Aqua Adventures Shop Newsletter-March 2013

					No. 10 / March 2013

Dive Season is Here!

Spring is here, so now is the time to dig out your gear and bring it in for its annual service.  Regular maintenance is not only required by most vendors to keep up the warranty, it helps keep your equipment performing at the top of its ability, which equals more and safer bottom time for you!  No appointment necessary - just stop in and drop it off!

Grand Re-Opening Saturday, April 27

Come  meet the new owners, see the changes to the shop first-hand, and take advantage of lots of special promotions!  There will be games, snacks, drinks, and dive talk!! Look for a special BIG VISITOR outside!

We'll be open from at least 10AM - 5PM

Dive Trips 2013

Bonaire April 27 - May 4 SOLD OUT!!

JUST ANNOUNCED!!  Cozumel July 26 -29

Hotel Casa del Mar

Great price for a quick get-away with awesome diving!  Just $499 pp/do includes all meals, all drinks (including alcohol), 2 shore dives on Friday, unlimited shore diving on Saturday and Sunday, and 2 days of 2 tank AM boat diving!  Perfect trip to do those check-out dives!  Don't wait on this one - it's going to be popular!  $200 holds your spot!

Fiji August 29 - September 7

Though all the spots we reserved are taken, we can still add you for the trip to Beqa Lagoon Resort August 29 - September 7, 2013.  The cost is only $3159 which includes air fare from Los Angeles!  $300 deposit holds your spot - call today!

Click here to check out all of our trips and details

Training Update

 

• April 9 is the start date for the next Open Water Diver weeknight class
• April 19, 20, 21, 27 is the next weekend class
• Students can get a head start by taking the academics online for free!  Just check out the link on our website to get started!

• The next Advanced Open Water Diver class is scheduled for Sunday, April 7 from 1PM - 4pm.  This class provides you with the classroom portion of three specialties that you can use toward the four needed to get your SSI Advanced Open Water Diver rating.
• You'll get Night / Limited Visibility, Navigation, and Deep Diving all for one low price!!
• We'll schedule the quarry dates needed during the class - or use any of our trips!

• Learn to dive with Enriched Air Nitrox!  This very safe diving gas will help you extend your bottom times and feel less tired so you can enjoy all there is on land as well!
• You'll learn how to use EAN mixes up to 40% Oxygen in this class, and earn another specialty.
• The next EAN class of 2012 is scheduled for Sunday, April 7 at 10 AM
• Pair this up with the Advanced Open Water Diver class scheduled for later the same day, and you'll have all 4 specialties needed!

Safety Training

Remember, we offer training in several Diver's Alert Network (DAN) courses, as well as First Aid, CPR and AED training from DAN, National Safety Council and Emergency Care and Safety Institute (ECSI). Call us to schedule your certification or renewal - it's not just for divers!

All of the safety training offered is outlined on the new Safety Training page on our Website.

Check out the full class schedule by clicking here.

Stay Up to Date

We try to limit these newsletters to no more than one per month, so keep up to date on all the classes, trips, etc.  by checking out our website, following us on Pinterest, following us on Twitter, subscribing to our Blog, and "liking" us on Facebook.

Big Dive Light Sale!

Stop in now to take advantage of some huge closeout savings on Princeton Tec dive lights!  All in-stock light packs, and select individual lights are on sale up to 40% off!  This is the perfect time to get some backup lights, upgrade from your old dim lights, or get geared up for a Night Diving course!

What's New With the Shop?

As of this newsletter, we have all but one wall repainted!  Please stop in and let us know how you like the changes!

We also have some new regulators in stock, or soon to be, from both Zeagle and Mares.  We have the Mares Instinct 12S in stock now, and will soon have the Zeagle Onyx.

The new Sherwood Axis weight-integrated back-inflate BC is here!  This lightweight & comfortable BC is great for travel and any recreational diving, local or in the islands. Stop by and see for yourself!

Aqua Adventures Road Show

We are looking for community events to attend in 2013 to help spread the word about diving and snorkeling.  If you know of an event where you'd like to see us, please let us know!

Scuba Diving: Is there really an app for that..?

If you happen to be reading this blog on your smart phone or tablet you might be able to relate to how these devices have made their way into our lives as an essential element of daily life. You also might find yourself eagerly packing these devices to bring on your next dive trip as an essential piece of dive gear...


Wait, really...!?!??! Believe it or not, there are a myriad of apps available to assist us with diving, travel arrangements, cultural/language/currency nuances upon our arrival and even fish identification! Whether you prefer to bring your 'smart device' along as a means to entertain you on a flight, stay connected with 'the grid' you left behind, or use it as a new way to enhance your diving activities, there are many apps available for free (and some for a FEE, also!)

For instance, the SSI app ("Everything Diving by SSI-Scuba Schools International") is free and contains helpful checklists, reminders of hand signals, SSI Dive Center locators and even an electronic copy of your c-card! Look for it in your iTunes Store.

Another FREE app that can prove invaluable is Evernote. This app allows you to keep notes and snippets about your destination with you while also enabling you to easily keep a travel log and embed pictures about your experiences along the way. All this right at your fingertips!

If you would like to see a more lengthy list of apps (with descriptions) well suited for scuba divers, please check out the latest edition of Dive Training magazine. If you do not receive this publication, feel free to stop by Aqua Adventures and pick up your copy!

Featured Item- New Mask and Fin Technology at Aqua Adventures!

Among the many aesthetic changes being made at Aqua Adventures, there are also several new types of scuba equipment on our shelves! The Mare's X-Stream fin is a great example of the Mares Mission  to "ENJOY DIVING WITH ADVANCED PERFORMANCE THROUGH SUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY".

This unique-looking fin is lightweight and is designed to have an Optimized Pivoting Blade which is much less fatiguing for the diver than traditional fins. Channel Thrust technology enables the diver to move a greater volume of water compared to fins of the same size. Even the Riddled Foot Pocket design serves a unique purpose: to decrease the "parachute effect." This pocket eliminates the drag created by water being trapped in your fin pocket and also makes these fins MUCH easier to take off while in the water. This video explains how this unique fin works.

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Another Mares innovation is in their Liquid Skin technology used in the X-Vision mask.

2 different types of silicone are used in the construction of this mask to generate a perfect fit! To laren more about Liquid Skin technology, check out this video. Another very helpful innovation is in the replaceable optical lenses. Corrective lenses can be ordered for this mask and inserted for you. A range of diopters are available, but please contact us to determine if yours is one of them!

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As always, feel free to stop in to Aqua Adventures to look at these or any of our other new additions, or to try them on for yourself.

Tune up those Scuba Skills!

A nice, sunny day reminds us that perhaps that groundhog was right..spring is looming! If you have been out of the water for longer than you'd like, certifying agencies recommend a 'scuba skills update' or 'scuba refresher' session before getting back 'into the drink'.

These refresher courses remind us of the critical skills and principles we need to be safe and comfortable divers. Lead by a certified scuba professional, there is a classroom briefing before heading into the pool to practice those important scuba skills such as regulator retrieval, mask clearing and gear/water entry techniques. We at Aqua Adventures are happy to help you fine tune your underwater skills in preparation for the swiftly approaching dive season! Give us a call to schedule a Scuba Skills Update session. We firmly stand behind the notion that comfortable divers = safe divers and the best way to achieve that comfort is through practice!

Aqua Adventures Shop Newsletter-Feb 2013

No. 9 / February 2013

Dive Season is Almost Here! Spring isn't far away, so now is the time to dig out your gear and bring it in for its annual service.  Regular maintenance is not only required by most vendors to keep up the warranty, it helps keep your equipment performing at the top of its ability, which equals more and safer bottom time for you!  No appointment necessary - just stop in and drop it off! Dive Trips 2013 Bonaire April 27 - May 4  Join us for a week at Captain Don's Habitat from April 27 - May 4!  Only $1049 pp/do includes twelve 1-tank boat dives, unlimited shore diving, unlimited Nitrox, breakfast each day, and an Ocean-Front Jr. Suite! Fiji August 29 - September 7 This is the trip to be on!  We already have nearly 20 people going, and there are only a very few number of spots available for the trip to Beqa Lagoon Resort August 29 - September 7, 2013.  The cost is only $3159 which includes air fare from Los Angeles!  $300 deposit holds your spot - call today! COMING SOON:  Palau 2014! Click here to check out all of our trips and details Training Update   February 26 is the start date for the next Open Water Diver weeknight class March 8, 9, 10, & 16 is the next weekend class Students can get a head start by taking the academics online for free!  Just check out the link on our website to get started! The next Advanced Open Water Diver class is scheduled for Sunday, February 24 from 1PM - 4pm.  This class provides you with the classroom portion of three specialties that you can use toward the four needed to get your SSI Advanced Open Water Diver rating. You'll get Night / Limited Visibility, Navigation, and Deep Diving all for one low price!! We'll schedule the quarry dates needed during the class - or use any of our trips! Learn to dive with Enriched Air Nitrox!  This very safe diving gas will help you extend your bottom times and feel less tired so you can enjoy all there is on land as well! You'll learn how to use EAN mixes up to 40% Oxygen in this class, and earn another specialty. The next EAN class of 2012 is scheduled for Sunday, February 24 at 10 AM Pair this up with the Advanced Open Water Diver class scheduled for later the same day, and you'll have all 4 specialties needed! Safety Training We now offer training in several Diver's Alert Network (DAN) courses, as well as First Aid, CPR and AED training from DAN, National Safety Council and Emergency Care and Safety Institute (ECSI). Call us to schedule your certification or renewal - it's not just for divers! All of the safety training offered is outlined on the new Safety Training page on our Website. Check out the full class schedule by clicking here. Stay Up to Date We try to limit these newsletters to no more than one per month, so keep up to date on all the classes, trips, etc.  by checking out our website, following us on Pinterest, subscribing to our Blog, and "liking" us on Facebook. Big Dive Light Sale! Stop in now to take advantage of some huge closeout savings on Princeton Tec dive lights!  All in-stock light packs, and select individual lights are on sale up to 40% off!  This is the perfect time to get yourself some backup lights, upgrade from your old dim lights, or get geared up for a Night Diving course! What's New With the Shop? Since the last update, we have changed some displays & mannequins to make it easier to find what you're looking for, and added some new critters to the aquarium.  Please stop in and let us know how you like the changes!   We also have some great new BC knives from TUSA, a wide range of dry bags from Akona, new masks with replaceable prescription lenses from Mares, and will soon have new press-in bifocals to fit any mask. The new Sherwood Axis weight-integrated back-inflate BC is here!  This lightweight & comfortable BC is great for travel and any recreational diving, local or in the islands. Stop by and see for yourself! Aqua Adventures Road Show Aqua Adventures is supporting the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation by donating prizes for a silent auction at a "Beef and Beer" at Duffer's Tavern in Glen Mills on February 23.  Please check out this great cause, and hopefully we will see you at the event!  For information, go to www.CureTay-Sachs.org We are looking for community events to attend in 2013 to help spread the word about diving and snorkeling.  If you have an event you'd like to see us at, please let us know!

Happy Groundhog's Day = Spring is coming!

Yes, the most famous groundhog in Pennsylvania popped out of his hole this morning and made his weather prediction: an early spring! We could not be happier about this revelation as it is 23 degrees Fahrenheit here today with snow on the way!! The start of spring also means the start of local dive season.  Our favorite local dive sites will soon come alive with activity above and below water.

Whether you will be getting ready for the local watering holes to open up or if you are preparing for a warm weathered diving destination to escape the chilly winter, it is a great time to have your scuba gear serviced.  Annual maintenance keeps your gear running at peak performance, which results in better air consumption during your dives.  Even if you haven't used your gear since the last service over a year ago, you should have it serviced as the o-rings and seals inside the regulators can corrode and/or dry out when not being used.

Additionally, most manufacturers require an annual maintenance to keep their warranty active. BCDs and regulators require annual maintenance and inspection, dive computers need their batteries checked or changed, and tanks require an annual visual inspection and a hydrostatic certification every 5 years.

The scuba professionals at Aqua Adventures will be happy to service your gear or answer any questions you have about about scuba gear maintenance. Call or stop in today!

Featured Item- Axis Buoyancy Compensator (BC)

A scuba diver's BC balances factors such as body weight, various bodies' natural tendencies toward positive or negative buoyancy, the type of exposure system you are using (i.e.- wetsuit, drysuit, etc), and the relative weight of other equipment being used in order to maintain neutral buoyancy under water. Needless to say, the BC is a diver's BFF!

We, at Aqua Adventures, have several lines of BCs to choose from. The newest addition to our BC line up is the Axis BC from Sherwood:

The Axis is a lightweight (approximately 7 pounds), back-inflate, weight integrated BC with a comfortable neoprene neckline and is crafted from durable, quick-drying highgrade material. This BC meets the needs for every level of scuba diver from beginner to advanced. One of our dive professionals at Aqua Adventures will be happy to answer any questions you may have about this or any of our BCs. We are also happy to have you try them on to ensure proper fit and maximum comfort. Owning your own dive gear is key to guaranteeing your safest and most comfortable underwater adventure! Let us help you in making such a big decision by contacting us.