Article Author:

Owen
Master Scuba Diver Trainer

This is a late entry. Monday afternoon Rainbow Reef divers visited the wreck of the Duane. We were greeted with a small current, 100 feet visibility, and 84 degree farenheit water temperatures. Myself, and Rainbow Reef Intern Sandy Grindley, were also greeted by a 7 foot reef shark. The shark was hanging around the sandy bottom by the bow of the vessel. He was kind enough to hang around for a few photos, and to let us admire one of the most evolved, and graceful, creatures to dwell on this planet. Of course we were also welcomed by the usual cast of characters:Very large Barricuda, big Grey Angel Fish, and snappers. Then we went to Fire Coral cave on Molasses Reef for our second dive. There we observed a Sting Ray feeding, a Large Nassau Grouper, and more of the characters that are normally found at that location: Permits, Parrot Fish, Wrasses, Snapper, and Grunts. Get to the Duane, and Fire Coral Cave folks, there are friends there you need to meet.

Article Author:

Owen
Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Divemaster Extradonaire “Jesus”, has added a new title to his resume. Considered by many to be the best Divemaster in the Keys (I am aware that as his co-worker my opinion is biased) he shall now be known as “Shark Wragler”. I had located a Nurse Shark lying under a small ledge and pointed him out to Jesus so he could show a large group of divers he was guiding at Woody’s on French Reef. I had observed the long string of fishing line on the shark, but as I have no experience in “shark wrangling”, I was reluctant to attempt removal of the line. However, when Jesus observed the line wrapped around the shark he immediately pounced into action. He immediately grabbed the line as the shark attempted to swim away. The shark had pulled Jesus approximately 25 yards, as it swayed back and forth trying to get free, when Jesus was finally able to cut the line with a knife a fellow diver had handed to him during his struggle with the shark. The entire encounter lasted about 10 seconds, which is 2 seconds longer than is required at a rodeo for bull riding. Yes, I did hear the bango music playing in the background as the epic battle unfolded! Upon inspection of the line we found Jesus had removed 10 feet of fishing line. That is 10 feet of line that can no longer get snagged on reefs, rocks, a wreck, or any number of items. Nice job Jesus. Additionally, the two dives on French Reef produced “Stubby” the turtle, a couple of large Green Moray Eels, and one large Eagle Ray, as well as many of the smaller characters we are accomstomed to seeing here in Key Largo. We also managed to get some instruction completed as Rainbow Reef Course Director TOM WITMER was teaching Rainbow Reef’s Instructor Development course. It was an exciting day of diving, and an impressive display of skill by the “Shark Wragler”!

Article Author:

Captain D.J.
Master Instructor

Hi folks,

�Just wanted to bring you the latest action from out on the reef. We had the pleasure of taking Phil and Angie out to the reef today so that Phil could execute a little surprise plan. Phil was planning on asking Angie to marry him, underwater!! He was very well prepared, he had the ring in a sea shell, and a waterproof sign asking her to marry him, and even a safety sausage that was informing us of the positive response he received from her! When it was all over, we even had the dolphins jumping in the wake for the boat ride back. You can see it all in the nice pictures taken by�James who is one of the participants in the Rainbow Reef Dive Center Internship program.

�We’d like to extend our best wishes to the happy couple and we were honored to be part of the memorable occasion.

Article Author:

Captain D.J.
Master Instructor

Last weekend we had another group of candidates participating in the Instructor Development Course and once again, 100% graduation! Tom has done another great job getting everyone trained and prepared to join the ranks of PADI Instructors once they pass the Instructor�Exam.�

Congratulations to:

• Jake Dragutinovic
• Rex Rolston
• Michael Kanik
• Jerry Morre

�You may have seen Mike and Jerry around the dive shop as they are participating in our Internship program. They’ve been Divemasters up until now, and now they will finish up the program as Instructors. The Instructor Exam was just the next step in the goal of becoming a well rounded dive professional. Jake came down from the New Jersey/New York area and Rex was in from Ohio!

It’s�was a big day for all of our successful graduates, so we�wanted to share the joy with all of you!