Let it Snow!

Christmas morning, kids asleep watching the weather channel, hoping for snow, not wanting to shovel it. why is it we get so fascinated with the weather this time of year?  How can you wish for snow and dream of warm sandy beaches at the same time!

My paradoxical dilemma will soon be overcome by laughing giggling excitement when the kids get up.  The turkey to cook and the stories to share.  Merry Christmas to all, warm cold or wet!

Chilly Willy 2010

Out first Chilly Willy Dive of the year was a great success!  We had a mix of "Wet Divers" and "Dry Divers", Seasoned Divers and New Divers. 

Nothing like setting up in the snow, heating the Apple Cider, gearing up with a "Nip" in the air! 

Now the "Quarrabbean" was just a s murky and cold as ever, but the "Event" made the Day and Build Comaradarie.

You gotta try it!

Why Scuba Lessons are the Best Gift for Christmas!

What could be a better than giving a gift of "Awe" and "Beauty" and "Adventure"??? Lets think about this.  Big Screen TV?  Game systems?  How about living reefs or an ever-changing landscape of motion and excitement?  Fresh air, sun, exercise or ...not?

If you really want to give a special gift to someone that is sans-commercialism, encourages environmental awareness and travel all over the world, give the gift of Scuba and see how it changes that special person's life!

So... why do people scuba dive?


For some it's the beauty of the reef and the marine life that inhabits it, for others it's the thrill of discovery deep inside a wreck or cave - everyone has a different reason for scuba diving, but most would agree that it's for the sheer enjoyment of experiencing the underwater world, a world so far removed from ours that it will truly amaze you. Whether you want to relax while photographing brightly colored tropical fish, be thrilled by the power and grace of a school of sharks, or make a living working underwater, scuba diving has it all.

Give a life-time of enjoyment - Give Scuba.

Happy Holidays!

DEMA 2010

PATRIOT flew to Vegas to re-energize at DEMA 2010 in Las Vegas, NV. Vegas is just a fun place to begin with, and DEMA 2010 was the adventure we expected. First of all, it is a great place to re-connect with Dive Buddies, fellow professionals and make many more connections. This year was no exception. The vendors were out in all their glory and PADI and DAN showed their usual support.

Some new styles and new gear was of course the really cool thing about walking the floor at DEMA. The Floor seemed hugely long this year. You needed good walking shoes! So what floated PATRIOT’s boat this year? Let see…this year there was a pretty good list.

Regulators:

Regulator first stages are getting smaller and better laid out for Recreational Divers and Techies. Bullet-Proof second stages are becoming the norm in many brands. Zeagle, Sherwood and Cressi topped our list here. Way cool.

Wet Suits:

2011 will see Zeagle taking a great line, Pinnacle, to even greater heights. New suits with improved fit, quality and comfort. Look for Pinnacle by Zeagle Suits in March 2011. Awesome.

Xcel continues to make some of the best, Eco-friendly suits on the planet and will roll out some new styles in 2011. Look for improved wrist seals and their signature bamboo lining. PATRIOT will be bringing the Xcel Line onboard for 2011

You’ll probably never find a better fitted wet suit than those made by Body Glove. Exciting styles, quality designs for all watersports. We were very impressed by their design, allure and value and we’ll be bringing Body Glove suits onboard in 2011.

Fins:

Sherwood is bringing in two new lines of fins. New colors and performance improvements for sure. Their top new model will include Spring Straps standard.

Cameras:

The follow-on to Sea Life’s ever so popular entry level camera, the Reef Master Mini, will be out in March, 2011. (its about time!) The Reef Master Mini-II will boast improved resolution, its bullet-proof housing and extra features at a very affordable price. Their new Video/Lighting system is very versatile. With multiple settings it truly turns your DC 1200 into a video system. The cool thing is that it pairs nicely with the Pro-Flash.

Cool Stuff

SeaDoo Explorer X. Way cool solid addition to the SeaDoo line. Speed up to 3.3 mph, 2 hour run time, easy boot type charger, rated to 160ft and only 32 lbs. This was one of those “Gotta have it” items. So we “Got it” in the store now!

Much Much more. Great parties with Divers Alert network, and an outstanding Premier of the Drop Zone - Fiji Movie. The stars were there and Body Glove out did themselves with the event. Many times these type events are like watching paint dry…not this time. Fun and fabulous. Well Done PADI/Body Glove!

Let me know if you have any other questions…always a lot to take in at DEMA!

Jeff (jeff@patriotscuba.com)

Diving Season is Not Over!

So while there is still wet suit diving in Northern VA, Dry Suit Season is coming.  Just like Night Diving gives you a new perspective on familiar dive sites, so does cooler water.  Dry Suit Diving is easy, and with the proper training opens up new worlds of discovery.  The secret is that you do not have to be cold!

Once you try it in your local diving area, you'll realize you just opened 60% of the planet up to you!  Great Lakes Wrecks, New England Lobstering, Octopus wrestling and six gill sharks in the Northwest, etc!

Come on in!  (with a Dry Suit) the water is fine!

Diving Utila HDV

A taste of things to come: PATRIOT is going to Utila April 2011 for a Whale Shark Research Adventure! This video gives you a good idea of the beauty of the area.

Bonaire with a Wild Crew!

Bonaire - A Diver's Paradise

Less than 18 months into our Start-Up, PATRIOT SCUBA, things are looking real good.  We have had a blast getting to where we are and we met some great customers...and hopefully, followers.  With our military background, customers quickly become "family."

So...with that in mind, we have a big "Family" event in October.  Miko is leading a trip to Bonaire and we have a Wild Crew of folks coming with us.  I'm on tap to go on the trip as well and I'm very excited.  i've done a fair amount of Caribbean diving, but never to Bonaire...a Diver's Paradise.  I'll do my best to give you the blow by blow while I'm down there.

Stay tuned for Miko and Jeff's grand adventure!

Jeff

Dive Fest at Lake Rawlings

PATRIOT SCUBA had a great weekend down at Lake Rawlings supporting "Dive Fest"

Dive Fest was a fund raiser for DAN (Diver's Alert Network).  Providing volunteer personnel to help Run and Manage the treasure hunts etc.  Loads of fun and DAN was there tool.  In fact the Man... Dan Orr was there! 

DAN has to be one of the greatest Orgs around...doing so much for so little.  If you have the opprotunity to support DAN - DO IT! Cause when you need them, you can count on them being there for you.

Jeff