Article Author:

Owen
Master Scuba Diver Trainer

ANNA PAWLIKOWSKA was completing her last open water dive to complete her PADI Open Water Diver course, when she happened upon the greatest treasure she could find. Her boyfriend, ROBERT PACHOLSKI, found a small treasure chest located under a reef shelf at French Reef. He opened the chest and presented an engagement ring to ANNA. She happily accepted his proposal. ROBERT had brought an underwater video camcorder which we used to record the entire event. ANNA and ROBERT’S friend, KAMILA A. KASPRZYCKA, of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, and ZACHARAY SCHEIDER, of Atlanta, Georgia, witnessed the event. KAMILA and ZACHARAY were also completing the last of their Open Water Dives. ANNA and ROBERT live in Waterford, Michigan. Also in on the well-crafted engagement set-up was ZACHARAY’S friend, VIKAS CHINNAN, also from Atlanta, Georgia. VIKAS was kind enough to capture much of the event of ROBERT’S camcorder. The surface conditions were rather rough, so we were all a bit worried when ANNA was contemplating not doing her last dive because of a touch of seasickness. However, we were all relieved when she decided she was going to “tough it out” and finish the course. It was the first time I had witnessed underwater crying. Fortunately, they were tears of joy! Although I have actually cried underwater, the time I was diving and checked my watch and realized I wasn’t going to make it back in time for happy hour. Talk about crying like a baby. Congratulations to ROBERT and ANNA on their engagement and congratulations to ANNA, KAMILA, and ZACHARAY for successfully completing Rainbow Reef’s PADI Open Water Diver course. May the marriage last as long as the certifications (That would be for life!)

Article Author:

Owen
Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Typical Monday. Sunny weather, 50 foot visibility, and a *#!*load of marine life on Molasses Reef. AMY RADTKE, SHAWN MARES, STEVE BAGBY, and GORDON YOUNG dove with us and were fortunate to see a rather good showing of the marine life that Key Largo is famous for. Rainbow Reef PADI Open Water Diver Instructor TOM HOFFMAN, and his open water student CAROLINA COLLISON, were completing open water check out dives during the underwater show. Platinum Course Director TOM WITMER (He is the rather sophisticated gentleman with the tongue sticking out of his mouth in the photos) was also doing some Instructor Develop training with ROB OSMAN and BRYAN PARRISH, in preparation for the upcoming PADI Instructor Exam this weekend. Eagle Rays, Goliath Groupers, a Hawkbill Turtle, swarming Midnight Parrot Fish, and plenty more were on display for all to see. The surface was a little rough, but we all agreed, it was worth the effort for the great diving experience we were fortunate enough to have.

Article Author:

Owen
Master Scuba Diver Trainer

On Thursday, May 11, 2007, VICTOR and HOLLY GARCIA traveled from Bartonville, Texas (Yes I said BARTONVILLE!), to complete their PADI Scuba Refresher course in preparation of their trip to Australia. After smoking through their refresher skills in the pool in the morning, we headed out to Fire Coral Cave, and the Winch Hole, on Molasses Reef. KATE LEUNG joined myself, the GARCIAS, and Rainbow Reef Divemaster TANIA SOARES, on the Tropical Voyager for the trip. Highlights of the dives were an Eagle Ray, a Nurse Shark, several Large Permits, and a large Green Moray that was kind enough to swim in the open water, then stop and pose for a couple of photos. Surface waves were 1 to 2 feet, water temperature 78 degrees Farenheit, visibility 45 feet, with no current. In other words, another typical, pleasant dive in Key Largo. The GARCIAS looked as if they hadn’t taken any time off from diving as their skills were sharp. Well done folks.

Article Author:

Owen
Master Scuba Diver Trainer

50 foot visibility, no current, 80 degree Farenheit water temperature, and a good, dive, buddy. Life is good here in Key Largo. Today I had the pleasure of doing a relaxing, recreational dive with Charles Vasquev of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Today we, and other Rainbow Reef Divers, visited Winch Hole and Fire Coral Cave, on Molasses Reef. Photos of some of our other dive “buddies” attached. The surface conditions were relatively calm as well. Simply stated, today was good day. Get your (Mol)asses down here and dive people!!!!

Article Author:

Captain D.J.
Master Instructor

Hi gang,

I’ve been a little under the weather for the last couple of days, and of course, the weather has been outstanding for diving. I lay in bed, everyone else gets to go diving. This weekend they had dolphins in the boat wake,�averaged over 100ft of visibility, the water has warmed up to about 79-80 degrees (the tower reads 82 degrees) , �and we had all kinds of wonderful sightings. Think I’m delusional because I’m sick for a couple of days?? Let me see if I can put it in perspective. George Yates from Team Divers has�been to the Christ Statue more than 400 times over the years, he got off the boat and said it was “The best dive I’ve ever had at the Statue”.�So, I’m not going to conduct a full investigation, but I guess it was pretty darn good.�This weekend we visited the Spiegel Grove, Duane, Snapper Ledge, Christ Statue, Pickles Reef, and Fire Coral Cave just to name a few.

We had a nice fellow along with us this weekend who goes by the name of Jim Blackburn. He got a new camera and somehow ended up with the wrong memory card. It just so happened our cameras used the SD memory, so we promptly hooked him up with a card so he could shoot some photos. I just put his pictures on a CD for him and have to e-mail him to get his mailing address, but I took the liberty of throwing them up here so he could get a sneak peek and everyone could enjoy a few shots of Snapper Ledge. He said he’s been shooting underwater with film cameras for quite a few years, and this was his first digital camera.. Jim.. I’m no expert, but so far… so good! They look great.

I’m going home to try and recover so I can get in on some of this great diving!

Article Author:

Owen
Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Barbara O’Neill of Quincy, Massachusetts earned her PADI Open Water Diver Certfication today at Rainbow Reef Dive Resort in Key Largo. Barbara scored quite well on her written examinations and then went on to complete her pool, and open water skills amidst the warm and sunny conditions here in Key Largo. The water temperature was about 78 degrees Farenheit, with a slight, steady current, and 1 to 2 foot waves. The visibility was excellent ranging from 65 to 85 feet. Barbara did quite well during the skills portion of the testing exhibiting excellent buoyancy and air conservation during the dives. Highlights of the dives at Molasses Reef, French Reef, and Sand Island were a Nurse shark, several Goliath Grouper, a large Sting Ray, and a couple of large Barricuda. Barb will continue her diving adventure this October in the Caribbean. Congratulations Barbara!