastion Lane; Raleigh, NC, 27604
(866) 287-0850 www.airtechscubaservices.com
p.m., Bullseye Bar, Summit, Mo. tdscuba.com Feb. 9: Four Lakes Scuba Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Babe’s American Grill, Madison, Wis. fourlakesscubaclub.dot5hosting.com Feb. 11: H2Ogres meeting, 8 p.m., Elmhurst YMCA, Elmhurst, Ill. www.h2ogres.com Feb. 14: Circleville Landsharks Meeting, Gibby’s Restaurant, Circleville, OH 43113, www.circlevillelandsharks.com Feb. 16: Great Lakes Aquanauts meeting, 7 p.m., Farmington Community Library, Farmington, Mich. greatlakesaquanauts.org Feb 17: Great Lakes Aquanauts meeting, 7 p.m., Farmington Community Library, Farmington, Mich. greatlakesaquanauts.org Feb. 18-20: Our World Underwater 41, Donald E. Stephans Convention Center, Rosemont, Il., www.ourworldunderwater.com Feb. 21: Michigan Lake Divers Association meeting, 4 p.m., Vantage Point Maritime Center, Port Huron, Mich. www.michlakedivers.com Feb. 22-24: Underwater Intervention, Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA., www.underwaterintervention.com Feb. 22: Fort Wayne Diving Club meeting, 7 p.m., Deep Blue Divers, Fort Wayne, Ind. www.fortwaynediveclub.org Feb. 22: Badger State Dive Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Edwardo’s Natural Pizza, Milwaukee, Wis. www.badgerstatediveclub.org Feb 23: Canadian Sport Divers Scuba Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Canadian Sport Subs Dive Shop, Belleville, Ontario. home.cogeco.ca/~csdivers/ Feb.26: The 9th Annual “Chicago Maritime Festival”, Historical Museum, Chicago, IL., www.chicagomaritimefestival.org
Find more activities on our facebook page! Midwest Activities
Northeast Activities
Jan. 15: Aquatic Voyagers Scuba Club of N.Y. meeting, 1 p.m., Gym at Guy R. Brewer & Liberty, Jamaica, N.Y. www.avscdivers.org Jan. 19: Long Island Divers Association meeting, 8 p.m., Brookhaven Town Community Center, Blue Point, N.Y. www.lidaonline.com Jan 19: New England Aquarium Dive Club meeting, 6:30 p.m., New England Aquarium, Boston, Mass. www.aqua.org Jan. 20: Pioneer Valley Dive Club meeting, 7 p.m., At the Water’s Edge, Westfield, Pa. www. lovetodive.com/pioneer_valley_dive_club.html Jan. 23: Diver’s Flea Market at the American Legion Hall, Babalon, N.Y., Contact: Savario Pispisa, (631) 669-7104 Jan. 26: New Jersey Council of Dive Clubs meeting, 7:30 p.m., St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Union, N.J. www.scubanj.org Feb. 1: The Dive Club meeting, 8:30 p.m., Molly Malone’s, Bayshore, N.Y. thediveclub.com Feb. 1: Monadnock Divers Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., The Pub Restaurant, Keene, N.H. www.monadnockdivers.org Feb. 1: South Jersey Dive Club meeting, 7:00 p.m., The Taproom on West Crystal Ave., Haddon Township, N.J. www.sjdiveclub.com Feb. 2: Hammerheads Dive Club meeting, 7 p.m., Salty Dogs Eats & Drinks, Virginia Beach, Va. www.ldcscuba.com Feb. 7: Wreck Raiders meeting, 8 p.m., Kasdon’s Restaurant, Levittown, Pa. www.wreckraiders.com Feb. 8: Seconn Skin Divers meeting, 7:30 p.m., Prime 82 Restaurant, Norwichtown, Conn., more info www.seconndivers.org Feb. 8: Buxmont Dive Club meeting, 6:30 p.m., Bones Grille, Lansdale, Pa. buxmontdiveclub.com Feb. 8: The Down Under Scuba Club meeting, 7 p.m., meeting location varies, www.downunderscuba.com/club/ Feb. 9: NYC Sea Gypsies, 7:00pm at McGees Irish Pub (240 W. 55th St. NYC) New York, N.Y. www.seagypsies.org Feb. 10: Maine-iac Divers club meeting, 6:30 p.m., Maine Divers Scuba Center, Portland, Maine. www.maine-iacdivers.com Feb. 14: Divers Anonymous Scuba Dive Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Mario’s Restaurant, Clifton, N.J. www.angelfire.com/nj4/divers
Midwest Activities
Find more Northeast activities on our facebook page! Northeast Activities
CLUB MEETINGS & EVENTS
AND MOST DIVE EQUIPMENT: Regulators • Buoyancy Compensators Drysuits Wetsuits Rescue Suits AGA - Full face Masks Tanks - In-house hydrostatic testing, visual inspection, eddy test We carry a very full line of scuba and snorkeling equipment, and offer all of the NAUI dive certification courses. We sponsor economical exotic diving trips to premier diving locations all over the world.
Do you want your club meeting or event listed here? Just contact us at (360) 240-1874 or go online to www.divenewsnetwork.com IT’S FREE!
Long Island's
SCUBAFLEA Market Announcing Long Island's Newest and Largest SCUBA & Diving Flea Market Sell your SCUBA gear, Dive artifacts, old bottles or any other dive related things you have. For information on date, location and table rental, visit our web site:
800.762.9249 860.767.1960
www.scubaflea.com
7 Essex Plaza, Essex, CT 06426
Dealers & Shops Welcome
www.diverscove.com
We support local divers - Local divers support the industry.
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LONG ISLAND DIVERS ASSOCIATION:
A
s winter approaches and much of the local dive community mourns the passing of yet another dive season, there is a small but growing contingent that prefers to “make lemonade” as it were, and make the best of the situation. Sure, you can plunk down thousands of dollars, and plan trips to remote tropical destinations (which is actually not as awful as it sounds), or you can look around you for winter diving opportunities that will not cost you an arm and a leg, and best of all, will allow you to get in the water virtually any time you like, all winter long. Your winter diving options are limited only by your training and equipment. Basic beach dives are virtually the same in the winter as they are in the summer, with the exception of colder water. Add a drysuit and a good hood and gloves, along with the appropriate training of course, and your favorite local beach is accessible all year ‘round. When you are ready to move to the next level, you will find a select group of local dive boats ready to go. The Sea Hawk, which normally runs out of Freeport, L.I., moves to the North Shore for the winter and makes Sunday runs into the L.I. Sound as long as weather permits. Their bottle runs are legendary; you need to try it at least once! The Side Kick moves from Shinnecock to Montauk and runs all winter as weather
NORTHEAST SPONSOR
Winter Diving Article by Bill Pfeiffer, president of the Long Island Divers Association. To contact Bill, email bill@island-diving.us or find him on facebook.com/ profile.php?id=1061841085
Ice diving! Photo courtesy Long Island Divers Association. For more information about LIDA please visit: www.lidaonline.com
permits, hitting selected sites in the L.I. Sound and around Block Island. And let’s not forget our friends from New Jersey! The Sea Lion runs out of Brielle, and is available for weekday or weekend trips any time of the year. All you need is four divers for your own private charter, or check their website for scheduled trips. Now that you are totally comfortable in cold water, you may want to consider what many consider to be the “Holy Grail”
of winter diving. That’s right, we’re talking about ice diving. There are several local shops that offer this specialty, including QC Scuba, Kings County Divers and Captain Mike’s Diving. They can provide you with the training and equipment guidance that will allow you to safely enjoy this incredible experience. The best part is, the training and equipment will allow you to extend your local dive season as long as you like. And that can’t be bad. ■
Long Island Divers Association Serving the Long Island and Greater New York Diving Community for More Than 25 Years! Captain Mike’s Diving City Island, NY 718-885-1588 www.captainmikesdiving.com
RV Garloo Captree Boat Basin, Long Island
O N D I VE C E N PT
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RK
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914-589-1368 www.garlooent.com
O EAD, NEW Y
Hampton Dive Center Riverhead, NY 631-727-7578 www.hamptondive.com Kings County Divers Brooklyn, NY 718-648-4232 www.kcdivers.com
QC Scuba Wantagh, NY 516-826-7222 www.qcscuba.com Swim and Scuba Rockville Centre, NY 516-872-4571 www.swimandscuba.com
LIDA is a not-for-profit regional organization dedicated to the promotion of local diving and is staffed completely by volunteers.
Long Island Scuba Lindenhurst, NY 631-225-8450 www.longislandscuba.com
www.lidaonline.com 8
LIDA is a valued sponsor of local diving! Read more about what they are up to at www.divenewsnetwork.com
Beneath The Sea is a non-profit show that gives unselfishly to benefit the NE Dive Community
The art of giving back: Beneath the Sea style …
By T.O.M. Guest Writer, Dive News Network
O
f the top three consumer dive shows in America, the largest of the three, Beneath the Sea (BTS) is the only show that operates solely with volunteers and still has its roots in what it gives back to diving, local divers, and the communities it calls home. If you speak with JoAnn Zigahn, President of BTS, you will discover where Beneath the Sea’s focus on children and the next generation of our dive community originates, and why BTS gives freely from a warm and welcoming hand. JoAnn’s beloved Ocean Pals, a free national and international environmental poster contest for grade school children, the free Friday Marine Careers day and the clinic for high schools and college age youngsters who may be seeking scholarships are all special projects close to her heart. BTS, at its own expense, brings-in experts and specialists who provide examples of success and the one-on-one support so desperately needed by young people today. This year Zigahn managed to get her Board of Trustees to support a $1,500 Discovery scholarship in support of students who wanted to investigate the suitability of a Marine Career. BTS also supports hospitals within the Beneath the Sea community. Both the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and the Sound Shore Medical Center receive practical donations as well as a large collection of toys for children during this holiday. Noted marine artist Wyland pays an annual visit to the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital on behalf of BTS for a day of art. Wyland is exceptionally generous with his time and his talent. There is a long list of dedicated men and women who give of their time and their efforts to bring understanding and saving grace to a challenged underwater world. Armand Zigahn (Zig, as he known to everyone) founder and executive Director of BTS often would explain the difficult process of supplying help to the many, dedicated agencies that have joined the fight on the side of underwater protection. “It is,” Zighan said, “like watching a floodlight that everyone tries to focus on their perspective of ecological survival: Save our Leatherbacks,
the Shark Research Institute, Shark Savers, the Pew Environmental Group, Oceana, and The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, and so many others all need our help, need our support … and we give it as we can, where we can.” Zighan also believes in stepping up to help foundations who touch the lives of divers directly as well. “Sometimes too, you are touched by what you see when bold and courageous men and women step out of a crowd of divers to help those who have sacrificed so much for us and were hurt in the process,” Zighan says. “You and I know these folk need our support too – Wounded Warriors, SUDS diving, International Association of Handicapped Divers, Handicapped Scuba Association, Diveheart Foundation – how do we not support them and their courage, so we give them our support also.” Zighan is modest and doesn’t mention other things he gives his time, talent and money to such as the Ships-to-Reefs program, DEMA, the Boy Scouts new Scuba Diving merit badge, the Aquatic Voyagers Club, New York State Diving Association, New Jersey Council of Divers, Historical Diving Society, Sea Camp, The Scuba Sports Club, the Underwater Society of America, Eastern Diveboat Association, Long Island Divers Association, Dive Industry Association, Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. His support is tireless and his heart is huge. In all, BTS contributes tens-of-thousands of dollars in support so they may practice the art of giving back throughout the year. Both Zig and Joan are linked to their passion for the ocean world as well as their fellow divers through a desire to give back and make the world a better place. “Together with our volunteers, our exhibitors, and the folks who come to the show, we at Beneath the Sea have become successful. It is only right that we at Beneath the Sea give back that which was freely given to us. It is the only way to make the world a better place for us and the ocean world that we all enjoy so much.” - Zig ■
Beneath the Sea America’s largest Consumer Dive Show Celebrating 35 years
Serving the Scuba, Travel, and Oceans Community
March 25, 26, 27, 2011 Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, New Jersey
We support local divers - Local divers support the industry.
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DIVING LIFESTYLE By Erin Boyajian
M
PENNSYLVANIA CLUBS
Eat, Bowl, Dive
ost divers would agree that the diving lifestyle is better with a buddy to share your tales with, and even more fun with a group. That’s where dive clubs come inswapping stories, gear talk, moments of glory, moments of peril, and the skills that kept you safe. It’s all part of the fun. Clubs can also provide not only a social base, but also a forum for ideas and an opportunity to meet professionals and experts in the field. To be sure, dive clubs provide a cohesive structure and social organism that anchors divers together. And, at the same time, some cool likeminded folks to have a beer with! There are a few ways dive clubs come together. Whether they form out of a dive shop or by enthusiasm alone, it’s always important to have strong key members keeping the club going through regular meetings and/or outings. That’s hugely important to survive the ebb and flow of economic conditions, or other factors that may affect attendance over time. The meeting structure of these clubs tends to be the same from state to state, with few variations. One thing is for certain- there is no shortage of dive passion in this country, and Pennsylvania is no exception. In the Philadelphia area, a heavy hitter in the dive club world is the Keystone Divers Association, located in West Chester. Keystone stems from Dudas’ Diving Duds, a dive shop owned by diving legend Evelyn “Evie” Dudas. They meet the first Wednesday of every month at Barnaby’s, a pub in downtown It’s all about the people not just the diving! Photo courtesy Scuba Club North. Find out more about Scuba Club North at: tinyurl.com/scubaclubnorth West Chester. Each meeting has a guest speaker, on topics
Diving Clubs in Pennsylvania
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ranging from reef, cave, and wreck diving, photography, gear, and more. Recent speakers have included explorer and deep-sea wreck diver Gary Gentile, Andrea Doria diver Bart Malone, and Deep Descent author Kevin McMurray. January’s speaker is diver and photographer Dan Wright, highlighting northeast diving and more. January will also bring the election of a new president. Mark Hennessey, a former president and active member, is grateful for the camaraderie the club fosters. “Bringing people together is the best part”, he muses, “the social events bridge families and dive friends”. Bridging families and friends is something people especially enjoy, and many feel it’s important to keep alive, despite low attendance. In Harrisburg, DEEP, the Diving Enthusiasts of Eastern Pennsylvania, has seen membership numbers rise and fall, but a core group keeps the club going. A non-profit club in existence since 1980, they used to meet monthly, but in the past two years, the thirty core members, mostly couples, have met up about four times a year. Why? President Jon Cheris says, “The core people like to meet up, but they have other interests and hobbies that make it hard on a regular basis. It would be nice to have a list of new divers in the area in order to contact them and reach out. So far, we haven’t been able to get that”. Jon is hopeful that things can turn around. In Erie, Linda Huston of Blue Dolphins Skin Divers, has a similar, relaxed approach. Rather than regular meetings, the members tend to get together more during dive season. They have a holiday party in December, and enjoy picnics and other parties throughout the year. Scheduling non-diving activities throughout the year is a great way to keep club members active and social. In Reading, Berks Divers Association does just that. With a robust membership list, it’s a smart way to keep people together. Member Brian Ritz agrees.
PENNSYLVANIA CLUBS
“The association schedules non-diving activities like bowling and miniature golf- it’s fun”. They are also creative about spaces in which to have their meetings. Although an independent club, Berks Divers meets at the dive shop Scuba Venture in Reading, but meetings can also be held in member’s homes. They meet the second Wednesday of each month. Brian also likes how the club brings local and non-local divers together. “A lot of members don’t dive in PA- it’s good to associate with other divers.” North Pittsburgh’s Scuba Club North follows the same philosophy. Local and non-local divers meet for dinner at a local spot once a month. In existence, but renamed since the 1960’s, they have a healthy list of divers that like to come out for the speakers and presentations. Recently members were wowed by shots of diving with great whites. Non-diving activities include trips to IMAX films, bowling, and more. Bill Downey, club member and owner of Downey Diving dive shop, likes how the club brings people together. “ It’s a way to meet people with a common interest,” he exclaims. Pittsburgh also is home to Uncle Joe’s Scuba, whose club is also a strong presence on the scene. Many divers rely on clubs to keep them in the loop about local dive excursions and also trips to exotic locales. It’s a great way to keep people diving. While this has been a profile on a few clubs in the great Keystone State, there are many more than mentioned, that are getting together regularly and keeping our dive communities strong and healthy. ■ Erin Boyajian is a writer, diver and educator in New York City. She is active in promoting and expanding youth based marine ecology education, and is the founder of topsidediver.com.
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11
PENNSYLVANIA
NORTHEAST DIVE REPORT
PENNSYLVANIA Rich in History and Dive Diversity.
John show sh Photo court ow they do it in PA! esy Indian Valley Scub a
Frank Gabriel, Michael Noble, Mike Noble, Barbara Hill, John Glodowski, Csaba Lorinczy, Bill Zyskowski. Photo courtesy Indian Valley Scuba
A shot of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia, PA. Taken from the rooftop of an abandoned power plant in downtown Philadelphia. Photo by David Scaglione By Mike Hughes, Writer, Dive News Network
P
ennsylvania is rich in history. The Liberty Bell sporting the ever present crack, Independence Hall and the national military park and battlefield of Gettysburg where Robert E. Lee tried a northern advance all stand tribute to the birth of a nation. The death, destruction, and divisive nature of the civil war led and inspired then President Abraham Lincoln to write one of the most famous speeches to ever be recited in American history. Fort Necessity National Battlefield and the Valley Forge National Military Park add to the very nature of strife and fortitude. But across the way in Pottsville is the hometown of the oldest brewery in the country The Yuengling Brewery. And just outside of Pennsylvania is gas station that is home to Hank the chicken that can beat you at tic tax toe every time…point being… while stately, Pennsylvania has its fun side too. For scuba divers the real fun of history revolves around the 1700 ships, freighters, schooners, and other vessels that have come to rest at the bottom of Lake Erie. You can dive some of these wrecks straight from shore, but to see the rest you have to go out on the charter vessels that usually operate between the months of May and October. However you get out there, nothing beats swimming through history.
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There are many variations in local scuba diving activities, locations, and dive sites. A lot of dive sites are former quarries that have been filled in with water. Some have been seeded with wide selections of fish and, to make the sites more attractive, other manmade attractions have been added to make the bottom topography more interesting. But if you aren’t diving a quarry there are always natural lakes, rivers, and streams, not to mention the Great Lakes which are a hop away. One of the most popular dive locations is Dutch Springs in Lehigh Valley. This 50 acre lake has an Aqua park and a Sky Challenge course in addition to a picnic area, and other facilities. Underwater there is a Sikorsky H-37 helicopter: 88 ft. long 27 ft. wide, 22 ft. high, and suspended in the water. There is also a school bus, a 1946 trolley, fire truck, a Cessna airplane, and many more boats and artifacts; max depth 100 ft. Dutch Springs has been around for a long time and has a reputation all over the United States as being a go to quarry in the east. Willow Springs quarry boasts a sunken 72 ft. trawler, SS Minnow, a steam shovel crane, a fire truck, a caboose, a school bus, and may more objects that strategically found their way to the bottom of the lake; max depth 55 ft. Willow Springs is the home of
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Northeast & Midwest Dive News JANUARY 2011
NORTHEAST DIVE SITE PROFILE
John and Barb are pleased with their dive! Photo courtesy Indian Valley Scuba
Mike Hughes is a PADI Master Instructor and an IANTD Advanced EANX (tech) diver. He’s been diving for close to 30 years. As a scuba dive instructor, his main goal is to get students excited about diving. Students asked me so many different questions about diving in British Columbia, Canada, Washington State, Oregon, and the northwest in general, that I wrote down enough information to fill a book entitled: The Northwest Dive Guide by Harbour Publishing, which came out in 2009.
the annual Polar Bear Plunge for charity that takes place in January. Hundreds of people jump into the freezing waters of the quarry and all to benefit local charities. Bainbridge Sportsmanship Scuba Club is a former quarry turned lake that offers a bus, truck, airplane, building structures, diving platforms, and a depth down to 130 ft. Guppy Gulch in Delta, Pa near the Maryland state line is a former quarry with a depth of 80 ft., which boasts 5 platforms to train on. Speaking of trains, they have those too, as well as trucks and other items sunk in the lake. They even treat the water for better visibility. Many of these lakes require a day use fee for scuba diving. Private lakes and quarries such as Blue Hole require permission to cross private lands. Some parks and lakes you will have to contact ahead of time to find out all the requirements and parking areas. All of these mentioned here are worth a dive or two and most have special events year around. Other notable dive sites include the Old Williamsport Dam, the Jay Street Bridge area on the Susquehanna River near Lock Haven, and many public, as well as private beaches along various creeks. The local dive shops can give you numerous tips on places to go near and far. For some Pennsylvania divers distance isn’t an option. Some divers like to go to West Virginia to Mount Storm to do a high altitude dive at 3,380 ft. above sea level. This type of dive is a different experience. You do have to follow the altitude dive tables and you have to stay away from the power plant
water intake pipes down at 120 ft. of depth. There are many dive sites throughout the state and driving distance is amendable. I asked instructor Dennis Zahradnik from Dive World where he likes to dive and he said, Strawberry Quarry, Lake Erie, and the St. Lawrence River. The Strawberry Quarry has three main dive sites and is the spot where a few years ago the boy scouts built a suspended artificial reef made from wooden pallets as an Eagle Scout project to help protect smaller fish find safe havens in different thermo cline layers. It really is something to see. Lake Erie as a second choice, sounded reasonable. Once you know the history of past storms and shipwrecks you can’t help but want to go. When Dennis said the St Lawrence River, I had to ask him why? He said, “Because it is refreshing”. I wasn’t sure what he meant by that until I looked it up online and read about all the different types of diving you could do there. The list included wall dives, deep dives, wreck dives, and drift dives. Great, so now I have another place I have to investigate. For a diver the list just never ends. (Thank goodness) It’s not all about going up north either; many local divers hit the shores and charter operations off the coast of New Jersey. Driving from Philadelphia it’s a short hop over to what William Penn and the early settlers called the Western Ocean. New Jersey diving is definitely an experience that every diver should partake in. It’s a kick. Just before writing this final draft our plane flew over Lake Erie across Pennsylvania
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PENNSYLVANIA and looking down at lakes, woodlands, pasturelands and rivers before landing in Philadelphia I could understand why divers find the water ways here intriguing. Over the years the local divers has gained more access to interesting dive sites and better onshore facilities, as well as tons of underwater structures and attractions. And while not all underwater structures have been sunk on purpose, they have all added to the growing popularity of Pennsylvania diving. So the next time you are on the East coast, take a minute and visit where it all began and dive into a little history. ■
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NORTHEAST DESTINATION
D
utch Springs is a diving Mecca for anyone wanting good vis and a lot of room. Purchased in 1980, the property was converted into one of the largest freshwater scuba diving facilities in the country. Today, a 50-acre lake, Dutch Springs sports attractions that will bring out the explorer in any diver. With depths up to 100 ft. and spring-fed from an underground aquifer filtered through limestone Dutch Springs is a virtual playground for divers of all skill levels. Underwater platforms, submerged vehicles, aircraft and other unusual sites are set throughout the lake for divers to explore and test their skills. Dutch Springs offers divers the chance to dive with all of the amenities anyone would need. Two bathhouses offer bathrooms, heated changing rooms and warm showers. Their scuba entry platforms and docks make it easy to enter the water and there are large underwater platforms provided where you can train. The Dutch Springs staff is always available to answer questions. Just starting off and not a part of a local dive shop? Our Scuba Diver Buddy Finder forum can help you locate Dutch Springs dive buddies. Dutch Springs also has many special events for scuba divers for yet another chance to hook up with other divers. The Aqua Park at Dutch Springs is an enjoyable place for the non-diving family member and the divers alike. A water park on the
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water the Aqua Park is made up of inflatable objects that one climbs up, slides down, blobbed off and just has fun on. There are lifeguards watching for your safety and life vests, which are provided by Dutch Springs, are required to be worn. Paddle boats and sit on top kayaks can be rented to add to an active adventure at Dutch Springs. On Friday and Saturday nights and the summer holiday Sundays, Dutch Springs has camping for those that do not prefer a hotel room. A Sky Challenge is offered for those looking for something exciting. It is an adventure challenge course and if you are looking for someplace to work on team building? The NorthStar Adventure provides adventure-based team-building experiences for corporations and other groups. Need Equipment? Dutch Springs offers divers that as well. They rent 80 cubic foot regular air and 32 percent nitrox tanks, weights, weight belts, and dive locators for people with solo diving certification. Dutch Springs is easy to get to and located centrally offering diving to divers throughout the east coast. Situated in Lehigh Valley just north of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, they offer daily park admission or season passes. Dutch Springs is supported by many local dive shops and instructors as a great place for local divers. For more info visit www.dutchsprings.com/scuba.html.. ■
Dutch Springs 50 Acres of Diving Heaven
Divers on the platform at Dutch Springs. Photo courtesy Dutch Springs
The Underwater Club of Boston Presents the 60th edition of
The Boston Scuba Show February 26, 2011 • 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. Holiday Inn and Resort Marlboro, Massachusetts Junction of routes 495 and 20 • Always FREE PARKING Directed by Alan Budreau; assisted by the EMMY Award winning team of Linda and Kerry Hurd
Featuring: • • • • •
The world’s acclaimed in-water photographer CATHY CHURCH from the Cayman Islands Janet MacCausland’s artistry CATHEDRAL ROCKS a new film by Chris and Fred Calhoun Hunting New England’s Ship Wrecks with Dave Clancy DIVING THE GREAT LAKES with Dallas Edmiston
Applaud the Paul Revere Spike Award to John Blackadar and The South Shore Neptunes Underwater Recovery Team
Tickets are $25 each
Available at the door on the day of the show, or in advance by writing to: Cecile Christensen, 2 Ocean Ave (1-H), Gloucester, MA 01930. Checks payable to Cecile Christensen. 14
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15
MW ‘HOT’ NEWS
MIDWEST DIVE NEWS
2nd Annual International Adaptive Scuba Diving Symposium at OWU
The second annual IASD symposium will be held on Feb. 18 from 1-4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago in conjunction with the Our World Underwater Show. The event will be sponsored by Dive Heart, a Chicago, IL based not-for-profit and Midwest Dive News. This year’s event will focus on the business of adaptive scuba programs and helping dive industry professions help and better connect with this growing need. This event will bring together industry leaders to discuss how to grow your business through adaptive scuba, marketing to the adaptive community and how to attract more media to their local events. For more info on this symposium or to sign up to attend, visit www.diveheart.com
DIVE SHOW CALENDAR February 18 – 20
Our World Underwater 41
Rosemont, IL Donald E. Stephens Convention Center www.ourworldunderwater.com February 22-24
Underwater Intervention
New Orleans, LA Morial Convention Center www.underwaterintervention.com
Undersea Research Associates Announce the Discovery of Schooner Marion Egan
David Trotter and the Undersea Research Associates (URA) team have located and are exploring one of the most intact schooners to be discovered in Lake Huron. The 135’ two masted Marion Egan made her first trip on May 15, 1861, just one month after the first shots were fired on Ft. Sumter, South Carolina initiating the Civil War. Built in Huron, Ohio, in the winter of 1861 by J. F. Squires, the Egan was launched in the Spring, and commanded by Captain Soper. The Marion Egan Visit: www.shipwreck1.com brutally collided with the Schooner E. R. Williams on to see the video September 23, 1875. Expedition divers were amazed to find covered cargo hatches, the intact stern cabin, dishes in the cabinets, and a monocular spyglass in the holder. According to the underwater explorers, it is a unique experience to “go where no one has gone before”, “to see what no one seen before”, and to have history “come alive” by swimming back 135 years in time. Extensive documentation has been completed and the program “Silent Waters; Deadly Depths” will be available in January, 2011. For video of the ship visit www.shipwreck1.com. For more info contact Trotter at DLTrotter@msn.com.
February 26
The 9th Annual “Chicago Maritime Festival”
Chicago, IL Historical Museum www.chicagomaritimefestival.org February 26
Upper Midwest Scuba and Adventure Travel Show Minneapolis, MN 7025 Northland Drive North www.glsps.clubexpress.com March 5
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival Arranged by the Ford Sea Horses Dive Club Detroit, MI www.shipwreckfestival.org
Celebrate Movember with the Movember Foundation
Movember Foundation member Paul Watkins decided to donate his face (well his upper lip anyway) to raising awareness about men’s health in the month of November hence redubbing the beloved thankful month Movember. His commitment was the growth of a moustache for the entire month of Movember, which he hoped would generate conversation, controversy, laughter and general upper lip itchiness and it did. Watkins committed his moustache because he wanted to bring about awareness to the fact that close to 3,300 men die of prostate cancer in Australia each year and one in eight men will experience depression in their lifetime. By growing the moustache Watkins brought awareness to these statistics. Although the challenge is over folks can still help, you can go to www.movember.com and donate online through the Movember Foundation. Movember is funding world class research, educational and support programs which would otherwise not be possible. For more info on Movember visit www.movember.com.
March 18-20
Ohio ScubaFest 2011 and 52nd Annual OCSSDI Banquet Ball North Columbus, Ohio Crowne Plaza Hotel www.scubafest.org March 25-26
12th Annual Ghost Ships Festival Milwaukee, WI Wyndham Milwaukee Airport and Convention Center www.ghost-ships.org
2011 Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival
It’s time once again for the Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival. The 30th annual event will take place on March 5 at Washtenaw Community College’s Morris Lawrence Building, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For ticket information or program details, visit www.shipwreckfestival.org.
It’s Time for the 2011 Upper Midwest Scuba & Adventure Travel Show
For over a decade the non for profit organization, “Great Lakes Ship Preservation Society” has sponsored the State of Minnesota’s one and only dive show. Now in its 12th year, the show is bigger, brighter, and better, than ever before! This year’s event will be held at the Northland Inn in Minneapolis, Minnesota Feb. 25 & 26. For info visit www.umsatshow.org.
Ozark Dive Company Branches Out
There’s a new kid in town over in Sikeston, MO and its name is the Ozark Dive Company of Southeast Missouri. The new location is at 274 North Ranney Street and they are raring to go when it comes to being of service to the local dive community and better serving their growing customer base. Stop in when you get a chance and say hello and check out the new digs. For more info visit www.ozarkdive.com. 16
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Midwest Dive News JANUARY 2011
MIDWEST DIVE NEWS
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Divi Resorts and Diveheart Produce Documentary
I
t starts with a title that explains the project, “Imagine the Possibilities”. Then it blossoms into a concept that Diveheart’s Jim Elliott and Divi Resorts hope will touch the hearts of divers, dive shops and dive instructors everywhere. Recently the calm and clear waters at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort and Casino became the backdrop of Diveheart’s new promotional film about disabled divers. Elliot says that they chose Divi because it was the perfect place. “Divi has incredible diving and it is wheelchair accessible,” Elliott says. “For the film we had several severely handicapped divers so there had to be consideration given to their needs.” The special group of handicapped divers whose journey was captured by eight-time Emmy award-winning Watermark TV included a young woman born with no arms and no legs and a quadriplegic. In all three handicapped scuba divers traveled to Divi Flamingo in October to film a documentary on their experience and the Diveheart Foundation. Diveheart, a non-profit group that focuses on educating and providing the scuba diving experience to those with disabilities, were excited about the chance to showcase the “possibilities” of what can be achieved by handicapped divers when they are equipped and trained correctly. Elliot says that one of the reasons Divi was a good choice from which to shoot the film was the environment of Bonaire. The warmer temps help when divers cannot regulate their own body temps. “Disabled divers use something called, “water therapy” where they can be gravity free in order to increase strength in their bodies,” Elliot says. “Divi Flamingo Beach Resort is continuously upgrading for disabled divers. They now have eight handicap accessible rooms and a customized disabled A R U B Adive• boat B A just R B Afor D Ocatering S • Bto ON AIRE •folks.” S T. C R O I X
Elliott says that he feels the film will be a welcome tool for teaching people how much is possible for disabled divers and he is grateful for Divi’s help. “We want to motivate people with or without disabilities to imagine the possibilities,” stated Jim Elliot, president of Diveheart Foundation. For more info about Divi Resorts of • S T . Mvisit A A R www.diviresorts.com TEN Diveheart and www.diveheart.com. ■
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9/15/06 1:07:32 PM
MIDWEST DESTINATIONS
Where did you dive yesterday?
One Of A Kind Diving; Multiple Reasons
or the piranha as they wait to be shipped to another aquarium. You’ll also see the touring hand held creatures like the cowries and brittle stars. Finally, you’ll see the fish in quarantine before they ever get to join the aquarium, and the wildlife recovering from health issues. As a marine biologist they had already hooked me, and if I lived nearby, I would probably be working here every free minute, but on this day, for everyone else, the best was yet to come. We suited up, the aquarium supplied the tanks and weights, and we went for a dive in Fishing Hollow. On this dive the staff was Kelly Drews, Kathy Bonjie, and Katie Kirschbaum. Kelly was the lead guide. While Kathy and Katie came in the water behind us carrying a bucket of night crawlers to feed to the fish. Kelley and I made a slow pass around the tank and I took pictures of alligator gars, longnose gar, walleye, muskie, turtles, catfish, and sturgeon. I thought the exhibit tank was bigger than I first expected. The logs in the tank and sea grass are not anchored down so that every wave from every diver or fish can constantly change the overall look of the surrounding environment. After a swim around the exhibit photography session, I took images of Kathy and Katie feeding the sturgeon and turtles worms. Katie gave me some worms and I have to tell you that it feels weird as sturgeon suck the worms right off your hand like a low pressure cycling vacuum cleaner. The turtles hang down on the sand and just wait for the extra worms to
By Mike Hughes
W
hen it comes to the bucket list of places you have to dive, the Great Barrier Reef, Bonaire, and the Grand Caymans are near the top of the list, but so should a dive in Minnesota. Not just any dive in Minnesota, but two specific dives at, of all places, the Mall of America at Underwater Adventures Aquarium. At first you might think I’m crazy, but after you’ve discovered what goes on during these dives, you’ll know why it stacks up chin to chin against a typical day of diving in some other rather exotic location. What makes diving in an Aquarium of this caliber so unique? First of all the water clarity is a major plus. But the biggest single aspect to consider is that the aquarium animal life is accustomed to divers and don’t see divers as a threat like they might in the wild. They are comfortable to glide and swim right beside you making this an ideal dive site to nuzzle up next to an enthusiastic sturgeon fish or a curious bow mouth guitarfish. You could also find yourself mere inches away from a large loggerhead turtle, something you could almost never do in the wild. A typical adventure starts with a behind the scenes tour of the aquarium. What you may see are baby freshwater stingrays in a private tank with their mother; they won’t go on exhibit until they are much larger, so this may be the only way to see them this small. You could also see fish not currently on exhibit, such as the juvenile paddlefish,
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A festival celebrating underwater exploration of our Great Lakes maritime history Announcing the date of our
30th Anniversary Show Saturday, March 5, 2011
Washtenaw Community College’s Morris Lawrence Building Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Tickets just $15 Presented by the
Ford Seahorses
in conjunction with the
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Visit www.shipwreckfestival.org
because the sand they use in the tanks is high quality tropical sand complete with pieces or whole invertebrate shells that have the same white glossy finish as the shark teeth. Kelly showed me how to find them and soon we were putting the teeth on the ledge for the kids walking by to stop and see. While holding pointed teeth in my glove, I took out my regulator and pointed at my teeth with my free index finger. This was a big hit with the kids watching on the other side of the display only inches away from us. Too soon, it was time to leave. We changed into street clothes and I thanked them for the dives. They give you a T-shirt that proclaims to the world that you swam with the sharks. You then get to tour the aquarium and walk through every tunnel you just swam over. It gives you a completely different perspective about the exhibits, and the animal life in those exhibits. I took more pictures from the dry side including some images of the tropical fish, the many varieties sea horses, and the ubiquitous jellyfish of every sort and size. With all the fresh water animals and all the sea creatures you get to dive with in such close proximity you can’t afford to pass up on an adventure like this. Sure, you should still go to the Caribbean, but add Adventures Underwater Aquarium to the top of your dive bucket list. This is a unique dive experience like no other you’ve ever experienced before. Great Dives. ■
Working the Workshops at the 2011 Our World Underwater Show
H
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ow many times have you seen some YEAR S new information on diving and thought 40 to yourself, “Hey I wonder how that really works?” Well this year at the Our WorldUnderwater event happening Feb. 18-20 you will get some of your answers and more. The OW-U event at the Donald E. Stephen Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill is promising to shape up as an information fest with tons of workshops for divers of all levels. For instance Mark J. Linse, long time Dan representative will get divers ready for emergencies with workshops on the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for Scuba Diving and A Day of Oxygen: DAN - Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Emergencies & DAN - Advanced Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Emergencies. Want to get that perfect shot? OW-U is the place for photography and videography instruction. Danielle Alary and Michael Gilbert will help budding photographers with U/W Photography Made Simple Making a Picture - The Next Level in Photography while veteran cameraman Marc Morale with help new videographers find their lens in his workshop entitled Demythifying Video Editing. Jett Britnell will entice with Diving Photojournalism - How to Get Published and Cathy Church will entertain and inform with You Bought Your Digital Camera, Now What? and Mastering U/W Strobes. Also wowing visitors with their photo and video knowledge are Greg Lashbrook and Kathy Johnson with their workshop Finding and Filming Freshwater Fish and Jim and Pat Stayer with U/W Video with Professional Results Are you attending OW-U for the business aspect of it? Dive Heart will be offering the 2nd Annual International Adaptive Scuba Diving Symposium - Focusing on the Business of Adaptive Scuba Diving and Gene Muchanski along with Patrick Hammer will host Dive Industry: Retail Symposium. In these harsh economic times who doesn’t have some questions about how to reach their customer base? Information is key to any good diving experience and information is what the workshops at this years’ OW-U event is all about. So grab those notepads and sharpen those pencils…class is in session! For more info visit www.ourworldunderwater.com 10 20
fall their way. Life is good when you have clean water, no natural predators, and plenty of worms. We did some more leisurely diving around the fresh water exhibit then exited to have a snack. Having warmed up, Kelly led a dive briefing for the saltwater exhibit, Sharks Cove. There are seven species of sharks in this exhibit along with stingrays, tuna, and sea turtles. We geared up and made our way into a little entrance pool; that is once we got the little white tip sharks to move out of the way for a few minutes. They prefer sitting in one place and having the currents blow oxygenated water through their gills. Outside the pool Kelly took the lead and I followed behind him. Kathy and Katie were right behind me. The three K’s all had black and white striped pvc poles for moving the sharks away if they decided to get too close to us. Only the large sandtiger sharks were aggressive enough to ever warrant a slight touch by the poles. The sawtooth, wobbegongs, zebra, and reef sharks were indifferent to our being there. They just swam around in endless patterns giving us ample close up views of these beautiful cartilaginous creatures. The first corner of the tank we came to we saw the nurse sharks huddle together. We swam by them and up over the cement roof section of the underground tunnel system. Down below us on the over side was a group of southern stingrays. We swam past them over to a sandy area next to the see through glass tunnel. Human families were walking through the tunnels and we waved at them and the kids waved back at us. More wobbegongs were perched on the walls behind us. A big sawtooth shark, then a large sandtiger shark went by. I took some images, then we swam over the tunnel and over to a patch of sand where the sharks swam by as part of their regular exhibit tour route. More time for images, then over another section of the underground tunnel we glided. On the other side we stopped to look in the sand for shark teeth. This was actually harder than I thought it would be,
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RETHINKING DIVE LOCATIONS
ICE DIVING
Cool Diving in a Cold Underwater World
Frozen lakes aren’t just good for skating! Photo by Eva Schuster By Rich Synowiec Guest Writer, Dive News Network
I
f there were a travel brochure it would probably read, “100 plus visibility,” and that would be nice. It might also say “lots of topside assistance” and that would be would be nice too. “Seldom do you find crowds,” now
February 25 & 26, 2011 Northland Inn • Minneapolis, MN
From wrecks to tech, travel to apparel, it does not matter if you are a beginner or an industry pro, our dive exhibits have something for every visitor that walks through our door at the Upper Midwest Scuba & Adventure Travel Show!
that’s truly appealing. What about, “water a balmy 38 degrees” yea, now that would be…hey…wait a minute…that’s nearly freezing! It’s actually completely frozen on the surface and the water underneath is warmer…no really. Well, ok, yes, it is freezing but it’s not what you think in terms of experiences. One thing’s for sure, if there were a brochure that touted all of this it would be for the Midwest in the
Ghost ships Festival activities
• Free Exhibit Hall • Free Discover Scuba for those with disabilities • Presentations and Seminars • Technical Workshops • Ghost Ships Annual Award Presentation • Raffle & Silent Auction • Book Signings by Prominent Great Lakes Authors • Friday Evening Social open to the Public Organized by Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Foundation, Inc.
Wyndham hotel & convention center
For information visit www.umsatshow.org 20
Tickets to the presentations on Friday night and Saturday are $20.00 and can be purchased by visiting www.ghostships.org.
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Northeast & Midwest Dive News JANUARY 2011
Do you dive in unusual places? editor@divenewsmag.com winter time and it would be worth trying. If you are from the Midwest as I am, the end of the summer season of diving means that a different type of diving is just around the corner. ICE diving! If you are a person who thinks that ice is only for cooling your drinks, you have another thing coming. The idea of diving under the ice may not appeal to you at first but I can tell you, ice diving is one of the most exciting, fantastic and truly inspiring ways to dive. Under the ice is fantastic and the visibility is truly the best that freshwater has to offer. Now I’m not going to try and sugar coat it and try to tell convince you that ice diving is just like going tropical, but to me and most of my winter dive buddies, it is just like the Caribbean, just a little bit colder.” Okay…truth is, it’s A LOT colder but just because the water is colder and there are a few hoops to jump through to get under it, doesn’t mean you should discount it. The fact of the matter is that it’s not the cold water you should be concerned about but the “being” cold. If you are from the Midwest you have probably dived in a quarry, lake or other fresh body of water sometime in a month other than July or August. Fresh water lakes in the Midwest, especially from Michigan and Ohio where I live, have an underwater phenomenon known as a Thermocline. These abrupt boundaries of temperature get colder as you go deeper. In most lakes, in June, your bottom thermocline leaves you in water that is about 38 degrees… the same as what is under the ice. The nice thing is that the manufacturers of dive gear realize this and have built us some awesome equipment to allow us to stay warm under the water in extreme cold. No matter where you go, the water temperature under the ice is constant and if you are prepared for it, it can be an enjoyable environment to dive. I want to encourage you to start by taking an ice diving course at your local dive center. Choose the dive center that you are going to take your course from carefully. Divers, instructors, and especially dive shop owners like me, who ice dive for fun are out there, it just
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take a bit of searching to find the right one. I try to teach ice diving when I can enjoying sharing the ice diving experience as well as teaching someone how to. I would encourage you to also find someone who does it more than just teaching it. Your course will be more enjoyable and you will learn a ton. At my dive center, Diver’s Inc (I am sure there is one similar close to you) we actually schedule a fun dive every month of the year, including ice dives. We have a lot of divers who are trained to ice dive and even a bunch who do the dives in wetsuits. Fortunately, there are dry suits that are available for purchase and rental that make ice diving just that much more enjoyable for the less adventurous who actually want to be warm during their dive. David Sheppard and Wally Peterson of Thunder Country Diving take ice diving very seriously and say that it is an important part of the dive landscape in this part of the country. “Most people ask why ice diving,” says Peterson who is the owner of TCD. “The main reason we do it is because we have ice for so long during the year. The months mid to late Dec until end of March are ice diving season around here.” Sheppard who manages TCD adds that although many people don’t jump right onto ice diving, they still want to try it. “It’s something that scares people and excites them at the same time,” Sheppard says. Peterson adds that safety is the name of the game when ice diving. “You have to go out in groups, preferably six at a time at least,” Peterson explains. “Ideally you want two in the water, two to tend lines and a safety diver in case something goes wrong. Safety for most is one ice dive a day.” I agree with the guys from TCD, it is best to go with a professional. It does take some different preparation to go ice diving. You need to find a place with ice that is thick enough to walk on but will still allow entry. Your dive gear needs to be prepared for the extreme cold. You need to have a shelter prepared for warming up afterward. You need some specialized equipment such as lines, ice screws, ice spuds,
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ICE DIVING
sleds and a chainsaw. As the guys from Thunder Country Diving for an interesting new world. In the darker times, the hole shines like pointed out, you also need to have a few extra dive buddies. You a bright flourescent light that marks your entry and exit point. Most should never go ice diving alone…to much can happen. A typical day times, especially if the sun is bright, the world under the ice appears as if it is lit by dim flourescent starts with prepping the hole. lights. It can be beautiful and We cut a triangular shaped haunting all at the same time. hole in the ice and attach our When we ice dive in a quarry lines to the ice screws. We close to home, the exceptional then dive in teams. Two visibility is so awesome that people dive under the ice while you usually forget about the at least two people stay on the temperature. Some days, surface tending to the divers. when the wind is strong or You will learn more about the air a bit colder than usual, the importance of your teams we stay underwater a little and why the more people the longer because that’s where merrier for ice diving during it’s warm. I remember on an your course. ice dive a few years back, the Under the ice is amazing. temperature under the ice was While the exceptional visibility about 40 degrees warmer than lets you see much more than the temperature above it. normal, playing close to the While ice diving is a way to ice is by far my favorite part. dive during the winter months, Your bubbles hit the surface it is also an exceptional tool and scatter along the ice like when you wish to dive in quicksilver and it is a blast to those areas where boat traffic make patterns. You are tied Ice fishing! Photo by Kristiina Mayra doesn’t allow access during to the hole and your tender the summer. There have been signals to you via tugs and quite a few places over the pulls known as line signals. While you may feel anxious at first, after you get used to it, the diving years that we have been fortunate enough to dive that would have is just like normal, only with a ceiling overhead. Depending on the otherwise been cut off during the summer. It is an added advantage thickness of the ice, and the amount of snow that is covering it, the of ice diving. Ice diving may not be for you. It certainly isn’t for everyone. world under the ice can be a bit darker than normal but it still makes
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ICE DIVING
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In fact, colder water may not appeal to you at all. I got started ice diving because the thought of sitting cooped up indoors for 4 – 5 months of the year didn’t appeal to me. When I enrolled in my ice course I thought, it can’t be THAT bad and as it turned out, it was even better than I had imagined. But again, it may not be for everyone but one for sure thing is that ice diving will keep you diving all year ‘round and when you are a diver, that can be the best news ever! ■ Editor’s Note: Rich Synowiec can be found at Divers Incorporated in Ann Arbor, Michigan and ice diving in White Star Quarry, in Gibsonburg, Ohio. Check out his website at www.diversinc.com.
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ECUADOR’S FRONT DOOR
Galapagos Islands Navigating Life’s Cradle
Photo cour
tesy Anne
D. Hasson
ugh
rbro esy Ken Sca
Photo court
Photo courtesy Ken Scarbrough of Ultimate Dive Travel.
T
he Galápagos Islands are often referred to as Life’s Cradle because of the work Charles Darwin did while living there and divers from all over the world who dive the Galapagos Islands understand why. Millions of species of marine life make this area their home, many found nowhere else on earth, untouched by modern technology and unscathed by human interference; this is truly paradise at its purest. The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago laid out across the equator in the Pacific Ocean. They are situated 525 miles west of continental Ecuador. Part of an Ecuadorian province, the islands are a national park as well as a protected biological marine reserve. Approximately 23,000 people live in the islands full-time and the primary language is Spanish. Discovered by explorer Ambrose Cowley in 1684 the Galapagos have long been famous for the life that surrounds them. The islands are a group of 15 main islands, 3 smaller islands, and various other outcroppings. The Galapagos are volcanic in nature which is what scientists believe makes them such a rich environment for life. The two most popular dive sites are by far Darwin and Wolf Islands because the waters around both hold a huge concentration of animal life. A live-aboard vessel is the only way to reach these two remote northern islands. Ken Scarbough of Ultimate Dive Travel out of Illinois has been to the Galapagos many times and has logged in over 400 dives. “Diving in the Galapagos Islands is unlike any other dive you’ll ever make,” Scarbough says. “The sheer number of sharks and mantas are amazing. Most divers do the general 7 nights 24
on a live-a-board to dive the sites and they are never disappointed. The really amazing thing is that you can dive the same site four times in a day and feel like you have been to four different sites because of all there is to see.” Ultimate Dive Travel is the Only USA wholesaler that also owns an inbound tour company in Ecuador, this way they can be sure divers booked through them are taken care from the time they make a reservation in the USA. Visitors are then taken care of by their other company in Quito, Ecuador. Ecuador may be a small country, but it is jamb packed with adventure tours that can be added at that same time you book their two new boats going into the water in September 2011. “Don’t skip the Amazonia trips either, another popular trip,” Scarbrough says, “For big animals this is my absolute favorite diving destination.” Clay McCardell, President of the Explorer Ventures, Liveaboard Diving Fleet, runs the newest Liveaboard boat in the Galapagos, the Humboldt Explorer, and agrees that Wolf and Darwin are one place divers must visit. “There are many amazing diving opportunities in the world but none like Darwin and Wolf. The water of these two remote islands teem with large pelagic in every direction – it is an amazing sight to see and be a part of.” says McCardell. Although there are many islands in the Galapagos, four main islands tend to be the destination home base for most visitors. These islands offer amenities and tend to be the bases for local dive businesses. Santa Cruz Island is 381 sq. miles and hosts the largest human population in the archipelago, the town of Puerto Ayora. The
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Charles Darwin Research Station and the headquarters of the Galápagos National Park Service are on this island. Santa Cruz is famous for its lava tunnels and the large tortoise populations. Black Turtle Cove is a site where sea turtles, rays and small sharks sometimes use as a mating area. Cerro Dragón, also located on Santa Cruz, is famous for its flamingo lagoon. Isabela Island is 1,792 sq. miles and is the largest island of the Galápagos. The island’s seahorse shape is due to the merging of six large volcanoes. The third-largest human settlement of the archipelago, Puerto Villamil, is located at the southeastern tip of the island. Española Island is 23 sq. mile and is the oldest island. This is one of the diver’s favorites because there are a large numbers of marine life pockets surrounding the island. Española’s Gardner Bay is popular for swimming and snorkeling and offers a great swim-with-the-sharks attraction. Floreana Island is home to the famous green sea turtles that nest from December to May on this island. Divers will find the “Devil’s Crown”, an underwater volcanic cone and interesting dive. The coral formations are that are found in the area are renowned for the life it harbors. San Cristóbal Island is 215 sq. mile and offers both ocean and lake diving. The largest freshwater lake in the archipelago, Laguna El Junco, is located in the highlands on the island. The capital of the Galápagos Islands, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is at the southern tip of the island. The currents throughout the islands are diverse. According to Caleb Hayes, Diving Northeast & Midwest Dive News JANUARY 2011
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TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
GALAPAGOS
Sales and Operation Manager for Red Mangrove Galapagos Lodges, the currents make for some interesting diving. “A lot of people will tell you that the best way to dive the Galapagos is on a live-a-board but the land based diving is great too,” Hayes says. “Land-based stays can offer more land excursions, wildlife viewing, and alternative multisport activities than a live-aboard. These tend to appeal to groups and families with both divers and non-divers in the mix. There are numerous options for non-dive guests.” Larry Connor of the Aggressor Fleet, which has been running two identical live-aboard dive yachts in the Galapagos since 1994, said their guests are always in awe. “We take 14 divers out every week and every week 14 comeback exhilarated!” Connor says. “You will find everything from whale sharks to hammerheads to Orcas depending on the time of year. Sea lions, dolphins, Penguins and Tortoises are seen almost every week. The currents bring in nutrients to support the rich marine life. On our yachts we fit everyone with a transmitter to ensure their safety. Peter A. Hughes, President of DivEncounters Inc adds that the local water temps can range vastly in the seasons but that during the summer months; there is no place he’d rather be. “From January through June it is summer in the Galapagos Islands,” Hughes says. “There is no place I’d rather be. The sky is clear, the waters are warmer and calmer and the viz better. With the possible exception of Whale Sharks, the marine life such as Galapagos Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Oceanic Mantas, all other manner of Rays, Dolphins, schooling Jacks, Bait Balls … and the list goes on, may be the most prolific ever, at this
time of the year The photo ops are endless too. I enjoy diving and then getting out of the water into the Ecuadorian sun; you dry off in five minutes”. Hughes adds that the winter months, July through November offer something as well. “The whale sharks are there in the winter and they are a very popular attraction,” Hughes says. “There really is nowhere quite like the Galapagos Islands. You won’t find the same variety of animals anywhere else on earth.” McCardell adds that although the Galapagos Islands are on the equator, it is still a colder dive than the tropics. “Because of the oceanic currents and thermoclines, and the water can get quite cold,” McCardell says. “We always suggest that a diver have at least 200 dives before going to the Galapagos because it will test your skills in terms of temps and strong currents. The payoff for what you can see however is amazing.” Cheryl Patterson of Deep Blue Adventures in Ohio says that she sends a lot of divers to the Galapagos Islands. “For those people from the Northeast part of See the video with Deep Blue at the United States, this is a warmer www.youtube.com/divenewsnetwork dive,” Patterson says. “It is one of the single most exciting destinations any diver can experience. The area is completely protected and so the sea life is abundant. There are even some places where the animals are not used to humans and will still interact with divers.” So whether you want to spend a week aboard a live-a-board or dive from a land based operation, the Galapagos Islands will not disappoint you. Steeped in history and home to millions of our fellow sea going citizens, the Galapagos Islands offer a world open to the few who dare to take the plunge. Maybe it’s time to rearrange that bucket list and pencil in the Galapagos Islands in the number one spot. You won’t regret it. ■
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1-800-348-2628 info@aggressor.com www.aggressor.com Northeast & Midwest Dive News JANUARY 2011
GALAPAGOS Peter A. Hughes and the Magic Carpet
T
he M/V Galapagos Sky is your magic carpet to this wonderland and with one of the Galapagos’ most experienced crews aboard to look after your every need, you will have a vacation experience like never before. Peter A. Hughes is possibly one of the most highly regarded individuals in the recreational dive industry having devoted his life to making diving easier and more accessible. Hughes never certified as an Open Water Diver but instead earned his by special dispensation due to living in Tobago. His YMAC Scuba Instructor Certification was earned in October of 1969. Hughes then received, his PADI OWSI Certification in January 1976 and he was selected for the SSI coveted Platinum Pro Card in January 2003. Hughes first involved himself in the live-aboard dive boat business in 1986. Hughes believes the best interests of his “guests” and employees come before profits. He enjoys a stellar reputation in the recreational dive industry. Hughes’ main focus today is to ensure that DivEncounters, Inc and the beautiful M/V Galapagos Sky meet and exceed his guest’s every expectation. ■
TRAVEL DESTINATIONS Buddy Dive Resort Announces Two New Liveaboards
B
y next September divers from all over the world will be able to do their diving in the Galapagos Islands in style. Marcel Westerhoff, sales and marketing manager of Buddy Dive says that divers will really be able to enjoy their visits to the area while diving safely. “The new liveaboards will be dubbed the “M.Y. Wolf Buddy” and “M.Y. Darwin Buddy”. Westerhoff says that most people are familiar with Buddy Dive and that they will be offering things that other liveaboards will not. “We will offer excellent service in combination with premium quality diving.” Divers will find the same convenience during their Galapagos trip as on other liveaboards with a new twist, these two new boats will reflect Buddy Dive’s vision and innovation when it comes to diving. “The two new ships will be 120 feet long and consist of four decks, including a sun deck and Jacuzzi,” Westerhoff says. “All suites are air conditioned, have their own private bathroom and are serviced multiple times per day. They are equipped with regular beds and an entertainment system that includes a flat-screen monitor and a DVD player. The comfort of the furnishings makes these suites very inviting after a beautiful day of diving.” Westerhoff adds that the spacious dive deck consists of two parts of which one part can be closed off and heated after dives. “We also offer warm towels, 4 showers, custom designed camera tables and direct access to the bar,” says Westerhoff. “These two boats are all about comfort.” A lounge and restaurant area will be the perfect setting for breakfast, lunch or dinner as well as briefings and photo shows on the huge TV. The on-board crew will service the needs of guests and be open to questions about the area at large. “The Galapagos is an incredible place to dive and there are many sites that can only be gotten to on a liveaboard,” says Westerhoff. Buddy Dive will provide “diving excellence” to the many hardcore-divers as well as divers who want a new experience. The concept here is to ensure that you, as a diver, enjoy the whole experience not just the diving.” For reservations and more information contact at www.buddydive.com. ■
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GEAR BOX WITH MIKE HUGHES DiveCaddy Gen2
DiveCaddy has just come out with its secondgeneration dive gear transportation system. There is no other system on the market like it. The DiveCaddy now includes a travel bag, a spider bag, a turtle pack, a fin caddy, a destination bag, and a repair kit. Upgrades include: duel zipper pull, cinch straps, extended side panels, xl kit, and xl fin compensation. What it means, is that you now can pack largers items into your DiveCaddy, cinch them down and/or take them apart more easily to accommodate just about any typical airplane cabin overhead bin. For puddle jumpers and regional jets that don’t have overhead space, the black non-descript destination bag protects your gear from scratches, and prying eyes. The entire system is TSA friendly, easy to use, easy to pack, and easy to unpack or come apart and uses as you please. Check out the videos on You Tube. www.divecaddy.net
Nocturnal Lights TLX 800t LED
The Nocturnal Lights TLX 800t LED canister light is in an advanced class of it’s own. The lamp head on 18 AA batteries delivers 800 lumens of white light for 7 hours. With 3 D batteries it was stronger than my bulky 30-watt yellow light output
28 28
TROPICAL DIVE DIRECTORY dive light with 8 D batteries. The light housing stays relatively cool in open air. So cool, that I first tested it in a hot ghost town in Nevada. I used it to explore a mineshaft and search an old ghost town. Sure, the light is great for exploring caves at depths down to 328ft underwater; it also works just as well exploring 5000ft above water. The beam can be adjusted making it ideal to use as a back up light for photography no matter where you are. The Nocturnal Light TLX 800t is not just for tech divers, it has multiple uses, and emits light: years ahead of its time. www.nocturnallights.com
Thermalution
Thermalution at the DEMA Show introduced a new undergarment with built in back coils that radiates heat and is controlled by a wrist mounted wireless remote control device. The unit puts out three different settings of heat. You can really feel the heat when you touch these coils. It’s the ultimate undergarment when it comes to staying warm on a dive. Side mounted batteries keep you warm for hours, depending on temperature settings. The wireless remote control makes staying warm easy and convenient. They also make a short sleeve model that is not wireless controlled. See the video online or by me on You Tube. Mikehughesscuba. www.thermalution.com
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Northeast Northeast & & Midwest Midwest Dive Dive News News JANUARY JANUARY 2011 2011
DIVE SHOP PROFILE
TROPICAL DIVE DIRECTORY
Passionate About Diving
“I’m his first passion…diving comes second.” This is the answer Dottie Walker of Lehigh Valley Dive Center gives when asked about husband and business partner Steve’s feelings about diving. She smiles but you get the feeling she’s serious nonetheless. For his part Steve holds his tongue and smiles. “But,” Dottie continues, “We are very passionate about what we do.” Lehigh Valley Dive Center located in Bethlehem, PA has been around since 2005. The Walkers bought out the other partner last year and are now approaching their one year anniversary. It is clear that they are right where they should be. “I wanted to learn to dive first,” explains Dottie. “In fact he (Steve) wanted nothing to do with it but I told him that I was going to get certified and then I’d have to find me another good-looking man to be my dive partner. He gave in and learned too and now he loves it as much as I do. We are really enjoying every minute.” A fifth career for Dottie and a second for Steve, the Walkers offer everything they can in a dive shop. A full-service shop they offer classes, certification, warranty work on equipment and everything in-between. “We have 14 instructors on staff,” says Dottie. “We teach a variety of classes because we have a variety of instructors. They are all great and they all work hard to teach the divers we have coming through.” LVDC trains divers at a local quarry, Dutch Springs and Dottie says they are very pleased with what Dutch Springs offers their
Northeast Midwest Dive Newslocal JANUARY 2011 Do you & want to support diving in
divers as well as their business. “They are a great group of people,” Dottie says. “They run a nice clean place and they are always there to support our divers and instructors. We will send people to them and they send folks to us…we have a great working relationship.” Currently LVDC has nine employees, down 14 due to the off season however Dottie says that she couldn’t ask for a better staff. “This is a great group of people who care about our customers,” Dottie at Cape Cod. Dottie says. “I am very proud of the work they do and how far they will go to make sure that everyone who comes in has a good experience. We all have the customers’ needs in mind.” Steve adds that they also do what they can for the customer even if it means changing things up. “We will customize your dive classes for you if that’s what you need,” Steve says. “Every diver is different so we always want to provide what the individual needs.” So next time you find yourself looking for a dive shop and you are near Bethlehem, stop in and see Dottie and Steve; they promise that you will feel right at home. For more info on Lehigh Valley Dive Center visit www.lvdive.com/scuba. ■
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29 29
A listing of participating dive shops, charters, resorts, and independent instructors NORTHEAST
CONNECTICUT Divers Cove LLC
Essex
(860) 767-1960
Store
Scuba Made Easy
Pawcatuck
(860) 303-4612
Instructor
Capt. Saam’s Scuba School
Stamford
www.Capt-Saam.com
Store/Charter
Central Sales Scuba
Thomaston
(860) 283-9239
Store
New England Dive Center
Wallingford
(203) 284-1880
Store
DELAWARE Salty Dog Dive Center
Northeast Charter Boat Company MaineDiversScubaCenter.com
Wilmington
(302) 994-3483
New York
A+ Pro Divers Hampton Dive Center
Charter Store
(516) 872-4571
Store
(516) 433-7757
Center
QCScuba.com
Wantagh
(516) 826-SCBA
Store
Westfield
(716) 326-2773
Charter
NORTH CAROLINA
Store
Cape Fear Dive Center
Eliot/Portsmouth
(603) 235-5526
Charter
Dive Hatteras
Portland
(207) 775-3467
Store/Charter
MASSACHUSETTS
( 518) 561-7748 (631) 727-7578
Syosset
(207) 784-7300
Store
Plattsburg Riverhead Rockville Centre
Auburn
(410) 679-6413
Store
Swim and Scuba
Discovery Diving
Edgewood
(212) 736-3483
Seascapes USA
Store
MARYLAND Underwater Playground
Pan Aqua Diving Inc.
Osprey Charters
MAINE Barclay’s Skindivers Paradise
NORTHEAST
NORTHEAST
DIVE DIRECTORY
Beaufort
Outer Banks Diving
www.DiscoveryDiving.com
Store/Charter
Carolina Beach
(910) 458-7390
Store
Centerville
www.divehatteras.com
Charter
Hatteras
(252) 986-1056
Store/Charter
Aquatic Pleasures
Kings Mountain
(704) 734-1174
Store
Olympus Dive Center
Morehead City
(252) 726-9432
Store
Monroe
(704) 289-2089
Store
Diver Style
Diver Jim’s / Belmont Scuba
Belmont
(617) 484-5246
Store
Outer Banks Dive Center
Nags Head
www.OBXDive.com
Store/Charter
Burlington Scuba
Burlington
(781) 272-5164
Store
Div'n Dawgs
New Bern
(252) 638-3432
Store
Boston Harbor Diving Co.
East Boston
(617) 846-5151
Charter
The Blue Dolphin Dive Center & Travel
Winston Salem
(336) 760 - 9226
Store
Fitchburg
(978) 343-6330
Store
Aquatic Safaris & Divers Emporium
Wilmington
(910) 392-4386
Store
Onset
(508) 291-7282
Store
Rum Runner Dive Shop
Winterville
(252) 439-4390
Store
Westfield
(413) 532-5110
Store
Andy's Sport Shop Buzzards Bay Diving Ctr. At The Waters Edge
NEW HAMPSHIRE UW Sports of New Hampshire Central NH Divers Dive Winnipesaukee
PENNSYLVANIA Dutch Springs
Keene
(603) 357-4430
Store
Meredith
(603) 528-2330
Store
Wolfeboro
(603) 569-8080
Store
NEW JERSEY
Lehigh Valley Dive
Bethlehem
(610) 759-2270
Store
Bethlehem (610) 746-4016 www.LVDive.com next to Dutch Springs
Uncle Joe's Scuba Diver’s World
Store
Coraopolis
(412) 262-2664
Store
Erie
www.scubaerie.com
Store
Venture III
Belmar
(732) 928-4519
Charter
Gypsy Blood Dive
Brielle
(973) 949-4599
Charter
Hoboken Dive Center
Hoboken
hobokendive.com
Store
Pittsburgh Scuba Center
Homestead
(412) 461-3181
Store
East Coast Diving Supply
Northfield
(609) 646-5090
Store
B & B Diving - 2 quarries
Hillsville
bbdiving.com
Store
Treasure Cove Divers
Westfield
(908) 654-8808
Store
Randy's Dive Shop
Irwin
(724) 863-0752
Store
Jersey Shore
www.divestsc.com
Store
NEW YORK
Indian Valley Scuba
Sunken Treasure Scuba Ctr.
Harleysville (215) 256-6000 www.IndianValleyScuba.com
Store
Lake Erie Diving Center
Angola
(716) 549-4112
Store
Lancaster Scuba Center
Lancaster
(717) 397-2822
Store
Finger Lake Scuba
Auburn
(800) 764-3483
Store/Charter
Willow Springs
Richland
(717) 866-5801
Quarry
Trevose
A1ScubaGear.com
Store
Williamsport
(570) 326-2091
Store
Dive Adventures Bottom Time Dive Charters Jeanne II Diving Charters
Ballston Spa
(518) 879-8866
Store
A-1 Scuba Diving
Blind Bay
( 518) 561-7748
Charter
A Water Odyssey Scuba
RHODE ISLAND
Brooklyn
www.jeanne-ii.com
Charter
Kings County Divers
Brooklyn
(718) 648-4232
Store
Newport Diving Center
Stingray Divers
Brooklyn
(718) 384-1280
Store
ScubaMadeEasy.org
Buffalo
(716) 837-3483
Store
City Island
(718) 885-1588
Store
Depew
(716) 685-4557
Store
Dip 'n Dive Captain Mike's diving Discover Diving Dallas National Aquatic Services Ed's Pro Dive Center
East Syracuse
(315) 479-5544
Shop
Elmira
(607) 368-2096
Shop
Lockness Dive Boat
Freeport
(516) 298-2633
Charter
Dive Master Services Inc.
Kingston
www.scubadms.com
Mobile Air Fills
Garloo
Long Island
(845) 735-5550
Charter
Long Island Scuba
Lindenhurst
(631) 225-8450
Store
Mamaroneck
(914) 381-1884
Store
Aqua Visions Scuba Abyss Scuba Center Leisure Pro Ltd. 30
Mount Kisco
(914) 244-3483
Store
New York
(212)645-1234
Store
Newport
(401) 847-9293
Store
Westerly
(401) 742-4898
Store
Tri-State Area
(401) 787-1517
Instructor
East Bay Dive Center
Warren
(401) 247-2420
Store
Giant Stride Dive Shop
Warwick
(401) 732-8808
Store
Simply Scuba
SOUTH CAROLINA www.LexingtonScuba.com
Lexington
(803) 785-6060
Store
Adventure Scuba Company
Chantilly
(703) 263-0427
Store
VIRGINIA Chesapeake Bay Diving Center
Portsmouth
www.cbdcscuba.com
Store
Lynnhaven Dive Center
Virginia Beach
(757) 481-7949
Store/Charter
WaterfrontDiving.com
Burlington
(802) 865-2771
Store
VERMONT
Don’t miss your monthly dose of content: www.divenewsnetwork.com
Northeast & Midwest Dive News JANUARY 2011
Below H2O
MIDWEST
DIVE DIRECTORY ILLINOIS
Captain Nemo's Dive Shop
Aurora
(630) 820-2531
Store
Bloomington
(309) 826-1080
Store
Windy City Diving
Chicago
(630) 209-2445
Charter
Enterprise Marine
Des Plaines
(847) 640-8113
Charter
TD Scuba
Elmers Water Sports
Evanston
www.elmerswatersports.com
Store
Dive Stop
Ill. Institute of Diving
Glen Ellyn
(630) 469-3483
Store
Ozark Dive Company
Bad Leo's Diving
D.D. Dive Shop
Y-kiki Divers Extreme Sports Scuba, Inc Y-kiki Divers
Columbia
(573) 442-3483
Store
Creve Couer
(314) 469-8722
Store
Joplin
(888) 565-3483
Store
Lake Saint Louis
(636) 240-3870
Store
Lee's Summit
(816) 525-3487
Store
New Melle
(636) 398-4464
Quarry
Popular Bluff
(573) 778-3483
Store
Glenview
(847) 657-3483
Store
Gateway Scuba
St. Louis
(314) 517-4108
Store
Sealions Dive Center
Hanover Park
www.sealions.org
Store
Y-kiki Divers
St. Louis
(314) 209-7200
Store
Haigh Quarry
Kankakee
(815) 939-7797
Quarry
Sentry Pool & Scuba
Moline
(309) 797-9721
Store
Orland Park
ScubaEmporium.com
Store
Skokie
ScubaSystems.org
Scuba Emporium Scuba Systems Pearl Lake
West End Diving
St. Louis/St. Charles
(314) 209-7200
Store
Odyssey Scuba and Travel
Waynesville
(573 )774-DIVE
Store
Store
Scuba Unlimited
Cincinnati
(513) 793-4747
Store
OHIO
South Beloit
(815) 389-1479
Lake
Aqua Specialists
Cleveland
(866) 359-5709
Store
Scuba World, Inc.
Swansea
www.scubaworldinc.net
Store
Holiday Dive Charters
Cleveland
(216) 771-2628
Store
Mermet Springs
Vienna
mermetsprings.com
Quarry
Aqua Immersion Dive & Travel
Columbus
(614) 457-3483
Store
The Underwater Connection
Columbus
(614) 298-9777
Store
Gibsonburg
whitestarquarry.com
Quarry
Hilliard
(614) 889-2822
Store
INDIANA Goose's Scuba Shack, Inc.
Dyer
(219) 322-7222
Store
White Star Quarry
Lake County Divers Supply
Hobart
(219) 942-0016
Store
Aquatic Adventures
N'Pursuit Adventure Charters, Inc.
Hobart
npursuitcharters.com
Charter
Southern Ohio Dive Academy
Kettering
(937) 264-2999
Store
Hart City Scuba
Elkhart
(574) 264-3528
Store
Sea Level Scuba
Northwood
(419) 691-2991
Store
Fort Wayne
(260) 207-2773
Store
Apostle Island
NorthlandEquipment.net
Store/Charter
ASP Diving
WISCONSIN
IOWA
Northland Equipment
Scuba Adventures QCA, Inc.
Bettendorf
(563) 324-8771
Store
Aqua Center of Green Bay
Green Bay
(920) 468-8080
Store
Matt Leydens' Dive Shop
Des Moines
(515) 288-6312
Store
Green Bay Scuba
Green Bay
(920) 498-8499
Store
West Des Moines
(515) 255-7282
Store
Diver Dan's Scuba
Adventure Diving, Inc
MICHIGAN Thunder Bay Scuba Divers Incorporated Bruno's Dive Shop All Seasons Diving Co Anchor Bay Scuba Sea the World The Dive Shop
Adventure Charter Boats
Alpena
(989) 356-6228
Store
Ann Arbor
www.diversinc.com
Store
Clinton Twp
(586) 792-2040
Store/Charter
Dryden
AllSeasonsDiving.com
Charter
Fair Haven
(586) 725-1991
Store
Farmington Hills
(248) 478-6400
Store
CANADA
MIDWEST
MIDWEST
Kenosha
www.diverdan.com
Store
Milwaukee
adventurecharterboats.com
Charter
Len-Der Charters
Milwaukee
(414) 588-6764
Charter
Pirates Cove Diving
Milwaukee
(414) 482-1430
Store
Marlins Scuba
Burlington
www.marlinscuba.com
Instruction/Charter
ONTARIO LTC Scuba Center
Concord
www.ltcscuba.ca.tt
Store
Windmill Point Park Inc.
Fort Erie
www.windmillpointpark.com
Quarry
Flint
(810) 732-3900
Store
Tri City Scuba Centre
Kitchener
www.scubacentre.ca
Equipment/Instruction
Wet N Rugged Sports
Galesburg
(269) 381-2101
Store
Scuba Shack
Muskoka
(705) 687-5879
Store
Great Lakes Dive Locker
Grand Rapids
(616) 531-9440
Store
Diver’s Nook
Parry Sound
(705) 746-9757
Store/Charter
Holland
(616) 392-4433
Store/Charter
Scuba 2000
Richmond Hill
(905) 771-1500
Store
Isle Royale Charters
Kalamazoo
(269) 270-8334
Charter
Thousand Isl. Pleasure Diving
Capital City Scuba
Lansing
(517) 853-9500
Store
Dan’s Dive Shop
Advanced Scuba & Paintball
ZZ Underwater World
Lansing
(517) 485-3894
Store
Divers Den
Great Lakes Divecenter
Shelby Township
greatlakesdivecenter.com
Store
Aquarius Scuba Diving Centre
Great Lakes Scuba
Traverse City
(231) 943-3483
Store
Scuba North
Traverse City
(231) 947-2520
Store
Ocean Quest
Burnsville
(952) 890-3483
Store
Enveco Diving
Innerspace Scuba
Duluth
innerspacescuba.com
Store
The Dive Shack
Lake Superior Divers Supply
Duluth
(218) 624-7285
Store
Bonne Terre
(888) 843-3483
Mine
Columbia
(573) 4432182
Store
A Life Aquatic Scuba
Charter
DansDiveShop.ca
Store/Charter
Tobermory
(519) 596-2363
Charter/Store
Toronto
www.aquariusscuba.com
Store
Conception Bay S
(709) 834-7234
Charter
NEW BRUNSWICK
MISSOURI Bonne Terre Mine
(866) 659-2334
NEWFOUNDLAND
MINNESOTA Fantasea Scuba & travel
Rockport St. Catharines
Bereford
(506) 542-1011
Store
Saint John
(506) 634-8265
Store
(902) 345-2215
Store
NOVA SCOTIA Easy Dive Canada LTD
Cape Breton Is.
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31
Save $70 - Get your early bird tickets now. Visit www.ourworldunderwater.com/tickets/
Our World-Underwater FebrUary 18-20, 2011
Donald e. Stephens Convention Center, rosemont, Illinois
The Midwest’s Largest Scuba Diving Consumer Show WEEKEND AT A GLANCE Friday – February 18, 2011 In-Depth Workshops Exhibition Hall Film Festival
✓ Worksh o ✓ Semin ps ars ✓ Exhibit H ✓ Film F all estival ✓ Childre n ✓ Silent ’s Events Auction ✓ Book S ignin and more! gs
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday – February 18, 2011 In-Depth Workshops Exhibition Floor Seminars Children’s Activity Area Film Festival
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Sunday – February 20, 2011 In-Depth Workshops Exhibition Floor Seminars Children’s Activity Area
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
2011 SpOnSOrS
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