Here is your chance to learn how your regulator works. The differences between piston and diaphragm first stages. How your second stage delivers air on demand. Learn the repairs that you can make in the field to save a dive or a dive trip. We will be breaking down and reassembling two first stages and two second stages and examining the inner workings of them along with various other gear. Coral Reef Dive Shop will be offering two classes the first one is Jan. 28 and the next one will be Feb. 12. Classes will begin at 10am and last to approximately 3pm. Cost of the course is $109.95 and includes the required reference material, the Encyclopedia of Recreational Scuba diving. Participants for the Jan. class must register by Jan. 18 and participants for the Feb. class must register by Jan. 31. To read more about the PADI Equipment Specialist course please go here.

     First let me wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and success and happiness in the coming year. Thanks to you we experienced another wonderful year. I had intended to get this email out a week ago, but instead I pulled a page out of Sean Peyton’s play book and tore up my knee. The good news is I didn’t do anywhere near as good a job as he did. Please welcome three new divers into the Coral Reef family, Jennifer Scully, Greg Luken and Gerald Spears received their Open Water Diver certification. Gerald and Greg also completed their Enriched Air Diver certification and Chris Nelson received his Advanced Open Water certification. If your looking for some stocking stuffers to finish up your Christmas shopping come by and pick up a gift certificate in any denomination, safety sausages $41.95, lift bags $49.95, lights as low as $19.95 and knives starting at $19.95. Looking for something for that special diver in your life? How about  a dive course or dive trip. For a list of our courses, trips and prices click here. If you have been waiting to sign up for the Bonaire trip or the Blackbeard’s Cruise time is running out. The deadline for the Bonaire trip is Jan. 15, 2012. The deadline for Blackbeard’s is Jan. 30, 2012. For more information on these trips please click travel.

Once again from our family here at Coral Reef Dive Shop to your family a very Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year.

As my dive buddies can attest I’ve always had a special interest in observing octopi in their natural habitat. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had numerous opportunities to watch and interact with them. On a few occasions we have actually played a shell game where the octopus offered one of the shells protecting her den to me. I would take it, hold it for a minute or so and then offer it back to her. We repeated this process over and over again until prudent gas management made it time to end the game. I came across this article on octopus and thought I would share it with you. Go here to read more on the most intelligent mollusks. It’s an article from Orion Magazine, enjoy.

This Saturday is the second annual Small Business Saturday when people across the country come out and shop to support their favorite local businesses. American Express is giving a $25 statement credit(1) to 100,000 Cardmembers who register their Card and use it to shop on Small Business Saturday at any locally-owned, independent small businesses that accept American Express. To register your American Express Card for the event go here.  The shop will be offering some special sales on merchandise starting on Black Friday. Come in early and get a free tote bag with your purchase while supplies last.

Please don’t forget our last dive trip of 2011 scheduled for Dec. 2-4. Click on the picture to enlarge.

I thought you might enjoy a photo from our last Discover Scuba experience.      

Dear Friends,

This November 26 is a big day for everyone at Coral Reef Dive Shop. It’s the second annual Small Business Saturday when people across the country come out and shop to support their favorite local businesses.

American Express is giving a $25 statement credit(1) to 100,000 Cardmembers who register their Card and use it to shop on Small Business Saturday at any locally-owned, independent small businesses that accept American Express. For more information on registering go here.We will be having some in store sales that should make this a wonderful shopping day for everyone.

Our certification trip for October turned out to be a very good one, but at first I had some real concerns. Friday at Vortex Spring went well despite the poor visibility even though there weren’t that many people diving. When we got down to Panama City Beach the weather had changed dramatically and the wind was blowing a steady 20knts. Even though Panama City Dive Center said we were going to be able to get out the next day I didn’t quite believe it. Sure enough as we road along the beach to the All America Grill for breakfast the wind looked like it had picked up a few knots. I didn’t get any calls the trip was cancelled and when we arrived at the dock the boat was ready to take us out. The Island Diver was a little crowded with 26 divers but I was happy to have the bigger boat for what I expected was going to be rough seas. Captain Michael Grubbs gave me a choice of three dive sites we could hit and not get beat up. We decided on B & B Barge and completed two dives there in conditions that were suitable for Open Water students. Sunday we finished up our Advanced diver at LOSS Pontoon. We had 13 divers altogether for the trip and four, Reagan Carlson, Steve Wortman, Chris Nelson and Elliott Jackson are now certified as Open Water Divers. Congratulations also to Andrew Failla who completed his Adanced Diver certification.

Bonaire the shore diving capital of the world is our trip for April 2012. Check it out here.

On a different note we still have 3 spots open on the Cat Ppalu. We have room for one couple and a single. For more information please go here and please remember that the second payment is due for those who have already reserved a spot.

We also have openings on our Blackbeard’s Cruise click here.

Two spots have opened up on our Cat Ppalu trip to the Exuma Keys in the Bahamas. This exclusive trip is affordable and limited to only 12 people, and we all know fewer people equals easier diving and more marine life. We need a couple to fill this spot or at the very least two people comfortable with sharing a bed. For prices and dates please go here.

Our yearly Blackbeard’s Cruise still has several spots available. It’s the best deal in the dive travel industry and plain and simple it’s a whole lot of fun. Check out the particuliers here.

Next weekend Oct. 1 and 2  is our Deep Wreck trip in Panama City Beach. We will be doing a three tank 8hr. trip on Sat. and a two tank 6hr, on Sun. All inclusive price is $523 with nitrox rentals or $495 with air. Only 14 spots will be available for this trip.

The next check out trip is scheduled for Oct. 7-8, Vortex Spring on Friday, Panama City beach gulf dives Sat. and Sun. This time of year is when we get the prettiest water in the panhandle please join us for one or both of these trips. For an overview of our Panama City Beach trips please go here.

Join us for an exciting weekend of diving the deeper offshore structures of Panama City, Florida, October 1 and 2. All these dives will be in the 70ft. to 110ft. range. Dive sites include the wreck of the Tarpon, Ackokeek, Putnum, Grey Ghost and structures like the Dupont Spans, Stage 1 and the Mac Reef. Saturday will be a 3 tank 8hr. trip and Sunday will be a 2 tank 6hr. The boat will leave the dock each day at 8am. All inclusive price is $495 with air and $523 with nitrox. Ala carte trips are available. Trip will be limited to 14 please book well in advance.

Coral Reef Dive Shop is proud to announce our online dive equipment store. We will be offering the complete line of quality Scubalife equipment. To visit our online store please go here.

The online store will be available 24/7 on our website here. All Scubalife equipment is covered by a 30 day money back guarantee and a two year limited warranty.

Our next dive trip is scheduled for Oct. 7-9. This is my favorite time of year to dive the gulf. The water is warm and the vis is usually excellent. Please join us on what promises to be a trip to remember.

Coral Reef Dive Shop will be closed for Labor Day.