Extreme Sports

Scuba diving, like any other skilled activity, must be learned before it can be mastered. So, for those who have a desire to take to the ocean in scuba gear, choosing from among scuba diving classes is an inevitable part of the process. Finding reputable scuba diving classes will ensure that you receive the skills you need to begin your journey in scuba.

The beauty of scuba diving classes is that they can be found anywhere – from small towns to big cities – and do not require proximity to the ocean. As a matter of fact, most scuba diving classes are taught in a pool facility, giving instructors the benefit of a controlled environment in which to teach the basics of scuba. And for a scuba novice, a pool environment is much less intimidating than the ocean, especially when you are just learning how to operate with the variety of scuba gear you must don to dive.

First and foremost in your quest to find scuba diving classes is to ascertain the reputation of classes offered closest to you. It is imperative that you receive lessons from certified instructors who have experience with training – not just participating in – scuba diving. Ask around to find people who have taken scuba diving classes from particular instructors and facilities to narrow down your search. There are actual scuba schools that exist but be sure to check public pool facilities where instructors periodically visit to give scuba diving classes.

In most cases, you can visit the facility, and actually participate in a trial class – at no charge – to determine if it’s the appropriate environment for your particular needs. More often than not, you will begin with comprehensive classroom instruction before even entering the pool.  Read more...

The islands of Fiji are famous for its spectacular scenery and a world class attraction for sea sports such as big game fishing, snorkeling, sailing and scuba diving. Fiji is a favorite scuba diving location for scuba divers from all over the world and its highlights include a fantastic variety of colorful soft corals, more than 1200 species of fish, 12 species of whales and dolphins.

There are also many scuba diving resorts in Fiji which cater to all kinds of budgets and divers. Alternatively divers can choose live aboard dive boats or if you are a tourist on vacation in Fiji do not know how to scuba dive, you can take up lessons there or simply go snorkeling off the pristine beaches.

The Fijian archipelago is encircled by a huge reef and therefore there are many shallow lagoons to swim, snorkel or frolick in. There are also thousands of scuba dive sites to choose from. Most dive locations are easy to get to with plenty of resorts offering scuba diving scattered around the Fijian islands.

The water temperature is just perfect for scuba diving with at its coldest at only 25C. On warmer days, it is about 30C. Water visibility in Fiji is excellent with superb visibility of up to 40m or 120ft is a norm rather than exception.

Mamanuca dive sites in Fiji is easily be accessible by boat from the Nadi Airport area on the main island of Viti Levu. Several resorts in the Nadi offer full diving facilities and there are numerous day packages for snorkeling and scuba diving. The diving landscape in Mamanucas consist of shallow lagoons with hollows and bommies and excellent marine life. There are some interesting caves to explore, especially in Sawa-i-Lau in the Yasawa Group.  Read more...

Some say that the choicest scuba dive vacations can be found in the Caribbean. Now we’re not going to agree or disagree with this idea. We will leave it up to you to tell us what you think and where your best scuba dive locations are – if you want to share the secret?

Of course the Caribbean is well noted for its excellent underwater visibility, warm water temperatures and an abundance of marine life and dive sites that appeal to both beginners and seasoned divers alike.

If you went to the Caribbean scuba diving for solely the underwater creatures you are surely missing out on the most impressive range of treasures to be found there: from shipwrecks of old, drop-off wall sites to make you blink more than once, drift dives galore, cave adventures of an underwater kind you didn’t expect, as well as shore and boat diving.

Preservation is extremely import to the Caribbean diving community and they are devoted to ensuring that the underwater environment is more than adequately preserved. Not only does the Caribbean have protected marine parks with thriving aquatic life, but the scuba dive vacation areas offers the most varied examples of tropical marine life imaginable, including angelfish, barracuda, crabs, dancing eels, goat fish, grouper, lobster, octopus, parrot fish, seahorses, sea turtles, sharks, snappers, spiny puffers, and stingrays.

If your are a complete scuba dive beginner, don’t worry. All scuba dive vacations have dive facilities that appeal to beginners, who probably don’t know a regulator from a wet suit. But that doesn’t mean that the experience scuba diver and certified divers are not catered for as well.  Read more...

Some of the basic requirements for both scuba diving and snorkeling don’t differ much, except that scuba diving is for deep water while snorkeling is done on the surface of the water.

It is necessary to know how to swim to be able to scuba dive and snorkel. To do the BSA swimming test is recommended.

The test starts with jumping feet first into water above your head, leveling off, then swimming strongly for 75 yards. You can do breast stroke, trudgen, side stroke or crawl. Turn and for 25 yards do an easy backstroke. 100 yards must be completed in one swim. Stopping is not allowed. If need to rest, you can have yourself float on the surface of the water.

Buddy system is recognized for both scuba diving / snorkeling.

Scuba Diving:

Assess your dive plans, check gears , and review your comprehension of diving signals.

Working in water can be dangerous if you are not fit thus a diver needs to be fit and healthy. Have a physical examination with your doctor before any tiring exercise such as water activities.

Snorkeling:

Snorkeling is not difficult to learn and can be much fun. Snorkeling is often the basic step towards learning to scuba dive and helps build confidence in water.

Basic device for snorkeling includes a mask, fins and a snorkel. You may rent equipment from your local club while learning first how to use them.

When you’re about to purchase, always look for quality gears.

When buying a mask, check if it fits correctly and has no leaks. Masks are made of plastic, rubber or silicone which is more expensive. Silicone mask is more comfortable and durable.  Read more...

Life is crazy, right?  We are all running around the clock with work, school, kids, church, as well as chasing opportunities, deals, sales. Oh, and I forgot to mention that we need some time to sleep in order to recover from all that stress we have acquired during our daily race.  So what’s left you ask? Time for other activities, hobbies and sports?  I would say there is not much time left for these, don’t you agree?  And even with all that leftover time, we are trying to jam it into the most effective calorie burning apparatus called the treadmill or whatever you use to work out in the gym.  But, how about fun?  How about excitement, adventures, exploration, discovery and physical activity altogether?  You think it is not possible?  In fact it is possible and very easy to achieve.

Before we will continue any further let me show you some interesting facts on how scuba diving HELPS us in our lives. We have seen a million times on TV and every magazine published, that regular physical activity (sports) creates tremendous health benefits.  What are those, you ask?
Sports:
•                    Helps control weight (hot topic these days, isn’t?)
•                    Helps to reduce stress and promotes overall psychological well-being
•                    Helps to reduce risk of depression and anxiety
•                    Helps to reduce risks of high blood pressure
•                    Helps improving performance at work!
•                    Helps to reduce risk of premature death
•                    Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints
•                    Helps to reduce risk of heart disease, diabetes and colon cancer
Guess what, Scuba diving is not a competitive sport, so we are sharing all of the benefits listed above. Remember your Open Water Certification class? You have already succeeded in applied training!  You showed physical ability to perform such an activity. And now as a trained scuba diver, you already have many attributes necessary to benefit from the sport in your life.  Examples?  Here we go:  You already enjoy new challenges – this reduces risk of depression and anxiety!  Planning and focusing to meet the demands of your certification – improves performance at work and reducing stress and etc…  Read more...