Scuba Diving Industry™ Magazine published by Cline Group, LLC. Printed and mailed to all dive retailers in the USA and digitally delivered to over 17,500 dive professionals in 165 countries. Published monthly, so "Start a Conversation" with your Business Customers!
SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
JANUARY 2026 PUBLISHED BY CLINE GROUP
Photo by Mark B. Hatter Prinz Eugen WWII German Cruiser in Kwajalein Lagoon, Marshall Islands
TRAVEL • PHOTO PRO • RESEARCH TRAINING • RETAILING • ECO PRO SAFETY • BUSINESS EDU TRENDS IN DIVE RETAILING, TRAVEL & TRAINING
digital version
Since 1984, Aggressor Adventures ® is where Small Group Adventures Mean Big Profits for You
If your clients are searching for bespoke adventures in the world’s most-spectacular destinations, recommend an Aggressor Adventure. They will have a fantastic experience and you may earn generous commissions and free spaces for small and large groups . If you are not an official Aggressor Adventures Reseller, apply now at aggressor.com/pages/resellers and start earning. NEW ITINERARY: Coron-Batangas, Philippines
TABLE OF CONTENTS SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY™ MAGAZINE • JANUARY 2026
FROM THE PUBLISHER 05 Understanding the Signals in Front of Us / William Cline SAFETY 06 The Rule of Three: The Principle for Error Recognition and Critical Rethinking / Dan Orr 10 The Risks of Even “Apparent” Lack of Expertise / Al Hornsby RETAILING 12 You Are Not Alone - Help in Selling Travel / Michael & Rachael Conners 14 Can You Really Do It All? Take a Good Look at Your Schedule / Je ff Cinciripino 16 Part 2: The Advantages of Hosting College and University Scuba Clubs / Tec Clark PHOTO PRO 18 How to Shoot The perfect Over/Under Shot / Mark B. Hatter TRAVEL 22 Diving WWII History Frozen in Time: The Prinz Eugen at Kwajalein Atoll / Mark E. Young 23 A Group Dive Guide to Indonesia / David Prichard & Lily Mak ECO PRO 26 The Business Case for Sustainability / Alex Brylske, Ph.D. 30 Beyond the “Tourist Diver” and the Rise of the Restorative Professional / Kramer Wimberley BUSINESS EDU 34 Clarity: Why It’s Important to Business Success / Cathryn Castle Garcia 36 Our Industry in Transition: A Conversation with Interim DEMA CEO Nicole Russell / Rachelle Reimers 37 Life After Depth: An Interview with Liz Parkinson on Discovering Your Next Chapter / Gil Zeimer TRAINING 38 Attracting Young Divers and Families: A Vital Strategy for Dive Shop Success / Margo Peyton 40 Why “Extraordinary” is a System, Not a Personality Trait / William Cline 41 Fitness Insights Part 1: Information, Observation, and Experience / Gretchen M. Ashton RESEARCH 44 The State of The Dive Industry: A 3-Year Look Back & 2026 Outlook / William Cline
ADVERTISERS 2 Divers Alert Network (DAN) 3 Aggressor Adventures 7 Bahamas Ministry of Tourism 8 The Dive Shop @ Cape Eleuthera 9 Books by Dan Orr/Best Publishing 10 Dive BVI’s 50th Anniversary 11 All Star Liveaboards 13 Explorer Ventures Liveaboards 15 Visit Cayman Islands | ISDHF 16 Campus Edge Training 17 Blue Force Fleet Liveaboards 19 Barefoot Cay Resort, Roatan 20 Sea Experience, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 21 Fog-X Mask Defogging Film 24 Deep Blue Adventures Travel 25 Lita’s All Natural Insect Repellant 28 Alex Brylske’s Book by Reef Smart 29 Diveplanit Travel Planners 31 Scuba Show 2026 West & East 32 2026 NOGI Awards Gala @ DEMA 33 Dive Industry Young Professionals 33 NAUI’s Eco-Friendly Packaging 34 Clear Story Coach 35 ScubaRadio 41 SSI/Scuba Schools International
42 Beneath The Sea Dive Show 43 Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba BACK COVER DEMA
PAGE FOUR | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
FROM THE PUBLISHER
January has a way of forcing honesty. The calendar turns, the noise quiets, and what remains is reality. For the dive industry, that moment matters. Not because a new year magically changes conditions, but because it gives us the space to step back, review the full picture, and ask better questions about what comes next. Over the past several years, this industry has navigated momentum, disruption, correction, and recalibration. Each phase brought its own lessons . Some were en- couraging. Others were uncomfortable. All of them were instructive . What has become clear is that growth today does not come from waiting for external forces to improve. It comes from understanding the signals in front of us and responding with intention. This issue was built around that idea. Later in the magazine, you will find our State of the Industry guide for 2026. It draws on survey data, Cline Group’s fourth quarter results, and direct input from dive professionals across retail, training, travel, and manufacturing. Its purpose is not to predict the future or offer one size fits all answers. Its purpose is to clarify where the industry stands today and highlight the patterns that are shaping what comes next. Before you reach that section, we wanted to set the context. The dive industry is no longer operating in a recovery cycle. The conditions that carried businesses forward in the post-COVID years have faded. In their place is a more deliberate market, one where customers are selective, operations are scrutinized, and outcomes are earned through execution rather than momentum. That shift can feel challenging, but it also creates opportunity for those willing to adapt . Throughout this issue, you will hear from contributors who are navigating these realities firsthand. Store owners refining their training pipelines. Operators aligning travel with education. Retailers rethinking how equipment is presented and sold. Their experiences echo what the data reinforces. Success in 2026 will favor clarity, consistency, and systems that work in real world conditions. As you read the State of the Industry section, we encourage you to approach it as a tool, not a verdict. Use it to benchmark. Use it to question assumptions. Use it to spark conversations within your team about where focus and resources are best spent this year. Our role at Scuba Diving Industry Magazine is to listen first, analyze carefully, and share insight that helps the industry move forward together. This guide is one part of that commitment. We hope it helps bring the year ahead into sharper focus. UNDERSTANDING THE SIGNALS IN FRONT OF US
William Cline, Publisher Patty Cline, Associate Publisher Amber Wagenknecht, Executive Editor Betty Orr, Senior Editor Neal Watson, Sr., Editor-at-Large Britain Cline, Advertising Sales Manager Carlos Lander, Latin America Ad Sales June Cline, Social & Podcast Producer Contributors: Gretchen M. Ashton, CA Alex Brylske, Ph.D., FL Cathryn Castle Garcia, Azores, Portugal Tec Clark, FL SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY™ MAGAZINE JANUARY 2026 VOL. 3, NO. 1
William Cline, TX Jeff Cinciripino, CT Michael & Rachael Connors, MI Mark B. Hatter, FL Al Hornsby, Singapore Dan Orr, ID Margo Peyton, SC David Prichard & Lily Mak, TX
Rachelle Reimers, CA Kramer Wimberley, NY Mark E. Young, AL Gil Zeimer, CA
Diving Industry ™ Magazine: (Print: ISSN 2996- 1416, Digital: ISSN 2996-1424) Published monthly by Cline Group LLC, 1740 Airpark Lane, Plano, TX 75093. Printed copies are mailed within the USA to select dive retailers & advertisers. Subscriptions are free to dive professionals & distributed digitally to 165 countries. POSTMASTER send address changes to Diving Industry Magazine, 1740 Airpark Ln., Plano, TX 75093. Any part of this publication may be reproduced, as long as the source is quoted “Diving Industry Magazine.” For editorial requests, email william@williamcline.com or 972-267-6700. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Cline Group LLC or any of its affiliates. © 2025, all rights reserved by Cline Group LLC.
email Britain
email Carlos
email William
William Cline, Publisher
PAGE FIVE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
SAFETY
The Rule of Three: The Principle for Error Recognition and Critical Rethinking by Dan Orr , President, Dan Orr Consulting
I N COMPLEX SITUATIONS or in sports where the risk could potentially be significant, making mistakes is inevitable. Experienced professionals, such as diving in- structors and divemasters, know that the difference between a minor misstep and a catastrophic failure often hinges on recognizing errors early and responding with deliberate caution. This is especially relevant when you consider that, as diving professionals, we have a duty of care to not only keep ourselves safe but also those in our charge. Considering all
Mistakes rarely happen in isolation. Human error is often the result of a chain of events: small missteps compounding until a critical threshold is breached. Going beyond that critical threshold can change an enjoyable recreational scuba dive into something with a truly undesirable outcome. The “Rule of Three” acknowledges this cumulative effect. By the time three mistakes have occurred, you may be statistically more likely to make a fourth, and the risk of serious conse- quences increases significantly.
the things that are involved in preparing for a diving expedition, a dive charter or student evalua- tion dives, recognizing pre-dive errors or mistakes is absolutely crucial to everyone’s safety. Mistakes or errors, even minor ones can compound increasing
Stopping after three errors in- terrupts this escalating chain of events. It provides time and mental space to move from an automatic, possibly panicked response (known as "task fixa- tion") to deliberate, reflective thinking and appropriate action.
Mistakes or errors, even minor ones can compound the likelihood of a diving accident. Therefore, an area I believe is crucial in scuba diving safety is "The Rule of Three.”
the likelihood of a diving accident. Therefore, an area I believe is crucial in scuba diving safety is "The Rule of Three.” It is the simple, yet significant, practice of stopping and re- assessing when three mistakes are made or errors have occurred. This principle, rooted in the wisdom of experience and supported by cognitive science, serves as a vital checkpoint for both individual divers and dive teams. The ”Rule of Three” is such an important tool in diving safety and risk management that I added it to the book that my wife, Betty and I wrote, 101 Tips for Recreational Scuba Divers as Tip #16, “Dan Orr’s Rule of Three.” At its core, the rule states that if you make three errors, or encounter what could be considered as three warning signs, you should stop, take a deep breath and rethink what you are doing before proceeding. Though an important precept in scuba diving safety, where the risks associated with mistakes can certainly compromise safety for you and the people you dive with, the “Rule of Three” has broad application in many parts of our lives. In essence, it is like a self-imposed circuit breaker, a moment to pause, take stock of what you are doing and how you are doing it, and deliberately consider whether it is wise to continue, possibly change tactics, or abort the activity alto- gether.
This shift is crucial: when under stress, humans tend to double down, ignore warning signs, and push forward. The “Rule of Three” is a counterbalance, encouraging us to resist the urge to "chance the consequences" and, instead, prioritize safety and sound judgment. As a safety conscious diver, applying the “Rule of Three” in- volves keeping a mental tally of mistakes you make or warning signs you see in your preparation for a dive. These do not have to be huge or catastrophic mistakes. They can be as simple as a forgotten tool, misread instructions, or a nagging sense that something was missed and should have been con- sidered. The discipline of keeping track of small slips or missteps builds awareness and prevents rationalization ("Oh, it’s just a little thing; I’ll remember next time. . ."). After the third error, it’s wise to take a deliberate pause in what you are doing. This is not a weakness or admission of incompetence; rather, it is a mark of professionalism and true concern for your safety and the safety of others around you. The act of stopping disrupts the momentum of mistakes and reduces the chance of further errors. During the deliberate pause, it’s now time to ask yourself: What is causing these errors? Are conditions changing? Am I tired, distracted, or under time or peer pressure? Is there something about the dive, environment, or equipment that I
PAGE SIX | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
Blue holes in Andros. Reefs and wrecks in San Salvador. Coral gardens in Grand Bahama Island. The Bahamas has more dive sites than you can explore in a lifetime—and 昀ve of the Caribbean’s top 20 dive resorts, so you can rest easy after your next epic dive.
Cape Eleuthera Resort & Marina Eleuthera
Small Hope Bay Lodge Andros
Bimini Big Game Club Resort Bimini
#1
#3
#4
Taino Beach Resort Grand Bahama Island
Riding Rock Resort San Salvador
#17
#18
Scan to learn more
bahamas.com
SAFETY continued
am uncomfortable about and needs to be addressed? Should I continue or consider aborting the dive altogether? This reflective review may lead to simple adjustments, such as re- organizing your equipment, seeking help, or taking a break. In some cases, it may mean abandoning the dive entirely for safety’s sake.
reinforce the value of reflective practice. The “Rule of Three” is more than a safety protocol; it is a philosophy of humility and mindfulness. By making errors visible, pausing deliberately, and rethinking our approach, we transform mistakes from sources of potential danger into op- portunities for learning and improvement.
For example, a diver preparing for a deep dive forgets to check their breathing gas supply (mis- take one), has made an error in assembling their equipment (mis-
In scuba diving, where there are often a variety of pre-dive pressures on diving professionals and divers as well, the wisdom to stop after three errors warns
The “Rule of Three” reminds us to slow down, refocus, and avoid compounding mistakes out of frustration or haste.
take two), and realizes they added the wrong amount of weight to their BCD or weight system (mistake three). According to the “Rule of Three,” now is the time to stop, and take a deep breath. Instead of pushing ahead and risking an emergency underwater, the diver should reassess, determine why the mistakes are being made, correct the mistakes, or po- tentially choose to postpone the dive. Even in daily routines, pausing after a series of mishaps, such as a forgotten wallet, a missed turn, a dropped phone, can be wise. The “Rule of Three” reminds us to slow down, refocus, and avoid compounding mistakes out of frustration or haste. Why not stop after one error, or wait for five? Three is a psychologically significant number. One mistake may be an anomaly; two can be a coincidence; three forms a pattern. At three, it becomes difficult to dismiss the situation as mere bad luck. The number three is also easy to remember, making the rule practical and effective. Like any rule, the “Rule of Three” is not infallible. Not all errors are equal – some may demand immediate cessation re- gardless of count, while others may be minor. The rule depends on honest and realistic self-assessment; ignoring or rationalizing errors defeats its purpose. In dynamic environments, stopping may not always be feasible, and rigidly applying the rule without regard for context can itself become a hazard. Nevertheless, the “Rule of Three” is a powerful tool that en- courages mindfulness and caution. It is a reminder that some- times, the best action is inaction: to pause, step back, take a deep breath and look at the bigger picture. For dive groups, making the “Rule of Three” an explicit part of diving safety culture may improve the diving experiences. Encourage diving companions to speak up when mistakes ac- cumulate and ensure that pauses for reassessment are supported rather than penalized or regarded as personal weakness. Use debriefings and post-dive reviews to identify error chains and
us: safety and sound judgment always come first. Whether we are diving in some exotic diving destination or trying to manage the challenges of daily living, the “Rule of Three” is a simple, memorable, and potentially life-saving guide. When we make mistakes, even minor ones, stop, take a deep breath and rethink before moving forward. Those in our care, will be much safer for it.
Additional Reading: Orr, D. & Orr, B. 101 Tips for Recreational Scuba Diving. 2023. Best Publishing Company (www.bestpub.com). Orr, D. & Douglas, E. Scuba Diving Safety. 2007. Best Publishing Company (www.bestpub.com).
email Dan Orr
World-Class Diver Education
AVAILABLE FOR DIVE BUSINESSES RESELLER DISCOUNTS
To Order Contact Best Publishing Company +1-561-776-6066 info@bestpub.com
SAFETY
The Risks of Even “Apparent” Lack of Expertise by Al Hornsby , owner, Al Hornsby Productions, Singapore
D IVING… especially to non-divers… can appear to be even more complex and technical than it already is. And, this fact can create a lot of respect for our industry’s expertise, but can also lead to over-sized concerns when something appears to be (or actually is) improper or lacking. It just means that when operating a dive business, dive pro- fessionals need to be adequately knowledgeable and credentialed for what they do, especially since problems may arise that can be difficult to defend. In a litigation some years ago, a diver had a cylinder filled at a fairly-large local store, one that served not only the general diving public, but also local tec divers. It had a robust com- pressed-gas facility and a good reputation. On one occasion, however, the perception of a serious, related problem led to a difficult, lengthy, costly litigation. In this case, a fairly new diver had a cylinder filled with air at the store and went for a local dive. In the water, she felt strange, and later reported feeling nausea and dizziness. She began to believe that the cause must be bad air, as she had no
existing illness and had experienced no symptoms before her dive. Coming back to the store, she happened to notice that the compressor system’s air intake was located outside the compressor room, fairly low to the ground, at the edge of the parking lot. That a good-sized truck happened to be parked just there, idling, when she arrived, created a strong impres- sion. Her resultant discomfort, nausea and dizziness, which remained in place (reportedly) for a number of weeks, and her resultant medical bills, were claimed to have been caused by an improper placement of the air intake, which was obviously being fouled by vehicle exhaust. That the store had such a complex system added to the sense of error and fault, and the claimed cause of her illness, which reportedly lasted for a fairly-lengthy period of time. The litigation was difficult, especially because it involved likely not only the actual technicalities of diving and compressed (and mixed) air, but a lay-person’s strong perception – and claim - that this was so obviously the cause of her illness, medical expenses, etc. The same perception was also fairly easy to communicate to others (such as the court and non-diver attorneys, and likely to a judge and jury, had it gone that far before settle- ment). Unfortunately, the store ownership and staff, while certainly experienced with filling cylinders with air and mixed gases, and the general use of the equipment involved, did not hold professional credentials that could help them to effectively dispute the claims that the placement of the intake system was flawed and thus the cause of the lady’s illness, medical bills, etc. And, as a result, the litigation lasted-long, and set- tled-high. The lesson from this litigation seems straight-forward – when involved in setting up complex, specialized systems, such as mixed-gas, compressor equipment – either have the credentials and expertise to accomplish and to effectively defend your work, or hire someone to do the work who
does. Perhaps it’s not really all rocket-science, but to a jury that may be determining fault in a related accident – it may very well seem as though it is.
email Al
RETAILING
You Are Not Alone - Help in Selling Travel by Michael and Rachael Connors , Owners, American Dive Zone, MI In 2024, we bought a dive shop in Grand Rapids, MI. Not inherited. Not franchised. Bought it. This is our story.
Y OU ARE NOT ALONE. If you are a new retailer and you have been suffering from information overload when it comes to all the recommendations on dive trip locations, believe us we have been there too. This magazine is filled with helpful articles from industry professionals who
trip?” because we felt we hadn’t met the benchmarks set by others. Looking at the financials, it didn’t seem worth our time or money. Boy, were we wrong. We arrived in Cayman Brac with our three additional divers. We had swag bags of American Dive Zone apparel
have successfully built their travel programs. We all strive for that kind of success, and every journey begins with a step. Here’s how we took our giant stride into the world of dive travel, because we all have to start somewhere.
and printed itineraries for the week. We welcomed them as soon as they stepped onto the resort and guided them through every meal and activity. Our re- lationships with those three divers grew very strong. During morn-
With limited time before the trip and a very small marketing engine, we were overwhelmed. We saw other shops selling out trips with 20+ divers, and the comparison froze us.
We bought our shop in June of 2024 without any trips planned for the following year. The entire 2025 season was a blank slate for us to build the trips we wanted to run. We knew we had to get trips on the books ASAP. Industry rule of thumb is to book two years out so we didn’t have much runway. Leaning heavily on guidance from a dive travel agent, we landed on a trip to Cayman Brac. It was a destination the previous owner hadn’t done, which we believed would add intrigue for our existing customer base. It was also a relatively easy trip for us to plan: flights were manageable,
ing boat dives, since we were a group of five on a 20-person boat, we spent the week diving with another group of ten. Our rides out to the dive site were filled with conversations about favorite dive locations, memories of sea life encounters, and personal stories. After a few dives and time spent around the resort with the other ten divers on our boat, we all connected. They saw our divers, the underwater and boat eti- quette we integrate into our group trips, the way we supported each other, and they wanted to be part of American Dive Zone. In less than a week, we built a community at the resort, and everyone on the boat became an American Dive Zone diver.
dive profiles were OW+ friendly, and most activities took place at the resort. From a logistics standpoint, it felt doable. What we didn’t know was how to sell it. With limited time before the trip and a very small marketing engine, we were overwhelmed. We saw other shops selling out trips with 20+ divers, and the com- parison froze us. Building a travel program from scratch felt daunting, but we pushed forward and booked the trip. We launched it on Facebook, created a one-page flyer, talked to everyone who walked into the store, and hoped for the best.
We walked away from Cayman Brac with ten divers who weren’t from our shop asking to be added to our email list. Of those ten, six booked a trip with us to Little Cayman this year. Cayman Brac had three paid divers; one year later, our Little Cayman trip sold out (with the phone still ringing) and we proudly booked 22 paid divers. If you’re a new dive shop building a travel program and learning how to run trips, our
best advice is simple: book the trip. Do it scared. Do it uncertain. Just do it. Then get the word out social media, conversations with every customer, your website, and flyers at the counter. Any marketing helps (because we know you’re juggling a million things as a new owner). And if only a few people sign up, show those people an amazing time. That
We ended up filling five spots, and two of them were us. With those numbers, a free spot was out of the question. We were essentially paying more than we would profit. At the time, it felt like a huge loss. We felt like we failed. We were even embarrassed when people asked, “Who else is on the
PAGE TWELVE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
RETAILING continued
Market however you can. Flyers, social media, and word ▪ of mouth. Any exposure helps. Deliver a great service to your divers. Your divers are there ▪ to enjoy themselves and capture lifelong memories. Help them build and capture those memories. Guide them through the week so they can relax and enjoy their vaca- tion. Network outside your shop. The divers who share your ▪ boat or resort may become loyal customers. Follow up. Thank your divers for coming on the trip with ▪ you. Create a shared folder for photos taken on the trip, add the ones you took and ask them to do the same. Add new connections to your email list, connect on social media, and send information about future trips. Keep the conversation going. The only way to build a travel program is to book your first trip. We’re here to cheer you on and remind you that booking that first trip is a win. You may not have the marketing resources, time, or bandwidth at first and that’s okay. If
kind of hospitality is contagious. Take photos and videos of everything on land and underwater. Most importantly, take photos of your customers diving. People always walk away from a dive trip with photos of that rare fish or cool turtle, and they rarely get photos of themselves diving. Write a short post on social media every day of the trip and show how much fun you’re having because FOMO is real. Build relationships with the people on your boat who aren’t from your shop. Tell them your story. Make them feel part of the community you’re building. If you do this, three things will happen: 1. Your customers will rave about traveling with you 2. Interest in your trips will grow 3. Your travel program will gain a following When you treat each trip as an opportunity to connect more deeply with your divers and build your travel program, the growth can be incredible. Key Takeaways: Book the trip. Don’t let being a new owner stop you from ▪ starting your travel program. Find a trusted advisor. A dive travel agent can help you ▪ book trips that are easier logistically. Don’t try to do it all alone.
people remember you for how you took care of them and how you made them feel, congratula- tions: you’re on your way to building a travel program that will grow your revenue and business for years to come.
email Rachael
D I V I NG DONE RIGHT LIVEABOARD Built for repeat business.
Professionally operated liveaboard experiences built on consistency, safety, and seasoned crews — giving you a reliable product you can confidently sell, trip after trip.
www.explorerventures.com
RETAILING
Can You Really Do It All? Take a Good Look at Your Schedule by Jeff Cinciripino , JeffCinciripino.com, Former Owner of Scuba Shack, Rocky Hill, CT
A S WE MOVE FORWARD into the new year, you have probably already spent a fair amount of time on your schedule and plans for the year ahead. You’ve placed your trips on the calendar, determined the classes that you plan to offer, and layered in any new programs to expand your business. So, while the year ahead looks promising with a jam-packed schedule, you might want to take a few minutes
covered. This timing also allows you to see any gaps down the line. If there are gaps that are unlikely to be filled with your team, it would be prudent to adjust the schedule to avoid your needing to step in. Many local dive shops are not fortunate to have their own pool. If you do not have your own pool, the need for access to a facility is obviously critical. If possible, work with the
to ask yourself if you can really do it all. If you are the owner of the business, you want to meet your customer’s expecta- tions. Remember that the buck stops with you when the business has committed to an activity. Travel is one of the major pil- lars of the dive shop business model. Finding the right desti- nations that will retain your ex- isting base along with attracting new traveling divers takes a sig- nificant amount of research and
aquatic director to solidify your entire year with that center. By engaging early in the year, you can identify any potential conflicts and make adjustments to your training schedule. While you may want to offer more training, you need to address the reality that the pool facilities may not be avail- able. One final area to look at with your schedule is how it might impact your ability to
planning. Many popular destinations fill up quickly and locking in optimal dates is sometimes done several years in advance. With that part of your schedule locked in, you should make sure that the trip leader is still able to take on that assignment. Additionally, other members of your team may intend to register for the trip. That might possibly leave you short staffed if you have other activities scheduled during that time. Adjusting those activities before you advertise them will save you from the stress of making changes and po- tentially inconveniencing your clients. Training scuba divers is the bread-and-butter activity at the local dive center. Classes are how we get new customers and keep divers diving with continuing education. Training also requires a significant commitment of time and resources to effectively, efficiently and safely complete courses. Early in the year is an optimal time to determine instructor availability for the variety of courses being offered. Many instructors act as independent contractors and need to plan around their availability. Getting them to commit to specific dates early in the year is critical to ensuring that your training schedule is
effectively manage your service department. Based on your experience you have a pretty good idea of when your service department will be busy. If those timeframes are also loaded with training and travel, you will need to ensure that you can adequately meet your service level commitments. Customers who are looking to get their gear ready for the season or for a specific trip have expectations that it will be ready in a timely manner. If however, your service department staff is tied up in these other activities, the impact of service delays will seriously compromise customer satisfaction with a potential loss of business. Again, make any adjustments to your schedule early to ensure that you can appropriately staff your service department for that busy timeframe. Each new year brings a sense of optimism and anticipation as we look to continue to grow the business and succeed. We’ve invested a lot of time and effort in planning ahead
with a full schedule for the entire year. Early in the year is a good time to take another look at that schedule and ask yourself if you can really do it all.
email Jeff
PAGE FOURTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
RETAILING
Part 2: The Advantages of Hosting College and University Scuba Clubs by Tec Clark , owner, ScubaGuru Academy & The Campus Edge Training for Pros
D O YOU WANT MORE students and more revenue, of course you do. So, consider hosting a scuba club at your local college or university. As part of campus life at most colleges and universities there are multitudes of student-run organizations and clubs. These can range from professional (i.e. Pre-Law Club) to aca- demic (i.e. Rho Phi Lambda honors organization for recreation majors) to cultural (i.e. Black Student Union) to hobby (i.e. Gaming Club) to social (i.e. Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority) and of course sports/recreational (i.e. Ultimate Frisbee Club). Pretty much whatever area of interest students have, there will be a club for it. A typical club on campus is developed by two or more enrolled students and a faculty/staff advisor. The students have some type of interest or expertise in the area and they serve as the President, Secretary and Treasurer. The faculty or staff advisor is a person who works on campus and also has an interest or expertise in the area, to which they serve in more
of an accountability role to the activities and funds of club members. So, what about a scuba club? Many colleges and universities have a scuba club. Most of which are student-run, which means the President, Secretary and Treasurer are scheduling the dive trips, fundraising, and organizing meetings. However, most scuba club executives and members are not dive professionals. And in most cases the faculty/staff advisor is not a dive professional either. What about equipment you may ask? In some cases, campus scuba clubs have used equipment that was purchased second- hand or donated, with dissimilar brands and styles. As you know, all these issues are wrought with problems. That’s precisely where you come in. As a dive professional you can either start a scuba club or support an existing one at your college or university. Here are some ways: Offer to help with training needs. Perhaps a refresher class ▪ at the beginning of the semester. Or be the go-to instruc- tor for students who are not yet certified divers. Offer to help with open water dive trips. You can give ▪ better briefings, you can assist the weaker divers, you’re better prepared for rescues, etc. Offer rental equipment options for club members. ▪ Offer to do annual inspections and repairs on a club’s ex- ▪ isting equipment. Offer to be a guest lecturer at a scuba club meeting. ▪ If you are starting a scuba club, offer to be the scuba club Advisor. Even though you do not work on campus as a faculty or staff member, you are a dive pro so that makes you the perfect Advisor. Also, put policies in place to show ad- ministration that you will keep the students safe and reduce exposure to the university. Hosting a scuba club at your local college or university is a great way to develop a relationship with the institution that can open doors to bigger and better things. You will grow your student base and increase revenues. To learn how to do each of the items I mention above take The Campus Edge
online course. Click/scan the QR code to purchase The Campus Edge and start your journey into the many opportunities and revenue streams at colleges and universities.
contact Tec
PAGE SIXTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
PHOTO PRO
How to Shoot The Perfect Over/Under Shot by Mark B. Hatter , owner, markbhatterphotography.com
S INCE THE EARLY 1990s I had been part of a handful of film shooters specializing in fly fishing photography and was fortunate to have carved a suc- cessful niche in the industry giving me assignments around the world to shoot and write stories for a number of different publications. My world changed with the advent of digital imaging. No longer was I exclusive in capturing publication quality images. With the instant gratification of digital capture, anyone could skip the learning curve and jump immediately
physics, there are three considerations which should be un- derstood and addressed in order to capture quality split level images. First, the air/water interface results in different lens focal points for your subject. As you may recall from basic scuba, water has a magnifying effect at the air/water interface of your face mask. Objects appear closer and larger than they are due to the lensing effect of that air/water interface. The same holds true for your camera system, your underwater subject will have a closer “virtual” focal point, which will be different from the farther “actual” focal point above the water.
to quality images that editors were happy to publish. Suddenly, competition was everywhere. So I ditched all of my film camera bodies, including my trusty Nikonos V systems, and dived headfirst into digital media. This, of course, required me to purchase housings for my new digital bodies with requisite lenses and associated ports. Ironically, the acquisition of an ul- tra-wide fisheye lens, sporting an amazing 180 degree field of view, and an ultra- wide eight inch diameter domed port, gave me an idea on how I might separate myself from the growing fly fishing shooter competition.
Fortunately, the fisheye lens, with a very short focal length, provides an in- herently broad depth of focus when shot at very small aperture settings, providing the shooter an opportunity to overcome the focal point differences. But while the smallest aperture settings enable the broadest latitude for obtaining sharp focus across the scene, secondarily, they reduce the amount of light to the subject necessary for proper scene ex- posure. However, another advantage of very short focal length lenses is their ability
!
Thus, I began hauling my ultra-wide kit with me on as- signments for a different kind of image capture, something new to the industry which could only be achieved by using the fisheye dome port combination: split level images. My first system was a Nikon D200 body in a Sea & Sea housing with a Nikon 10.5mm fisheye lens behind an 8- inch Sea & Sea acrylic dome port. Even though there was much trial and error, because of the instant image review on the camera’s LCD, capturing publishable images proved not too difficult. As an educated film shooter, both above and underwater, I was aware of the air/water interface physics impacting image capture, which allowed me an advanced starting point from where I could shoot, review, learn, readjust and improve. Mastering the Physics of Split Shooting : With regard to
to freeze motion at very slow shutter speed settings. For ex- ample, a 16mm fisheye lens can be shot as slow as 1/16 of a second and, with proper technique, image blur from motion can be avoided. Recall that the rule of thumb for minimal shutter speed to obtain a sharp image is 1 over the focal length, e.g. a 50mm lens would require 1/50 of a second. This means that we can use the smallest apertures to obtain the broadest depth of focus and not worry too much about the slower shutter speeds required to provide correct scene exposure, especially since we are generally shooting using natural daylight at the surface of the water. Still, there is another potential scene luminosity concern; the water medium on the lower half of the scene may have a different luminosity need than that of the surface subject. This will occur if the UW subject background is dark and
PAGE EIGHTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
reflected light is minimal. This can make the total scene illu- mination balance a potential challenge. However, this too can be solved by employing flash fill. When I first began to experiment with my D200, I shot ISO 200 (for lowest noise), f16 (to achieve maximum subject sharpness above and below the water while not requiring a shutter speed slower than 1/30 second) and Aperture Priority (where shutter speed “floats” to accommodate correct exposure with fixed ISO and aperture). I also set the camera to Matrix Metering, which evaluates the entire scene for proper exposure and, Point Autofocus specifically for the UW subject. This combination of settings gave me sufficient shutter speeds to enable sharp images but sometimes resulted in an inability to obtain proper exposure across the entire scene. In addition, I often had subject softness above the water because I could not shoot a smaller aperture without getting too slow on shutter speed. And, a higher ISO in my early camera body produced unacceptable noise. Still, because I could literally shoot until the card was full or the battery drained, I’d return with a handful of images for which the editors would clamor. To solve the luminosity balance issue I began shooting PHOTO PRO continued
splits with a single strobe mounted directly to the housing for flash fill on either the surface or UW subject. With the camera set to Rear Sync (which allowed for ambient light fill to the background) and a change to Spot Metering for the UW subject, I was able to achieve much better total scene ex- posure balance. To fix my occasional image softness issue on one half of the scene, I switched from autofocus to fixing the focus manually at a distance just beyond where autofocus would have locked on my UW subject (taking a page from the Nikonos handbook using the field of focus markings on the lens barrel). This shifted the field of focus enough to now enable sharp focus on both the UW and surface subject. The third physics concern with split shooting is relatively simple to solve. Fisheye lenses provide a unique, often unnatural image perspective at normal shooting distances. They bend lines with a barreling effect on subjects becoming most pronounced the further the subject is from the center line of focus. And, they create a magnified, false perspective of subject distance the farther the subject is from the lens. But we know from our UW shooting that by getting super close to our subjects we can actually use these effects to our
advantage. The same holds true for split shooting but with an important corollary; the above water part of the subject will appear farther away than the UW part of the subject PHOTO PRO continued
have considerably more dynamic range allowing the shooter to often forgo using flash fill. Matrix metering with the high dynamic range allows more even exposure both above and below the surface.
which will appear closer due to the air/water and air/air interface of the dome port. This is something to think about when choosing subjects to shoot with split shots. For example, shooting a reef scene and a palm tree on an island above the water will likely result in the tree being too small to add significance in the image. Conversely shooting an unnaturally large surface object (like the ship propeller and the diver) can make for an interesting split image. Mastering the Techniques of Split Shooting: Today’s camera sensors are vastly
As a starting point, I recommend the fol- lowing camera settings for natural light: ISO 400 (800 if you can without imparting noise), f18 (f22 if you can), spot or small area focus specifically for the UW subject, matrix metering (take advantage of the dy- namic range of the camera if you can), aperture priority and manual focus set for 12-16 inches from the dome port. These setting should result in a good starting point to shoot splits without flash fill. While any dome port with a fisheye lens
improved with regard to sensor sensitivity under low light situations. This means we can employ higher ISOs allowing the smallest apertures for a given scene. I now routinely shoot splits at ISO 800 and f22 with my Nikon D850 in a Subal housing behind a Zen 230mm (9-inch) super dome port. As a bonus, image sensors on today’s camera bodies
could be used for split images, the largest dome ports provide the very best image quality. I recommend nothing less than a 200mm (8-inch) dome for the 35mm standard camera system. And if you can go 230mm, do it. When you initially begin shooting splits you’ll find that, depending on the material of the dome (acrylic or glass),
water will adhere to the port surface in varying degrees forming rivulets and beads on the dome surface. In addition to being annoying, it will also have a negative impact on the surface subject. A rivulet or drop will, on its own, act as a mini lens on the surface of the port and cause image distortion. I find that glass tends to have less surface tension than does acrylic, meaning that water will “sheet” more cleanly off the glass surface better leaving fewer rivulets and droplets than acrylic. Through trial and error, I have found an effective technique to minimize the offensive water issues on the dome. The technique employs dunking the entire dome underwater and shooting the camera on Continuous Trigger Release Priority while slowing lifting the housing from the water. As you do this, a thin layer of water remains on the entire surface of the dome for a brief instant due to surface tension before sheeting off under gravity. Because this water layer is uniform, it does not impart image distortion on the above surface portion of the image. By shooting continuous release mode as you slowly lift the housing from the water, you will likely capture at least an image or two in the burst that will have both the UW and PHOTO PRO continued
surface subject within the scene. While splits can be done in deep water, the inherent weight of the housing/dome port system lends it to be best used in water shallow enough to stand. After shooting a burst of shots, check your work. I typically shoot a series of shots at a given group of settings and camera angles, then check the LCD for both image quality and histogram clipping. Generally, histogram clipping is rarely an issue. However, camera housing angle is often something I need to correct. As I am generally above the camera, my view of the camera angle may not be perpendicular to the subject, resulting in either too much UW or surface subject. So I use the image set in the LCD and adjust ac- cordingly. Finally, when I think I have a set of images that appear to be winners, I will select them individually in the LCD and blow them up to check for sharpness of both the UW and surface subjects. I’ve learned the hard way that failing to
check image sharpness across the scene is a guarantee I’ll end up with more losers than winners when enlarged on the computer.
contact Mark
TRAVEL
Diving WWII History Frozen in Time: The Prinz Eugen at Kwajalein Atoll by Mark E. Young , Retired US Army Logistics Major and PADI Divemaster
T HE FIRST WORD THAT CAME TO MIND when I landed on Kwajalein Atoll was paradise. Access to Kwaj is highly re-
structor, this dive took place shortly after he earned his Advanced Open Water certification. Diving the Prinz Eugen
became a milestone – not just in training, but in un- derstanding the responsi- bility that comes with ad- vanced wreck diving. Visibility in the atoll is exceptional. Even from the surface, the scale of the ship is striking. Descending alongside the wreck, the cruiser feels frozen in time – gun turrets, damaged su- perstructure, open hatches, and shadowed passageways disappearing into darkness. Marine life has fully re- claimed the vessel. Groupers patrol the corridors, par- rotfish cruise the hull, and sharks circle below on the sandy atoll floor nearly 160 feet beneath us. Exploring the Prinz Eugen properly takes multiple dives and appropriate training. At over 700 feet long, it’s a site that demands respect, experience, and planning. Kwajalein provides an un- usually controlled environ- ment for building those skills, while offering access
Mark, Christina and Gavin Young on Kwajalein
stricted – unless you’re Mar- shallese or directly connected to the atoll, getting there is nearly impossible. Being se- lected to live and work there felt like winning the lottery. While my role supporting a military logistics contract always came first, the reality was simple – few places on Earth offer diving like Kwa- jalein. The atoll is surrounded by coral heads, wall dives, sharks, aircraft, and ship- wrecks, both military and commercial. Among them is one of the most histori- cally significant wrecks in the Pacific – the Prinz Eu- gen . A German Admiral Hip- per–class heavy cruiser launched in the late 1930s, the Prinz Eugen served dur- ing World War II before being surrendered to Allied forces. She was later used by the U.S. Navy during Operation Crossroads nu- clear testing at Bikini Atoll,
On the cover, Prinz Eugen, a WWII German Cruiser in Kwajalein Lagoon, Marshall Islands. Shot by Mark B. Hatter, using a Nikon D800 in a SEACAM housing with Sigma 15mm fisheye lens behind a 240mm domed port.
PAGE TWENTY-TWO | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY I consider myself an extremely conservative diver, and I only dive with people I trust completely. I was fortunate to share this experience with my son, Gavin, who was also working on Kwaj at the time. Although he is now a dive in- then towed to Kwajalein, where she ultimately capsized while being beached. Today, the wreck rests just two miles north of the island, instantly recognizable by a massive propeller still breaking the surface.
to living history rarely found elsewhere – from WWII aircraft graveyards to warships resting quietly beneath the Pacific. Diving together in Kwajalein remains one of our most meaningful experiences. The Prinz Eugen , along with sites
like Troy’s coral head, will always stand out not just as extraordinary dives, but as reminders of why training, trust, and respect for history matter underwater.
contact Mark
TRAVEL
A Group Dive Guide to Indonesia by David Prichard & Lily Mak , Enchanted Sea Images, Inc., Dallas, TX
L AST MONTH WE EXPLORED the Philippines, this month were tackling another destination with thousands of Islands - Indonesia. When you hear; “We had a great time when you took us to the Philippines, but we want to see more parts of this Coral Triangle area that
over five times the length of the USA and mostly separated by water to create thousands of individual island cultures and pristine coral reef areas to dive upon. But Indonesia has a few regions that have become popular for dive tourists, namely the areas around Bali, Sulawesi, and the eastern part of the country that is west of Papua New Guinea and above western Australia.
has the best biodiversity in the world” said the group leader to you at your dive center. “How about setting up a trip to Indonesia?’ “We did have a wonderful trip to the Philip- pines, but we only saw a couple of the islands in the country that has 7,641 of them,” you reply. “While Indonesia also has great biodi- versity, it might be a bit more challenging to plan since the country is spread out over twice as many islands (around 17,000) stretch- ing from west of Malaysia in the Indian Ocean over to Papua New Guinea, which is north of Australia in the South Pacific. That’s a huge area, so let’s plan on just one part of the country for our trip.” As described in December’s Scuba Diving Industry Magazine overview article on the Philippines, the Coral Triangle’s exceptionally high biodiversity is largely due to the region not being encased in ice during the Ice Age. As a result, life both below and above the waves was able to flourish and evolve. The is- lands of Indonesia straddle the equator, pro- viding warm water year round, and contain
The Bali Region: The island of Bali has long been a tourist attraction due to its high concentration of a variety of art forms and culture as it is the only island in the nation whose inhabitants are primarily of the Hindu religion. While the capital and main international airport is in Denpasar, the City of Ubud is the island’s cultural center for dance and art, as featured in the 2010 film “Eat Pray Love” starring Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, and James Franco. Divers discovered that the island was rich in marine life right off the coast so there are a lot of dive sites accessed by shore diving. Divers can find most of the “hit list” of exotic and rare sea creatures in Bali’s waters, including the Dugong “sea cow” that is related to the manatee. Besides colorful reefs, Bali also has shipwrecks to inspect, such as the Liberty wreck off Tu- lamben beach that was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in World War II and
approximately 18 percent of the world’s total coral reefs, nearly one fifth. These reefs cover about 20,000 square miles, more than 51,000 square kilometers, or over 12 million acres, more than 5.1 million hectares, underwater. This region is home to roughly 5,000 species of marine life and nearly 600 species of coral. Popular Diving Regions: There is a span of about 16,000 miles from one end of Indonesia to the other, so there are a lot of cultural differences among the 17,000 islands. In ref- erence, the continental United States has only about 3,000 miles covering one end to the other with a lot of cultural differences between the state regions. Imagine now being
then beached on the shore before a nearby volcano erupted and its lava flow pushed the freighter back into the water. Bali also has offshore islands that are popular dive sites, like Nusa Penida where divers can spot the giant Mola Mola fish (Oceanic Sunfish) visiting from July to October. Northwest of Bali is Menjangan Island that offers colorful reefs and drop-offs but also features wild deer that can be seen swimming around the protected island. East of Bali is Lombok and the Gili Islands which is known for clear and calm waters for all levels of divers to enjoy the immense bio- diversity of marine creatures. The Sulawesi Region: The island of Sulawesi has three
PAGE TWENTY-THREE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker