Latest News

We are Moving... That's right, we are moving! Hopefully by the middle of October we will be located at our new bigger and better location at 46 Richmond Road, Keswick. We are saying farewell to Port Noarlunga for several reasons, however the main one is that our lease is up and we have to look to the future as we continue to grow.

Work has already commenced at Keswick with some walls being removed and new one's going in! This is extremely exciting times as we redevelop the store and make it more interesting and exciting for all of our customers.

Don't forget to regularly check out our Facebook page for photo updates on the store.

Winners 2011 Messenger Small Business Awards, Recreation and Leisure... The Dive Shack were this years winners of The Messenger Small Business Awards held at the Hilton Hotel, Adelaide and were presented the award by the host of the event, Jane Reilly from Channel 10 News.

How did we get there? You our most important asset, customers voted for us over a period of time that enabled us to get through to the next stages of the competition. Once we were selected for the top four in our category we were assessed by mystery shoppers and then were audited by Work Safe SA. The next is history.... We came on top for outstanding customer service and the same with our audit with Work Safe SA.

We were awarded with a Trophy and a winners certificate that are now proudly on display at the shop!

A big thank you to the Sponsors, The Messenger, Channel 10, Safe Work SA and Bendigo Bank and the other competitors that made this an exciting prize to win.

We can't go without thanking all of our staff, both store, instructors, dive masters and skippers that all contributed to the outstanding customer service that we continue to provide.

And... Thanks to all of our valued customers who have supported us over our short two years of operation and for the friendship and loyalty that you all provide. We look forward to growing our business with you and share many more years of fun, friendship and adventure together...

Paul and Bec

Last Weeks Diving

Last week Kym, Paul, Kingsley, Matt B, Damian and Rich taught a large group of 19 for their Open Water Diver Certification. The course was busy and everyone had a ball. The course started in Adelaide where we went through all of the theory and pool components. On the Wednesday we all traveled over to Edithburgh where we settled into our accommodation, Sultana Point Lodge.

We conducted our first dive on the Wednesday late afternoon and what can I say about the conditions... AMAZING!!! The visibility was perfect and the surface was flat calm! We couldn't have asked for anything better!

On the Thursday we conducted dives 2, 3 and 4. By late afternoon the weather had change and we were facing onshore winds. This stirred up the bottom and reduced our visibility for dive 4. We still couldn't complain as the viz was still around 8 meters and we were graced by a dolphin for one of our groups who buzzed them several times. Kingsley also tells me that the saw a small sea horse!!

Congratulations to all of our students. You were all amazing and contributed to the success of the course. We look forward to taking you on your next adventure.

See you soon!

Tony once again dived his regular Thursday from West Beach. On this dive they dived the South Australian, a wreck that sits in about 20 meters of water. For those that haven't yet had the opportunity to dive this site, it is a beautiful ship wreck that has an abundance of soft coral growth all over it. It attracts a lot of fish life and is a great easy to advanced dive.

The visibility reached about 12 meters, and once again everyone had a great dive and topped it off with breakfast at Plank at Glenelg.

Unfortunately on the weekend the forecast for wind wasn't looking too great! We decided to cancel our boat charters prior to the weekend.

What's Happening This Week

Thursday    Single Boat Dive (West Beach) Graham's Mark

Saturday     Double Dive Ex - HMAS Hobart

Sunday       Double Dive - Rapid Head

Make sure that you book in for these dives by phoning the shop on 8186 0066.

On Sunday Paul is traveling across to Port Hughes for a 'day off'... of course he is going diving. So if you are keen to head across to dive Port Hughes Jetty, the invitation is certainly open to join him.

Trips and Travel

Papua New Guinea... Join Tour Leader Richard Hoar on this amazing dive safari to Kavieng in New Irelend, Papua New Guinea. This beautiful place is located right near the equator so the water temperature is a balmy 32 degrees Celsius. It is certainly Shark Skin weather over there.

You will have the opportunity to dive some amazing tropical reef systems and also dive on some Japanese World War 2 plane wrecks.

The safari commences on 15th to 24th August 2011.

Contact The Dive Shack for more information.

Edithburgh... The Dive Shack's regular socialite and Dive Control Specialist, Rob Paton will be hosting yet another weekend adventure away Diving the Edithburgh Jetty in search of Leafy Sea Dragons, Sea Horses, Nudibranchs and a little bit of 'letting your hair down'. We will be staying at Sultana Point Lodge, so booking is essential. Dates to be confirmed.

Contact The Dive Shack for more information.

Last Weeks Diving

Last weekend the conditions were perfect in Adelaide for diving, the swell, wind, waves… although the visibility was down, everyone still enjoyed their diving!

Unfortunately last Tuesday Paul and Geoff were doing a job for the Government with our vessel, ‘Nauti-Nomad’ and we damaged our outboard, so that cancelled all of our boat dives for the week!! But don’t fear, she is back in the water and things are looking great for this weekend!

I was however extremely happy to be able to take some try dives at Port Noarlunga Jetty!! Thanks guys, you were awesome! 

As for other locations… On Sunday a group from The Dive Shack and the Adelaide Scuba Diving Club (formerly of Adelaide Skin Diving Centre) went for a quick trip over to Pt Hughes to dive on the jetty led by our Dive Control Specialist, Rob Paton. The Weather was perfect. When they arrived at Pt Hughes they were greeted by a flat ocean and beautiful sunny conditions. The Visibility was around the 6m mark and the water temperature was around 13 degrees. Although the usual school of chow fish was not around today, there was so much to see, including nudibranchs, cow fish, spider crabs and even a warty prowl fish. After 1hour and 10 minutes we reluctantly exited the water. All this followed by great bite to eat and coffee at a café in the main street of Moonta.

Everyone had a ball, including the mum’s and dad’s who had baby sitting duties watching the kids play on the nearby play equipment!!!

Check out our photos on Facebook!
 

What’s Happening this week!!

Thursday – Join Tony Leggatt onboard the ‘Nauti-Nomad’ for a single dive to Seacliff Reef.  Here you will find an abundance of fish life and reach depth to 12 meters. Following the dive is the regular meet at Plank Café where The Dive Shack members receive a discount of food and drinks.

Thursday Night I will be hosting an information session at the Shack for those who want to become a black belt in Scuba Diving. This is not to be missed… Become a truly Advanced Open Water Diver and combine your 4 specialties and one bonus one equating to 5 specialties for only $1000.00 You will save over 50% by doing this. So, please if you have ever wanted to become an Advanced Diver, swing by the Shack at 6.00 pm and find out all about it!! Plus I hear Paul will be throwing a BBQ!!!! See you there!

Saturday – We are diving the Lumb and Seawolf!  We will be launching from O’Sullivan’s Beach Boat Ramp, so it’s a meet at the shop prior to boarding. This dive

Sunday – We are diving the South Australian and Barge off of West Beach. This dive will also be from O’Sullivan’s Beach Boat Ramp and another meet at the shop prior to boarding. Both dives sites will see you reach a maximum depth of 15 meters and see an abundance of fish life.

We are going to change our picture this month on our newsletter… Do you have an amazing shot that you want all of The Dive Shack’s customers to see?? Send in your photo to contact@thediveshack.com.auand you never know, it maybe floating around the traps for September!!! 

Trips and Travel

Stay tuned for next year’s trips…. We are planning Fiji, Srilanka and Papua New Guinea!!! And of course the Coral Sea… Please read my excerpt from the previous weeks blog!!

Spirit of Freedom Trip – Ribbon Reef Far North Queensland

A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate enough to lead a dive adventure to the Ribbon Reef onboard the Spirit of Freedom with several of our fantastic customers.

Chelsea, Karen, Anthony, Trevor and I flew out of the cold wet miserable weather in Adelaide to land Cairns to a balmy 28 degrees. We spent a day in Cairns to readjust to the sudden change in temperature and have a good relaxing look around.

The next day we were picked up by the crew of Spirit and taken to the Cairns Airport. We all jumped on a small fixed wing aircraft and flew to Lizard Island right up the top end of Queensland where we were introduced to our new home and diving platform for the next 4 days and 3 nights.

Wow! What can I say… I would have to keep typing for days to tell you about all the fun that was had by all!! I will tell you that we had 17 dives, 6 breakfasts!! 6 I hear you ask??? Well the day starts with “Wakey, Wakey Rise and Shine, it’s breakfast time!” which gets us out of bed… a small breakfast is munched down followed by our dive brief…. ‘Dive Time’ and we are away!!! Immediately following the dive, there is another full cooked breakfast awaiting us…. Mmm!!!

The days are broken into eating, diving, sleeping, eating, diving, sleeping… and other sleeping and chilling out in-between!! What a life!!

Some of the highlights of the trip : 6 Minke Whales swimming around Trevor, seeing a Tawny Shark sticking its head in a hole and then following us around for the rest of the dive, night diving with Giant Trevalley (GT’s The Ultimate Killing Machine!!), Nudibranchs Central, Chelsea and Karen (Nudibranchs Paparazzi - LOL), Turtles, Sharks, Socializing…. and Anthony, well Anthony had a ball and kept everyone on their toes with his practical jokes!! Deep Heat…. Ha Ha very funny!!

After the trip we ventured into Palm Cove and ate everything in sight!! What a place to eat!!! Mmmmm… Overall we had a fantastic trip, and without our customers and their positive and friendly nature it wouldn’t have been the same!

Thanks heaps guys, see you next trip!

Please come and see me and I’ll fill you in with the whole trip and go through Chelsea’s 800 plus photos!!!

So, Let’s who’s coming diving….???

Kym

 

 

 

 

Last Weeks Diving

Last week the weather was almost perfect, well during the week anyway! On Thursday Tony Leggatt led our weekly Thursday dive from West Beach Boat Ramp to Macs Ground. For those that don’t know Macs Ground is a beautiful dive about 5 minutes from the ramp travelling aboard our own purpose built dive vessel, ‘Nauti - Nomad’.

Tony and the crew dove the ground and amongst an abundance of fish life including several cuttlefish and Blue Devils. Apparently the visibility was between 15 to 20 meters!!

Following the dive, everyone enjoyed their regular coffees and late breakfast at Plank Café at Glenelg.

We dive every Thursday from West Beach.

Please call me at the shop on 8186 0066 if you would like to book on or receive further information regarding our Thursday morning dives!

I ran the first half of yet another Open Water Course here at the shack. All our students were very comfortable in the pool and showed a wealth of knowledge in the class room. I’m really looking forward to taking them into the open water next week and introduce them into a whole new life style!! Great work guys!!

Unfortunately the weather on the weekend was not suitable to take out the ‘Nauti-Nomad’. We were going to dive the ex-HMAS Hobart on Sunday, with a fully booked boat. Pity the winds and tide weren’t great, however there is always next time!!! 

What’s Happening this week!!

Thursday – Join Tony Leggatt onboard the ‘Nauti-Nomad’ for a single dive to Macs Ground. Here you will find an abundance of fish life and reach depth to 15 meters. Following the dive is the regular meet at Plank Café where The Dive Shack members receive a discount of food and drinks.

Saturday – We are diving Seaford Fish Club House near Seaford. We will be launching from O’Sullivan’s Beach Boat Ramp, so it’s a meet at the shop prior to boarding.

Sunday – We are diving Leather Jacket Alley and Seacliff Reef. This dive will also be from O’Sullivan’s Beach Boat Ramp and another meet at the shop prior to boarding.

Trips and Travel

Spirit of Freedom Trip – Ribbon Reef Far North Queensland

A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate enough to lead a dive adventure to the Ribbon Reef onboard the Spirit of Freedom with several of our fantastic customers.

Chelsea, Karen, Anthony, Trevor and I flew out of the cold wet miserable weather in Adelaide to land Cairns to a balmy 28 degrees. We spent a day in Cairns to readjust to the sudden change in temperature and have a good relaxing look around.

The next day we were picked up by the crew of Spirit and taken to the Cairns Airport. We all jumped on a small fixed wing aircraft and flew to Lizard Island right up the top end of Queensland where we were introduced to our new home and diving platform for the next 4 days and 3 nights.

Wow! What can I say… I would have to keep typing for days to tell you about all the fun that was had by all!! I will tell you that we had 17 dives, 6 breakfasts!! 6 I hear you ask??? Well the day starts with “Wakey, Wakey Rise and Shine, it’s breakfast time!” which gets us out of bed… a small breakfast is munched down followed by our dive brief…. ‘Dive Time’ and we are away!!! Immediately following the dive, there is another full cooked breakfast awaiting us…. Mmm!!!

The days are broken into eating, diving, sleeping, eating, diving, sleeping… and other sleeping and chilling out in-between!! What a life!!

Some of the highlights of the trip : 6 Minke Whales swimming around Trevor, seeing a Tawny Shark sticking its head in a hole and then following us around for the rest of the dive, night diving with Giant Trevalley (GT’s The Ultimate Killing Machine!!), Nudibranchs Central, Chelsea and Karen (Nudibranchs Paparazzi - LOL), Turtles, Sharks, Socializing…. and Anthony, well Anthony had a ball and kept everyone on their toes with his practical jokes!! Deep Heat…. Ha Ha very funny!!

After the trip we ventured into Palm Cove and ate everything in sight!! What a place to eat!!! Mmmmm… Overall we had a fantastic trip, and without our customers and their positive and friendly nature it wouldn’t have been the same!

Thanks heaps guys, see you next trip!

Please come and see me and I’ll fill you in with the whole trip and go through Chelsea’s 800 plus photos!!!

So, who’s coming diving….???

Kym

 

 

 

 

Here we are already well and truly settled into the day to day activities of 2011. It only feels like yesterday that we were beginning to think about Christmas 2010 and what our New Year Resolutions would be for what is a well and truly 2011. And now it is already mid year with end of financial year commitments and our winter activities to keep us busy.

During 2010/11 we saw many new additions to our family and our team.  Emma gave birth to Noah, Bec to Blake, Hollie to Dusty and Geoff’s wife Lynn to Olivia. All of this before Christmas!! ... wow, there was definitely something in the water at the Shack last year!! Look out!

With Emma going onto maternity leave, allowed our adopted Dutch colleague, Ron van der Marel step up and take more responsibility relieving as store manager during our busy summer period. As we are swept away with the fact that time is moving so fast, we have already said farewell to Ron and Denise as they wrapped up their time in Adelaide and took off in pursuit of an all Aussie adventure in their newly acquired van.

Shane too has packed his bags and headed to the cold slopes for the snow season and Emma is relinquishing her management position to continue being mum. She will still be a part of the team in a part time capacity in the shop and also as an Instructor. Both Kingsley and Stefan have gone and come back and Stefan has gone again. They are both living the dream and having the ultimate diving adventure. And who wouldn’t want to travel the world and teach diving!!

With all the farewells happening, we open our doors and arms permanently to our new manager and fellow dive instructor, Kym Baldock. Kym comes from a diverse back ground and will bring an abundance of experience and enthusiasm to the shack. Kym loves his coffee (and diving), so he welcomes everyone to drop in and say hi.   

With Kym and Emma on deck, we have big plans to continue our family oriented commitments to all our valued customers and get everyone involved in both our diving and non diving activities. We hope that everyone will enjoy and participate in our Salt and Vine tours (Winery Visits), weekend dive trips away and also our interstate and overseas travel.

Next week Kym will be leading a tour to the Coral Sea onboard the Spirit of Freedom, of which I am very jealous. I was however fortunate enough to have experienced the trip last year and wow, what an adventure! Later in the year Grant will be leading the Chuk Lagoon (Truk) trip. There will be an added adventure with an extra day being spent in Guam. This trip I am fortunate enough to be going on. I believe there are only limited spots available if you are interested in coming.

As part of my commitment to everyone, I would like to offer you a $50.00 in store voucher for any referrals for Open Water Diver courses. The way this will work is the student will have to nominate you as a member of The Dive Shack club on booking their Open Water Course. At the successful completion and certification of the student, you as the referrer will receive the voucher to spend on anything you please in the shop! Easy!!

I would also like to further extend the offer to the first club member to refer 10 students to successfully complete their Open Water Diver Certification with The Dive Shack with a grand prize of a brand new Aqua Lung Dimension i3 or Lotus i3 buoyancy compensator valued at $1195.00.

To help you all achieve this, our Instructors and Dive Control Specialists are donating their time to run several Try Dives at a number of different pools throughout Adelaide in the near future. These will be run at minimal costs, and only to our club members friends and family who would like to try scuba diving. Standby for further details on how you can book your friends onto this!

So, we have an exciting new financial year to look forward to! I look forward to diving with all of you very soon and if the weather isn’t so good, let’s just get together and grab a coffee!!

P.S Don't forget to vote for us in the local business awards!!! 

Regards,

 

Paul Zuromski

Director/Instructor