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!
MARCH 2025 PUBLISHED BY CLINE GROUP ECO PRO CAN SUNSCREEN BE GOOD FOR CORALS? SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
RETAILING CHOOSING A POS SYSTEM, DIVE CLUBS & RETAILERS TRAVEL DIVERSE ITALY, WHALES OF DOMINICA BUSINESS EDU CREATING SOCIAL CONTENT, HOW TO EMBRACE GEN Z SAFETY MENTAL HEALTH & DIVING
Photo by Alex Mustard at Broadbelt's Bommie, named after Steven Broadbelt, Co-Founder of Ocean Frontiers, Grand Cayman
digital version
TRENDS IN DIVE RETAILING, TRAVEL & TRAINING
SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY™ MAGAZINE • MARCH 2025
CONTENTS PAGE 5 FROM THE PUBLISHER Does Anyone Really Read Print Anymore? A Look At Divers’ Ages PAGE 7 SAFETY Dan Orr: The Mental Health Benefits of Scuba Diving PAGE 11 BUSINESS EDU Al Hornsby: Dive Safety Protocols – The Importance of Standardized Practices PAGE 13 TRAVEL Peter Symes: Dive Into Europe: Dive Tuscany, Italy?
ADVERTISER’S INDEX 2 & 3 Aggressor Adventures 6 Diver’s Alert Network (DAN) 7 ScubaRadio 10 Aggressor Adventures 12 ScubaWeather.com 12 Barefoot Cay Resort, Roatan 13 X-Ray Magazine 14 Stream2Sea Reef Safe Products 14 Sea Experience, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 15 Big Animals Global Expeditions 16 Virgin Cruises Dive Industry Party 18 & 19 DIVO By Scubatech 21 Blue Force Fleet Liveaboards
PAGE 16 RETAILING Gil Zeimer: How Dive Clubs Can Be a Dive Re- tailer’s Best Friend PAGE 17 INDUSTRY NEWS Jeff Cinciripino: Boston Sea Rovers Show Report PAGE 17 INDUSTRY NEWS Cathryn Castle Garcia: In Memoriam: Barry Guimbellot PAGE 15 PHOTO PRO Amos Nachoum: Behind The Lens: Whale Whispers – A Dance with the Giants of Dominica
PAGE 20 BUSINESS EDU
PAGE 24 TRAINING Tec Clark: How to Embrace Generation Z PAGE 26 RETAILING Jeff Cinciripino: POS Systems - The Heart of Your Operation Cathryn Castle Garcia: Succeeding in Business is Easy If You Know How to Steal PAGE 29 ECO PRO Alex Brylske, Ph.D.: Using Sunscreen to Do the Right Thing for the Planet and Your Own Health
22 Clear Story Coach 22 Reef Smart Guides
23 Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba 25 Sau Bay Resort & Spa, Fiji 27 All Star Liveaboards 28 SeaCure Custom Mouthpieces 30 The Scuba Show, Long Beach, CA 31 Explorer Ventures Liveaboards
DIVERTISE WITH US! INCLUDE US IN YOUR 2025 MEDIA PLAN!
BACK COVER DEMA 33 Level Up Podcast 34 Article Index
PAGE FOUR | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
FROM THE PUBLISHER
DOES ANYONE REALLY READ PRINT ANYMORE? A LOOK AT DIVERS’ AGES
In 2023, DEMA conducted a consumer survey with over 8,700 divers responding. Based on this extensive survey, approximately 40% of respondents in the U.S. are over the age of 55. When asked what influenced their purchasing decisions for training, equipment, and travel, an astounding 89% said print magazines had an impact on their choices. Further, when the data is filtered for dive professionals, Divemaster/Con and above, out of 599 respondents, 42% said they rely on print magazines for travel and equipment pur- chasing decisions. Our Editor-at-Large, Neal Watson, Sr. , said this about our magazine: “A consumer magazine might garner 100 bookings for a great ad with the right audi- ence. This magazine, sent to retailers, could get you 10 retailers who each book 20 peo- ple per year for the next five years.” It’s simply a numbers game: $250k vs. $2.5 million in potential bookings - and at a low advertising cost. Specifically, for consumers aged 55 and older, who make up 40% of our current diver base, responded that “ print dive magazines ” influence the following purchasing deci- sions: Continuing Education Influence : 93.2% ▪ Travel Planning Influence : 86.8% ▪ In other words, the largest age group in our consumer base still values and uses maga- zines when making diving-related decisions. While we may think of print as old school, for today’s divers, it works. Additionally: Divers 55+ had 151% more friends who are also divers compared to those aged 21– ▪ 34 (15.2 vs. 6.0). They tend to travel in dive groups with retailers. Divers 55+ were 330% more likely to have purchased travel during their last visit to ▪ a dive retailer (7.0% vs. 2.1%). This highlights the importance of reaching retailers. Divers 55+ were 198% more likely to have completed all certifications locally (59% ▪ vs. 30%). Again, the retailer is key. All of this points to two clear takeaways: Print is not dead in diving, and reaching the retailer is critical for any successful marketing strategy in this industry. Equipment Purchase Influence : 87.1% ▪ Average Usage of Dive Magazines : 89.0% ▪
William Cline, Publisher Patty Cline, Associate Publisher Amber Wagenknecht, Executive Editor Betty Orr, Copy Editor Neal Watson, Sr., Editor-at-Large Britain Cline, Advertising Sales Manager Gavin Young, SE Asia Advertising Sales Walker Cline, Digital, Social & SEO Contributors: Alex Brylske, Ph.D., Avon Park, FL Tec Clark, Fort Lauderdale, FL Jeff Cinciripino, Rocky Hill, CT Cathryn Castle Garcia, Azores, Portugal Al Hornsby, Singapore Amos Nachoum, Pacific Grove, CA SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY™ MAGAZINE MARCH 2025 VOL. 2, NO. 3
Dan Orr, Driggs, ID Peter Symes, Denmark Gil Zeimer, San Rafael, CA
Scuba 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 Scuba Diving Industry Magazine, 1740 Airpark Ln., Plano, TX 75093. Any part of this publica- tion may be reproduced, as long as the source is quoted “Scuba 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 contribu- tors 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 William
William Cline, Publisher
PAGE FIVE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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SAFETY The Mental Health Benefits of Scuba Diving – by Dan Orr, President, Dan Orr Consulting and Vincent Meurice, bathysmed.com
After returning home from a tour of duty in Southeast Asia in 1968, like many young men and women who re- turn from the military, I was struggling with issues that were definitely affecting my mental and physical health. As I re- turned to college, I heard that a local scuba instructor and dive center owner was looking for certified divers to help as pool assistants for his scuba classes. I had received my scuba diver certification in 1964, along with my brother Tom,
though no data or research results came from those early years to prove the benefits of scuba diving on mental health, there has since been considerable research demonstrating the value of therapeutic outdoor recreation on those, especially veterans with mental health challenges. Research has shown that approximately 1.8% of non-vet- erans, 4.5% of military veterans with no wartime experience, and 10.4% of veterans with wartime experience (Vietnam) still experience mental health challenges even after 50 years or more. More recently, it was found that 36.9% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans received a diagnosis of mental illness, such as PTSD, anxiety disorder, or depression. It has now been well-documented that therapeutic outdoor recreation has been shown consistently effective across a variety of mental health challenges. Scuba diving has been shown to be increasingly popular among veterans. Scuba diving offers a variety of benefits that being and mental health among veterans can be partially at- tributed to their participation in a recreational scuba diving program. Of those, 60% of veterans self-reported a subse- quent positive outlook and an overall improvement in their psychological well being. Vincent and I would now like to dive more deeply into the notion that the use of sport, in this case recreational scuba diving, to overcome stress-related pathologies, some of which are as severe as PTSD, is nothing new. Generally speaking, all studies show that taking part in sports, especially nature sports, has a positive impact on mental health. The real ques- tion here is: what is the added value of diving compared to other sports, and why is going underwater more effective than hiking in the mountains or kayaking in rivers? The answer isn't always obvious, but with a little digging, it becomes as clear as visibility in the Cenotes in the Mexican Yucatan. can have a positive impact on the emotional struggles veterans expe- rience following separation from the military. One study reported a 90% improvement in general well-
and I wanted to get back into diving. Once I returned to diving, I began to sense that something was different. It truly seemed that each time I went under- water, I left my worries, cares, and anxieties at the surface and, even when I returned to the surface, those issues didn’t seem
to be quite as significant or prob- lematic after all. I didn’t realize at the time, but diving was, indeed, therapy for me. A few years later, when I became
a scuba instructor and started the Scuba Program at Wright State University (WSU) in Dayton, Ohio, I had a number of veterans and students with disabilities in my scuba training courses. Sometimes it was subtle, many times unspoken by the person, but I began to notice changes in those taking our scuba diver training courses and I began to think that there may just be some connection between scuba diver training and a person’s ability to deal with stress. I even went so far as to talk with Veterans Affairs and the university psychology department to see if they were interested in looking into the thought that scuba training could be beneficial to veterans and others dealing with stress or other mental health issues. Unfortunately, the departments at the university thought that scuba diving, and recreation in general, had little impact upon emotional stress and what we now call, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite their lack of interest, the WSU Scuba Program became increasingly popular with vet- erans and those with physical and emotional challenges. Al-
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PAGE SEVEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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SAFETY continued Diving is the only sport where EVERYTHING changes, just by putting our head underwater. You're no longer a land- lubber, and that changes everything! You can get someone to go skydiving, caving or mountaineering, and the laws of physics will still apply. Underwater - that's another challenge for divers! But why? Our senses no longer function in the same way. Our physiology changes. Blood is distributed differently, body gases are modified, our senses of touch, pressure, pain and temperature (somesthetic sensors) are over-stimulated by the density of the environment, our body weight is balanced out by weightlessness, our communication is reduced to a mini- mum and more. For years, science has focused on the potentially harmful effects of diving, such as decompres- sion illness (decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism). It was a long time before we took a close look at the positive effects of our favorite sport. Recently, several clinical studies have been carried out in Europe and other areas of the world on diving and post-traumatic stress (the most severe stress pathology). The results showed an improvement in stress levels and resilience, suggesting that regular diving could provide long- term protection against the damaging effects of stress. Here are a few explanations: Cardiac coherence and the Hering-Breuer reflex: Hav- ing a regulator in our mouth to breathe pressurized breathing gas forces you to quickly adopt a deep, calm ventilatory rhythm. When you're exploring the underwater world, neu- trally buoyant, deep, slow breathing activates the vagal nerves via the lung stretch sensors (Hering-Breuer reflex), which is a key component of the parasympathetic system. The vagal nerves slow heart rate and promote a state of relaxation. This activation also improves heart rate variability (HRV), which is a good indicator of cardiac health and stress management capacity. Cardiac coherence, a physiological state where the heart, brain and other body systems function in a coordinated man- ner, also has an effect on the production of stress-related hor- mones such as cortisol. When practicing cardiac coherence breathing, cortisol levels in the blood can be reduced, helping to lower stress levels and induce a sense of well-being. Weightlessness and reduced mental heaviness: People
suffering from stress-related mental disorders often feel “heavy,” both physically (mental exhaustion, lack of energy) and mentally (an emotional burden, a feeling of stagnation). Weightlessness during diving can offer a sense of liberation. The fact that our bodies float in the water and that you are weightless during the dive reduces the physical pressure on muscles and joints, which can lead to a feeling of deep relax- ation. The absence of weight can also have a positive influence on the nervous system, helping to reduce physical and mental tension, and enabling the person to momentarily detach themselves from the heaviness they usually feel. Psychologi- cally, this effect can translate into a feeling of floating, light- ness and escape, which may alleviate depressive symptoms, even temporarily.
Return to the Womb (intra-uterine life): Diving evokes a return to our ori- gins, recalling intra-uterine life through a variety of sensations. By reducing gravity, water creates a feeling of weightlessness similar to that of a fetus floating in am- niotic fluid. Famed psychoanalyst Sal- vador Ferenczi stated that this wish to return to the amniotic fluids of the womb symbolizes, in his words, “a wish
Mental preparation session on the boat just before the dive.
to return to the origins of life, the sea.” The muffled sounds underwater recall the sound environment in utero, dominated by maternal heartbeat and blood circulation. The diver's slow, deep breathing is akin to the soothing rhythm perceived be- fore birth. By reducing external stimuli and fixed reference points, immersion promotes a state of security and letting go. This deep sensory experience can awaken archaic memories and explain the sense of well-being and peace felt underwater. “Like a return to our roots, diving awakens in us the memory of fetal life and offers us a second birth.” - Vincent Meurice Healthy versus pathological hypervigilance: Hypervig- ilance, or heightened alertness, comes in two forms: healthy and pathological. The pathological form, often linked to trauma or anxiety, is characterized by irrational fear and dis- abling symptoms (anxiety, sleep disorders, isolation). Con- versely, healthy hypervigilance is selective attention adapted to a specific situation, such as diving. It enables you to react effectively to the demands of the environment (air manage- ment, decompression, currents), promoting concentration, stress management and confidence. Diving, in particular, forces us to refocus on the present moment, eliminating ru- minations. In contrast to pathological hypervigilance, a source
PAGE EIGHT | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
SAFETY continued of suffering, the healthy form enhances the diving experience, enabling conscious, soothing immersion. As you may remember from a recent edition of Scuba Diving Industry Magazine , I (Dan Orr) addressed the importance of focus in terms of situational awareness. In terms of mental health, that situational awareness includes being aware of everything going on around us during a dive and interpreting
and mental clarity, allowing you to reconnect with our deepest emotions. This absence of verbal communication even de- velops better empathy, as divers must follow their instincts and rely on the body language and facial expressions of their buddy Faced with stressful situations, divers learn to rely first and foremost on their ability to handle a problem alone, rather
how those things may impact our safety and the safety of those we dive with. Situational awareness should also include being aware of our own emo- tional wellbeing. Similarly, pathological hyper- vigilance, exacerbated by the constant use of cell phones,
than verbalizing it and seeking outside help. This improves self- efficacy, resilience and concen- tration. Attention to detail, such as being situationally aware during a dive, can be positively linked to mental health, as it allows a diver to focus their concentration and,
creates a permanent state of alert, anxiously awaiting notifi- cations and messages. This digital addiction feeds a cycle of stress, fear of missing out (FOMO) and dependence on the dopamine released by virtual interactions. By physically cutting off from this source of hyperstimula- tion, scuba diving offers a radical, and potentially, welcomed break. This forced disconnection enables the nervous system to reset itself, to free itself from the grip of incessant alerts.
following a successful dive, enjoy a sense of accomplishment. Mindfulness (Awareness): Scuba diving demands our full and complete attention, as you have to focus on our sur- roundings, our equipment and the parameters of our dive plan. "Focus" in mental health therapy refers to a therapeutic approach that emphasizes directing someone’s attention in- wards, allowing them to deeply explore and understand their internal experiences. This is often done by paying close at-
Underwater silence, the absence of visual and auditory stimuli, promotes a state of calm and self- centeredness. In this way, diving can act as an antidote to the pathological hy- pervigilance induced by cell
tention to bodily sensations and subtle feelings in order to gain greater self-awareness and facili- tate personal growth. Mindful- ness, therefore, is a way of paying attention to the present moment, using techniques like meditation,
breathing. This type of mindfulness can heighten our senses and make you more aware of our surroundings, making you a safer diver. Diving and meditative diving: We've just listed a number of reasons why diving is one of the best sports for stress man- agement. But do you know what? It's even possible to en- hance these beneficial effects by practicing targeted diving exercises. Protocols combining diving with meditation and sports psychology techniques have recently been developed, with very promising results... Stay tuned! Becoming a certified scuba diver not only opens the door
phones. It offers a space for digital detoxification, enabling us to regain psychic balance and reconnect with the present moment. The absence of verbal communication during diving has a profound impact on cognition and can be a powerful tool for stress management. Immersion diving, deprived of verbal communication, transforms the experience into a form of aquatic meditation. Deprived of words, divers refocus their attention on the present moment, immersing themselves in bodily sensations and the underwater environment. This aquatic “mindfulness” calms the mind, releasing ruminations and reducing anxiety. Non-verbal communication, through signs and gestures, strengthens the connection with the part- ner and nature, creating a deep, silent bond. Underwater si- lence offers a welcome cognitive break, allowing the brain to rest and regenerate. This tranquility encourages introspection
to exciting underwater adventures, but it also can be beneficial for our mental health. From reduc- ing stress, to increasing self-confidence, and con- necting to nature, scuba diving can be a powerful tool for promoting mental well-being.
email Dan Orr
PAGE NINE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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Dive Safety Protocols – The Importance of Standardized Practices – by Al Hornsby, owner, Al Hornsby Productions, Singapore Al is regarded as one of the industry’s most experienced risk management litigation executives. BUSINESS EDU
this, he decided to tow as fast as he could, and to not risk the extra time and effort to continue rescue breaths along the way. In the end, with the mate’s help, he managed to get the victim into the boat, but it was too late, and the unfor- tunate man did not respond to CPR and O2. However, crit- ical facts were just not knowable – especially such as at what point in the entire episode the man had passed away. What was known and obvious was that the rescuer made a valiant effort to get the victim out of the surf, and to get him to the boat as quickly as possible, even risking injury to himself to do so. The resulting lawsuit named the dive operation, the store owner and PADI, claiming (among other things) that the rescue was not done properly (no in-water rescue breaths) and that PADI’s CPR and rescue training was flawed. Expert witnesses (including prominent competitors of PADI) blamed PADI, the store owner and the store. The several- day trial was conducted before a jury. Ultimately, PADI –
In an industry with “standards” com- mon, how they are used and the impor- tance they have in day-to-day business far exceed the typical norms in every- day life. While many activities have common practices, in diving they are
more constantly used as guides to behavior. When we look at learning to dive; being able to get cylinders filled; being allowed on a dive boat; buying and/or renting certain equip- ment, etc., virtually every significant step in dive activities is guided by (or subject to) developed standards and practices, for the simple purpose of building and maintaining diver safety. And, overall, it works, as risk-inclusive activities go, diving’s overall safety record is indeed impressive. With the existence of such standard practices, however – especially those that have been consistently publicized and put into popular use - come implied obligations and respon- sibilities, as well, with the potential of fault being found
which uses and teaches standardized, universally-practiced CPR and rescue techniques - was exonerated, but the dive center and its owner were found culpable, allegedly as having provided an improper in-water rescue response (specifically including the ending of res- cue breaths) - despite the fact that no one actually knew at what point in the
when an injury occurs associated with the perceived ‘violation’ of such a practice. In a dive accident, whether a rule or practice actually was a/the critical issue (or not), may unfortu- nately be determined in litigation, after-the-fact. One of the best examples of this potential issue occurred some years
Divers Practicing Rescues
entire episode the victim actually had passed. Also, this ad- verse verdict happened even though providing rescue breaths under these circumstances would likely have not made any difference in outcome. The jury seemed to ignore this fact. As touched on earlier, in-water rescues are difficult and not always successful, but their use has been developed over years of research and practice. Most often, what ultimately now exists as standard practices in the industry have gener- ally proven themselves, but they may also be used as the measure against which – fairly or not – specific behaviors might be compared. Standardized practices should be care- fully studied, periodically refreshed and adhered-to by staff
ago at a popular resort-diving island in the US. The dive cen- ter operator, a longtime instructor, was guiding a 4-person family group on a boat-dive excursion. The oldest diver, the father, in his 50’s, had some, fair diving experience…the other family-members were certified but less experienced. Conditions were good, with clear water and a light swell, the site was off an iron-shore, reef-flat adjacent to some well- lit arches and shallow tunnels. At one point, the father got too close to the reef-flat and was washed up onto it, with the surge moving him back and forth across the rough reef for several minutes. The dive operator, risking his own safety, went up into the surge and managed to bring the - by then, unconscious - diver off the reef. With the boat anchored some 75 yards away, he began towing the diver out, giving rescue breaths. Tiring, he de- cided that getting the victim to the boat where the mate could assist with CPR and O2 was the most critical issue. In
as fully as possible. In a court room, in the midst of a painful litigation, is not where you want opinions about them to be put to the test.
email Al PAGE ELEVEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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As I resume writing about dive travel to Europe, I want to remind everybody that my aim is to enlighten those American colleagues who have little or no idea about Europe and diving here. I do appreciate that some of you are already familiar with it. I’d like to turn your attention once again to Italy, which TRAVEL Dive Into Europe: Dive Tuscany, Italy? – by Peter Symes, Publisher, X-Ray Magazine
also offers excellent diving. It’s in this region where scuba diving was founded, and many leading brands, such as Mares, Cressi, and Seac Sub, are based here. The coastline is stunning, and while I won’t single out specific locations, a couple of suggestions come to mind. From the US, you can fly to Milan or Rome, rent a car, and book a vacation home in Tuscany, through a reputable agency. The region is famous for its beautiful landscapes, for being the birth- place of the Renaissance, wines, food, and historic sites.
offers incredible diversity and is a great example of the cultural differ- ences you’ll find across Europe. I’ve often struggled to convey the extent of these differences, but think of the 41 European countries as sim- ilar to America, just with some vast regional differences. Several Euro- pean countries, including Germany, are indeed federations of states, much like the US. Historically, these states have been feuding and fighting for dominance until the national states we now know were formed. It certainly was the case with Italy.
Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano, and Siena are all easily reachable, along with many dive sites along the Lig- urian coast. You can also visit the is- land of Elba off Liguria, home to several good dive centres. For a unique experience, try diving at Grotta Giusti, a thermal spa in an old mansion near Florence, where you can dive in an underwater grotto with hot water. It’s a spectacular dive. The spa and restaurant are fab too. Consult with a travel agency if that
provides you with some peace of mind, less bother or bet- ter rates or guarantees. Otherwise, you should be good. Just test operators on Trustpilot and the like. Europe is generally quite safe and violent crime is not a concern. In many European countries the police don’t even carry firearms. That should tell you something. It is mostly pick-
I tend to emphasize culture and topside attractions over diving, as most of the diversity is found on land. However, historical events have also left their mark on the seabed, such as shipwrecks from all eras since ancient times, inter- esting diving options are generally also available. Visit in- teresting places, and in most cases you will also find great dive options nearby. This time, I’d like to highlight Liguria and Tuscany in northwest Italy. Liguria borders Provence in France, which
pockets, petty theft and scams around major tourist attractions one need to be mindful of. Next month I will continue my series traveling around the Mediterranean.
email Peter
PAGE THIRTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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PHOTO PRO
Behind The Lens: Whale Whispers – A Dance with the Giants of Dominica – Photos and text by Amos Nachoum, Big Animals Global Expeditions
As the boat's crew shouted ea- gerly, I adjusted my mask and fins and plunged into the warm, crystal- clear waters off Dominica. Mo- ments after surfacing, I lifted my head to locate the approaching sperm whales. The skipper, having detected their clicking communica- tions through a hydrophone, signaled they were near. The
converged in a lotus formation, their clicks intensifying into what seemed a familial dialogue. With awe, I witnessed this intimate ritual, though the depth blurred my vision for a clear photo. Driven by the rarity of the moment, I took a deep breath and dove towards them, descending slowly to 20 feet where I paused to observe. The whales' conversation grew louder as I ventured further, reaching 30 feet. Carefully equal- izing, I pushed to 40 feet, camera in hand, capturing three precious frames of their touching exchange before my lungs
crew's shouts intensified, directing me left as I submerged into a world transformed by the rhythmic clicks of these majestic creatures. I remained motionless, entranced by the alien symphony that surrounded me, feeling as though I was floating in space alongside them. The silence that followed was profound, and in that hush, shadows materialized before me. A pod of five or six sperm whales glided gracefully toward me, aligned in perfect for- mation. I edged right, careful to avoid disturb- ing their path. It was a poignant reminder that these creatures, the largest carnivorous ani-
beckoned for air. Surfacing, gasping, and invigorated, I was overwhelmed by grat- itude for the natural world's gift—a glimpse into the profound connections within a whale family. This encounter, where I swam alongside the gentle giants of the deep, listening to their private symphony, was not just an adventure but a profound reminder of the intricate lives unfolding beneath the waves. The sperm whale, previously endan- gered but now numbering between 250,000 and 300,000 thanks to interna-
Sperm Whales of Dominica
mals on the planet, move with such gentle and warm regard for one another. Once the whales passed, I followed, mes- merized by the gentle sway of their tails. At times I drew closer; at others, they outpaced me with their effortless power. Despite losing them briefly, I persevered in their direction and soon rediscovered them idling just ahead, breaking the surface quietly. I paused, floating silently to avoid startling them, ab- sorbing the slowed cadence of their clicks. The pod then began a synchronized dive—one by one, the adults first, fol- lowed by the smallest. As they gathered below, their heads
tional conservation efforts, showcases nature’s resilience. Their remarkable recovery since the 1986 commercial whaling ban underscores the strength of their tight family bonds and cooperative behaviors—traits that have played a critical role in their comeback. These experiences underscore the essence
of wildlife photography: the intersection of en- durance, precise timing, and a profound respect for the natural world. It's a reminder of how in- spiring and precious wilderness is when we ap- proach it with respect and patience.
contact Amos
RETAILING How Dive Clubs Can Be a Dive Retailer’s Best Friend – by Gil Zeimer, ScubaStoryteller.com and Zeimer.com, San Rafael, CA
As a PADI Open-Water Diver for nearly 40 years, Gil has published more than 110 articles in over 25 magazines and websites, plus another 170 newsletters about his experiences. He’s also a two-time skin cancer survivor.
Why build a relationship with one cus- tomer when you can grow it exponentially with a whole dive club? After all, a local club of members can earn advanced certifications, buy more gear, and join more of your trips’ My Dive Club’s Group Dives: Most members of my club are avid
about local dive clubs and their monthly activities. 2) Introduce your solo divers to a dive club to find a buddy. 3)Hand out postcards at your shop about dive clubs to build community. 4)Offer to speak at dive clubs annually to showcase the latest gear and innovations. 5) Become a sponsor in dive club newsletters and websites to remind them of your support. 6)Acquaint yourself with local dive clubs at trade shows to set up future liaisons. 7)Host swap meets with dive clubs. 8) Support dive club events like a Frozen Fin or Polar Bear Dive on January 1st.
divers, especially to warm water. In the last few years, groups of 10-20 divers have traveled to Lake Tahoe, Monterey, the Channel Islands, Kona, Mexico (Sea of Cortez, Cozumel, and Cabo Pulmo), the Caribbean (Little Cayman, Roatan,
Bonaire, the Bahamas, the Domini- can Republic), the Maldives, and the Philippines. Many of these trips were booked through a dive shop, a resort, or a liveaboard. Every Shop Should Have a Club Affiliation: In fact, according to Jeff Cinciripino, former owner of Scuba Shack in Rocky Hill, Con- necticut, “Dive clubs are great busi- ness for dive shops because they
9) Host an activity or a dive at least once a month, especially for dive club members. 10) Promote your local, nearby, and tropical trips that dive club members can enjoy. The Bottom Line: Whether you’re a dive shop, liveaboard boat operator, or resort, you should
Marin Scuba Club members in Little Cayman
have numerous dive club affiliations to create more cus- tomers who can earn advanced certifications, go diving more often, and buy the latest gear. Leveraging relationships with dive club members to dive more often is always a win/win scenario.
keep divers diving. In my experience, every shop should have at least one dive club affiliation to keep our customers engaged in this sport. When I owned my shop, we pro- moted a local dive club –– the SECONN Skin Divers –– to our customers, and the club offered a free first-year mem- bership.” Ten Things That Dive Shops Can Do: 1) Tell newly certified divers during their Open Water classes
To discuss how I can help your business attain dive club success, please email me (gil@zeimer.com) or scan the QR Code.
email Gil
INDUSTRY NEWS Boston Sea Rovers - Kicking Off the Northeast USA Dive Season in Style – by Jeff Cinciripino, JeffCinciripino.com, Former Owner of Scuba Shack, Rocky Hill, CT
The Boston Sea Rovers 71st International Ocean Sympo- sium and Film Festival kicked off the Northeast dive season with a fantastic show March 15 and 16 in Danvers, MA. As one of the world’s longest continuously running scuba diving shows, the 2025 edition lived up to its mission of Raising the
While the show may be considered small, it is powerful with high profile attendance and offers an intimacy and energy that is difficult to get with large scale productions. This year the exhibit floor was packed with both returning and new ex- hibitors ready to engage with the multitude of attendees.
Level of Knowledge of the Underwater World. The two-day event featured 39 daytime seminars with unique themes covering wrecks and maritime history, marine science and tech- nology, photography and videography, dive travel and programs along with marine con- servation, corals and animals. The signature event of the weekend was the 71st Annual In- ternational Film Festival. Nancy McGee, a
What is very encouraging is the number of younger participants eager to learn and interact with some of the legends of the dive industry. The Boston Sea Rovers is an all-volunteer non- profit organization started in 1954 when they also conducted their first clinic. The organiza- tion is led by Kim Malkoski, the first woman president who has grown up with the Sea Rovers having been the 2005 Boston Sea
member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame and an Explor- ers Club Fellow served as the master of ceremonies. The packed hall was treated to an outstanding program featuring work by Hergen Spalink, Eric Chang, Jennifer Sellitti, Rose Dalrymple and Cristian Dimitrius. We were also treated to a surprise presentation by Dr. Bob Ballard and the incredible work he is doing with NV Nautilus.
Rovers Summer Intern. Dive shows like the Boston Sea Rovers International Ocean Symposium are critical to the dive industry and serve as a reminder that we are a social sport who need to meet with all of the stakeholders in the diving community. The planning is already underway for next year, so mark your calendars for March 14 and 15, 2026 for the 72nd show in Danvers, MA.
In Memoriam: Barry Guimbellot 1949–2025: Writer, Photographer & Friend – by Cathryn Castle Garcia, Owner, ClearStoryCoach.com, The Azores
The diving community lost a treasured friend when Barry Guimbellot died on February 14, 2025. Barry and his wife
beings you’d ever meet. We were work colleagues at Dive Training magazine for many years, during which time we be- came close friends – and chosen family. My former Dive Training colleagues echo the same sentiment: Dive Training’s publisher, Mark Young, says, “We were beyond fortunate when Barry and Ruth joined the DT family decades ago. They did incredible work, which included shooting many of the maga- zine’s iconic “reverse” covers, and their Scuba Skills videos have garnered over 2.5 million YouTube views. More importantly, my good fortune was having such incredibly nice, kind people as friends. I have never known anyone like Barry; his passing is a loss to humanity.” Jerry Beaty, DT’s Associate Publisher says, “Barry was a friend, a brother, and the most talented person I’ve ever known. He was an im- portant part of my life for decades.” Marty Snyderman, DT’s Marine Life Editor says, “I’m grateful our working re- lationship developed into a close friendship of 30+ years, which included dive trips to many destinations around the world. I’ll miss my weekly phone calls with Barry. He’s gone, but I intend to keep his memory alive in my heart.” PAGE SEVENTEEN | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
Ruth co-owned Creative Illusions Photography and served as Contributing Editors for Dive Train- ing and Dive Center Business magazines for over 25 years, with Barry as the photographer/videogra- pher and Ruth often serving as his most beloved photo subject. The pair co-authored dozens of articles and how-to videos, and produced nearly
100 magazine cover photos together. Barry was the founder of the Dallas Underwater Photographic Society and served as its president from 1992 to 2021. In addition to his award- winning photographic talent, Barry was an accomplished martial artist. He held a Black Belt in American Tae Kwon Do and was a Tenth Degree Black Belt in Karate. He owned the Texas Karate Institute in Richardson, TX for over 30 years. Barry also promoted the Southern Karate Champi- onships and Big “D” National Karate Championships for over 30 years. What’s more impressive than his skill as a mar- tial artist or his obvious talent as a photographer is that Barry Guimbellot was one of the kindest, gentlest human
BUSINESS EDU Succeeding in Business is Easy if You Know How to Steal – by Cathryn Castle Garcia, Owner, ClearStoryCoach.com, The Azores Cathryn Castle Garcia is a writer, business strategist, & co-owner of C2G2Productions.com, a multimedia production company.
I’m a professional content creator and brand strategist. I make a living coming up with fresh, new innovative material for my clients. But the truth is, I’ve probably never had an original thought in my life. And neither have you.
fine art, like paintings or sculptures, or that ridiculous banana duct-taped to a wall “art” that sold for over 6 million bucks at a Sotheby’s art auction last November. I’m talking about creativity and the art of succeeding in the diving industry. I’m talking about getting noticed and getting people to want that thing you do enough that they willingly open their wallets and give you money for it. There’s an art to converting a customer into a buyer and closing a sale. So, you’re an artist. “Success Leaves Clues” If nothing’s new under the sun, how do you make your business stand apart from the crowd and get noticed? Author and motivational speaker Tony Robbins says, “Success leaves clues. Go figure out what someone who was successful did, and model it.” Perhaps Robbins sugarcoats it more than Pi- casso’s, “Art is theft.” But still. They’re saying the same thing. To be successful, you don’t need to be original. You just need to steal good ideas and put your personal spin on them. Stealing Lessons: Stealing is the best and simplest brand strategy there is. Let’s start with a review on branding and marketing. You are your brand. Your business is your brand. Marketing is everything you do to promote your brand. When it’s time to come up with branding and marketing plans, including advertising, social media campaigns, blog posts or podcast topics, you don’t have to spend hours
Why? Because originality is a myth. Everything we think and do as creatives is inspired by our lived experience in the form of where we grew up, the books we read, the places we’ve visited, the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the music we listen to and, so on. Everything that already exists works its way into our brains and informs our thoughts and creative expression. You and your business are nothing new. Before you let this bum you out, take a deep breath and rethink it. This is genius of Biblical proportion, as in Ecclesiastes 1:9, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” All creative work builds on what came before it. So, you’re never starting from scratch. I didn’t understand the concept of creative thievery until I stumbled upon the work of artist and author Austin Kleon, whose book, Steal Like an Artist, destroyed the originality
myth for me. In his book, he offers 10 transformative principles to boost creativity. The book opens with Kleon quoting Pablo Picasso, who famously said, “Art is theft.” Kleon explains this truth well and encourages creative people to
blankly staring at the ceiling, wait- ing for inspiration to strike. In- stead, steal. Here’s how: Take the “Shiny Objects” Survey. You’ll need a blank journal and a pen. In this ex- ercise you’re looking at things
“steal” ideas – not to outright copy them and pass it off as their own, which would make a person more a**hole than artist – but to collect inspiration from various sources and innovate from there. “But I’m Not an Artist” You might be wondering why you’re reading an article on creativity in a business magazine. Maybe you’re muttering, “But I’m not an artist, I’m a business owner.” I disagree. Stay with me a sec while I explain. Even though I quoted Picasso earlier, I’m not talking about
you’ve bought. Start by surveying your home, your office, your closet, your storefront. What brands are you noticing? Write a list of various brands you’ve invested in. Your shoes, jeans, brand of coffee or energy drink, your laptop, car, etc. Next, for each brand, answer the following questions: What attracted you to that brand? How does the product make you feel? What does it make you think? Why did you select that brand over another? What catch-phrase or slogan does the brand use? What color scheme is prominent in their adver- tising?
PAGE TWENTY | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
BUSINESS EDU continued
This might seem like trivia at first but stay with it, because it’s not nonsense. It’s neuroscience. Something compelled you to buy the thing. Compiling the answers to these ques- tions gives you good intel on what physical, visual and even auditory cues captured your attention and triggered the sale. If the brand succeeded in making you a customer, what ideas could you steal from that brand and utilize for your own business? Start a “Swipe” File: Here are a few ideas for storing cre-
ing MyMind.com a try. It provides a private, organized space to curate all the cool stuff you see on the inter- net. Its searching and saving features are amazing. 3. Or go old school and tear ads out of magazines or print the photos off your phone and put them in a manila file folder that sits on your desk, in easy reach whenever you need a creativity boost. Remember, the wheel already exists. Grab the wheel, be-
dazzle it the way you want it, and roll your own version of it out into the world.
ative sparks so you have them handy when it’s time to work on your business’s marketing cam- paign: 1. When you notice an advertise- ment that captures your atten- tion, use your smartphone’s camera to take a photo of it
MyMind.com
I’d love to know your tips for coming up with branding and mar- keting ideas, especially if you’re using newer platforms like My- Mind, Cosmos, or SameEnergy. Please reach out via email to hello@clearstorycoach.com.
and save it to a “Biz Ideas” album. If you’re on a com- puter, capture a screenshot and save it to a folder on your desktop. 2. Use Pinterest as a business planning tool, to create pin- boards. If you find Pinterest distracting, consider giv-
And remember, it’s okay to steal ideas, provided you don’t outright copy and claim someone else’s work as your own. That was wrong in high school, and it can get you in big trouble in busi- ness.
email Cathryn
Dive into Dr. Alex Brylske’s Book: BENEATH THE BLUE PLANET
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A fascinating look at our oceans, marine biology & more! Great for classrooms and every dive retailer’s library!
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TRAINING How to Embrace Generation Z
– by Tec Clark, Associate Director for Scuba Diving & Outdoor Recreation at Nova Southeastern University Tec is a diving professional with over 30 years’ experience teaching at the university level. Tec consults with dive pro- fessionals on topics related to risk management and college/university programs and host of the popular Dive Locker Podcast and League of Extraordinary Divers Podcast: tec@scubaguru.com or (954) 495-7810.
I hear it all the time, “What’s with these kids today?” Frankly that senti- ment has been around for hundreds of years, as generations grasp with the differences of the generations after them. But this is a legitimate question! And right now, that sentiment is refer- ring to a specific generation that is at
matic spenders who explore and evaluate a range of options before settling on a product or service. They watched their parents go through the Great Recession as well as the financial struggles of COVID-19. They value the stability that comes with conservative spend- ing, stable jobs and smart investments. Diversity is their norm – Gen Z are the most racially ▪ and ethnically diverse population. They had the first black president, gay marriages, and second/third mar- riages by their parents and/or many friend’s parents. They are simply less fazed than previous generations by differences in race, sexual orientation or religion. Mental health challenges – Gen Z has been labelled ▪ the “loneliest generation” as their near-constant hours spent online can foster feelings of isolation and de- pression. Living through formative years during COVID-19 set many back socially. Many Gen Z have fallen prey to the “compare and despair” trap that so-
the forefront of diving and is also entry-level working age. The generation is called Generation Z and for the last 13 years I have had the pleasure of both teaching and super- vising Generation Z individuals at Nova Southeastern Uni- versity’s Academic Diving Program. The purpose for this article is to help you understand both the quirks and quali- ties of this population as diving students, dive professionals and dive center staff. Generation Z (called Gen Z for short) is a population born between 1997-2012. That puts them between 13-28
years of age at the time of this writing. They are currently the third largest population group behind Generation Y (Millenni- als) and Baby Boomers respec- tively. Now, before I geek out on the data about this genera- tion, here is one of the most im- portant reasons why you should understand them. According to DEMA, the median age for Open Water Diver certifications
cial media presents. They have also been labeled the “most anxious generation”. Many have internalized political un- rest and surrounding issues like gun control, police brutality and climate change – all leading to increased levels of stress. I hear from many dive center owners who are frustrated by Gen Z employees. They often claim Gen Z staff don’t have a
USA Population By Age
is 26 years of age! This means Gen Z is directly in your tar- get zone for new customer acquisitions! So it’s important to know what makes them tick. Here are some characteristics of Gen Z for you to con- sider: They’re the first digital natives – Information is ex- ▪ tremely accessible to them and they are gifted at apps, AI and work-arounds to get information. Social media is their way of connecting with others and even main- taining friendships. They’re prioritizing saving money – Gen Z are prag- ▪
strong work ethic. That they may not see what there is to do on their own, or they are not proactive with work. Many express frustration with a lack of strong leadership skill sets among Gen Z. Even the sensitivities of the Gen Z em- ployee is unsettling, especially to the majority of dive center owners and managers who are the heartier breed of Gen X. My advice first starts with empathy – it’s not their fault! Younger Boomers and Gen X parents were exposed to negative information during their parental child raising years and desperately avoided injury, pain, trauma, and even chal- lenges and stressors in their children’s lives. If there was a
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