Okay, its been a while since I have posted but its been busy here and I had to go up to Maine to visit JOK (my grandson). I understand that the Great State of Florida has signed off on the remaining funding necessary to put the Vandenberg on the bottom in 145' of water off Key West. Finally a new wreck that will bring new energy to the Key West diving scene. Check out www.bigshipwrecks.com for more info

Alex Brylske, editor of Dive Training Magazine will be speaking at Off the Wall Adventures in Lakeland, Florida on Friday, November 14th at 6:30pm on the topic of "Diving Myths and Legends". He plans to hang around after the lecture and answer any questions we have on physiology, physics, technical diving, rebreathers, etc. Admission is free and everyone is welcome! Refreshements will be provided and door prizes awarded.

For those who don't know, Alex has been part of Dive Training Magazine since its launch, writing dozens of articles for new and experienced divers alike. He has also written some of the most popular and significant books on diving theory and practice including many PADI manuals, The Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving, The Law and the Diving Professional, and Beating the Bends.

Alex has also worked with a number of government and non-government organizations dedicated to protecting the health of coral reefs by integrating ecosystem management, sustainable tourism, and community partnerships. He has recently begun a joint venture with DAN and is lecturing throughout Florida and the southeast.

Alex holds an MA in instructional systems design, a dual MS in marine biology and coastal zone management, and a Ph.D. in marine science education. In 2001, Alex won NOAA's prestigious Walter B. Jones Memorial Excellence Award for Ocean and Coastal Resource Management for his contribution to sustainable marine tourism.




Hope to see you there!

For all you baby boomers and advanced in age divers (like me) here is something for you and me.
Come visit my store on CafePress!

Lets get back to some real "basic training" in the dive industry. Classes now days and for some time now have been reduced to two or three days including the open water checkout dives. Divers need more time in the pool working on basic skills. I don't mean a few hours in one day and then off to Mother Ocean. Many divers now days are not sent out into the deep blue with the level of confidence that is required. Confidence is obtained by practice, practice and more pratice. I think the dive industry should raise the standards in regards to skill training and the number of open water dive requirements. What do you think?

How many of you have been scuba diving in Key West? The majority of diving you read about in the Florida Keys is about Key Largo, the dive capital of the U.S. Key West on the other hand consistently seems to gather very little ink in the pages of the popular dive magazines or multitudes of current blogs and social networks. Yes, granted, the Conch Republic is duly noted for its live and let live atmosphere, I know, I have worked and lived there and miss it dearly. But I also miss its diving. Most of the dive locations I took divers to were the same that all the shops took paying customers to. Cayman Salvage master, Joe's Tug, Alexanders Wreck and of course the numerous reef locations such as Western Sambos, Sand Key Light, Western Dry Rocks ( one of my favorites ) Rock Key and the list goes on. The wreck site Joe's Tug had been one of the popular dive locations in Key West, post card perfect most of the time but mother nature and time has slowly reduced this dive to mere rubble. Its about time a new wreck is placed on the bottom. Not only will it offset the stress on the fragile reef system but it will offset Key West's economy and place Key West on the top of the list of popular dive destinations. Check out
www.bigshipwrecks.com and read about what's coming in December.

Hey Spearfishers, I have a brand new never in the water Riffe Bluewater gun with
front and rear wings, line reel, two spear shafts, two slip tips, extra bands and
nice Riffe soft case for all of it. Retail value over $1600.00 Its for sale for
$900.00 If anyone is interested just email me at kwcapt@gmail.com

Okay, for all of us divers living in the Great State of Florida....what happen to the diving season?
This is the sunshine state correct? Warm, balmy temperatures most of the time. Why is the dive season so short for the majority of divers? Seems like the dive season gets shorter and shorter each year. There seems to be a few hard core divers that dive all year but most of the divers think the only season available to dive is memorial day through labor day. Whats up with that?

Just came back up from South Florida today. Anyone looking for some great sales on dive
gear should check out Force E dive shops down there. They are having their big
annual tent sale this weekend.

Getting ready to batten down the hatches here. Hope everyone sails smoothly through
Mother Nature's rath.

Anyone ever dive Lake Denton? Avon Park, Fl.

Just a new blog to create interest in the diving community around the world. Stay tuned

kwcapt!