Article Author:

Owen
Master Scuba Diver Trainer

JILL JENSEN, on vacation from England, wanted to see one creature during her Discover Scuba Open Water dives. She wanted to see a shark. She had already seen a Nurse Shark on previous dives, so her hope was to find another species. Once again our ever gracious marine hosts, obliged. During a dive at the Winch Hole on Molasses Reef a Black Tip shark cruised by. We scrambled to get photos as the shark slowly swam away. Almost immediately, a 7 foot Nurse Shark appeared and slowly circled the area, allowing us to take several photos. Apparently our friend the Black Tip Shark, didn’t like all the media attention the Nurse Shark was getting, because it re-appeared and cruised around the area for several moments allowing more photos to be taken. Both sharks were reluctant to answer any questions when we tried to interview them. Those are the dives that keep you coming back. Also diving with Rainbow Reef was LAVINIA MACKALL, who was completing the 2nd of her PADI Open Water Diver course Open Water dives, and ANGELA STONE, from Naples, Florida. LAVINIA’S instructor was Rainbow Reef Intern, and Open Water Instructor KRISTEN FRANZEN. KRISTEN is the very serious one in the photos. Guiding for the divers was Divemaster Extradonaire JESUS! Also diving was Rainbow Reef Intern SANDY. Last, but certainly not least, Captain NEIL was enjoying some well-deserved recreational dives. No current, 45 feet visibility, warm water, some diver training, and a small dream-come-true for our friend JILL from England. Not a bad day at the office.

Article Author:

Owen
Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Rainbow Reef Intern MICHAEL KANIK had the good fortune of being scheduled for practical training exercises today. First dive was the Duane, where participated in his Open Water Divers Continuing Education exercise. MIKE was the guide for the dive, as well as the “problem solver” for some of the sneaky little tricks his Instructor surprised him with. There was a moderate current, however, the visibility was about 80 feet, so it was worth the cardio workout. Next dive was on Molasses Reef, near the Winch Hole. We were just completing our intial descent when a Nurse Shark was kind enough to welcome us to the reef. MIKE’S training exercise this dive was a Mapping Project which he successfully completed without a hitch. Not a bad day for an intern, Divemaster training, great visibility, sunny sky, and free scuba diving.

Article Author:

Captain D.J.
Master Instructor

Hello everyone!

Another Rainbow Reef PADI Instructor Development Class has come to a close with the�successful graduation of the 6 Instructor Candidates participating in the program with PADI Platinum Course Director Tom Witmer.

�Rainbow Reef would like to congratulate the following new PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors:

• William Cobb
• Patrick Enlow
• Lance Herring
• Dan Jolly
• May Loo
• John Wilson

They came from far and wide, from Toronto Canada, Ohio, Alamaba, and as close by as Fort Lauderdale and even someone from right down the road in Marathon.

We were treated by a visit from Jules Undersea Lodges (the site of the Open Water portion of the PADI Instructor Examination) from the resident iguana. He is a big fellow and really isn’t afraid of anyone. I think he thinks it is his lagoon.

Sorry for the crummy pictures, Owen wasn’t around today with his super duper camera so I grabbed a few shots with my camera phone.

Article Author:

Owen
Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Congratulations to MATTHEW SEVIGNY and JOSEPHINE ASARO completing their PADI Discover Scuba Diving course. MATT and JOSEPHINE showed exemplary air conservation ability for a couple of folks who never experienced scuba diving in the open water. Their buyoancy skills also improved dramatically between dives one and two. MATT and JOSEPHINE enjoyed the experience so much they are already taking steps to complete the PADI E-Learning Open Water Diver course. The fun they had is directly attributable to the guidance and assistance provided to MATT and JOSEPHINE by Divemaster candidates MICHAEL KANIK (Rainbow Reef Intern Program) and DARRYL HALE. MICHAEL and DARRYL were completing one of their practical training exercises for the PADI Divemaster course. Their training will be completed in a couple of days at which time they will join the ranks of PADI diving professionals. Also attributable to the fun had by all is, of course, our underwater friends who were kind enough to come out and say “hi” to us during our dives. A Golden Tale Moray Eel,Sun Ray, Porcupine fish, Trigger Fish, Lobster, and THOUSANDS of Snapper and Grunts were seen at Snapper Ledge, and Pillar Coral Dive sites. It was just another typical great day of diving here in Key Largo.