Sand Hollow Dive Along

We had our Annual Treasure Hunt/Clean Up/BBQ down at Sand Hollow this year. Sand Hollow is a reservoir outside of Hurricane near St George. We had heard good things about it but since it is a 4 hour drive we had never made it. Well, everything we had heard was true.

The water was warm, the vis was great and it was a good time.

We got down there late Friday and the the first you notice is the heat, is was still hot at 9pm! The forecast was for a high around 105* We rolled out of camp around 9am and went over to the lake to start setting up and sneak in a dive. The dive area is located to the right of the boat ramp in a buoyed off area where no boats can come. The dive area extends out to some rock islands about 100 yards off shore. The water is a short walk down from the parking area. You can enter from a relatively sandy area. We were on the look out for a platform, a VW bus, a buoyancy course and an airplane. We found the platform right away (the fact that there is a buoy on it might have helped), From there we left on a heading of 60* for about 100 feet and ran into some pipes that you can swim through. We headed up a canyon and found more of the buoyancy course. Rings and hula-hoops you can swim through that are anchored to the bottom. On the right hand side, top of the canyon we found a concrete block with a rope attached. This lead us to the VW bus. Some of the doors are off so you can swim inside if you are careful. At this point I needed to head back so I missed the plane.

I have heard conflicting reports on the location of the plane. There is a larger island directly off shore and if you drop down on more of the left hand side you should see it on the bottom at about 40'.

The visibility was great. When we got in it was 30 feet. By the end of the day with about 70 divers in pretty much the same area, it was still 15'+. People who had dove earlier in the week said it was 40'+ when no one else was around and there were less boats in the water. The water temp was in the high 70's. There was a thermocline around 40 feet. There were plenty of fish including some good size small mouth bass.

The BBQ/Dive Along was great. We got about 3 big garbage bags full of junk from the lake. People dove all day and had a great time. We had a lot of stuff to give away from our manufacturers. We placed 30 numbered golf balls out in the lake ( about 7 are unaccounted for) and between the garbage and the golf balls almost everyone went home with a prize.

Akona 50% Off Sale

Scubapro 100% Credit Back on Purchase

Scubapro has announced a special deal for equipment buyers. When you buy Scubapro mask, snorkel and fins, we will give 100% credit of that price toward the purchase of Scubapro BCD, regulator and computer. Spend $200 on snorkel gear, get $200 off scuba gear. What's the catch? It must all be Scubapro equipment and the deal ends October 15, 2009. Come down and try the new MK25-A700 regulator today!!

New Camera and Regulator

It has been a long time coming but the new Intova Sport 8 camera and housing is finally here. This 8 mega pixel camera has a huge LCD screen which makes it easy to see underwater. The best part is that the camera it self is waterproof to 30' and once you put it in the housing, you can go 130'. As a person who has flooded a camera before, the idea that the camera might survive is a great relief.

We also have the new Scubapro MK25-A700 regulator. The legendary quality of Scubapro gets a new look and if you like shiny things (like I do) then this reg is for you. Stop by and breathe off this, it is the best reg I have ever breathed off.

Sorry I'm a Slacker-August BBQ

WOW, how it really been that long since I posted? My bad.....

Ok, so the next few days I will bring you up to speed-

First off-we are headed to Sand Hollow Reservoir near St George for our annual Treasure Hunt/BBQ. We will be there August 29 at 11am. The water is warm (82*), the vis is good (20Feet) and there is plenty to see (fish, VW bus and small plane). Join us for a great day of diving.

November trip-Egypt-We are headed to Egypt and the Red Sea for a week of sight seeing then a week long live-aboard. This is truly a once in a lifetime trip. We fly into Cairo and spend a day getting adjusted before flying farther south and boarding a 4 day Nile Cruise. We will float up the Nile with stops at ruins along the way. We get back to Cairo and spend a few days exploring museums, pyramids and sphinxes before heading to the coast to board our live-aboard. We spend 6 days out on the Red Sea with great fish life, soft corals and wrecks.

And lastly I thought this was a funny picture.

June Fun Dives

We are headed out of town twice in June. On June 6, we will explore Sand Hollow Reservoir in St George. In conjunction with Aqua Sports, a local shop from St. George, we will be helping with a Project Aware clean up. We have heard good things about the diving there and are looking forward to checking it out first hand.

On June 19-20, we will be headed north to dive Bear Lake at Cisco Beach. Join us for a night dive the night of the 19th. Cisco Beach is great if you like camping, since you can stay right there on the beach.

Just a reminder, we have about 5 spots left on the Horizon live-aboard trip in July. This is our annual Southern California get away as we explore the kelp forests off the Channel Islands.

Fun Dive and Stimulus Plan

The weather is starting to warm up again and just in time. We are headed to Blue Lake next Saturday for our Specialty of the Month dive. The weather should be great. Give us a call to tell us you will be there. It will be the perfect time to jump into an Advanced, Rescue or Specialty class. Looking for a deal you say?

Introducing the Dive Utah Continuing Education Stimulus Plan. This bold initiative will make more diving available to the common man, from Main Street to Wall Street and beyond.
Does a martial arts student stop at Yellow Belt? Is a skier happy once he’s mastered the wedge? Has a scuba diver learned all he needs to know in the Open Water Class? The answer to all 3 is no, they’ve only started to learn. Once a diver has gotten their Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver certification, then they really know how to dive. Once a diver has their Master Scuba Diver, they are a true expert in diving.

What will I learn?
The Advanced Open Water course will give you an introduction into 5 specialty areas of diving. These skills will enable you to dive more often and in a variety of environments. In many resort areas, an Advanced certification opens the door for you to make many of the “reserved”, unique or challenging dives they have to offer.
Although we don’t like to talk about it, accidents do happen while diving. Learning skills in the Rescue Diver course will not only decrease your own chances of having a problem but might save the life of someone who does.
Specialty classes build on the introduction you receive in the Advanced class and make you even more knowledgeable in that area.
You can qualify for the Master Scuba Diver rating by attaining your Advanced, Rescue, 5 specialties and logging 50 dives.

So What’s The Special Deal?
For OPEN WATER DIVERS
Advanced Open Water Package –includes Advanced class, Adventures in Diving manual and rental gear-$180 (normally $216)

Rescue Diver Package- includes Advanced Open Water, EFR (CPR and First Aid) and Rescue Diver with manuals and rental gear-$440 (normally $520)

Master Scuba Diver Package-includes Advanced Open Water, EFR, Rescue Diver, Nitrox Diver, Altitude Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drysuit Diver and Equipment Specialist resulting in your Master Scuba Diver rating with all manuals and rentals-$999 (normally $1209)

For ADVANCED OPEN WATER DIVERS
Rescue Diver Package- includes EFR, Rescue Diver class with manuals and rental gear-$250 (normally $302)

Master Scuba Diver Package-Get your EFR, Rescue Diver, Nitrox Diver, Altitude Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drysuit Diver and Equipment Specialist resulting in your Master Scuba Diver rating with all manuals and rentals- $840 (normally $991).

For RESCUE DIVERS
Master Scuba Diver Package-Get your Nitrox Diver, Altitude Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drysuit Diver and Equipment Specialist resulting in your Master Scuba Diver rating with all materials and rentals- $585 (normally $689).


*All Master Scuba Diver packages can be spread out over time and have payment options available.

You Guys Get Paid to do This?
Becoming a PADI Scuba Instructor is a great way to have fun and make a little extra money doing something you love! See our staff or webpage for more information on making scuba diving a part time or full time job.

Get Out of Town!
Dive Utah is always traveling. From our bi-monthly California trips to warm water destinations in the Caribbean or South Pacific, a Dive Utah trip is the perfect place to continue your diving education. See our staff or website for a list of upcoming trips.

Details, details, details
Prices do not include any dive site entry fees or the Master Scuba Diver application fee. Pool/classroom requirements must be completed before any open water dives. EFR classes are held the second Saturday of every month. Specialty classes are held on a rotating basis. To schedule any class, ask a staff member to see available dates.

PADI Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver and Master Scuba Diver. Increase your knowledge and your confidence. Become a better diver.