The daffodils are breaking through the ground, the temperature outside is rising (slowly), and divers are itching to get out and dive.

Our local dive season is right around the corner. Dutch Springs, the Diver's Amusment Park, is making preparations for it's April 2nd Opening Day. The 2005 season marks Dutch Springs' 25th anniversary. The Celebration gets underway in April, and special events will be held throughout the summer, culminating in our Birthday Party in September. A major contest, focused on the Legend of Dutch Springs, will be fun, fascinating, and loaded with prizes for the winners.

Along with the special events and contests, Dutch Springs is also adding new underwater attractions and building a Sky Challenge ropes course.

Todd, Tony, Alicia, and I actually had a chance to try a portion of the ropes course this past weekend. Trilling would be an understatement. Imagine walking a tight rope 30 ft in the air. Even though you are harnessed, it takes your breath away!

Come dive, play, and climb with us. Whether you are a new diver, a seasoned diver, or you just want to have fun, join us at Dutch Springs this season. Our schedule this season for both training and recreational diving is as follows:

• May 14, 15, 21, 22
• June 4, 5, 18, 19
• July 9, 10, 23, 24
• August 6, 7, 20, 21
• September 10, 11, 24, 25
• October 8, 9, 22, 23

Rewarding and fun - that best describes the PADI Rescue Diver course. This course will expand your knowledge and experience level: Rescue Divers learn to look beyond themselves and consider the safety and well being of other divers. Although this course is serious, it is an enjoyable way to build your confidence.

The Rescue Diver Course is highly recommended for divers who plan to dive with family and friends, those that dive in remote locations, those planning to become a dive professional, and any diver wishing to improve their dive skills.

You can begin your Rescue Diver Course as an Open Water Diver or an Advanced Open Water Diver. You must be at least 12 years of age and hold current CPR and First Aid certifications. Our Emergency First Response Course meets these critria.

The first rescue course of the season begins April 12th.
Please contact us for more information or update your Personal Profile at the bottom of this e-mail to include Continuing Education Classes. Hurry! Rescue Courses are limited to 6 students in the class and pool!

Like a car, your scuba equipment should be serviced regularly. Our Manufacturer Certified Technicians will inspect, clean, and tune your equipment for optimum performance and safety.

Regulators and BCD's should be cleaned and tuned annually. Under normal use dive computer batteries should be changed every one to two years. In order to be filled, scuba tanks need to be visually inspected once a year and D.O.T. hydrostatically tested once every five years.

Please plan ahead and allow 2-4 weeks for service, so we can give your equipment the attention that it deserves. Short notice emergency service available, please call.

Our 2005/2006 Travel Schedule has everything from wreck diving in the st. Lawerence River to the Pacific Paradise of Palau. While all of our current destinations are listed below, they are not all listed on the website-yet. So if there isn't a link listed, please check with us for the details.

Explore the Bahamas June 4-10, 2005
Sail aboard the Cat Ppalu in the Exumas-the out islands of the Bahamas. Enjoy wonderful diving, and learn a little something too!
Only 2 spots left.

Go Wreck Diving in the 1000 Islands July 7-10, 2005
Tons of wrecks, good visablity, so much history.
Only 4 spots left!

Discover Dominica-The Nature Island of the Caribbean.
See awesome marine life like Frog Fish and Seahorses. Swim in the Emerald Pool next to a cascading waterfall. Ride the aerial tram high above the forest canopy.

Enjoy the Caribbean's Best Shore Diving in Bonaire October 15- 22
Bonaire's pristine reefs, that have been protect since 1979, make a beautiful back drop for both experienced and aspiring underwater photographers.

Festive Cozumel! November 5-12
Dramatic wall diving, phenomenal visabilty, and great watering holes.

The Pacific Paradise of Palau
Don't let the "Survivor Castaways" have all of the fun. Live-aboard the Ocean Hunter II and dive some of Cousteau's favorite sites.
Only 8 spots available!

Did you know that the Monterey Bay Aquarium has a Great White Shark in its Outer Bay Exhibit?

Until now it has been unheard of to maintain a Great White in captivity. Most previous attemps have ended after weeks if not days. This nearly 6 foot juvenile, female white shark at MBA has now been in captivity for about 6 months. Often captive white sharks die or need to be released because they refuse food. Not this girl, she ate during her first day in her new home and has gained nearly 40lbs since September.

The researchers at MBA are using this unique opportunity to study white shark behavior. Visitors, most of which couldn't even imagine seeing a white shark in the wild, have a chance to see this impressive animal.

See the white shark, hammer head sharks, and other cool fish on the aquarium's Outer Bay Cam. We will keep you updated on her progress.

The latest product from PADI, the E-RDP, is the 21st century version of the Recreational Dive Planner.

Basically, the E-RDP is a calculator version of the dive tables. Imagine the end of "finding the RAT" or remembering what do do after you figure out your pressure group! The E-RDP offers three modes:

• Dive Planning-up to five consecutive dives
• Minimum suface interval planning
• Maximum depth planning

The E-RDP's should be available in the beginning of April. Don't get jealous-- new students will be allowed to use the calculator for their Open Water Diver course!