7.13.08 - AQUANAUTS Open Water Class

Hello everyone.

Sunday, July 13th finds the Video Dude back "behind the lens" shooting video for another Open Water class for our friends at AQUANAUTS SCUBA ACADEMY. Today, Instructor Worth O'Brien and Divemasters Donna, Charles and Andre have a class of 20 students to get through their skills and become certified divers. We're aboard the "American Dream II" with Captain Dave at the helm and Divemasters Todd and Brian on deck, heading out to the "Tracy" and a drift dive on "Oakland Ledge". An amazing morning weather-wise with nearly flat seas and beautiful sunshine.

Captain Dave gets us out to the "Tracy" and drops Brian off to tie off to the wreck and check out conditions down below. He reports a mild current and great visibility, so as soon as the group is ready, I jump in and head for the bottom to video everyone coming down the line. The current on the wreck makes for a little bit of work, but it's manageable. I position myself on the wreck to video everyone swimming by, then follow the group around as they take a quick tour. Then it's back to the boat to get ready for dive #2. I stay below for a little while longer shooting some of the interior of the wreck so the students can view it later.

After heading back to the boat and getting our gear changed over, Captain Dave takes us over to the mooring balls on the second reef line and puts us in on "Oakland Ledge". The class is split into two groups at this point with a divemaster guiding each one under the watchful eye of the instructor. We take a brief tour of the reef then find a nice sandy area for the students to work on their skills. After everyone is successful at completing their skills, a final tour of the reef then back to the boat for pickup.

This video is available for purchase! Click HERE to purchase.

Another great day of diving and witnessing new divers on their way to enjoying the beautiful diving here in Paradise!
--The Video Dude