Current News, Events, & Stories
The Holiday Season Has Arrived!
It's still hard to believe that Christmas is here already! Be sure to stop by the shop to see all of the great gift ideas we have available. Starting December 9th we will be open 7 days a week to serve your holiday needs.
Use our Gift Registry and Earn a Chance
to Win a $100 Gift Certificate!
Want to help your friends and family in fulfilling all of your scuba dreams? We've made it very easy with our gift registry! Just print it, fill-it out, and bring it to the shop. Then start sending everyone to Discover Diving! Just for using the gift registry, you will be automatically entered into our drawing for a free $100 Gift Certificate! And for every gift your friends or family purchase from your wish list, an additional entry will be added to the drawing.
Looking for a creative idea for a friend or family member? How about the gift of scuba diving! For just $25, you can give them a Discover Scuba experience! Anyone from ages 8 and above can participate. For those who wish to become certified, why not help them get started - you can even sign them up for e-learning - PADI's online training program!
Or if you prefer, gift certificates can be purchased in any denomination.
Join Us on December 24th for our Holiday Open House
Come by the shop and spend some time with your dive buddies, instructors, and dive masters on December 24th! We are hosting our annual open house that will include snacks, drinks, raffle, and a chance to chill with your friends at Discover Diving! Open house will be from 11-3.
Tales From The Abyss / Recent Dive Experiences
Lake Champlain
An enthusiastic group of wreck explorers recently headed north to visit a number of the historical wrecks that abound in the waters of Lake Champlain. This year's trip was punctuated by great water conditions that made for some good photo opportunities. Given the growing interest in this experience, we are considering expanding the trip next year over a few days to give more divers an opportunity to particiapte and see some great wrecks. If interested, contact the dive shop to be put on the list.
U-853 Expedition
In October, Jeff led a contingent of experienced divers to dive on the U-853 off Rhode Island. It is incredible to know that a German submarine was within a few miles of our coast!
This year, some of the divers navigated the exterior of the wreck and looked for some of the unexploded ordinance such as hedgehogs that can be found in the sandy perimeter while others penetrated the interior seeking artifacts. In addition to recovering a yet to be identified cylinder (pictured on left), a number of smaller items were recovered including pieces of rubber flooring and a valve from an emergency life vest. U-853 was depth charged and sank on May 5, 1945 - the last day of World War II. The wreck lies in 130 feet with the top of the deck sitting at 110 feet. Remains of some of the 55 crewmen who died can still be seen inside.
Another trip to the U-853 is already being planned for the spring. If you have any interest in participating in 2010, be sure to let us know. We will be organizing Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Deep-Tec Diver training programs in advance of this trip - be sure to inquire about any or all of them at the shop.
2009 Pumpkin Carving Contest
This year's pumpkin carving contest was held at back beach on October 25th. Particiants and on-lookers were treated to decent conditions and great weather. A lot of thought and creativity went into this year's submissions. Winners chose from an assortment of great prizes dontated by Discover Diving, our instructors, and Aqualung. Snacks and refreshments were provided by the Finatics Dive Club. This year's winners were:
1st Place - Aqualung Slingshot Fins - Kim Kelly (Turtle)
2nd Place - Digital Underwater Photo Class and Materials - Ken Flagg (Scuba Diver)
3rd Place - Air Card - Dan McCarthy (Turtle)
If you have a story you wish to share - simply email us and we may include it in an upcoming newsletter!
Diving
We're still diving!
Our local waters are still divable. However, colder surface temperatures do require divers (particularly wet suit divers) to prepare differently and to take certain precautions to prevent prolonged exposure to the cold air. But those who venture out can be rewarded with some spectacular underwater visibility and new adventures!
If you want to expand your diving opportunities and extend your dive season, consider going dry! Dry suit divers get to enjoy diving year-round! Many dry suit divers enjoy winter and early spring scallop diving, wreck diving, and even ice diving!
Fun Dives, Charters and Trips
Here is a sampling of dives and events planned for the weeks and months ahead - be sure to check the current schedule on-line for times, descriptions, additions or changes and be sure to call the dive shop soon to reserve a spot soon since space is limited on all of the charters and trips. Note that in addition to dives/trips below, the Finatics Dive Club is planning dives as well.
Date |
Location |
Type |
12/6 |
Halfway Rock / Chester Poling |
Charter |
|
12/30
|
|
Beach |
| 1/1 |
First Dive of the Year (TBD) |
Beach |
| 1/16-1/17 |
Ice Dives |
Beach |
1/23-1/30 |
Grand Turk |
Trip |
2/27-2/28 |
Ice Dives |
Beach |
Grand Turk 2010 (January 23-30)
We have already sold out the 24 spots we reserved for Grand Turk! Contact Discover Diving if you wish for us to inquire about more space or other warm water trips being planned.
We are going to be staying at the Osprey Beach Hotel - a beautiful resort complete with beachfront suites, pool, bar, and restaurant along with some of the best diving the Turks and Caicos has to offer.
The Discover Diving package includes all transfers, two-tank boat dives daily, and a personalized photo / video DVD.
Education & Training
Training Schedule
As you are aware, we provide scuba training for all levels from entry-level through Instructor. In addition, we offer technical deep diver training as well as DAN instruction. There are a number of classes scheduled in the coming months - many of which do not require diving. Check out our current schedule for upcoming programs and availability. And let us know if there is anything you would like to do that's not on the schedule and we we'll go out of our way to make it happen!
Here is a sampling of the upcoming training schedule:
Date |
Location |
|
Enriched Air (EANx) |
12/12-12/13 |
|
| 12/17 |
Search & Recovery (Specialty of the Month) |
| 1/5, 1/7, 1/9, 1/14 |
Open Water Course |
1/6 |
Ice Diver Information Night
|
|
|
1/12 |
Enriched Air (EANx) |
1/13 |
|
1/16-1/17 |
Ice Diver Training |
1/19 |
DAN Hazardous Marine Life
|
1/21 |
DAN AED |
2/4 |
Equipment |
2/8, 2/10, 2/15, 2/17 |
Open Water Course |
2/11 |
DAN Oxygen Provider |
2/25 |
DAN On-Site Neurological Assessment |
2/27-2/28 |
Ice Diver |
We are also planning some pool nights for some fun and skill practice.
Expanded PADI TecRec Diving Program
Discover Diving is proud to offer PADI's newly expanded TecRec Deep Diver Progam! The original TecRec program has been subdivided into three courses making it now possible to get into tec diving without a the full upfront investment in equipment and training.
So why get into Tec diving? Many divers get into it to extend their bottom times within recreational depth limits, while others use it access some of the additional dives sites beyond 130ft. For those into wreck diving, TecRec training also extends your overhead environment limit beyond 130 linear feet to the surface.
Tec 40 - In this initial level, participants learn to use decompression software and dive computers to plan and make decompression dives (up to 10 minutes of deco) not deeper than 130ft. In addition, divers learn to use a single decompression gas cylinder (up to 50% O2) for conservatism.
Tec 45 - During this second phase of TecRec the skills, equipment, and planning needed to dive up to 145ft are learned. In addition, the use of a single stage EANx or O2 cylinder can be used to accelerate or add conservatism to full decompression dives.
Tec 50 - Upon completion of the Tec 50 course, participants make actual decompression dives as deep as 165ft, can use EANx or )2 for decompression, use desktop software to create custom tables and plan dives, and qualify to make technical decompression dives independently.
Classes are currently underway and more are forming. Tec diving is not for everyone and there are a number of prerequisites so be sure to visit PADI's website for additional details or stop by the shop and talk with Jeff.
PADI Professional Development Courses
Discover Diving is New England's premier PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center offering a full array of professional training programs to meet any of your professional dving aspirations. We have a number of programs underway and more are being scheduled - call or stop by the shop to learn more about how to become a dive professional or to expand your professional diving experience.
Divers Alert Network (DAN) Training
Discover Diving is a DAN training facility. DAN programs are designed to provide divers (and non-divers) with the ability to provide first aid to injured divers - early care that can really make a difference. Discover Diving offers multi-component training programs including DAN's Diving Emergency Specialist (DES) and Diving Emergency Management Provider Program (DEMP).
The following is a list of the DAN courses available:
Click on any of the above listings for more information on each course. There are a number of divers interested in completing their DES and DEMP certifications - be sure to contact us if you would like to participate.
Ice Diving - Info Night (January 6th)
Ice diving is a great way to broaden your diving expereince and its a lot of fun too! If you would like to know what goes into it, the equipment, and the procedures used to make it safe, come join us on December 15th for a free information night. We will be meeting at 7pm - our first ice dive is already scheduled for January 16th!
PADI Specialties of the Month
December - Search and Recovery Diver
 The specialty of the month for December is Search and Recovery Diver. Through the PADI Search and Recovery Diver Specialty course, you get the skills, knowledge and procedures you need to safely find missing objects and to raise them to the surface.
During this 4-dive program, you will learn and practice a number of seach patterns, how to secure objects of varying size and weight, and safely deploy a lift bag. In addition, the skills you learn can be used for other diving situations like scallop or TEC diving.
PADI Diving Society members who enroll or complete the course in December are eligible for a free Rogest Towel.
January - Enriched Air Diver
The specialty of the month for January is Enriched Air Diver. The Enriched Air Diver course is one of PADI's most popular courses since it provides a safe way to stay down longer and get back in the water sooner. Moreover, the specialty certification does not requires open water dives making it a great winter program - just before that amazing warm-water trip. PADI Divi ng Society members who enroll or complete the course in January can earn a free gift. This class is scheduled for January 12th.
For more on PADI's specialty of the month program including redemption forms and reward details, see PADI's website. To see of list of the 2010 program, click here.
More Classes Forming
We are currently in the process of scheduling a number of classes over the winter months including a number of non-diving specialties. Please call or email us if you would like to enroll in any of the following:
-
Deep Diver
-
Digital U/W Photography Level I*
-
Digital U/W Photography Level II
-
Dry Suit Diver
-
Emergency First Responder*
-
Equipment*
-
Open Water
-
Advanced Openwater
-
Oxygen Provider*
-
Project AWARE*
-
Rescue Diver
-
Wreck Diver
* no open water dives required
If there are any other classes of interest - just let us know!
Master Scuba Diver Challenge
Do you wish to become a part the best of the best in recreational diving? Then you need to take the PADI Master Scuba Diver Challenge to earn your place in this elite group of divers.
Diver Wall of Fame
Congratulations to all of those who have enrolled or have completed a course with Discover Diving since September!!!
| Open Water |
Enriched Air Diver |
TecRec - Tec 40 |
| Fred Wander |
Geoff Milstein |
Markus Diersbock |
| Ted Tang |
Ashley Armstrong |
Richard Janusz |
| Joni Jackman |
Matthew Hauck |
Scott Johnston |
| Sam Jackman |
Chris Rowse |
|
| Nick Branchina |
Mike Murphy |
TecRec - Gas Blender |
| Dan Driscoll |
Jason Robins |
Bruce Brown |
| Doug Devine |
|
Ken Flagg |
| Shelley Ehlers |
Drysuit Diver |
|
| Tara Devine |
Logan Crocker |
Discover SCUBA |
| Diane Whelton |
|
George Papaioannou |
| |
Wreck Diver |
|
| Advanced Open Water |
Ken Flagg |
|
| Scott Reid |
|
|
| Scott Robb |
Underwater Navigator |
|
| Diana Whelton |
Daniel Mccarthy |
|
| Betsy Barnes |
|
|
| |
Search & Recover Diver |
|
| Emergency First Responder |
Daniel Mccarthy |
|
| Logan Crocker |
John Lyden |
|
| Sean Foley |
Laurie Mcgovern |
|
| Mike Lampros |
Logan Crocker |
|
| |
Scott Johnston |
|
| Rescue Diver |
Sean Foley |
|
| Logan Crocker |
|
|
| Matthew Leavitt |
Master Scuba Divers |
|
| Sean Foley |
Markus Diersbock |
|
| |
Ken Flagg |
|
| Deep Diver |
Daniel McCarthy |
|
| Ken Flagg |
|
|
| Daniel McCarthy |
|
|
Special Achievements
We want to especially congratulate Markus Diersbock, Ken Flagg and Dan McCarthy who recently earned their Master Scuba Diver ratings! All three worked hard this year to obtain PADI's highest achievement in recreational scuba diving. Congratulations to you all!
Specials & Promotions
$150 Instant Rebate on Suunto Computers
Save BIG when you purchase one of Suunto's award-winning dive computers. Just buy a Suunto Cobra, Cobra3, D4, D6 or D9 computer before 12/15/09 and get $150 off instantly!
Suunto offers a variety of dive computers to fit every diving need and budget. Stop by the shop to learn more about each model and to find out which computer is right for you!
Aqualung Airsource Upgrade ($150 Value)
 Aqua Lung is proud to offer a free Airsource upgrade ($150 value) when an Aqua Lung Family BC and Regulator, a Suunto computer, and any scuba training course is purchased. Call or come into Discover Diving for details. Use of an airsource makes you more streamlined by eliminating the need to have an octopus. This promotion ends on December 31st.
One of a Kind Specials:
Suunto Stinger wrist computer - $599.00
Cocharan Commander wrist computer - $486
Bare 7MM Size 6 Women's Wetsuits (One Piece - $122 / Two Piece - $145)
Dive Club Activities
Annual Holiday Party
This year's party is being held on Friday, December 11th at the Hawaiian Isle in Haverhill, MA. In addition to enjoying a year-in-review video, the club will be having a yankee swap.
Winter Activities Being Planned
The Finatics Dive Club is planning a number of winter activities including a few special guest speakers. See their website for details.
New Members Wanted
The club is actively seeking new members - it's just $25 to join and the benefits are great! If you are interested in learning more or want to become a member, simply stop by the shop, pick up a brochure and fill it out. Meetings are generally held at Hawaiian Isle in Haverhill on the second Friday of each month.
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