Fantastic Endeavors SCUBA Newsletter April 2006
Heavy Metal Tour Comes to Key Largo: Wreck Diving at its Finest
Greetings from Key Largo. In March, Greg and Christina Fox came to the Florida Keys for spring break diving. Greg and Christina are decorated graduates of the Fantastic Endeavors SCUBA Education program with PADI certifications in Wreck Diving, Peak Buoyancy and Underwater Navigation achieved on our group trip to Roatan, Honduras last September. Upon their return to the Keys in March, I treated my customers to a unique diving experience: The Heavy Metal Wreck Tour of Key Largo. Just 6 miles off the coast of Key Largo, lies three of the best wreck dives in the world: US Coast Cutters Duane and Bibb and the U.S.S. Spiegel Grove. All three wrecks are advanced dives and diving two of these wrecks in one day is an experience of itself but diving all three in one day is wreck diving nirvana. I chose my good friends at Dive In in Key Largo for our Heavy Metal Tour and the experience was first rate. Affordable rates, a flexible schedule and quality service from Dive In added to the wonders we experienced underwater. All three wrecks had great visibility and no current and which made for fantastic dives. Our next Heavy Metal Wreck Tour with Dive In is December 9, 2006. Only a few spots left so email me at dave@fantasticendevors.com to reserve your space.
Congratulations: New SCUBA Certifications Cards on the Way
Bill Page and Jason Pederson of Phoenix, Arizona and Jason's younger brother Paul of St. George, Utah came to Key Largo in early April looking to dive the new and improved Spiegel Grove but left the Keys with a number of great dives including the Spiegel and Duane and all three divers completed their Advanced Open Water Certification in the process. The group had a great time diving with Ocean Divers in Key Largo and we had great conditions on the wrecks and the reefs. Jason and Bill are experienced divers but our first Spiegel visit was Paul's first dive since certification and his first dive in the ocean. Paul, Jason and Bill all excelled underwater and they even had time take some pictures:
SCUBA Bulletin Board: Upcoming Events-SCUBA Show Review
Dive Adventures of Miami (DAM) Spring Social Saturday May 6, 2006 4:00-6:00PM
Location: Norris Wolford's House (DAM Host) 5858 SW 80th St. S. Miami FL 33143
A reminder to divers in South Florida that Dive Adventures of Miami dive club will hold their annual Spring Social Saturday afternoon May 6, 2006. If you are interested in attending the social and/or joining this great dive club please contact Norris Wolford, the DAM Host, at 305-710-4081 or email Norris at norris@diveadenturesofmiami.com
Hang out with dive buddies and sign up for the upcoming club dive trips and events for 2006. Bring beverages please!
SCUBA Show Review: Beneath the Seas (March 24-26, 2006: Secaucus, New Jersey)
I attended the Beneath the Seas (BTS) SCUBA show in New Jersey at the end of March. BTS is one of the biggest consumer dive shows in the east coast and a must visit for fans of northeast wreck diving. The BTS show was packed full of dive consumers all day on Saturday and was well attended by major vendors of the dive industry. 2006 marks the 50th Anniversary of the sinking of the Andrea Doria so BTS was dominated by exhibits and films about diving the Doria: which many tech divers consider the crown jewel of wreck dives. I found the films and exhibits interesting but a bit much for a dive show geared toward the everyday recreational SCUBA diver. Only a small percentage of divers in the world are qualified to dive the Doria. This year marked my first time at BTS and I found the experience worthwhile and plan to attend again next March and recommend divers and friends from Northeast attend as well. www.beneaththesea.org
SCUBA Show Review: Ocean Fest Adventure Sports Expo (April 21-23, 2006: Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
I just returned this weekend from Ocean Fest in Fort Lauderdale. Ocean Fest is always a good time and lives up to the shows marketing as the "Party on the Beach." The weather was great this weekend and that may explain why attendance to the show was slow. I believe people were too busy enjoying the beach to come to the show. I enjoyed the show as always talking to numerous vendors from all areas of the dive industry and attending some fantastic seminars. This year was my third Ocean Fest and each year has been a rewarding experience. Check back on the show's web site www.oceanfest.com for dates for Ocean Fest 2007 next spring and bring your dive gear!!
Mark Your Calendar: Island Sun Splash: June 12-16, 2006, Key Largo, Florida
Join us for a week of fun filled family adventure in the beautiful Florida Keys. Whether you want to experience a Discover Scuba class, a snorkel adventure or dive our shipwreck trail, this week will have something for everyone. Please click on our web site link for more information. www.divecapital.org