Inner Space 2015: Divetech Celebrates the World of Rebreathers in Grand Cayman
2015 Marks 12th Year of Event that Draws “Silent Diving” Enthusiasts from Around the World
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - Divetech is welcoming technical divers and industry manufacturers to “Inner Space” its annual week of closed circuit rebreather diving from May 23 – 30 in Grand Cayman. This is the 12th year of the event, billed as the world’s largest rebreather event, and it has become a mecca for Rebreather divers and manufacturers from around the world. They come here to immerse themselves in the silent diving culture and the deep walls of the Cayman Islands.
Cobalt Coast Dive Resort is the center of activities for Inner Space, welcoming back returning guests, customers and sponsors, who attend the event year after year. It is more like a family reunion according to Divetech owner Nancy Easterbrook, a visionary who pioneered technical diving in the Cayman Islands. She started the event in 2003 to bring rebreather enthusiasts together to share their diving passion, and that year only 19 divers attended. Since then it has built a loyal following, not just with tech divers who want to maximize their bottom time, but also with equipment manufacturers who come share the latest technology in the industry.
“Inner Space and ‘Focus Grand Cayman’ have become fixtures in the Dive Calendar of those who take their diving seriously, and who are interested in learning more about new products and developments within diving,” said Paul Strike of sponsor Fourth Element. “As such, it is a valuable initiative which brings equipment manufactures and enthusiasts of the sport together where they can discuss and share ideas.”
Dive technology keeps changing and improving, and Inner Space offers everyone a chance to keep up with the changes. Divers will spend the week exploring Cayman’s famous walls, attending jam-packed seminars, testing new equipment and socializing with like-minded people. There will be lectures and presentations on safety, research and new technologies from industry representatives who show and tell new products.
“Inner Space has become the success that it has achieved, due to the incredible and ongoing support of the industry people that help make this a great event,” said Easterbrook. “It's diving with the ‘Who's Who’ in the Rebreather world, learning from industry experts on topics that are meaningful to Rebreather divers, and the wonderful prizes and camaraderie that develops and continue. Divetech owes a huge debt of gratitude to all of our sponsors that make Inner Space the success that it is.”
Long time sponsors are happy to be involved, and they say the personal connection with Easterbrook is one of the reasons for their loyalty.
“Inner space is a very well-organized, well-respected event because of Nancy, she’s got a great reputation in the industry,” said Lee Ann Hines of Dive Rite. “How can you say no to Nancy?”
“It is a fun event and Nancy has put together a great week of diving and fun. I am happy to help in any way I can,” said sponsor Eric Keibler of Oceanic Ventures, Inc. in Houston.
Rebreathers efficiently replenish oxygen and recycle exhaled breaths, so no bubbles are released, making them silent. With no bubbles to scare them off, divers and underwater photographers experience better interaction with marine life. Rebreather technology also allows divers to go deeper and stay underwater longer. Although rebreathers require specialized training, Inner Space helps introduce silent diving to the rest of the recreational dive community where they are becoming the dive equipment of choice for many advanced divers.
“Rebreathers represent absolutely the biggest area of sales for our business and it's the fastest growing area of scuba diving,” says Lee Ann Hines.
Inner Space divers have plenty of opportunity to immerse themselves in Grand Cayman’s underwater world. In addition to daily boat dives, Divetech also offers shore diving at two locations, excellent news for divers who just can’t get enough.
Divetech is the first, and largest, source of rebreather equipment, support and diving in Grand Cayman. Nancy Easterbrook says 15 percent of their dive business is rebreather related, but they are actively working to increase that, especially with Divetech’s Rebreather Experience, a half-day course that includes equipment instruction and a guided shallow shore dive.
Sponsors for Inner Space include: Oris Watch, Silent Diving, Add Helium, Stark Industries, Dive Gear Express, Nauticam USA, Light & Motion, Keldan Lights, Hollis, DAN, Dive Addicts, Fourth Element, Kiss Rebreathers, Oceanic Ventures, PADI, Poseidon, Reef Photo & Video, Shearwater Research,SSI, Governors Reserve, Aerospace Lubricants, CCRExplorers.com, Dive Rite, SubGravity, Historical Diving Society, Inner Space Systems,RebreatherWorld.com, Seven Fathoms Rum, Guy Harvey Foundation, TekDiveUSA, The DecoStop.com, Halcyon, Simon Morris and Courtney Platt,photographer.
About Divetech
Divetech is a IANTD Platinum Facility / TDI/SDI Instructor Trainer Facility / PADI 5-Star Resort / PADI TecRec Facility / PADI Project Aware Center / SSI Resort / IANTD & SSI Free Diving Center / BSAC Resort / National Geographic Center/ Scuba Rangers Club / Universal Training Facility / PADI Swim School / DAN Technical Field Research Station full service dive operator with facilities at Cobalt Coast Dive Resort on the tranquil Northwest shore of Boatswain’s Bay, and Lighthouse Point on Northwest Point Road in West Bay, both located just a few miles north of the hustle and bustle of Seven Mile Beach. Considered one of Grand Cayman’s leading dive operations, Divetech has been providing quality dive services since 1994. Divetech has earned a reputation as the place to go in Grand Cayman for quality training from kids to trimix with 18 Instructors on staff.
Divetech offers great dive and room packages with its resort partner Cobalt Coast, which has established a reputation for laid back luxury and friendly West Indian hospitality, offering 20 suites, full restaurant and bar and award winning customer service.
For more information call toll free (888) 946-5656, in Grand Cayman (345) 946-5658 or visit www.divetech.com.
Cayman Dive Industry Continues to Garner Accolades and Awards in 2015
A team of industry leaders maintain the high standards set in Cayman diving decades ago and it takes vision and cooperation to keep Cayman on top
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, May 26 – Heading into a busy summer, Cayman’s dive industry continues to receive recognition for excellence. Three dive resorts have been named to TripAdvisor’s 2015 Hall of Fame: Sunset House and Compass Point Dive Resort on Grand Cayman and the Southern Cross Club on Little Cayman. This means they have won the travel website’s Certificate of Excellence five times as a result of positive reviews posted by TripAdvisor’s followers. Ocean Frontiers and Divetech received another Certificate of Excellence this year, bringing them closer to the Hall of Fame. Red Sail Sports is in the running for the Hall of Fame too with several nods from customers over the past few years.
“There is no greater seal of approval than being recognized by one’s customers,” said Keith Sahm, Sunset House General Manager. “Because it is based on customer reviews, the accolade is a remarkable vote of confidence to our business and our continued commitment to excellence.”
"Nobody books a vacation without validating their choice with reviews from fellow travellers. TripAdvisor helps raise the game to a new level and given the consumer the power to make businesses accountable for not fulfilling their customer promise," said Steve Broadbelt, co-owner of Ocean Frontiers.
“We are honored and thank our customers very much for their kind words and continuing support!” said Nancy Easterbrook owner of Divetech.
The TripAdvisor awards add shine to an already stellar year for the Cayman Islands. Tourism numbers are up considerably from last year, and Cayman has also been voted 2015 Best Overall Dive Destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic Region by the readers of Scuba Diving Magazine in its annual survey. Divers gave high marks to Cayman’s dramatic walls, protected reefs, easy shore dives, Stingray City, the USS Kittiwake wreck and U/W photography. Topside fun also rated high.
Cayman’s dive industry leaders are pleased, but not surprised, by this recognition. They believe in the dive product, and work hard to keep Cayman on top. No Caribbean destination offers more dive sites – 365 on all three islands. Cayman also protects its marine environment, and as a dive destination, Cayman is always evolving - something that is the direct result of teamwork by leaders in the local dive industry. This team includes; Sahm, Easterbrook, Rod McDowall of Red Sail Sports, Steve Broadbelt of Ocean Frontiers, Neil Van Niekerk and Kristian Eyles of the Southern Cross Club. The five dive operators work together to keep the Cayman dive experience fresh and in the dive public’s eye. As one, they help steer Cayman’s high-powered dive industry in the right direction with an eye on the competition and the future.
“We see our competition as other destinations, not our neighbors,” says Broadbelt. “We know the choices our customers have and we want to get them to the Cayman Islands. We’re not new to the game, so we focus on what we know best and make sure we are doing it better than anyone else.”
“As a team we share the load with challenges Cayman faces, we get creative and share ideas with marketing opportunities to help us all,” adds Easterbrook. “If we can get people to come to Cayman, where everything is well-maintained and safe, and where we have this incredible diving, then there is enough business for everyone.”
This culture of cooperation for the common good was fostered in the early ‘80s with the formation of the Cayman Islands Watersports Operators Association (CIWOA). Watersports operators came together to establish guidelines and procedures to ensure diving in Cayman is a consistently safe and memorable experience for all visitors. This set an example that other dive destinations try to emulate.
“Cayman is always in the forefront of the dive industry,” says Adrien Briggs, a founding member of the CIWOA, and owner of Sunset House and Red Sail Sports. “We’ve always been leaders and that's something we are very proud of.”
Briggs served as president of the association for six and a half years, and also on its Board of Directors. During his tenure with the CIWOA, he and the Board, were instrumentation in the development of Cayman’s Marine Parks and the installation of permanent moorings at dive sites to help protect them from anchor damage. Other core founding members include: Ron Kipp, Dickie Walls, Martin Sutton, Athlee Evans, Wayne Hassan, and Bud Johnson, among others.
“They showed a forward thinking that was ahead of many other dive destinations and provided a very solid base for other Caymanians and dive business enthusiasts who saw an opportunity to make a decent living in a pretty new field of tourism in the Caribbean,” says Rod McDowall, Red Sail Sports Operations Manager, and an early and active member of the CIWOA. “Many of the core principals of the CIWOA are still part of the Scuba Diving guidelines that our industry uses today, 45 years later.”
“The Cayman Islands is the home of recreational scuba diving thanks to Bob Soto’s valuable contribution to the sport, which continues to serve as an inspiration to many of us that knew him,” said Neil van Niekerk of the Southern Cross Club.
Nancy Easterbrook, another founding member, says the commitment remains strong today. “As an industry, its our responsibility to our own livelihood and to our country to contribute to Cayman’s environment and tourism business through Lionfish culls, promotional events, staff training and more. It makes good business sense because we have so much in common on this tiny Caribbean nation that working together as one voice works.”
The CIWOA eventually became part of the larger Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) that today represents all factions of the tourism industry, but Cayman’s dive industry remains in good hands. Today’s leaders collectively share more than 100 years of dive experience and a depth of knowledge. They too have been singled out for acclaim. McDowall was inducted into the Cayman Islands Scuba Diving Hall of Fame in 2014 for his more than 30 years of service. Easterbrook, a member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, pioneer in technical diving, and a champion of the environment, also received the Cayman Islands Governor’s Conservation Award. For his contributions to the world-wide dive industry over 20 years, Keith Sahm has been named to the 2015 class of “Divers of the Year,” by the founders of Beneath the Sea, America’s largest consumer dive and travel show in Secaucus, NJ.
“It was unanimous, Keith deserves it,” said Maria Hults, Executive Vice President of Beneath the Sea. “He’s tireless - always working for the good of the dive industry. People like Keith are the backbone of the dive community, working every day and they should be recognized.”
That applies to all members of the team that works as one to move forward with vision for the future of the Cayman dive industry. Nancy Easterbrook was the driving force behind the sinking of the Kittiwake wreck, now one of Cayman’s most popular dive sites. Steve Broadbelt, who served as CITA Watersports Director and chair for 6 years, and the association president for two, was instrumental in making the Dive 365 project a reality.
“We, as a destination are still excited about dive travel and it is what we do well to make our customers smile and come back,” says Broadbelt.
“Cayman is a trendsetter, and we couldn’t do that if we didn’t work together,” says Keith Sahm. “It’s a necessity, if you want success, you want it to work, you have to do it collectively together.”
About Us
The Cayman Bottom Times is news collaboration by five leading dive operators to promote the superb diving of the Cayman Islands, and keep the diving public informed of important developments and events. Divetech, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports and Sunset House in Grand Cayman, and the Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman, all members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, represent more than 100 years of solid experience in a destination that is recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving. With a unique combination of deep wall and shallow reef diving, several wrecks, and world-famous Stingray City, the Cayman Islands has cemented its place as the top diving destination in the Caribbean.
Offering diverse and wide-ranging dive programs on both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman, the members of this dive group represent the best Cayman has to offer; Divetech (www.divetech.com), Ocean Frontiers (www.oceanfrontiers.com), Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman (www.redsailcayman.com), Sunset House (www.sunsethouse.com) and the Southern Cross Club (www.southerncrossclub.com).
Media Contact: Adela Gonzales White at [email protected] or call (941) 350-8735.
Red Sail Sports and the Westin Grand Cayman Add Sizzle and Savings to Summer
Package offers top luxury resort on Seven Mile Beach at a great price; includes $100 resort credit, dive discounts, free Sunset Sail
The Westin sits on one of the best stretches of Seven Mile Beach renowned for its soft white sand and beautiful turquoise water. The amenities offered by the Westin include of an oversized outdoor pool with a swim-up bar, a spa and several shops and boutiques. The resort features three restaurants that offer casual fare and fine dining with fantastic views of the beach. Guests may choose to use the $100 resort credit that comes with the dive package to enjoy world-class cuisine.
Red Sail Sports dive boats conveniently pull up on the beach for boarding and following their dives, guests step off onto sugar white sand for short walk to their room. With a concierge and dive shop on site Red Sail Sports can take care of all guest requests for island activities and beach watersports. Guests will enjoy a breathtaking Cayman sunset aboard a Red Sail Sports luxury catamaran that pulls up on the beach for easy boarding.
“The Summer Sizzler is a great value dive package that allows divers to enjoy the best of Grand Cayman’s diving – spectacular dive sites, spacious and accommodating boats with the best staff you will find in the Caribbean,” said Red Sail Sports Operations Manager Rod McDowall.
Cayman is a world-class dive destination that has attracted scuba divers since the very early days of diving. Amazing wall dives, beautiful coral reefs, warm water and great visibility that often reaches 100 feet, keep bringing divers back, so it is no surprise that the Cayman Islands has been voted2015 #1 Overall Dive Destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic.
Red Sail Sports takes divers to the famed North Wall that plunges dramatically down to 6000 feet, and where eagle rays and sea turtles are often spotted. Many of the island’s most famous dive sites are a short boat ride from the beach on Grand Cayman’s West side. The Summer Sizzler dive package also includes a dive on the USS Kittiwake, a purpose-sunk wreck that sits on a sandy bottom in 65 feet of water off Seven Mile Beach. This amazing artificial reef is one of Grand Cayman’s most popular and most photographed dive sites. Experienced divers can explore the wreck’s interior rooms, while novices and snorkelers can check out the exterior.
Red Sail Sports is known for its outstanding customer service from dive shops to dive boats. Red Sail Sports has been offering services on Grand Cayman for 27 years and it operates facilities at resorts along Seven Mile Beach, Rum Point and East End. A look at comments posted last month on TripAdvisor, a travel website confirms it.
Balitraveller53 posted: “Excellent all around! The guides were excellent, the hire equipment was excellent, the boat was great, the service was first class - and it's just an all round very professional set up with a huge amount of experience. I would definitely use Red Sail again - felt really confident from start to finish and that's what counts.”
Repeat customer John Probeck wrote: “I go back every year and ALWAYS dive with this group. Fun, Talented, Safe, Educated barely scratch the surface of what characterizes this organization. You would think that diving every day would become blasé but the dive team is always just as excited to see a random eagle ray or green moray as the folks down for just a week or two. I can't say enough good things about them. I usually stay at the Westin and Aga who runs the dive shop is an absolute gem who will take awesome care of you.”
Summer Sizzler packages must be booked by May 14, 2015, and to make reservations visit www.redsailcayman.com/sizzler. Rates do not include 23% taxes and fees, and they vary depending on dates chosen.
To learn more about Cayman diving and Red Sail Sports dive service, check out the company’s new dive-focused websitewww.diveredsailcayman.com. The website, a one-stop online shopping location for diving customers, offers quick and easy access to all Red Sail Sports dive information such as dive schedules and training courses.
About Red Sail Sports
Red Sail Sports, a member of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association is a leading resort based dive and watersports operator. Since 1987 it has been setting the standard on Grand Cayman by providing the highest level of guest services. On Seven Mile Beach Red Sail Sports operates locations at the Westin Resort, the Marriott Resort, the Grand Cayman Beach Suites and the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman. At remote East End the company has a watersports shop at Morritt’s Tortuga Club, also offering dive and catamaran services to The Reef Resort. On North Side Red Sail Sports offers watersports activities at the Rum Point Club. The company offers several dive packages through its affiliation with island hoteliers.
For more information
Call toll free: (877) 506-6368
On Grand Cayman: (345) 623-5965
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.redsailcayman.com
Cayman Bids Farewell to Dive Legend Bob Soto, the “Father of Diving”
The dive industry he started is ranked by divers Tops in 2015 as Best Overall Dive Destination in the Caribbean and Atlantic
Cayman Islands, (March 31, 2015) - Dive flags flew at half-mast in the Cayman Islands recently in tribute to Bob Soto, a revered dive legend and the founder of recreational scuba diving in Cayman, who died at the age of 88. As they mourn his passing, Cayman’s dive leaders say Bob Soto’s legacy is Cayman diving’s enduring star power. The Cayman Islands nabbed the top spot as 2015 Best Overall Dive Destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic in Scuba Diving Magazine’s Annual Reader’s Choice Awards. Cayman also ranked well in the polls Top 100 Gold List.
It all started with Bob Soto who opened his first dive shop on the George Town waterfront in 1957. With vision, one wooden boat, several tanks and a small staff (he taught to dive himself), Soto began soliciting guests in Cayman’s hotels, and gave birth to an industry. Bob Soto personally taught and mentored several of Cayman’s current dive leaders, who then took Cayman’s dive industry to the next level, and work hard to keep it on top.
“Bob was a wonderful man and a roll model for all of us,” said Adrien Briggs owner ofSunset House, Sunset Divers and Red Sail Sports. “He brought a lot of Caymanians into diving and showed us that we could follow our dreams, follow our diving trails – myself, Clinton Ebanks, Atlee Evans, Don Foster - we all got our start with Bob Soto.”
From one end of Grand Cayman to the other, Bob Soto influenced dive pioneers. He encouraged Nancy Easterbrook to set up Divetech in West Bay in the same building that housed a restaurant Soto owned with his wife Suzy. He knew well the excellent reefs located just offshore.
“Bobby Soto was a true visionary who created dive tourism in Cayman,” said Easterbrook. “He has become a legend for many, an inspiration for me, and a man who was a leader. He will be truly missed, one of the greats.”
“Bob was not only a pioneer in an industry we all love and made our careers, but a fascinating man who did a whole variety of dive related adventures,” said Rod McDowall, Operations Manager of Red Sail Sports. “I shared time with him telling stories from maritime treasure hunting to his involvement in land based and live aboard diving in Grand Cayman. He was always very happy to give advice and share his years of experience.”
Bob Soto also blazed dive trails on Grand Cayman’s remote East End where Steve Broadbelt, co-founder of Ocean Frontiers, now runs a thriving dive business.
“Bob Soto put Cayman on the map and everybody in the dive business owes him an immense debt of gratitude,” said Broadbelt. “It is impossible to imagine a Cayman without Bob Soto, his vision and what he achieved. His legacy will never be forgotten.”
Soto’s legacy includes some of the most famous dive sites in the business. He and his divemasters explored the pristine and untouched coral reefs around George Town and game them names: Trinity Caves, Orange Canyon, Big Tunnel, Eden Rock, Devil’s Grotto. Peter Milburn, at Bob Soto’s side in those early days, recalls the first wall dive he made at Trinity Caves.
“It was unbelievably beautiful and breathtaking,” said Milburn. “It was like being in a forest with so many soft corals and sea fans, there was so much black coral in the crevasses then.”
Millions of visitors have enjoyed those dive sites during the past 50 years, and they are part of the reason Cayman has been voted the #1 this year by Scuba Diving readers. Subscribers and web users rate their dive experiences on a scale of 1 – 5 and the results are tabulated and published. Cayman ranked #1 in Wall Diving, #1 in Best Marine Environment and #3 in Advanced Diving, giving it the edge over all other Caribbean and Atlantic destinations.
Cayman also did well in the magazine’s “Top 100 Gold List” receiving 11 rankings based on total responses and popularity regardless of category. Divetech and Sunset House received nods for Best Dive Operator and Best Dive Resort. The Cayman rankings are as follows:
#2 BEST WALL DIVING/Bloody Bay Wall, Little Cayman
#4 BEST WALL DIVING/North Wall/ Grand Cayman
#13 BEST DIVE SITES/Devil’s Grotto, Grand Cayman
#23 BEST WRECK DIVES/Capt. Keith Tibbetts, Cayman Brac
#41 BEST NIGHT DIVE, Coral Spawning Dives, Grand Cayman
#56 BEST BEACH/Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
#80 BEST DIVE OPERATORS, Divetech, Grand Cayman
#83 BEST DIVE RESORT, Sunset House, Grand Cayman
#87 BEST DIVE RESORT, Little Cayman Beach Resort, Little Cayman
#95 BEST BEACH BAR, My Bar, Sunset House Grand Cayman
#97 CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE/ Lone Star Bar & Grill, Grand Cayman
Dive leaders say Bob Soto should be proud of what he started on Grand Cayman. For his contributions to the dive industry in Cayman and across the world, Soto was inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame. The loss of the mentor who touched so many people in Cayman is being felt across all three islands.
“It is heart-wrenching, we were very close and I learned so much from him,” said Peter Milburn.
“I learned how to be a better human being from Bob Soto,” adds Adrien Briggs.
Ron Kipp, a long time friend and the man who bought Bob Soto’s dive operation decades ago, spoke at his memorial service: “The Cayman Islands has lost a legend. Without Bob Soto, there would have been no diving industry. He will be remembered all over the world.”
About Us
The Cayman Bottom Times is news collaboration by five leading dive operators to promote the superb diving of the Cayman Islands, and keep the diving public informed of important developments and events. Divetech, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports and Sunset House in Grand Cayman, and the Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman, all members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, represent more than 100 years of solid experience in a destination that is recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving. With a unique combination of deep wall and shallow reef diving, several wrecks, and world-famous Stingray City, the Cayman Islands has cemented its place as the top diving destination in the Caribbean.
Offering diverse and wide-ranging dive programs on both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman, the members of this dive group represent the best Cayman has to offer;Divetech, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman, Sunset House and the Southern Cross Club.
Web: www.cayman-bottom-time.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/caymanbottomtimes
Media Contact: Adela Gonzales White at [email protected] or call (941) 350-8735.
Underwater Photography Legend Marty Snyderman to Set Up Signature Room at Sunset House in Continuing Series
A week of diving, a fun photo contest, social media sharing and other activities planned in March to celebrate event; Snyderman joins a list of renowned underwater photographers to have signature rooms at Cayman’s best-known dive resort
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, (Mar 4, 2015) - Renowned underwater photographer, film producer, author and speaker Marty Snyderman is the latest underwater photographer to invest in a signature room at Sunset House Dive Resortin Grand Cayman. He will be on Grand Cayman March 20 – 27 to decorate the walls of unit #405 with his stunning undersea photos from across the world. Sunset House and room sponsors Dive Training Magazine and Vivid-Pix, a photo editing software company, are planning a week of activities to celebrate, including a fun photo contest for amateur photographers, a social media photo sharing campaign and a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil Snyderman’s room at the end of the week. Sunset House General Manager Keith Sahm says it will be a celebratory week with a serious message.
“The idea behind our signature room campaign is to promote the beauty of the ocean as seen through the eyes of professional and passionate underwater photographers to encourage those who see the photos to act to save this fragile marine environment.”
Sahm says it’s also about building a faithful and committed dive community, and that is where the fun comes in. Marty Snyderman, also a great photography teacher, will be on the dive boats offering tips and advice to amateur underwater photographers using today’s convenient digital cameras.
“I love to share my underwater photographic insights and experiences with other shooters, and I enjoy getting to know and spend time with other divers, especially underwater photographers, said Snyderman. “And there is no doubt about it - teaching helps keep me abreast with the state of the art in my profession to be a better photographer. In short, if you let it happen, teaching can be a great teacher.”
Once back at the resort, the Vivid-Pix team will be at Sunset House’s famed My Bar in the evening helping customers get a better picture by offering them software downloads and editing assistance. Vivid-Pix founder Rick Voight says the software is specifically designed for amateur, underwater photographers.
“People always say ‘help me to get a better picture’ and now, we can. Marty helps them take better pictures and we help them fix and enhance those photos, then share them online,” Voight said. “We want people to share this experience with friends who cannot be on Grand Cayman with us; so, we will provide tips and tricks for posting pictures.”
Voight says there will be an amateur photo contest for people on Grand Cayman and another contest for people joining in for the Take a Picture and Share the Fun Photo Contest online at www.facebook.com/vivid-pix-fix. Daily winners will be announced each night at My Bar and the overall winner of the contest will be named the day Marty Snyderman’s signature room is unveiled. Winners will receive either a free enlargement of their best photo to take home, or an enlargement of Humpback Whales by Snyderman.
Sunset House guests won’t have to wait until the end of the week to peek behind the scenes in room #405. Snyderman and Voight are doing the hammer and nail work of putting up the photos on the walls, but visitors will be welcomed.
“We want people to be involved in the process of setting up Marty’s room by stopping in and scoping it out before the official ribbon cutting,” says Keith Sahm. “It’s about being a dive community and sharing this experience in a top destination for underwater photography.”
Marty Snyderman is one of 22 underwater photographers who will have signature rooms at Sunset House by the end of the year. Four have already completed their displays, and those rooms are available for rent: Sunset House Photo Pro Cathy Church, Courtney Platt, Ellen Cuylaerts and Jim Hellemn.
“I feel honored to be asked by Sunset House, considering its long history as an iconic resort in the greater diving and underwater photographic communities, and the accomplishments and reputations of the other photographers involved,” said Snyderman. “I am flattered, and a little nervous about whether or not “my room” will measure up. There are some wonderful photographers involved in this project.”
Many professionals, including Marty Snyderman, consider Cayman a perfect place for underwater photography because of its great visibility, exciting marine life and reefs, and variety of dive sites. Snyderman even says Grand Cayman changed his life.
“I went there for the first time in the mid-1970s, and I’ll never forget the first time I dived the North Wall - it was the first dive of our trip, and we hit it on a typical, yet spectacular, day, and the drop-off was breath taking. There was color everywhere, and the reef was so alive,” he remembers. “At the time all I knew about underwater photography was that I wanted to give it a serious try. And that trip put me over the top. I wanted to share the magic with my camera.”
About Sunset House
Sunset House/Sunset Divers has been welcoming divers to the Cayman Islands for more than 55 years. It is the only resort in the Cayman Islands, designed by divers, operated by divers, for divers. It’s also the only resort on Grand Cayman that has its own coral reef, with modern and ancient shipwrecks in shallow water right off shore. Underwater visibility on Sunset House’s reef can exceed 200 feet, and a remarkable variety of marine life to be seen there. Our own spectacular 9’ bronze sculpture of the mermaid Amphitrite is one of the most popular shore dive sites in the world. The resort features 52 guest rooms, including 16 deluxe Oceanview rooms, 2 spacious suites and 2 apartments with full kitchenettes. All rooms are air-conditioned, with phones and private baths. Free Hi-Speed Wireless Internet can be accessed throughout the property and a convenient computer station is located in the lobby. SeaHarvest Restaurant offers full menus for some of the healthiest breakfasts, lunch and dinners around and is famous for its East Indian menu. My Bar a popular hangout for both locals and visitors, has been voted “Best in the Caribbean” by Caribbean Travel and Life and the Best of Cayman. Sunset House also features an inviting seaside fresh water swimming pool.
For information or reservations
Call Toll Free: (800) 854-4767
On Grand Cayman: 345-949-7111
Web: www.sunsethouse.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunsethousecayman
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sunsethouse
Media Contact: Adela Gonzales White, [email protected]
941-350-8735
Skype: Adela.White2
Cayman Community, Government and Carnival Cruise Lines Turn Out to Support Reef Restoration Project
Local fundraising campaign to finance the project raises $28,000 for supplies and other expenses; Cruise Line pledges $100,000 to keep the coral reef restoration going
George Town, Grand Cayman, March 3, 2015 – The news that Carnival Cruise Lines is pledging $100,000 to the Cayman Islands National Trust to support the ongoing George Town Reef Restoration effort has boosted the project’s small till and the spirits of the volunteers and dive operators who have been working diligently, with guidance by the Department of Environment, since September. The announcement was made Tuesday by the Cayman Islands Ministry of District Administration, Tourism and Transport, and the pledge will be added to the $28,000 already raised by the project volunteers with the help of the local community.
On February 27, they held a fundraiser on the George Town waterfront and nearly tripled their $10,000 goal for the night. The money was raised through private donations, raffles, silent auctions and a Lionfish dinner enjoyed on a festive evening under the Caribbean stars with music and camaraderie. Cayman Islands Minister of Financial Services, Commerce and Environment, the honorable Wayne Panton attended the event, as did staff members of the government’s Department of the Environment.
“The fact that Carnival is supporting the DOE and the volunteer partners on this restoration project demonstrates their appreciation of Cayman’s valuable marine environment and the need to protect and maintain it,” commented Minister Panton in the release by the Ministry of Tourism. “The Ministry thanks Carnival for this initial donation and we welcome their continuing partnership with us on this critical restoration work.”
“We applaud Carnival for this initial donation and we look forward to having the funds to complete this project, when the Department of Environment deems the work to be done,” said Keith Sahm, Sunset House General Manager and one of the volunteer coordinators of the project.
“It is rewarding to see so many people come out to support the restoration effort. One of the objects sold at our fundraiser was a hand-made quilt donated by a diver who lives in Chicago, and she gave it to our staff at a recent dive show there. It’s really encouraging when someone who lives 3500 miles from the Cayman Islands cares about our reef enough to help us out,” he added.
Carnival’s donation will help keep the work going and the motivation high for a restoration project that is estimated to take a year. The reef was damaged extensively in August when the Carnival Magic cruise ship inadvertently dragged its anchor across a dive site. According to the government, the damage to the reef occurred when Carnival Magic’s captain was inadvertently guided by the Port Authority-licensed Pilot to drop anchor outside of the designated anchorage zone.
Since September, guided by the Department of Environment, the volunteers have put in more than 600 man-hours removing rubble from the site and salvaging live coral for replanting. Project co-coordinator Lois Hatcher, also Ocean Frontiers' Photo Pro, is experienced with coral restoration and she has begun transplanting pieces of live coral. Dive operators such as Red Sail Sports and Divetech are donating regular boat trips to the restoration site and volunteer divers are also accessing it from shore. They’ve been footing the bill for equipment, fuel and supplies, including marine epoxy to attach the coral back to the reef.
The February fundraiser was also a celebration for the volunteers who, after six months of hard work, expect to be at it until the project is completed. The success of the fundraising campaign, and new friendships forged through a common goal, inspires them all.
“You go out on the boat with strangers and come back with 10 friends,” said Joey Avary, who has been a regular on the project dive boats and shore dives. “You don’t need to be a marine biologist to help, it’s learnable stuff - a volunteer can be productive.”
Donations for the Magic Reef Restoration Project can also be made online with the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. Please select the Cayman Magic Reef Recovery option.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.ky/index.php/donate
For more information on the fundraising campaign for the Magic Reef Restoration Project contact Keith Sahm at [email protected] or Lois Hatcher [email protected]. You can also visit the Cayman Magic Reef Restoration Project Facebook Page
Cayman Magic Reef Restoration.
About Us
The Cayman Bottom Times is news collaboration by five leading dive operators to promote the superb diving of the Cayman Islands, and keep the diving public informed of important developments and events. Divetech, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports and Sunset House in Grand Cayman, and the Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman, all members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, represent more than 100 years of solid experience in a destination that is recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving. With a unique combination of deep wall and shallow reef diving, several wrecks, and world-famous Stingray City, the Cayman Islands has cemented its place as the top diving destination in the Caribbean.
Offering diverse and wide-ranging dive programs on both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman, the members of this dive group represent the best Cayman has to offer; Divetech, (www.divetech.com), Ocean Frontiers (www.oceanfrontiers.com), Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman (www.redsailcayman.com), Sunset House (www.sunsethouse.com) and the Southern Cross Club (www.southerncrossclub.com).
Web: www.cayman-bottom-time.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/caymanbottomtimes
Media Contact: Adela Gonzales White at [email protected] or call (941) 350-8735.
Inspiring the Next Generation to Save the Iconic and Endangered Nassau Grouper
Live underwater webcasts from protected spawning site to local classrooms, and beyond, will visually teach important conservation lessons
Little Cayman, Cayman Islands (January 26, 2015) - As the winter full moon approaches, the Southern Cross Club on Little Cayman prepares for the annual arrival of the Grouper Moon Project team. Each year from late January to early February, scientists and volunteers of the Reef Environment Education Foundation (REEF) join staff from the Cayman Islands Department of the Environment (DOE) to document the last healthy, active and protected Nassau Grouper spawning site just off Little Cayman. The Southern Cross Club and others in the local community provide vital support to the team, recognizing that it takes an entire community to bring this historical and endangered species back from the brink of extinction.
In addition to documenting fish activity and population for valuable research data, the project also reaches out to local school children hoping to inspire them to join the conservation effort. It does this largely by streaming live video on the Internet from Little Cayman to local classrooms where children can see on a computer the work being done through the Grouper Moon Project. Two live webcasts are planned from underwater; one of them from the aggregation site where a scientist in scuba gear diving among the fish will show students what happens when Grouper spawn and why they are vulnerable at this time. He will also answer their questions about the mysterious and solitary fish that travels long distances to spawn at this site on Little Cayman. This year the webcasts are being streamed to classrooms in 10 schools on Grand Cayman, 3 schools on Cayman Brac, and for first time, the small school on Little Cayman.
“We’ve been expanding every year, adding more schools to the program because we get such good response,” says REEF educator Todd Bohannon, who with guidance from REEF scientists has developed the education curriculum. The webcasts lessons will be streamed from the aggregation site off the west coast of Little Cayman, from project headquarters at a house near the Southern Cross Club and from Bloody Bay Wall.
“The kids have an immediate connection to the lessons because it’s their history,” says Bohannon, who facilitates the webcasts between the scientists and the classrooms, fielding questions from the students. “They need to see the threat to the fish and these webcasts allow them to see it right in front of their eyes. We are giving them the tools they need to protect their environment and they are very enthusiastic, super smart and super excited.”
The hope is that by giving Caymanian kids a chance to see first hand what the scientists are doing to save the grouper, it will inspire them to continue the conservation work. Bohannon says the response from the children of Cayman Brac as been outstanding, and this year family evening events are planned.
“I can tell the Brac kids are talking to their families about the program because of their questions regarding fishing,” says Bohannon. “They get really excited, their reaction and comments are richer, and I like that.”
Although they've never seen the live feeds before, the students of the Little Cayman Education Service (LCES) School have always been aware of what happens on their island during the Grouper Moon.
“They know what’s going on in Little Cayman when we come in and infiltrate the island!”
says Bohannon. Last year Internet problems prevented a webcast in their classroom, so the Grouper Moon team made a personal visit to the classroom. “They loved it – it was great!”
Some of the live webcast lessons will be broadcasted from the porch at Peter Hillenbrand’s house near the Southern Cross Club. Hillenbrand, owner of the resort and a dedicated conservationist, is happy to have his house become “Grouper Moon central.” He enjoys being involved in the project and watching the marine scientists teach important lessons from his porch.
“The live broadcasts are one of the coolest learning tools I have ever seen,” he says. “It brings the Grouper Moon right into the class room, and there is nothing more important that educating our children about the world that surrounds them. There is not a better way to be amazed and learn other than being there yourself.”
Peter Hillenbrand and his team at the Southern Cross Club have been hosting the scientists and volunteers since the project began more than 12 years.
“We just take over the place – everyone is crashed out,” laughs a grateful Todd Bohannon, speaking for the entire Grouper Moon team. “This contribution is huge from a logistical point of view – Pete and his team always help out no matter what we need.”
“How do I prepare my house for the invasion? Ha! Well, I guess I try to make sure the sheets and towels are all clean, and my rum supply is abundant!” jokes Hillenbrand.
The good-natured camaraderie of the team enables and supports important conservation work being done. Nassau grouper has historically been one of the Caribbean’s most economically important fish, but intense harvesting during spawning aggregations, has placed them on the endangered list. REEF is a volunteer organization and DOE has a limited research budget, so the project depends on volunteers, donations, fundraising and grants. Supporting the study are; Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, Lenfest Ocean Program of the Pew Charitable Trusts, the NOAA International Coral Reef Conservation Program, the J. Edward Mahoney Foundation, and PADI Project AWARE. LIME Cayman provides the remote internet connection that makes the live webcasts possible and Cayman Airways helps with the inter-island travel for the project volunteers. The Grouper Moon Project also relies on help from the Southern Cross Club and Peter Hillenbrand, the Little Cayman Beach Resort, Reef Divers, Brac Reef Resort, Divetech and others in the Cayman community.
Grouper Moon Project leaders say ultimately the salvation of the Nassau grouper depends on everyone who cares, doing their part to save the species - then carrying the message and passion to others. This year a few classrooms in the U.S. are participating in the live webcasts, and the team includes a couple of educators from the Bahamas, which helps the whole Caribbean.
“It’s vital for the success of the Grouper Moon Project to get the community involved,” says Todd Bohannon. “To have it last into perpetuity, you need to get the kids involved and you need to have the backing of the community.”
Each video session will begin at 11:45 am and continue for about an hour on designated dates. For more information and daily updates on the Grouper Moon Project visit:
www.groupereducation.edublogs.org.
Webcast Schedule:
Friday, Feb 6 at 11:45 am
Monday, Feb 9, 11:45 am
Tues, Feb 10, 11:45 am
Wed, Feb 11, 11:45 am (Backup Date)
(Cayman Time – CST)
About the Southern Cross Club
The casually sophisticated Southern Cross Club Fish & Dive Resort is Little Cayman's original resort. It features 14 beachfront bungalows complete with a top-rated, professional in-house diving and fishing operation. A unique blend of rusticity and elegance the resort is often described as “Barefoot Luxury”. Guests can expect friendly and diligent service, delicious food, inviting rooms with breath-taking views and a comfortable dive boat ― a few of the things that bring them back year after year. Little Cayman is renowned for its breath-taking and pristine coral reefs and spectacular dive adventures. The resort’s beach-based location also provides flats fisherman with access to Bonefish and Permit just minutes away.
For reservations or more information:
Telephone: 1 (800) 899-CLUB (2582)
E-mail [email protected]
Website: www.southerncrossclub.com
Facebook: www.facebook/SouthernCrossClub
MEDIA CONTACT: Adela Gonzales White, [email protected], (941) 350-8735
Fundraising Campaign Announced for Cayman Reef Restoration Project
Community event planned on the waterfront February 27; Food, music, prizes, organizers hope to raise $10,000
Cayman Islands, January 20, 2015 - A fundraising campaign has been launched in Grand Cayman to help finance and sustain a major reef restoration project currently being done by volunteer divers supported by local dive operators, and overseen by the Cayman Islands Department of Environment. During the past five months volunteers have donated hundreds of man-hours to repair the devastating damage caused when a cruise ship dragged its anchor across a dive site in August. Diving from shore and on weekend boat trips donated Red Sail Sports, Divetech and other operators, the volunteers have removed tons of rubble and salvaged pieces of live coral to be replanted in the restoration process. Now they’re fanning out into the community to help raise money to keep going.
“Everyone’s been giving of themselves to the project, so we have decided to have a fundraiser to recoup some expenses, buy supplies and go forward,” said Keith Sahm, General Manager for Sunset House and co-coordinator of the project. “The goal is to raise $10,000 and we’ve got the Cayman government’s full backing.”
Sahm says marine science experts have suggested capping the scarred area on the reef base with concrete to keep the particles and silt from floating around and affecting nearby live corals, so bags of cement are needed for that phase of the project. A special marine epoxy to reattach live corals to the base must also be ordered. Some live corals have already been reattached in surrounding reef and they are doing well according to project co-coordinator Lois Hatcher of Ocean Frontiers, who is experienced with this coral restoration technique.
“Its amazing! The ones we replanted look really good,” she says, giving credit to the whole team of volunteer divers who are a part of this daunting project, expected to take a year to complete. “We’re lucky to have a good strong core of volunteers who care deeply and are dedicated to the effort. Everyone is working well together.”
“We are headed there slowly,” added Keith Sahm.
The volunteers are now knocking on doors in Cayman’s business community soliciting donations for the cause. A fundraising event is also planned for Friday, February 27 at the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal on the waterfront in George Town. The fundraising festivities will be held in late afternoon after the cruise ship traffic has cleared. Organizers are lining up music, sponsors and prizes for a silent auction and drawings. T-shirts are also being printed for the cause and will be available for purchase.
Donations for the Cayman Magic Reef Restoration Project can also be made online with the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. Online contributions must be designated for the Environmental Programs listed on the giving page.
www.nationaltrust.org.ky
Response so far from Cayman’s community is generous says Hatcher, adding that some people have come forward to donate supplies without being asked. Renowned sculptor Simon Morris who created “Amphitrite” the mermaid at Sunset House, “The Guardian of the Reef” at Divetech Lighthouse Point dive site, and “Tradition” the sculpture of the man and boy in Heroes Square in Georgetown is also pitching in to help the cause. He’s donating 40% of the proceeds from the sale of any bronze sculpture in current inventory to the restoration project.
“The tireless and generous efforts of all the volunteer divers and companies donating support in cash and kind to restore the terrible reef damage prove once again that Grand Cayman has true spirit and many heroes,” he said. “Every time I visit I am overwhelmed at the treatment I receive. My art is all about our need to love and protect our marine environment and if it can be used to help in anyway to assist in the efforts to repair the reef, I'll be grateful for the opportunity.”
Divers planning to visit Cayman on vacation are also offering to get involved with the project during their stay. Organizers say they can use all the help they can get. As they reach out to the community, the volunteers are spreading the message that keeps them going and working for a successful fundraising campaign.
“We’re working to save Cayman’s marine environment for the future, so we can’t afford for it not to be a success,” said Lois Hatcher.
For more information on the fundraising campaign for the Magic Reef Restoration Project contact Keith Sahm at [email protected] or Lois Hatcher at [email protected]. You can also visit the Cayman Magic Reef Restoration Project Facebook Page: Cayman Magic Reef Restoration Project
About Us
The Cayman Bottom Times is news collaboration by five leading dive operators to promote the superb diving of the Cayman Islands, and keep the diving public informed of important developments and events. Divetech, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports and Sunset House in Grand Cayman, and the Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman, all members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, represent more than 100 years of solid experience in a destination that is recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving. With a unique combination of deep wall and shallow reef diving, several wrecks, and world-famous Stingray City, the Cayman Islands has cemented its place as the top diving destination in the Caribbean.
Offering diverse and wide-ranging dive programs on both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman, the members of this dive group represent the best Cayman has to offer; Divetech, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman, Sunset House and the Southern Cross Club.
Web: www.cayman-bottom-times.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/caymanbottomtimes
Media Contact: Adela Gonzales White at [email protected] or call (941) 350-8735.
Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman Launches New Dive-Specific Website
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (Dec 16, 2014) Red Sail Sports, Grand Cayman’s leading resort watersports operator, is gearing up for 2015 with the launch of a new dive-focused website www.diveredsailcayman.com. The website, a one-stop online shopping location for diving customers, offers quick and easy access to all Red Sail Sports dive information, showcasing the company’s new competitive dive rates and dive packages. Red Sail Sports’ Summer Spectacular package includes 5 two-tanks for just US $465, a savings of 30% from last summer’s rates.
“Our goal is to inspire visitors to book some of the great dive specials and packages Red Sail Sports is offering in 2015,” said Operations Manager Rod McDowall. “Rates have been lowered considerably for volume diving and we hope the site will show Red Sail Sports as the best operator and option when visiting Grand Cayman.”
The dive website is also part of the company’s ongoing efforts to keep improving its stellar customer service. Red Sail Sports has been offering services on Grand Cayman for 27 years and it operates facilities at resorts along the island’s famous Seven Mile Beach, Rum Point and East End. Customers access all the information they need when planning their dive vacation, including a complete dive boat schedule and list of Red Sail Sports’ training courses, and easily book their adventures online.
The website is designed to answer questions divers might have; certification cards, water conditions, the best time of year to dive the Cayman Islands, dive refreshers, making reservations, diver ratios, what’s needed on the boat, medical facilities on boat and on the island, and more. Visitors can browse through descriptions and colorful photos of the dive sites and check out the maps. Dive instructors Vicki Jones and Chris Kirrage spent six months writing the content for the dive site and they will keep it updated with the latest from Red Sail Sports and the Cayman dive scene.
“Divers like to research and know a lot of information before they arrive; what they might see on the dive, which staff will take them diving, what the boats are like, what equipment they will use,” said Vicki Jones. “We are very much involved in the diving ourselves here in Grand Cayman, so this allows us to write the content from what we feel is a diver/instructor’s point of view.”
As dive instructors Jones and Kirrage also want to make the process of signing up for PADI eLearning courses much simpler for their students. “Within 2 clicks they can be directed to the PADI sign up page for any course that we offer,” said Kirrage.
Red Sail Sports’ training program includes PADI specialties such as Wreck Diver, Nitrox Diver, Deep Diver, Search and Recovery and Scuba Tune Up. Customers can also sign up for Nitrox diving, with its own nitrox compressor, Red Sail Sports is making diving with nitrox more accessible for customers.
Also new in 2015, Red Sail Sports is making Go Pro action video cameras available for rent at all locations. Customers can rent them for a full day or half day with accessories to suit their activity and capture their Cayman vacation in high quality video. The company has an Action Camera Specialty Course in the works.
“The aim of the dive-specific website is to give visitors browsing online a little bit of a dive experience with our Red Sail Sports team,” said Rod McDowall. “It is such a fun time diving in Cayman - spectacular warm, clear water diving, and entertaining, friendly and professional staff making our guests comfortable on big, spacious and well-equipped boats. We like to spoil our customers and hopefully a bit of that fun and color will come out to the reader on the new site.”
To visit the new Red Sail Sports dive website go to www.diveredsailcayman.com.
About Red Sail Sports
Red Sail Sports, a member of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association is a leading resort based dive and watersports operator. Since 1987 it has been setting the standard on Grand Cayman by providing the highest level of guest services. On Seven Mile Beach Red Sail Sports operates locations at the Westin Resort, the Marriott Resort, the Grand Cayman Beach Suites and the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman. At remote East End the company has a watersports shop at Morritt’s Tortuga Club, also offering dive and catamaran services to The Reef Resort. On North Side Red Sail Sports offers watersports activities at the Rum Point Club. The company offers several dive packages through its affiliation with island hoteliers.
For more information
Call toll free: (877) 506-6368
On Grand Cayman: (345) 623-5965
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.redsailcayman.com
Cayman Islands Dive Industry Gears up for 2015 with Good Showing at DEMA
Operators celebrate a good year and look ahead with new dive packages and products
Cayman’s dive industry shored up business for 2015 and thanked travel partners for their support during a solid 2014 at the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) trade show in Las Vegas last month. Red Sail Sports, Sunset House and Divetech joined the Department of Tourism and others to promote Cayman’s exceptional diving and top-notch hospitality industry at the Cayman Islands pavilion. Southern Cross Club’s Neil van Niekerk was there to represent the Sister Islands. The Cayman section was located in a prime spot near some big names in diving so it enjoyed good traffic during the international dive show. DEMA is the premier event for introducing 2015 dive packages, deals and new products.
Red Sail Sports introduced a new Go Pro video camera program for next year and the dive company also launched a new Referral Program for U.S. dive shops. Sales and Marketing Manager Sarah-Jane Whitehill said both were well received, generating buzz at the show for the new products.
“The show is a great opportunity for us network with existing partners and meet potential new clients,” she said. “We also keep up with the latest developments in the industry by attending educational seminars and social events.”
DEMA was also a time to celebrate the end of a good year for tourism in the Cayman Islands. The latest statistics from the Department of Tourism show a 12% jump in the number of stay over visitors to the Cayman Islands. Dive operators say 2014 is closing out as a solid year for business and they anticipate a busy 2015. Divetech was also celebrating a special award from the Cayman Islands for its conservation efforts. Owner Nancy Easterbrook missed the show’s opening day because she was still on Grand Cayman receiving the Governor’s Corporate Conservation Award.
"Divetech was very pleased and humbled to have received the Conservation Corporate Award of the year, it's a great honor, and of course the recognition for the sustainable efforts is extremely rewarding,” said Easterbrook. “We were in great company and it's exciting to see all of the businesses that are really working hard to make a difference on reducing impacts on our oceans and planet… it's heart warming."
Ocean conservation is a critical concern for DEMA members worldwide and the show hosted several seminars on the subject. Cayman representatives also had the opportunity to hear from industry experts on topics that included dive safety and marketing. Alongside the show exhibits, industry manufacturers demonstrated new dive gear and photography equipment.
“The DEMA show is our major business to business show,” said Director of Tourism Rosa Harris in a video statement from the show. “We are here to ensure we shore up business for 2015 and continue to maintain key dive relationships.”
The Department of Tourism partners with Cayman’s dive operators to promote the destination through a number of events and programs, including hosting the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame. Scuba industry pioneers inducted into the hall of fame in October during the inaugural “Legends and Lions” scuba festival stopped by the Cayman pavilion to greet the public and take photos at the Hall of Fame booth. Plans are already in the works for 2015’s scuba celebration.
About Us
The Cayman Bottom Times is news collaboration by five leading dive operators to promote the superb diving of the Cayman Islands, and keep the diving public informed of important developments and events. Divetech, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports and Sunset House in Grand Cayman, and the Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman, all members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, represent more than 100 years of solid experience in a destination that is recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving. With a unique combination of deep wall and shallow reef diving, several wrecks, and world-famous Stingray City, the Cayman Islands has cemented its place as the top diving destination in the Caribbean.
Offering diverse and wide-ranging dive programs on both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman, the members of this dive group represent the best Cayman has to offer; Divetech (www.divetech.com), Ocean Frontiers (www.oceanfrontiers.com), Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman (www.redsailcayman.com), Sunset House (www.sunsethouse.com) and the Southern Cross Club (www.southerncrossclub.com).
Media Contact: Adela Gonzales White at [email protected] or call (941) 350-8735.
Ocean Frontier’s Lois Hatcher Helping Lead the Way In Cayman Volunteer Reef Restoration Project
Dive experience and education fuel her passion for the sea and has made reef conservation a personal mission
“I see dead coral – and in the back of my mind I’m saying, we can do something about this.”
Lois Hatcher, who has been diving for more than 30 years and has seen the world’s oceans decline, IS doing something about it. She’s leading a hard-core group of volunteer divers in Grand Cayman who are working diligently to restore a large section of reef damaged by a cruise ship anchor in mid-September. They have been sifting through the rubble and dead coral, and salvaging pieces of live coral.
“If the pieces still have a little keyhole of light, the coral is still alive,” says Hatcher, who dives five days a week as the Photo Pro for Ocean Frontiers, and as project co-coordinator and a team leader, spends her days off at the recovery site. Lois and her team have already “out planted,” or reattached, about 15 pieces of live coral.
“We are trying to focus on the slow-growing corals and attaching them to open areas in the surrounding reef to give them a chance to keep growing. We are seeing signs of life and this gives us hope,” she says. “They are looking really, really good!”
Lois Hatcher is using proven techniques that she has learned from some of the world’s leading experts in coral restoration; Dr. Alex Brylske, a renowned professor of Marine Environment Technology at Florida Keys Community College and Ken Nedimyer president of the Coral Restoration Foundation.
She was enrolled in Dr. Brylske’s first undergraduate course in coral restoration, and spent a year taking other marine science classes. Her former professor remembers an eager and enthusiastic student, so he’s not surprised by the role she has undertaken with the Magic Reef Restoration Project.
“I expected no less from Lois, even though it’s taken longer to happen than she had hoped,” he says. “Her goal was to do exactly what she seems to be doing—taking what she learned and applying it in other areas.”
Ken Nedimyer says the restoration work is a start in the right direction. “Some people look at it as too little too late, but the little bit of progress being made is better than inaction. Like me, Lois has spent a lot of time underwater and has come to appreciate all the little creatures there, both big and small. She has seen first-hand the dramatic decline of coral reefs in the Caribbean, so she has sought out ways to help.”
“Lois is a solid, dedicated team leader - the backbone of this project - and she knows her stuff when it comes to coral restoration,” say project co-coordinator Keith Sahm of Sunset House. “She has spent countless hours driving back and forth from East End, where she lives, to work on the damaged area every minute she has free. Lois intends to do whatever she can to see the coral reefs of Cayman get back to where they were!”
Sahm and Hatcher both say the biggest challenge to the restoration project, estimated to take a year to complete, is keeping up enthusiasm among the volunteer divers, whose numbers are dwindling as business picks up in advance of season. Both Dr. Alex Brylske and Ken Nedimyer have advice on that.
“In my experience there's no need to keep volunteers motivated,” says Dr. Brylske. “Folks who do this are always willing to help. The only thing that can thwart enthusiasm is for projects to be hindered or halted by governmental interference or red tape. That’s the death knell to any project.”
“Empowering recreational divers to help restore our coral reefs is an essential step in doing this on a scale big enough to make a difference,” adds Nedimyer. “Appreciation and recognition will go a long way.”
Sean Kingscote, a regular volunteer diver, says the team can count on him. “Volunteering is in my blood and have raised my children to understand that by giving back selflessly, it will be reward enough in the end. So until this reef is repaired I will be out as often as I can to help.”
The volunteers are already reaping the rewards of their work by witnessing life return to the damaged reef.
“Today I saw a decorator crab with big pieces of algae attached to its shell – and I hadn’t seen one in 20 years!” says an excited Lois Hatcher. “Now we have a friendly grouper that has moved in and it follows the divers around watching us work, we call it the ‘Supervisor.’ It reminds us that these creatures need a home so what we are doing is repairing their home.”
Ocean Frontiers co-founder Steve Broadbelt was well aware of Hatcher’s background and training when he hired her in 2012. He plans to establish a coral nursery at Ocean Frontiers, one of Grand Cayman’s most conservation minded companies.
“East End has the healthiest reefs on the island and we want to keep it this way by being prepared for environmental challenges that may come up,” says Broadbelt. “The nursery will be an on-going coral farm to help seed our reefs as needed to keep them healthy and thriving.”
During the past 20 years Hatcher has seen first hand the changes in Cayman’s reefs.
“The Elkhorn and Staghorn coral that used to be plentiful here are now hard to find,” she says. “We need to stop the loss of coral – if we save half of it, its still better than none and complete loss.”
Ken Nedimyer says the coral reefs of the world, and particularly the Caribbean, are in a very serious state of decline. Some are almost totally gone, so coral “gardening” is their last hope.
He says coral nurseries and coral gardens now exist in Fiji, Indonesia, Maldives, India, Israel, Egypt, Philippines, Japan and other places worldwide. In the Caribbean there are coral nurseries in the Bahamas, St Thomas, St Croix, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Belize, Bonaire, and Colombia. The Coral Restoration Foundation is planning to start nurseries in Jamaica, Curacao, Guadeloupe, the Grenadines, and Barbados during the next year.
Lois Hatcher likes to remember a quote from one of her heroes, when she’s tired and thinking about the daunting task ahead them as they repair the coral reef.
“Oceanographer Sylvia Earle says ‘No Blue, No Green.’ If we don't have the ocean, we don’t have us.”
About Ocean Frontiers and Compass Point Dive Resort
Ocean Frontiers Dive Shop is located at Compass Point Dive Resort on the remote East End of Grand Cayman. Founded in 1996 with one dive boat and a dream to introduce divers to the wonders of East End diving, the company has grown into one of Cayman’s premier dive operations with a reputation for catering to small groups and having the island’s friendliest staff. Ocean Frontiers is also recognized as one of the most conservation-minded dive operators in the Cayman Islands with a long history of promoting ocean protection through its company programs, and an unwavering support for outside environmental projects. The winner of Project AWARE’s Environmental Achievement Award in 2004 and 2010, Ocean Frontiers has again been recognized in 2012. The company also received the PADI Green Star Dive Center accreditation in 2012 for demonstrating a dedication to conservation, the first dive operator in the Cayman Islands to receive this distinction.
The Compass Point Dive Resort, which received the Green Globe Certification award in 2010 for sustainable tourism, is the epitome of laidback luxury. It features 28 luxurious one, two and three bedroom oceanfront, ocean view and poolside condominiums, each with its own private patio or balcony and all beautifully decorated with stylish island décor, and fully equipped with all of the comforts of home. Eagle Ray’s Dive Bar and Grill is now open for business at the resort.
Cayman’s Legends and Lions Weeklong Scuba Celebration Launched with a Resounding Start
The birthplace of recreational diving in the Caribbean inaugurates an annual celebration of what makes the Cayman Islands special
Tanks, tuxedos and tasty lionfish were all hits at Cayman’s first annual Legends and Lions scuba celebration, which rolled out October 4 – 11, 2014 with great success thanks to teamwork, a good turnout and perfect weather. The celebration showcased Cayman’s superb diving, honored dive legends inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, fought invasive Lionfish and then served them up at a celebratory street party on the waterfront.
“Legends and Lions was a successful event for its first time,” says Red Sail Sports Operations Manager Rod McDowall, one of the participating dive operators. “ We hope to make it a yearly celebration that highlights the fantastic scuba diving of the Cayman Islands and the reasons we are one of the world’s leading dive destinations.”
“It went really well, I’m very pleased,” agreed Keith Sahm, General Manager for Sunset House, also one of the event dive operators. “It pulled together very nicely.”
Dive industry leaders teamed up with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism to combine several existing scuba promotions during this traditionally slow time of year to take advantage of off-season rates. The dive deals offered by Red Sail Sports, Sunset House and Divetech attracted new divers to Cayman from as far away as Germany, and drew repeat divers from closer markets in the US back to a destination they know well and visit often.
Some visitors started the week of diving aboard a Red Sail Sports dive boat with scuba pioneers Bill Acker, Dan Orr and Leslie Leaney. The three hall of famers spoke to the group about the history of diving and their experiences in the sport. The legends and divers then hit the water together to dive Cayman’s spectacular North Wall where they explored dive sites Creole Cliff and Pinnacle Reef. It was an experience Carolyn Larrivee and her husband George from Utah won’t forget.
“I loved it! It was great to be with people who love what they do and who want to share that passion with us,” she said. “I love the camaraderie – it reassures me as a diver who loves the sport.”
“They shared this wonderful dive experience with us,” said Dan Orr, who thoroughly enjoyed the meet and greet on board. “Diving is done as a community – we are a community.”
“This is the essence of diving, which is a non-competitive sport,” agreed Leslie Leaney, a dive historian. “It’s about sharing this fun activity as a community.”
Also attending the festival were top performers from dive shops and booking agents participating in Cayman’s Tanks A Lot Rewards Program, courtesy of the Department of Tourism and Cayman’s dive industry. A couple of the FAM attendees – Paula and Dean of The Dive Academy in Ontario - celebrated by getting engaged and then picking out a ring. The weeklong fun continued with topside events that Lionfish culling certifications and culling dives to remove the predators from Cayman’s reefs. The day’s catch was then cooked up and served during a street party sponsored by Aqua Lung.
“I’ve never had Lionfish before and it’s tasty!” said a surprised and pleased Rich Peterson, visiting the island from Jacksonville, Florida. The meal included Caribbean staples rice and peas, plantain and “cho cho” a tropical fruit.
Legends and Lions also hosted a photo contest during the week that drew local, as well as visiting underwater photographers. The winners received prizes awarded by Scubapro, Guy Harvey and the Cathy Church Underwater Photo Centre. Coordinator Keith Sahm says the images submitted for the event were astounding and the response to the collections has been great. Categories included; Unusual, Macro, and Turtles, Stingrays and Fish. Winners included local divers Charlie Reaney, Brittany Slade, Amanda Nicholls, Chase Darnell, Courtney Platt and Ellen Cuylaerts.
“The response that we have received from our social medial site showing off the winners has been absolutely fabulous and it give us great pleasure showing off these talented photographers work,” he said. “Next year, we will get started much earlier, now that we have a new format in place. We’ll have more prizes, more categories, the goal is to get more entries.”
The scuba week celebration was capped off with a formal, black tie International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Induction Dinner hosted by the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. These year’s inductees were Alese and Mort Pechter, Bill Acker, Chuck Nicklin, Dan Orr and Neal Watson. Rod McDowall of Red Sail Sports was also honored for his contributions to Cayman’s dive industry through the years.
“The induction into the local Cayman Islands Scuba Hall of Fame is appreciated,” said McDowall. “It’s always nice to get recognition for just doing your job in a diving paradise.”
The dive legends inducted to the hall of fame had this to say:
Alese Pechter: “What a fantastic weekend we had! Thank you so much for making absolutely everything so perfect. Grand Cayman has always held a special place in our hearts and this weekend just solidified that feeling even more.”
Neal Watson: “Thanks a million for the hospitality extended to my friends, family and the ‘Dive God’.”
Dan Orr: "Keith, it was a wonderful week thanks largely to you and Karin. Having all of our family stay at Sunset House was the best decision - our family loved every bit of it. The rooms, the staff, the food and the diving were all first rate. We sincerely thank you and Karin for everything! "
Bill Acker: “Thank you so very much, for your help, hospitality and friendship during the past week in the Cayman Islands. My entire family as well as our friends from Germany had a wonderful time at Sunset House.”
Chuck Nicklin: “Thanks to the Cayman Department of Tourism and to the hospitality of Karin and Keith Sahm of the Sunset House Dive Resort, Leslie Leaney, our eloquent MC and Co-founder of the Historical Diving Society, and to the many friends who attended. Congratulations to all inductees! It was a great event!”
Everyone involved in Legends and Lions is anxious to get started on plans for 2015 since this first event was so successful - there are new ideas to discuss for next year.
“We want to put this event on every divers calendar - fantastic diving, great dive deals, diving with industry celebrities and a street party - the perfect Cayman Islands dive vacation!” said Rod McDowall.
About Us
The Cayman Bottom Times is news collaboration by five leading dive operators to promote the superb diving of the Cayman Islands, and keep the diving public informed of important developments and events. Divetech, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports and Sunset House in Grand Cayman, and the Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman, all members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, represent more than 100 years of solid experience in a destination that is recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving. With a unique combination of deep wall and shallow reef diving, several wrecks, and world-famous Stingray City, the Cayman Islands has cemented its place as the top diving destination in the Caribbean.
Offering diverse and wide-ranging dive programs on both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman, the members of this dive group represent the best Cayman has to offer; Divetech (www.divetech.com), Ocean Frontiers (www.oceanfrontiers.com), Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman (www.redsailcayman.com), Sunset House (www.sunsethouse.com) and the Southern Cross Club (www.southerncrossclub.com).
Media Contact: Adela Gonzales White at [email protected] or call (941) 350-8735.
Cayman Dive Operators and Volunteers Work Against Time to Restore Damaged Reef
Cruise ship anchor dragged across dive site destroying 11,500 square feet of coral; Dive community comes together for what could be a marathon restoration project
In the waters off George Town, Grand Cayman, a group of approximately 50 volunteer divers led by local dive operators, and guided by the Cayman Islands Department of Environment (DOE), are working tirelessly to repair a coral reef severely damaged by a cruise ship anchor in mid-August. Working in teams with designated leaders, following project coordinators under the direction of the DOE, the divers are carefully removing the rubble, dead coral and sediment, crate by crate, knowing that time is critical.
“Right now it’s basic triage, and any live corals are being put aside for reattachment once the rubble is removed,” says Ocean Frontiers’ Lois Hatcher, who is trained and experienced in coral restoration. “Every day that goes by, more coral that is buried or heavily covered in sediment, is suffocating. They need sunlight and a stable substrate to survive, so the longer they are unstable, the survival rate decreases.”
“The chain damage is just terrible! The captain had let out 5 shots of chain - about 450 feet - with each link weighing between 50 - 100 pounds,” says Keith Sahm. “It’s a sickening feeling to know that thousands and thousands of years of coral growth has been demolished by an error in judgment, or mechanical problems.”
“A lot of man-hours are needed to restore a reef - first with the triage, then the reattachment and maintenance,” says Lois Hatcher, adding that it could take up to a year to complete. “We are also hoping to start a couple of nursery trees for the long-term keeping of live coral fragments, as they grow faster this way and can then be used to embellish what coral was replanted.”
The goal is to execute a coral restoration project similar to the one carried out in 1996 when the Maasdam cruise ship dropped its anchor on a shallow dive site in George Town damaging 7500 square feet of the reef. That restoration project, conducted by local divers, including Lois Hatcher, and the Department of Environment, took about 9,000 hours of underwater work over three months. Officials say that coral bed could take more than sixty years to grow back. The Carnival Magic has damaged almost 12,000 square feet of reef located in deeper water, so the volunteer army has its work cut out for it.
“We are all just volunteers, so I applaud absolutely everyone's effort here,” says Sahm. “Thank goodness we have folks like Peter Milburn and Lois Hatcher that worked on the 1996 project and are still here to help. And a special thanks to the Marine Conservation Board for easing guidelines and laws so we can do this restoration work – it’s unlawful for anyone to touch or pick up coral, dead or alive in the Cayman Islands. We wouldn’t be able to do this important work without the help of the Board and Department of Environment.”
The restoration work is difficult and exhausting, but everyone involved knows it will pay off in the years to come. While the dive site won’t be what it was originally, restoration can at least make the reef stable enough to sustain life again. The rubble also needs to be removed as soon as possible to prevent further damage when the next big storm kicks up.
While an investigation into the Carnival Magic incident is conducted, the repair work at the site continues non-stop and to date, more than a 20 dives have been made and volunteers have put in 150 man-hours. Communication and coordination are done through a Facebook page that now has 265 followers. Boat trips are scheduled and volunteers, both locals and visitors, can sign up to help. The challenge for Sahm and Hatcher will be keeping up the enthusiasm and pace of the repair work during the months ahead.
According to the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit conservation organization, the key to a successful project is to engage the community, something that is now taking place on Grand Cayman. Sunset House, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports, Divetech, Don Foster’s Dive and other local operators are providing boats and tanks for the dozens of volunteer divers. Southern Cross Club staff in Little Cayman will participate during an upcoming trip to Grand Cayman. Foster’s Food Fair, a local grocer, has donated the plastic milk crates being used to remove the rubble, while the local Subway has provided free sandwiches for the restoration crew. The hope, according to Sahm and Hatcher, is to encourage long-term involvement and partnerships that will keep the momentum going.
“This is something we really need to do as a community, try to repair the damage to this beautiful reef,” says Hatcher. “If nobody’s going to be held accountable for this, we have to be accountable for it.”
Team leaders and coordinators met with a Department of Environment officer on Monday for a project review, and the results according to the DOE, are encouraging because of the progress that has already been done.
The project has an on-going need for more volunteers and anyone interesting in helping is asked to visit the Facebook page Cayman Magic Reef Recovery where volunteer dives and updates are continually posted.
About Us
The Cayman Bottom Times is news collaboration by five leading dive operators to promote the superb diving of the Cayman Islands, and keep the diving public informed of important developments and events. Divetech, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports and Sunset House in Grand Cayman, and the Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman, all members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, represent more than 100 years of solid experience in a destination that is recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving. With a unique combination of deep wall and shallow reef diving, several wrecks, and world-famous Stingray City, the Cayman Islands has cemented its place as the top diving destination in the Caribbean.
Offering diverse and wide-ranging dive programs on both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman, the members of this dive group represent the best Cayman has to offer; Divetech (www.divetech.com), Ocean Frontiers (www.oceanfrontiers.com), Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman (www.redsailcayman.com), Sunset House (www.sunsethouse.com) and the Southern Cross Club (www.southerncrossclub.com).
Media Contact: Adela Gonzales White at [email protected] or call (941) 350-8735.
Red Sail Sports offers an Unbeatable Dive Deal during Cayman’s “Legends and Lions” Celebration October 4 - 11
Taking advantage of off-season rates to offer travel deals, Cayman’s dive industry highlights things that make it a top dive destination: incredible diving, outstanding customer service and a conservation-minded community that honors dive legends
A host of travel option are available for the “Legends and Lions,” celebration on Grand Cayman October 4 – 11, 2014, but discerning divers seeking an exceptional travel deal should take advantage of Red Sail Sports’ dive package with accommodations at the luxurious Westin Resort on Seven Mile Beach. It starts at an incredible US $975 per person (based on double occupancy) for a 7-night stay and it includes a daily 2-tank dive, plus the common elements being offered as part of the celebration.
The “Lions” in the event name refers to Cayman’s continuing battle against invasive Lionfish, which threaten reefs, not only in the Cayman Islands, but also all across the Caribbean. Red Sail Sports and other participating operators plan all-out assault on the invasive Lionfish on Thursday, October 9 with a Lionfish culling certification followed by a 1-tank dive to remove the predators from local reefs. The day’s catch will be cooked up and enjoyed during a street party on the waterfront in George Town.
The Red Sail Sports and Westin Resort partnership gives dive travelers another reason to celebrate – enjoying the very best Cayman has to offer at bargain prices not available the rest of the year. The Westin Resort, with its elegant tropical atmosphere, is situated on the soft, white sands of Seven Mile Beach, ranked by US News Traveler as the #1 beach in the world. It features comfortable rooms, world-class restaurants, spa facilities and all the amenities needed to pamper guests. Red Sail Sports, known for excellent customer service and first-rate facilities, operates a watersports shop on the beach at the Westin. Guests enjoy convenient and easy boarding because Red Sail Sports’ customized, spacious dive boats pull up right up on the beach.
Red Sail Sports Operations Manager Rod McDowall: “Lifestyle is a choice travelers make when booking their vacation, and our package gives them the opportunity to make the most of their time on the island. They can enjoy all the things that make Cayman special: warm clear water, incredible dive sites, great customer service, world-class accommodations and restaurants, and a stunning beach. When they are done diving for the day, guests may opt to enjoy the beach by relaxing seaside, in the pool or having fun with our watersports toys – it’s all here, and at fantastic rates they won’t get at any other time of the year.”
Red Sail Sports “Legends and Lions” Dive Package
October 4-11, 2014
$975 per person
Based on double occupancy
Package includes:
7 Nights at the Westin (island view room)
6 two-tank dives
Dinner Ticket for International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame
Sunset Sail
Tickets for the Lionfish Dinner & Street Party
20% discount on Red Sail Sports watersports
To book e-mail: [email protected], call: 1-877-506-6368 or visit our website: www.redsailcayman.com/legends.
About Red Sail Sports
Red Sail Sports, a member of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association is a leading resort based dive and watersports operator. Since 1987 it has been setting the standard on Grand Cayman by providing the highest level of guest services. On Seven Mile Beach Red Sail Sports operates locations at the Westin Resort, the Marriott Resort, the Grand Cayman Beach Suites and the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman. At remote East End the company has a watersports shop at Morritt’s Tortuga Club, also offering dive and catamaran services to The Reef Resort. On North Side Red Sail Sports offers watersports activities at the Rum Point Club. The company offers several dive packages through its affiliation with island hoteliers.
For more information
Call toll free: (877) 506-6368
On Grand Cayman: (345) 623-5965
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.redsailcayman.com
Facebook: www.facebook/redsailcayman
Twitter: @redsailcayman
Media Contact: Adela Gonzales White, (941) 350-8735, [email protected]
Cayman Islands to Honor Legends of Scuba Diving at DEMA 2014
Some of the biggest names in the industry to be on hand in the Cayman pavilion to greet the public and share love of diving
Cayman Islands, September 23, 2014 - The Cayman Islands pavilion at the annual Diving Equipment and Marketing Association’s (DEMA) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 19-22, 2014 will be welcoming and honoring dive industry legends who have been inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (ISDHF), founded in Cayman 14 years ago. Making appearances at the ISDHF show booth will be some of the best known names in the dive industry worldwide: Leslie Leaney, Carl Roessler, Howard and Michelle Hall, Ron Stevens ‘Rogest’, Wyland, Joann and Armand Zighand, Bob Hollis, David Doubilet, Drew Richardson, Howard Rosenstein and Cayman’s own Ron Kipp and Cathy Church. Also making appearances will be 2014 honorees.
Dan Orr – Most recently the President Emeritus of the Divers Alert Network Foundation and the former CEO, Orr has been involved in the diving industry for more than 40 years. Orr continues to promote dive safety as an author of books and contributor to magazines.
Neal Watson – Watson has enjoyed a varied career in commercial diving, stunt coordination for the films and TV, hotel management, and diving franchises. Watson holds several Guinness World Records and has worked taught several celebrities to dive. He has hand-fed sharks with Jean-Michel Cousteau.
Bill Acker – Acker is the owner of the first dive shop in Yap and has helped make the island a top international dive destination, bringing jobs and prosperity to the local community.
Chuck Nicklin – With an extensive background in underwater photography, Nicklin has had work published numerous catalogues, magazines, and movies, including ‘The Deep,’ ‘For Your Eyes Only,’ ‘The Abyss’ and ‘Never Say Never Again.’ He’s also been instrumental in building the San Diego dive scene, and is a contributor to the international dive community.
Alese and Morton Pechter – Underwater photographers Alese and her late husband Morton Pechter have documented the underwater world for a number of publications. They’ve been active in educating children about the marine environment and advocating for ocean conservation. The Pechters have been honored by the United Nations Environment Programme and recognized by the US Navy as Honorary Deep Sea Divers.
A set schedule of appearances by dive legends will be released at a later date. The Cayman pavilion will also include an ISDHF photo booth with life-size cutouts of early dive pioneers and a display of historic dive equipment. Because diving is intrinsic to Caymanian culture, the Cayman Islands’ Ministry of Tourism founded the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame in 2000 to recognize individuals who have contributed to the industry making the sport better for all.
“It is logical that the ISDHOF is established in Cayman as it had the FIRST sport diving facility in the world, Bob Soto's Diving established in 1957, and then Cayman became the leader in dive destinations in the 1980's,” said Ron Kipp, a pioneer of Cayman’s dive industry and Hall of Fame 2012 inductee. “There is no greater honor than to be recognized by your peers.”
2012 inductee Leslie Leaney says it is vitally important to recognize history-makers now. “Some of the earliest participants are still with us. The first generation from the 1940s, are all gone. The second generation from the 1950's to mid 60's, are slowly leaving us. In 50 years the first five generations of divers who built the sport will all be gone. All that will be left is their history, provided it is accurately recorded now.”
“The history of diving is crucial to the future of diving,” adds Neal Watson. “You learn from history and try not to repeat those mistakes. And diving is so young, it started in 1953 – from 50 years ago to where it is today – technology and evolution of training now make it possible for almost everyone to dive, and new divers love to hear the stories.”
The DEMA promotion is an extension of “Legends and Lions” a festival showcasing Cayman’s diving scheduled October 4 -11. Teaming up with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism to combine several dive promotions to take advantage of off-season rates, Red Sail Sports, Divetech, Ocean Frontiers and Sunset House are offering value-packed dive deals. Participants will have the chance to dive with 2014’s honorees, and mingle with them during the induction dinner that is capping off the week’s activities.
“I have always loved the opportunity to interact with other divers regardless of their level of experience and training,” said Dan Orr being recognized for his contributions to dive safety. “The scuba week is a fantastic way of getting together with others who also love diving and provides a great opportunity to share experiences and learn from one another. I can hardly wait!”
For more on Legends and Lions visit http://www.caymanislands.ky/divecayman/consumer
About Us
The Cayman Bottom Times is news collaboration by five leading dive operators to promote the superb diving of the Cayman Islands, and keep the diving public informed of important developments and events. Divetech, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports and Sunset House in Grand Cayman, and the Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman, all members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, represent more than 100 years of solid experience in a destination that is recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving. With a unique combination of deep wall and shallow reef diving, several wrecks, and world-famous Stingray City, the Cayman Islands has cemented its place as the top diving destination in the Caribbean.
Offering diverse and wide-ranging dive programs on both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman, the members of this dive group represent the best Cayman has to offer; Divetech (www.divetech.com), Ocean Frontiers (www.oceanfrontiers.com), Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman (www.redsailcayman.com), Sunset House (www.sunsethouse.com) and the Southern Cross Club (www.southerncrossclub.com).
Web: www.cayman-bottom-times.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/caymanbottomtimes
Media Contact: Adela Gonzales White at [email protected] or call (941) 350-8735.
New Underwater Themed Rooms at Sunset House Feature Photographs by Some of the Dive Industry’s Best
Four rooms available now, 22 by the end of 2015 – the goal is to enhance the visitor’s dive vacation experience by showing them the underwater world through the eyes of experts
Sunset House, the hotel for divers by divers, has completed four of what will ultimately be 22 themed guest rooms decorated with the work of some of the dive industry’s elite underwater photographers. The design upgrade is part of a continuing makeover plan by the popular dive resort, to enhance the dive experience for guests who travel here to enjoy Cayman’s famed underwater world. Customers can now book one of these signature oceanfront rooms, or suites, and walk into the beauty of the undersea world as seen through the lenses of photographers Courtney Platt, Ellen Cuylaerts, Cathy Church and Jim Hellemn.
“I'm very honoured to be included in the Sunset House Signature rooms,” says Cuylaerts, who began diving when she moved to Cayman in 2009 and only took up underwater photography in 2011. She has just been named World Champion Underwater Photographer 2013 in an international photo contest for her diverse and stunning photos.
“As a newby to be able to show my work to divers from around the world makes me very proud,” she said. “The selection of canvasses was difficult, but I chose mostly images taken in Cayman. Every encounter in the water brings something new, and I hope my work inspires people to keep looking with an open mind, every time. Beauty is everywhere.”
Cuylearts is displaying her work in Room 411 at Sunset House, including captivating images of the silversides the visit Devil’s Grotto and numerous sites around Grand Cayman each summer. She hopes her photographs will inspire divers to take a closer look.
“The highlights are not on wall dives, but on the subject, the beauty of every creature big or small. I hope people seeing my work will revisit some signature dive sites and look at them with a different focus, maybe by seeing my work they discover things or details they never noticed before, for example how beautiful light enters grottoes, what excellent reflections stingrays get at the surface.”
Digital imaging and underwater specialist Jim Hellemn, based in California, hopes his photos in room 407 encourage people become concerned about ocean conservation.
“Seeing the natural beauty that’s here allows us to see what’s in the ocean that we need to protect, especially when you see all of the reef life in one area, you really get a sense of what you’re trying to protect in the ocean. I think that’s very important for every diver and every person on land to understand.”
“We gave the photographers free reign to decorate their signature room in the way they want to display photos from anywhere in the world to share their vision of the underwater world - each artist is completely different with their own style,” said General Manager Keith Sahm, who came up with the idea for themed rooms that extend the dive experience topside.
Consistent ideal conditions and a variety of dive experiences have made the Cayman Islands a mecca for underwater photographers, both pro and novice. Sunset House, with its in-house Cathy Church Photo Centre and partnership with the well-known photo pro, cultivates the underwater photography culture and caters to all.
“We’re the capitol of underwater photography here: great visibility, exciting marine life and reefs, and Sunset House has easy shore diving so photographers can just go out and indulge in their sport,” said Keith Sahm. “With advances in technology and digital photography more and more divers are doing underwater photography so we have photographers here every day. It only makes sense to take their dive vacation experience to the next level.”
It has taken a year to complete the four signature rooms, and Sahm hopes to get all 22 rooms done by the end of 2015. Other well-known industry photographers who will have their own signature room include: Alex Mustard, Marty Snyderman, Stephen Frink, David Doubilet, Geri Murphy and Greg Piper, among others.
The partnership between Sunset House and the photographers has benefits for all involved. Prominent Cayman photographer Courtney Platt, who has done several assignments for National Geographic Magazine and has a thriving photo business on Grand Cayman, says the exposure to guests from all over the world is already providing business leads.
“It makes the visit for the diver coming to Cayman more exciting and the rooms become a point of interest for them and their friends who want to see the photos in the various rooms,” he said.
Sahm agrees saying the signature rooms have become social meeting places for guests after a great day of diving.
“The whole idea of this project is to extend the underwater experience for our guests as much as possible, and add more fun to their vacation here at Sunset House.”
About Sunset House
Sunset House/Sunset Divers has been welcoming divers to the Cayman Islands for more than 55 years. It is the only resort in the Cayman Islands, designed by divers, operated by divers, for divers. It’s also the only resort on Grand Cayman that has its own coral reef, with modern and ancient shipwrecks in shallow water right off shore. Underwater visibility on Sunset House’s reef can exceed 200 feet, and a remarkable variety of marine life to be seen there. Our own spectacular 9’ bronze sculpture of the mermaid Amphitrite is one of the most popular shore dive sites in the world. The resort features 52 guest rooms, including 16 deluxe Oceanview rooms, 2 spacious suites and 2 apartments with full kitchenettes. All rooms are air-conditioned, with phones and private baths. Free Hi-Speed Wireless Internet can be accessed throughout the property and a convenient computer station is located in the lobby. SeaHarvest Restaurant offers full menus for some of the healthiest breakfasts, lunch and dinners around and is famous for its East Indian menu. My Bar a popular hangout for both locals and visitors, has been voted “Best in the Caribbean” by Caribbean Travel and Life and the Best of Cayman. Sunset House also features an inviting seaside fresh water swimming pool.
For information or reservations
Call Toll Free: (800) 854-4767
On Grand Cayman: 345-949-7111
Web: www.sunsethouse.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunsethousecayman
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sunsethouse
Media Contact: Adela Gonzales White, [email protected], 941-350-8735, Skype: Adela.White2
Stingray City, Cayman’s #1 Tourism Attraction, Gets Full Protection
Government moves to expand protection; ongoing census provides up-close look; dive industry voices full support
For more than 30 years, divers and snorkelers to Grand Cayman have enjoyed a unique first-hand encounter with dozens of friendly stingrays that gather at two sites in the clear waters of the North Sound − Stingray City and the sandbar. This creature experience is on the bucket lists of divers across the world. The celebrity rays have been featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal, the cover of National Geographic Magazine, and most dive publications. NBC’s Al Roker dove with the rays in 1989 and put them on network TV. The exposure has made Stingray City one of the most popular dive and snorkel sites in the world, and it contributes significantly to the local tourism economy.
Members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association have always supported efforts to protect the Southern Stingray and the move by the government is welcomed. Everyone understands how vital Stingray City is to Cayman’s tourism product.
Steve Broadbelt, co-founder of Ocean Frontiers: "Many have tried to copy Stingray City, others have even tried to poach and export our Southern Stingrays, but nothing comes close to the wild aggregations of Stingrays we have in the Cayman Islands. Stingrays are critical to tourism in Cayman as it gives us a competitive edge over other destinations in the region- everybody loves Stingrays.”
The beginnings of Stingray City can be traced to the islands early days when local fishermen cleaned their catch in the shallows of the North Sound, attracting the stingrays, bottom feeders. Then divemasters doing surface intervals between dives on the North Wall noticed the circling rays and began feeding them.
“I can remember they would come to me and snuggle like puppy dogs, they were wonderful!” recalls Kenney, one of those divemasters and a long-time Red Sail Sports staffer. The divemasters helped dispel the bad myths surrounding stingrays and the Stingray City experience took off. This experience with the friendly rays has thrilled thousands and made Stingray City the number one dive and snorkel site in the Cayman Islands.
“It's a natural aquarium, not man-made. No Stingrays are caught and kept in captivity so it's authentic and the rays come and go as they so please,” says Nancy Easterbrook, owner of Divetech. “In addition to playing with the gentle Southern Stingrays, green moray eels will visit you, school of blue tangs and snappers and small coral heads reveal their inhabitants if you stop and look closely. In 12 feet of crystal clear water, it's the ideal photographers dream - no wonder millions have visited the site over the years and has a special place in their dive logs.”
The Cayman Islands Department of Environment introduced guidelines in 2007 to manage traffic at the stingray sites and actual handling of the rays. Dive operators emphasize these rules to visitors before they enter the water.
“Our briefings cover the highlights of the marine conservation laws as applicable to the Wildlife Interaction Zones, including why the regulations make sense, so people understand how to safely enjoy the 'aquarium' for both their protection and the Stingrays protection,” says Steve Broadbelt. “In general we tell guests to watch and observe the rays, and not molest or annoy them.”
Red Sail Sports dive boats also include an introduction to “Fluffy” the stuffed stingray during dive briefings. “The stuffed stingray is used to demonstrate the anatomy of the stingrays…where the mouth is, the gills, how they breathe, how they feed, and of course the tail including the barb,” says Dive Operations Manager Clive Webb. “This lets the guests know where they can touch the Stingrays, what they feel like both on top and underneath, and what to pay attention to and be careful of. We also include the contribution by our own Pat Kenney being one of the first to get in with the rays.”
An annual census by conservationist Guy Harvey, with assistance and oversight by the Department of Environment, helps monitor the health of the rays and the dynamics at both sites. According to the latest count 90 stingrays frequent both Stingray City and the Sandbar. Most are female and many of them are pregnant. This year 48 new stingrays have been tagged in the census.
Jessica Harvey, Research Officer, Cayman Islands Department of Environment: “With each ray having a PIT tag, a microchip under the skin, we can determine exactly who we see on a given day, and just as importantly, who we haven’t seen. One female in particular we hadn’t seen since before 2012!”
“Even with the best wall dives, vibrant coral reefs and massive shipwrecks in the Cayman Islands, when a diver sees an image of a Stingray playing with a diver or snorkeler, that photo needs no caption of where it was taken,” says Steve Broadbelt. “Even today, whether it's your first time or 100th time, the rays never lose their magic and shine a memory that only those who know can fully understand.”
About Us
The Cayman Bottom Times is news collaboration by five leading dive operators to promote the superb diving of the Cayman Islands, and keep the diving public informed of important developments and events. Divetech, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports and Sunset House in Grand Cayman, and the Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman, all members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, represent more than 100 years of solid experience in a destination that is recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving. With a unique combination of deep wall and shallow reef diving, several wrecks, and world-famous Stingray City, the Cayman Islands has cemented its place as the top diving destination in the Caribbean.
Offering diverse and wide-ranging dive programs on both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman, the members of this dive group represent the best Cayman has to offer; Divetech (www.divetech.com), Ocean Frontiers (www.oceanfrontiers.com), Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman (www.redsailcayman.com), Sunset House (www.sunsethouse.com) and the Southern Cross Club (www.southerncrossclub.com).
Media Contact: Adela Gonzales White at [email protected] or call (941) 350-8735.
