NAUI Extends Its Services

NAUI Worldwide, the world’s oldest and most recognized non-profit diver training organizations is now providing new training opportunities to its expansive portfolio. The company is enhancing its robust eLearning experience through a series of NAUI leadership programs. In the comfort of their own homes, students may begin their journeys to assistant instructor, skin diving instructor, and divemaster. In addition, the organization will continue its exclusive Disney Dives program Nov. 7 and 8 at the Epcot® DiveQuest at Disney World in Lake Buena vista, Florida. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy diving in one of the world’s most impressive man-made ocean environments: the center’s massive six million gallon indoor aquarium, which boasts more than 65 species of marine life. Reservations for this experience go fast, so be sure to register soon! For more information, visit www.naui.org or call 813-628-6284.

Safeguard Your Charter Adventures with StormCheck

Aggressor Fleet and Dancer Fleet, two prominent charter companies, have joined together to provide their customers with a protective program during stormy weather. StormCheck is a credit voucher system used to ensure guests receive compensation for trips interrupted by named weather disturbances. The voucher is based on the number of days a client loses; if the entire charter week is canceled in advance due to a storm’s predicted path and landfall as forecasted, guests will receive compensation for the total amount of their charter. The system applies to passengers who do not receive compensation from their trip insurance carrier and does not apply to individual transportation issues. For more information, visit www.aggressor.com and www.dancerfleet.com.

Divers are Drawn to “Wet Temptations”

Newly christened charter boat, Wet Temptations, is making waves in Palm Beach County, Florida. Custom made by Newton Boats in Sidell, Louisiana, the 46-foot long, 16-foot wide vessel can carry 36 divers and 72 tanks in spacious luxury. Powered by two C 9 engines that deliver 1,200 horsepower, Wet Temptations has a cruising speed of 24 knots and can make 29 knots. A top choice for divers interested in exploring the majestic waters off Palm Beach, the vessel sports a great diving range and is able to move quickly and efficiently between dive sites. The vessel was designed by diver and NAUI instructor Captain Dan Macias of nearby Lake Worth. Macias began diving in Italty in the Military Welfare and Recreation; after finishing his instructor’s course in 2011, he became a full time teacher. Book your next trip today by visiting www.dansdivecharters.com or calling 561-531-2569.

SUDS Veteran Joins North Carolina Dive Center

Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba (SUDS), an organization which offers scuba training and rehabilitation opportunities to disabled servicemen, recently unveiled a brand new website. In addition to providing useful information on SUDS projects and services, the site now hosts a member spotlight. Last month’s featured diver, SSG (Ret) Eric Cowin, found therapy and comfort in diving and will soon share these gifts by joining Olympus Dive Center of Morehead City, NC. Congratulations! For more information, visit www.sudsdiving.org and www.olympusdiving.com.

Georgia Community Creates Urban Whitewater Record

An initiative with water lovers in mind will soon turn Columbus, Georgia into an adventure hotspot. After three years of careful planning and collaborative efforts from Columbus communities and businesses, the Chattahoochee River has become one of the world’s longest urban whitewater courses. Stretching to nearly three miles, “Ready2Raft” will grant fun adventures and a good boost to the economy. Joshua Blair and his team at local Chattahoochee Scuba were instrumental in this project by sharing data on their extensive knowledge of the river. Chattahoochee Scuba has provided divers from Georgia and abroad with full service for over eight years. For more information, visit www.chattahoocheescuba.com and www.whitewaterexpress.com.

Alabama Rodeo Rounds Up Lionfish

For many years, the influx of lionfish along the eastern U.S. coast has become a plague of epic proportions to marine ecosystems and economies. Because the creatures are poisonous and have no natural predators, culling them is a top priority for many dive centers, restaurants, and tourist boards. Gulf Coast Divers of Mobile, AL is teaming up with adventure gear manufacturer Pelican ProGear to combat this troubling issue through The Pelican 1,000 Lionfish Challenge, which will coincide with the 37th Annual Alabama Open Spearfishing Rodeo to be held August 2 -4. During the course of the tournament, lionfish will be killed and donated to research until the quota reaches 1,000; afterwards, participants who have also purchased a ticket to the rodeo will be entered to win Pelican coolers. For more information, and to sign up, visit www.alabamaopen.com.

South Georgia Dive Charter Starts Season off with a Bang!

South Georgia Dive Charters (SGDC), based in Saint Marys, Georgia is starting off their 2013 wreck hunting with Atlantic Wreck divers of New Jersey. They will be doing a week of shipwreck hunting off the South Georgia Coast. SGDC has been operating continuously since 1988. For more information, visit www.southgeorgiadivecharters.com or call 912-882-7078.

Wreck Trekkin’ Across the Florida Keys

Until January 1, 2014, divers looking to mark their achievements will have a unique experience exploring the Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail: this initiative is a new dive challenge called the Wreck Trek Passport Program. Participants will be given an official Florida Keys Wreck Trek passport to log their dives, which can be acquired at the time of charter with participating dive shops. The logbook showcases nine popular wrecks beneath Florida waters: Spiegel Grove, Duane, Benwood, Eagle, Thunderbolt, Adolphus Busch Sr., Cayman Salvager, Joe’s Tug, and the Vanderburg. But the challenge isn’t just for glory and satisfaction – explorers can enter to win a bounty of thrilling prizes. Divers who log five wrecks will receive a personalized collage of Keys wrecks, which is perfect for framing. Trekkers who explore all nine sites will be entered to win one of several grand prizes: merchandise, dive gear, and Florida Keys dive-and-stay lodging packages. Become a wreck trekker today by visiting www.fla-keys.com/diving/wrecktrek.

Key Largo

• Amy Slate's Amoray Dive Resort - MM 104.2 , Key Largo - 305 451 3595
• BlueWater Divers - 99701 OverSeas Hwy, Key Largo - 305-453-9600
• Capt. Slate's Atlantis Dive Center - 51 Garden Cove Drive, Key Largo - 305-451- 3020
• Dive In Watersports - 80 East 2nd St, Key Largo - 305-852-1919
• HMS Minnow Dive Charters - 99701 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo - 305-451-7834
• Horizon Divers - 100 Ocean Dr., Key Largo - 305-453-3535
• Island Ventures - P.O. Box 306, Key Largo - 305-451-4957
• Keys Diver - 99696 Overseas Hwy #1, Key Largo - 305-451-1177
• Ocean Divers - 522 Caribbean Dr, Key Largo - 305-451-1113
• Pirate Island Divers - 103800 Overseas Highway, Key Largo - 305-453-9881
• Pleasure Diver - 527 Caribbean Dr, Key Largo - 305-853-5384
• Sail Fish Scuba - 103100 Overseas Highway, Key Largo - 305-453-3446
• Scuba-Do Dive Company - 102670 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo - 305-451-3446
• Scuba-Fun LLC - 99222 Overseas Highway, Key Largo - 305-394-5046
• Silent World Dive Center - 105952 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo - 305-451-3252

Islamorada

• AKA Dive Charters & Supplies - 200 Florida Avenue, Mangrove Marina, Islamorada - 305-906-0514
• Conch Republic Divers - 90800 Overseas Highway #9, Islamorada - 305-852-1655
• Florida Keys Dive Center - 90451 Old Hwy, Islamorada - 305-852-4599
• Islamorada Dive Center - 84001 Overseas Highway, Islamorada - 305-664-3483
• Key Dives - 79851 Overseas Highway, Islamorada - 305-664-2211

Marathon

• A Deep Blue Dive Center - 400 Sadowsky Causeway, Marathon - 305-743-2421
• Abyss Dive Center - 12565 Overseas Hwy, Marathon - 305-743-2126
• Captain Hooks Marina & Dive Center - 11833 Overseas Hwy, Marathon - 305-743-2444
• Hall's Diving Center & Career Institute - 5050 Overseas Highway, Marathon - 305-743-5929
• Tilden's Scuba Center - 4650 Overseas Hwy, Marathon - 305-743-7255

Lower Keys

• Innerspace Dive Center - Mile Marker 29.5 Overseas Hwy, Lower Keys - 305-872-2319
• Looe Key Reef Resort and Dive - 27340 Overseas Hwy, Lower Keys - 305-872-2215
• Southernmost Diving - 24326 Overseas Highway, Lower Keys - 305-974-3483
• Strike Zone Charters - 29675 Overseas Highway, Lower Keys - 305-872-9863
• Underseas, Inc. - 30678 Overseas Highway, Lower Keys - 305-872-2700

Key West

• Adventure Watersport Charters - 6810 Front Street, Stock Island, Key West - 305-453-6070
• Dive Key West, Inc - 3128 N Roosevelt Blvd., Key West - 305-296-3823
• Lost Reef Adventures - 261 Margaret St, Key West - 305 296-9737
• Seaduction - Key West Dive Center - 1605 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West - 305-296-9914
• Southpoint Divers - 606 Front Street, Key West - 305-292-9778
• Y Knot Charters - 6801 Shrimp Rd, Key West - 305-923-6134