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Winter 2004
What’s new at Aqua Safaris—Diving has been great!
After a few storms that shook things up, conditions are looking better!
If you’re looking to get in the water soon, sign up for our
conditions e-mail. Sent out every Thursday, our e-mail will let you
know where the best dive sites are for the weekend! We also have e-mails
for classes, boat trips, dive travel, sales, & other events. You
can choose to receive the topics you like, just let us know!
 We had a fantastic trip to Thailand (see group photo)—it met all
of our expectations and we would love to share our experiences with
you.
We brought in DUI rental drysuits awhile back, but now renting a dry
suit is even better. DUI now offers “Zip Seals.” This means
that you no longer have to dive with the neck and wrists seals that
are fitted for someone else. The zip seals allow us to change both
neck and wrists to fit each individual diver. No chance for leaking
because the seals are too big, and no discomfort because they’re
too small. For those that own a new DUI Dry suit changing neck and
wrist seals is easy, you can even carry extras. You can also convert
older model DUI suits to this new seal system. Great new idea!
Come by and meet Jessie, our new employee. She recently returned from
Thailand where she worked as a divemaster for several months. and
is now attending Cabrillo college. Raised both in the US and Japan,
Jessie is a terrific international addition to our team! Welcome Jessie!
Annual Rental Blowout Sale—It’s that time of year again.
We are having our ANNUAL RENTAL GEAR SALE!!! On February 7th &
8th, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm we are selling all of our rental gear:
wetsuits, regulators, computers, BCs, etc. A great way to outfit yourself
with some exceptional gear at a great price! On
top of that, everything in the store will be 10–70% off! The rental
gear goes quickly, so come in early to get what you want! Don’t
be late—and don’t miss out. We’re doing our raffle
again. So stop in and say hello and get an entry into the raffle.
Even if you are that diver that has everything couldn’t you
use an extra regulator—if it’s free!
Abroad with Aqua Safaris: Customer Feedback. Kudos to David: The owner
of Aqua Safaris, David Houghton, has often stated that diving &
traveling with Aqua Safaris is unique. The most significant attribute
is their focus on safety. During our holiday adventure to Thailand,
this was illustrated so strongly we wanted to take the opportunity
to thank him and share this story with others.
A few hours after leaving San Francisco airport, the captain interrupted
our slumber to inform us that there had been a medical emergency and
a doctor was needed. Although David wasn’t a doctor he let the
flight attendant know that he was available should they need his assistance.
Minutes later, David’s EMT skills were called into action. The
medical emergency was a 55-year-old man who was suffering from a heart
attack. David was alone at first, and then later accompanied by a
family practice physician and assistance via phone service in the
cockpit with a doctor on the ground. After eight hours of continuous monitoring,
administering oxygen, IV’s, medications, and varying states
of consciousness, an emergency landing was made in Japan where an ambulance
transferred the man to a local hospital for additional care. David
was a hero.
Prior to the trip, I was apprehensive being that this was my first
trip after recently becoming SCUBA-certified. In addition my two children
would be traveling with us on a two week adventure far from home.
Chris had been on a number of Aqua Safaris trips and assured me we’d
be taken care of, and that things would be great. I had no idea that
we’d be taken care of so well and how truly great the trip would
be. David was called upon numerous times during the two weeks, and
each time—just like the plane ride—he rose to the challenge
and was triumphant. I was continually impressed with the effort he
put forth to ensure the trip was enjoyable for all. My first dive
trip couldn’t have been better and we look forward to our next
adventure. Our hats go off to you!
Thank you,
Melody & Chris Appleton
We need your help—So much of our business realizes on word of
mouth, if you have a story or testimonial for Aqua Safaris, our
staff or instructors please submit it to our web master, David Dreyfuss,
at postmaster@aquasafaris.com. He’s currently working on a
new page. Thank you in advance for helping our business grow. Also,
check out our new and improved on-line store with over 2000 products
to chose from. Please let us know what you think. We need your feedback
to make this on-line store successful: www.aquasafaris.com.
 Hungry for Abalone?—Join us for ab feasts in Sea Ranch
on the weekend of April 16th–18th. Enjoy the California
North Coast at its best—pure relaxation! Sea Ranch is an
exclusive private community that restricts a 10-mile coast section
to Abalone hunters that own or rent houses. We rent one of these
huge, fabulous homes with a hot tub, sauna and swimming pool and
rec area access. For beginner and experienced ab divers, this trip
is a must, there are abs everywhere! Come give it a try or simply
indulge in the great food and company! Prices start at $75. Sign
up today for first choice in accommodations.
 No plans for Valentine’s Day?—We have the perfect idea!
Join a group of other single divers for a morning of diving in the
Bay. We’ve chartered the Escapade for February 14th and are
calling for “Singles Only.” Space is limited, so call
to reserve your space now! What better way to meet a new dive buddy!
We have charters once a month—so come join the fun! See
calendar for additional dates.
 Last Chance for Lobster—You have one more opportunity to get
lobster before the season closes. We’ve chartered the Conception
for another three-day adventure February 26–29 for some of the best
diving California has to offer—the Channel Islands off of the
Southern California Coast. Visibility ranges from 40–100 feet on
a regular basis. You’ll get a chance to see invertebrates
and kelp fish not normally seen in Monterey, or perhaps the rare
giant black sea bass. Being out on the water gives the potential
to see migrating gray whales, hump back whales, dolphins, seals
and sea lions! This is always a popular trip and spaces are filling
up fast, so don’t wait to reserve your spot. Cost is $415
for unlimited diving, great food and guaranteed good time! Remember:
first-come-first-choice of bunk space.
 A.J. is missed,
but not forgotten:
Many of you know that A.J. Brown, one of
Aqua Safaris’ fine instructors has left Santa Cruz and now resides
in Boulder, Colorado. We miss him greatly, but he assures us that
he’ll be back to teach classes in the Bay. Not only that, but
he’ll be leading our trip to Belize in May (contact the shop
for details). If you can’t wait to dive with him until then,
how about meeting him in Colorado for some ice diving—his latest
discovery!
Contact him directly for the “chilling details”
(aj@aboutdivetraining.com, tel. 970-266-8146).
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