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The professional staff and family of HydroSports wish to express our sadness at the loss of a fellow diver Sunday, March 22, near Hoodsport. Although not affiliated with our shop and not our student we are moved by the tragic events. We send our condolences, thoughts and prayers to Timothy Burns' family and friends.
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You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in HydroSports Dive and Travel. If you wish to unsubscribe from our newsletter please use the unsubscribe button at the bottom of the email. We respect your privacy and never sell, rent or share your contact information.
We do encourage you to share this newsletter. Read on dear friends.
If you change your email address please let us know.
www.hydrosports.com
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March and April are two of the most confused months of the calendar. Winter is ending so daffodils, crocus and cherry blossoms start showing up. Sunshine visits from time to time. Yet rain, wind and occasionally freezing temperatures arrive as well. How is a person supposed to tell what the weather is going to be from day to day? As the song says, "it doesn't take a weatherman to know which way the wind blows." Step outside and look around and dress appropriately.
 From a diving perspective these conditions create fabulous visibility (unless the wind is blowing or we have several days of heavy rain). Conditions on the Hood Canal and Puget Sound last weekend were rough Saturday (high wind) yet calmed down by 6 PM making for a great night dive. Sunday we had sunshine in the morning, no wind waves, 40 foot visibility and the light afternoon sprinkles helped us wash our dive gear before coming home.
During the last few months our education team has been hard at work implanting gills in new divers and helping divers expand their skills. Kelly and Noel earned their PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and Dry Suit Specialty Instructor ratings. Congratulations to both.
Read on to learn about exciting travel and diving activities we're organizing. Make the time to get wet and join us underwater soon.
Best fisches,
Mark Fischer and the entire HydroSports Education Team!
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We're going to Cuba. Come with us!
One of the most important reasons to travel through the world is to learn about the history, art, culture and lives of the people whose country we visit. By interacting with local individuals we have the opportunity to share, face-to-face, the values, goals, challenges and opportunities we each hold.
Join Eco Cuba Outings and HydroSports as we exchange thoughts and ideas with the Cuban people. Through a people-to-people program sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control and a licensed US travel agency, you have the opportunity to directly interact in the daily activities of the Cuban community.
Our trip will have two phases. In phase one we will connect with the architecture, history, art, culture, and music of daily life in and around Havana.
In phase two we will learn about the efforts being taken to preserve and protect a marine ecosystem that is unique to the southern coast of Cuba by visiting the Gardens of the Queen. "Jardines de la Reina" was declared a Marine Park in 1996 and this intricate network of untouched marine ecosystems has been preserved for future generations. Access to the Gardens of the Queen is limited to no more than 1500 scuba divers per year.
Our trip has three options.
Option one: Explore Cuba - 9/20-9/26/15 (7 days/6 nights)
Option two: The Gardens of the Queen - 9/25-10/3/15 (9 days/8 nights)
Option three: Explore Cuba & the Gardens of the Queen - 9/20-10/3/15 (14 days/13 nights)
Full pricing for each phase of the trip is due April 10.
If you would like to be contacted when final pricing is available please contact Mark by clicking HERE.
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| | Exploring a Time Capsule - Cuba |
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Class Specials End in May
Our winter Open Water and Advanced Open Water Class Specials will be coming to an end soon. Class must be started no later than April 23. If you've been waiting to share scuba diving with your friends NOW is an outstanding time to help them earn their certification. If you've been waiting to expand your diving skills, NOW is an outstanding time to earn your Advanced Open Water certification.
Click Open Water Special to see the flyer.
Click the link above for the Open Water class flyer. Read the article below to learn about the Advanced Open Water Class special.
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Advanced Open Water Diver
Certification $125
Are you ready for adventure? Are you ready to add new skills to your diving tool kit? Wait no longer.
Join our next PADI Advanced Open Water certification class. The orientation meeting takes place April 1 at 6 PM at HydroSports.
The AOW class builds on skills you learned in the Open Water class and introduces new diving experiences in a variety of environments. AOW is focused on more diving and less "book work" so you'll add several hours of bottom time while completing five dives over a weekend.
The details:
1. Diver must start class in April or May 2015
2. Diver must purchase the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver eLearning education material from HydroSports, $158
3. Diver must complete class by May 30, 2015
4. Instruction and basic scuba gear is provided during the class
5. Save 20% on dive lights, knives, whistle and safety sausage (required for Advanced Open Water class)
5. Only 5 students per month may take advantage of this price
RSVP to let us know you'll be joining us by clicking HERE, or call the shop with any questions.
You'll complete five PADI Adventure Dives: Underwater Navigation, Deep and Night PLUS two more Adventure Dives you'll choose with your instructor.
Call HydroSports at 503-304-5383 to register.
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Rescue Diver Class
When you're ready to challenge yourself to be prepared to prevent or respond to problems that can occur around a dive site, you want to earn the Rescue Diver certification. Everyone who completes this class will tell you it is the most challenging AND rewarding dive class they have taken. You'll learn to work as a member of a team, build problem prevention and solution skills and feel much more confident about yourself as a diver.
Kristen will be organizing a Rescue Class soon.
To join the class click HERE or call the shop, 503-304-5383.
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Coming Events
April 1: Advanced Open Water Class Orientation
April 4: First Aid & CPR Emergency First Response Class
April 7: Rusty Diver and Discover Scuba Night
April 16: Discover Scuba
April 23: Open Water Diver Class 209 Orientation
May 5: Rusty Diver Night
May 28: Open Water Diver Class 210 Orientation
June 12 to 14: DUI Demo Days at the Oregon Coast Aquarium
June 27: Discover Scuba at the Woodburn Aquatic Center
July 7: Rusty Diver Night
July 31 to Aug 2: Clear Lake Family Camp N Dive
September 10 to 13: Nanaimo Wrek Trek Dive Trip
September 19 to 26: Explore Cuba Trip
September 26 to October 3: Explore Gardens of the Queen, Cuba
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DUI Demo Days
For the 13th year in a row Diving Unlimited International and the Oregon Coast Aquarium will be hosting a Demo Days event at the aquarium. This June 12 to 14 snorkelers and divers will have the opportunity to test dive a DUI dry suit in the three huge exhibit tanks, enjoy a barbecue lunch and explore the aquarium for the day.
Friday, June 12, participate in an Eco-Snorkel program, $60, or an Underwater Videography Clinic, $175.
Saturday and Sunday, participate in DUI Demo Dives, $55.
Saturday night, join us for behind the scenes dinner in the aquarium, $20.
Click HERE for the Demo Days Fact Sheet. Call or visit HydroSports for tickets beginning Monday March 30.
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Blue Heat Demo Weekend June 2015
Staying warm, even in a dry suit, takes technology. Sometimes the technology is the proper fabric, sometimes the proper gas, sometimes staying warm requires BlueHeat.
HydroSports friends are being provided a unique opportunity to test dive BlueHeat insulation over an extended weekend June 19 to 22. If you're serious about investigating the best electrically heated Divewear insulation on the market click HERE to contact Mark for details about test diving BlueHeat for several extended dives.
BlueHeat is electrically heated insulation for the body, hands and feet. It's simple to use, is the most powerful system on the market and it is the only system to meet diver safety standards. Whether you are a technical diver wanting to extend your limits or a recreational diver wanting to wear light insulation while being warmer than you ever thought possible, BlueHeat is the next generation in diver comfort!
To watch a video series describing BlueHeat click below.
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| | DUI BlueHeat 'What's in the Box" |
Thermal Stress and Diving Quiz
(From Divers Alert Network)
Thermal stress can be a great concern for divers. Appropriate thermal protection can play a major role in making a dive enjoyable or productive. The degree of thermal protection required is highly individualized so each diver should choose equipment to meet personal needs for comfort regardless of what is worn by others. As a secondary issue, the magnitude of the hazard must be kept in perspective. Our perception of discomfort can sometimes lead to an exaggerated sense of the insult or risk. This quiz considers both foundations and common misconceptions related to thermal stress.
Take the quiz now:
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Wreck Trek Nanaimo 2015
If you've ever asked me where my favorite wreck diving experiences are you've heard me say "Nanaimo". Where in the heck is Nanaimo? On the east coast of Vancouver Island.
Why is Nanaimo such a great wreck diving destination? (It's more than Nanaimo Bars!) The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia has cleaned and sunk big ships (and a Boeing 737) in the area. We have loads of marine life and very nice diving conditions.
Join us for three days of wreck and reef diving September 10 to 13, 2015. We'll be diving aboard the Sea Dragon (max 10 divers) and staying at the Buccaneer Inn (very diver friendly). The trip cost is $695 per person and includes three days of two tank dives aboard the Sea Dragon (September 11, 12 and 13) and three nights lodging at the Buccaneer (September 10, 11 and 12).
Space is limited to 10 divers. A $100 deposit is due with your reservation. The balance is due August 1.
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| | Sea Dragon Charters - Vancouver and Nanaimo locations |
Additional costs:
Carpool expenses to Canada
Ferry from Tswassen, BC or Ancortes, Washington to Nanaimo
Meals no provided aboard the Sea Dragon
Note: Canadian customs requires a US Passport be presented when entering Canada. A felony conviction or DUI on your driving record will prevent you from entering Canada. Please call me with questions about entering Canada.
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Earn or Renew Your CPR and First Aid Certification
Emergency First Response Primary Care (CPR) teaches participants how to respond to life-threatening emergencies. The course focuses on primary care through a combination of knowledge development, skill development and realistic scenario practice to make sure participants have the confidence in their ability to provide care when emergency situations arise.
Primary Care (CPR) skills taught in this course:
- Scene Assessment, Barrier Use, Primary Assessment, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Serious Bleeding Management, Shock Management, Spinal Injury Management, Conscious and Unconscious Choking Management.
- Recommended Skills
- Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Use
- Emergency Oxygen Use.
To register, click HERE .
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Rental Gear For Sale
As we complete our transition to Atomic regulators and Zeagle Ranger BCDs in our rental fleet it's time to sell a few of our three year old Zeagle Flathead 7 regulator systems.
The Flathead 7 regulator is an  environmentally sealed balanced diaphragm first stage with pneumatically balanced second stage (translation: great for cold water and/or deep, demanding diving or for warm, tropical dives). The regulators are Nitrox compatible to 40% oxygen. Shawn will be inspecting and servicing these systems next week and they will be ready for delivery.
The package includes a Zeagle Envoy alternate and Sherwood Profile computer. The Profile computer is nitrox compatible.
Sale price with octo and computer, $295. When new the MSRP on this package was over $900.
We will have only three of these systems available for sale.
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Clear Lake Family Camp N Dive
Every summer we make a three day pilgrimage to Clear Lake to dive under (what we hope will be) a full moon. This year our trip will be a Blue Moon trip. A blue moon is the second full moon of a given month.
Join us July 31 to August 2 for a day or a weekend. Cabins have been rented (call me for details) and some camping spaces are available (on a first come first served basis) from the Linn county Parks and Recreation website.
Clear Lake is located on Highway 126 west of Sisters, Oregon. The name comes from the fact that typical summer visibility is 200 to 300 horizontal feet. The lake is fed by melting snow that has percolated down through the lava fields into the Cascade aquifer and then erupts through numerous vents in the base of the lake. The lake is surrounded by forest and is a great location for a family hike, walk, picnic, campout, marshmallow roast, bike ride and canoe or rowboat adventure.
Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a day or the weekend.
We will be offering several Specialty Diver classes at Clear Lake, Altitude Diver, Deep Diver and (if Ryan and I get our acts together) Argon Diver. What is argon you ask? Argon is a non-breathing gas that has significantly better insulating properties than air. When used to inflate a dry suit argon keeps us much warmer than air. More about argon soon.
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