Scuba Diving

News about diving

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

The Fifth Edition of Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy, by Susan Porter, is Now Available

Improving upon itself each year, the fifth edition of this popular guide to shore diving on Bonaire, Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy, has just been released for sale.  Written by Susan Porter, a Bonaire resident, the guide is a great way to either plan your trip in advance, or choose dive sites on-the-fly once your vacation has begun.

The guide contains an overview of 75 sites shore diving sites on Bonaire.  Details include items such as the best entry and exit points, an overview of the site’s topography, and then the author rates the dive based on a rating system tied to conditions that particular site provides. When sites warrant it, the guide’s description will also state whether good snorkeling conditions are prevalent or not.

The guide is available in many retail and dive stores on Bonaire, and can also be ordered online from either www.bonairestuff.com or www.bsdme.info.  (Source:  BSDME Web Site)

Monday, January 08, 2007

International Accolade Foundation Poised to Expand Outreach in 2007

The International Accolade Foundation, headquartered on Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean, is pleased to announce its plans for growth and expansion for 2007.  The foundation recognizes individuals the world over for their efforts to protect, manage, and educate the population about ocean and reef conservation.  Collectively, the recipients of the Accolade Award have had a wide impact on people of all ages.  The foundation aims to spread the word about these people’s efforts so they are recognized for their accomplishments, while at the same time, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. 

In recent years, the International Accolade Foundation has honored such luminaries as Bill Acker (Yap), Maggie Booi-Kaiser (Bonaire), Bruce Bowker (Bonaire), George Buckley (United States), Jack Chalk (Bonaire), Din Domacasse (Bonaire), DEMA (United States), George & Laura DeSalvo (Bonaire), Jack and Sue Drafahl (United States), John C. Fine (United States), Geri Murphy (United States), and Dee Scarr (Bonaire).

Outreach plans for 2007 include the construction of a comprehensive web site, the creation of a society of friends called the Accolade Divers, as well as the activation of Accolade Units around the world which can assist with identifying local members of the diving community deserving of recognition.  2007 also will bring a vehicle for individuals to nominate prospective awardees.  It is the foundation’s goal that, by the end of 2007, one award can be announced each week. 

If you have an interest in becoming an Accolade Unit in your local area, or simply believe you know someone deserving of the award, please contact the International Accolade Foundation by emailing Captain don/ at callingintheclan@yahoo.com

The organization was founded in 2005 by Captain don/, located on Bonaire.  Initially providing award recognition to Bonaire’s leaders in the dive and conservation areas, in 2006 the foundation expanded to include international locations and awardees.  Most recently, DEMA was thanked for their continued work in supporting the diving industry and the conservation efforts that go hand-in-hand with it.  The International Accolade Foundation is located at Kaminda Lagoen #103 Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean, email: callingintheclan@yahoo.com (Source:  International Accolade Foundation Press Release)

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

First Underwater Cleanup of the Year is Scheduled for January 13, 2007

Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech co-sponsor four cleanups each year--one per quarter--and a different area of the coastline is cleaned at each event.  The first cleanup of this year is scheduled for Saturday, January 13, 2007 at the Yellow Submarine facility on the promenade of Kralendijk.

Everyone is invited to join in.  As shore support is needed as well as divers, those who don’t wish to dive are certainly welcome, too.  Anyone interested in helping out should meet at 1:00 PM at Yellow Submarine for their briefing and the dive (tanks are provided at no charge).  A potluck BBQ will be held after the dive with main courses provided by the sponsors; all others are asked to bring a small side dish.

For additional information, click here.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire Web Site)

Monday, December 18, 2006

Dive Friends Bonaire Announces Used Gear Sale

Dive Friends Bonaire is how holding its annual Used Gear Sale.  After receiving its new set of gear for the 2007 rental season, the company is now selling all old gear, most of which is only one year old.

For those on Bonaire, this can be a great opportunity to upgrade your own equipment, or perhaps purchase something that you don’t yet own.  Visit Dive Friends at the Yellow Submarine location on the waterfront promenade early in the week for the best selection in wetsuits, regulators, BCDs, and open-heel fins.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Action In Behalf of Coral Project Provides Educational Sticker

Thousands of divers explore the world’s coral reef ecosystems every year.  Unfortunately, many make careless contact with living coral--because they don’t understand the significance of their contact.  Now everyone can get an up-close and personal view of exactly why living coral is fragile in a sticker being provided to dive operators by the Action in Behalf of Coral Project.  “Divers are taught that coral is fragile,” says ABC Project founder Dee Scarr, “and then they see boulder-like formations.  The sticker shows how damage is done by a simple light brushing along even boulder-like coral.”

The ABC Project sticker has debuted on dive boats and in dive equipment areas in the Bonaire National Marine Park; it is now being made available elsewhere in the Caribbean and around the world.  Dive operators can contact the ABC Project about getting stickers by e-mailing Scarr at dee@touchthesea.com. 

The mission of the Action in Behalf of Coral Project is to protect corals by providing education.  In addition to the sticker, the ABC Project has created a series of short pieces about coral, each illustrated by a photo, called Coral Glimpses.  The Bonaire Reporter has published Coral Glimpses weekly since January, 2006.

Artwork for the Action in Behalf of Coral Project sticker was done by professional Biological/Medical Illustrator Gary Carlson, whose work can be seen at www.gcarlson.com. 

More information about Action in Behalf of Coral, and a list of supporters of the Project, can be found at www.touchthesea.com/abcproject.  (Source:  Action on Behalf of Corals Release)

Saturday, November 11, 2006

The Underwater Digital Shootout Returns to Bonaire in June, 2007

The extremely popular Digital Shootout will return to Bonaire in June, 2007.  Having been conducted on Bonaire in the past, this event draws diving photographers with all levels of experience to the island for a week’s worth of diving, photography, seminars, contests, and hands-on help.

The event will be held on Bonaire from June 16-23, 2007 at the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort and Casino.  As in the past, seminars and hands-on training will be conducted by Berkley White, Jim Watt, and Eric Chang.  For additional information, click here. (Source:  Various Internet sites)

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Bonaire Prepares for a Visit by the Wounded Warriors

During the week of October 14-21, 2006, a group consisting of U.S. soldiers and marines, who recently served in Iraq and Afganistan, will arrive on Bonaire to complete their Open Water Diver certifications.

This group of men and women began their training at the Adaptive Water Sport Festival this past July, organized by Disabled Sports USA 2006.  Together with the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) and its Scuba Tour program, volunteers from Disabled Sports USA, the New York City Fire Department, and the Handicapped Scuba Association, these injured men and women, along with their families, were introduced to the sport of scuba diving.

Now, nine of them have made the decision to continue with their training and complete the Open Water Diver course in the clear, warm waters of a different country and will arrive on Bonaire this Saturday.  Jack Chalk, Manager of Captain Don’s Habitat, which is hosting the group and their spouses and companions, said, “We are looking forward to meeting this extraordinary group, and it is an honor for us to give something back to those who have given so much of themselves.”

To view the schedule of the week’s events, click here.  For additional information about the Wounded Warrior Project, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.  (Source:  TCB Release)

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Hilltop Divers Opens at Caribbean Club with New Services

On October 1, 2006, Hilltop Divers opened their doors as the new dive shop at the Caribbean Club Bonaire.  In a unique setting and location close to northern dive sites, Hilltop Divers offers a complete range of services from air fills to a full retail dive shop and a variety of rental equipment.  Rinse tanks and shower facilities are also available.

Hilltop Divers offers two services new to Bonaire:  The Easy Diving package allows you to park your vehicle at the secure lot at Caribbean Club, grab a tank at the dive shop, and the dive site shuttle services drops you off at one of the scenic route’s dive sites (Oil Slick Leap, Jeff Davis Memorial, Weber’s Joy/Witches Hut, or 1000 Steps) and picks you up after the dive. Upon return divers can take a shower (towel provided) and enjoy a healthy after-dive lunch in the Hilltop Restaurant and Bar.

Additionally they offer a new Drift Dive package which allows for an easy drift dive from Oil Slick Leap to Witches Hut. Hilltop Divers will shuttle you and your gear to Oil Slick Leap and pick you up again at Witches Hut after your dive. You’ll then return back for a shower and have lunch in the restaurant.

For more information or reservations, call 717–7901 or 700-2389 or visit www.caribbeanclubbonaire.com.  The Easy Diving and Drift Dive packages are available daily between 10 AM and 2 PM.  Hilltop Divers is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. (Source:  Hilltop Divers Release)

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Hyperbaric Guru Teaches Bonaire’s Medical and Diving Pros

From September 18 through 22nd, 2006, Buddy Dive Resort hosted a five-day course in hyperbaric oxygen treatment organized by the Foundation Deco Chamber Bonaire. 

Since this is not an every day event, Bonaire’s leading dive physician, Mr. Dick van der Vaart, MD, decided to invite the absolute expert in this field, Mr. Dick Rutkowski of Hyperbarics International Inc. to conduct the seminar. Mr. Rutkowski, retired as deputy diving coordinator from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where he trained over 600 physicians in hyperbaric training programs, is world famous in the dive industry as the co-founder of the International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD).

The group of students that consisted of doctors, nurses, and chamber operators were given the opportunity to learn the most detailed theories on decompression incidents and oxygen treatments as well as the latest information on hyperbaric chambers. During long morning hours, the students were pushed to limits in the classroom and in the afternoon hands-on training sessions followed in and around the hyperbaric chamber on Bonaire.

While Mr. van der Vaart was teaching doctors and nurses inside the chamber during simulated treatments, outside, the operators had to deal with several unexpected problems thrown at them by long time chamber technician Ronald Simonis. At the same time, Mr. Rutkowski held supervision over “the battlefield” as he realized, with a big smile on his face, that he had succeeded in passing on a great deal of his knowledge and experience.

The use of a hyperbaric chamber is a vital tool in modern medicine.  Bonaire’s tourists, diving community and the island’s people will be very pleased to know that another milestone has been reached on the road to safe chamber treatments with the certification of 13 hyperbaric experts.  (Source and Image by:  Martijn Eichhorn)

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Sand Dollar Condominium Resort Announces Specials

Sand Dollar Condominium Resort announces two specials that are now available for the coming months.

Sand Dollar Condominium Resort ‘s “Buy One Get One Free” Special:  Book a qualifying hotel and dive package and one diver gets an unlimited week of shore diving absolutely free, plus both divers receive a free Nitrox upgrade.  Travel Dates: For travel between now and December 15, 2006, excluding the week of November 18 – 24, 2006.  Free diving applies to shore diving packages only, and is applied to the second/fourth/sixth etc. diver. Reservations:  Cannot be combined with any other special or discount. Reservations must be pre-booked to qualify for all divers including the “free” second diver. Booking: Please be sure to request the Dive For Free program when making your reservation.

Sand Dollar’s “Pre-Holiday Special” is effective immediately, for all new reservations for the week of December 16 through December 22, 2006, which will be at value season rates instead of high season 2006 rates. Two persons in a one-bedroom condominium purchasing the Ride to the Reef 6-boat dive package save more than $130 per person with this discount, which includes seven nights accommodations in a large one-bedroom condo, free Nitrox upgrades, 6 days unlimited shore diving, daily breakfast buffet, double cabin pick-up truck rental, and room tax.

All units at Sand Dollar have full kitchens, comfortable living and dining areas and ocean views from every private porch or balcony. Property amenities include wireless Internet, lighted tennis courts, restaurant, pool, grocery store, Internet cafe, island art shop, ice cream parlor, and day spa.

For reservations, contact Sand Dollar:  Toll Free: (800) 288-4773 or (954) 453-5025, email: , or visit their web site at www.sanddollarbonaire.com. (Source:  Sand Dollar Resort Condominiums)