Atlantic Edge - Scuba Diving News & Updates

U/W Easter Egg Hunt and Grand Opening at Annapolis Location

2010-03-12T08:11:00.000-08:00

Join Us March 25th-28th for our Annapolis Grand Opening Event! Help us celebrate Spring and the opening of the new store, get some great deals on dive equipment, and have some fun! We have two exciting events happening:

Grand Opening SALE!! Sale!! Sale!! Sale!! Scuba gear up to 75% Off!
Gekko Computers in stock- Console $249, Wrist $199 (while supplies last)
Sherwood Magnum Regulator Set (Magnum, Octo, console, inflator hose) $499
Aqualung AirSource Alternate Air Source (new and used) $125
Cobra Computers (air integrated) $599
SAVE on ALL types of gear!!
Wetsuits Up to 75% off
BCD’s up to 50% off
Many other great deals - come check it out.

Underwater Easter Egg Hunt
Easter eggs are normally hidden under bushes and inside flowerbeds. But in the Chesapeake Bay, the hiding places are often surrounded by submerged aquatic vegetation oysters and sand. Our hunt is a little different; it will require scuba diving equipment and a keen eye.

The underwater egg hunt will take place at our Annapolis location right off the beach in front of the store Saturday March 27th at 12 noon.

Cost is $30. Tanks/Weights are included. If you need to rent BC/Reg/Wetsuit, you can do so for only $10. Participants will be awarded with whatever their eggs bear.

Eggs will be hidden within a certain marked location and divers are given 1 hour to search around. At 2pm divers will claim their prizes by reveling the number on the egg. Only one prize per diver allowed. Prizes may include t-shirts, OC dive trips, rentals, equipment and training. We will use real eggs with non-toxic colorings to prevent any negative ecological impact.

We hope you can join us! Click Here to Sign Up.

Be a Diver!

2010-03-11T08:18:00.000-08:00

Last weekend Atlantic Edge staff participated in the Be a Diver Tour.
We introcuded a lot of new potential diver to scuba diving and how easy it is to dive! If you have not tried diving then join us for one of the many events like U/W Putt Putt:
Who doesn't enjoy putt putt? Putt putt is a great way to have a great time with friends - imagine how much fun this will be underwater! What an adventure!

This is going to be a ton of fun, so bring your certified or uncertified friends and family and come out, get wet and have a cool afternoon. Bring your cameras and take photos if you want!!

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SCUBA CERTIFIED TO PARTICIPATE

Two sessions:
March 7th, 10am, Gaithersburg
March 21st, 2pm, Ellicott City

Who:Anybody - certified or not - must be 12 or older
Gear:We will provide all gear
Cost:$30 / person

U/W Frisbee:
Underwater Frisbee Golf - get underwater and try your hand and have some fun. This is another game that is fun above water, but is even MORE fun underwater.

This is going to be a ton of fun, so bring your certified or uncertified friends and family and come out, get wet and have a cool afternoon. Bring your cameras and take photos if you want!!

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SCUBA CERTIFIED TO PARTICIPATE

Two Sessions:
March 14th, 10am in Bethesda
March 28th, 10am in Frederick
Who:Anybody - certified or not - must be 12 or older
Gear:We will provide all gear
Cost:$30 / person

Sign up on our webpage: www.atlanticedge.com under events.

ATLANTIC EDGE NOW STOCKS FLIGHT REGULATOR

2010-03-06T11:34:00.000-08:00

When we first decided to make the world’s lightest regulator, we started with a blank canvas and looked at every aspect including materials, shape, form and function. Our expertise and the vast archive of knowledge we have built up over the years, making the finest regulators, have produced Flight.

Apeks is known throughout the world for dive equipment of quality, craftsmanship and durability. Due to innovative design and the use of advanced materials, Flight regulators meet our high standards. They are tough, reliable and strong enough to cope with the demands and rigors of traveling. Flight is suitable for diving in water with a temperature above 50°F / 10°C. This is perfect for those warmer, exotic travel destinations, but we confirm it is equally suitable for waters as cold as 50°F / 10°C. A version of Flight will follow later in 2010 to accommodate even lower water temperatures.
They are the most compact Apeks regulators ever made – small yet fully loaded with high performance and comfort. Flight is ideal for every dive journey from a visit to your local dive site to an exotic trip overseas.
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High strength forged, lightweight, brass skeletal body
The components utilize new engineering grade composite materials to create an extremely light weight but tough and hard wearing regulator
Total weight of Flight - 25oz./708 grams (yoke) & 21oz./589 grams (DIN 300 bar)
Balanced diaphragm first stage
Nitrox compatible to 40% O2 (EAN40) when new, out of the box
Easy to service and therefore costs less to service
4 MP ports & 2 HP ports
Compatible with hose-less computer transmitters
Optimum hose positions
Tool-free second stage swivel fitting - avoids any damage that could occur to the Second stage from over-torqueing the hose
Pneumatically-balanced second stage
Large controlled purge button for ease of use
Venturi control to prevent free flows when out of the mouth
Lightweight, flexible, braided hose
Unique yoke knob design does not extend outward as it is unscrewed thus keeping the regulator compact. It is also designed to minimize entanglements

NEW ZUMA BCD-GREAT TRAVEL BCD!

2010-03-04T11:26:00.000-08:00

Here’s the BC that you have been waiting for. The fun, travel-friendly ZUMA will find favor with those divers who are tired of paying excess baggage fees. This ultra-light, weight-integrated, back inflation BC has everything you need, yet lacks weight and bulk. Once you lift it, you’ll feel for yourself that a size ML/LG weighs less than 2 kg (4.4 lbs), with the airway and weight pockets included!
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Extremely lightweight
• Size ML/LG weighs less than 2 kg (4.4 lbs)
• Great packability – flat or rolled

Weight integration features the SureLock™II (patented) mechanical lock and release mechanism. The weight pockets align themselves. Just insert the pocket until it “clicks”. A simple, single-pull release is all that is needed to jettison the weights in an emergency.
Innovative tank support system eliminates the need for a hard pack
• Lower tank band aligns with waist band
• A valve strap pulls the top of the cylinder in towards your center of gravity.
This relieves the shoulders and transfers the load to the hips
Only 4 sizes are all that’s needed to cover from XXS to XXL
Adjustable chest strap
• The two buckles ride on a rail system allowing the strap to be raised or lowered.
Proprietary flat e-valves mean less bulk
Fold-down, easy-access pocket
Features 4 D-rings to attach accessories.
Includes attachment grommets for knife
Right shoulder pull dump
Lower right pull dump
Sculpted padded shoulders
Padded spine and lumbar support
Optional non-ditch weight pockets that mount on the tank band, p/n 427085, can be purchased separately.
Other options include the Airsource, Squeeze lock knife and reflector kit

2010-03-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

OC Dive Boat is back for 2010 and better than ever! Join Atlantic Edge,Captain Jeremiah and the Malama Kai this summer for some unbelievable diving on some awesome dive sites, without having to jump on a plane to do it!

New Pricing for 2010! We have some new pricing for 2010 to make it even more affordable to get out and dive - dive charters for as little as $70!!

Charter Zones (Click Here for Zone Details)
This year we'll be breaking up the dive sites into three 'zones' - Zone 1 (closest, shallowest wrecks, generally 30'-50'), Zone 2 (mid depth, around 50'-80') and Zone 3 (farthest away, deepest wrecks - usually 80'-100+). You can pick your charter based on your experience - if you haven't done this kind of diving in the past start with a Zone 1 Charter on some of the easier, shallower wrecks and work your way up to the deeper Zone 3 wrecks as you gain more experience.

All sites have great spearfishing and we encourage all divers to take advantage. Ocean City is an excellent place for spearfishing as the fish are plentiful and there aren't a lot of divers out there on these sites. If you don't yet have experience, check out one of our Underwater Hunter coureses. If you're looking for spearfishing gear, Atlantic Edge can help you get outfitted.

We also have peak/non-peak pricing for 2010. Peak charters are Saturdays and Sundays in June, July and August. Everything else - all weekedays and weekends in April, May and September - are considered non-peak and all charters are $10 less than peak days!

We hope you can join us!
Click Here for more info.

SCUBA CAMP TRY IT SESSION MARCH 13TH, 2010

2010-02-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

Interested in camp, but want to give your kids a chance to 'try it' before you sign them up? Jump in one of our Scuba Camp 'Try It' sessions! These diving adventures take place throughout the winter and spring and are great chances to get your camper in the water and introduced to scuba, before committing to the full camp program.

'Try It' days are only $30, and if you decide to sign up for camp we'll apply your $30 towards your camp tuition. What do you have to lose?!

We will introduce your camper to scuba diving, show them how to use gear, and get in the water and play a game or two. As always, we'll provide all the gear, so you don't have to worry about any of that. Just bring them out prepared to have fun!

March 13th in Bethesda, 12:00pmSpaces are limited - Click Here to Sign Up.

http://www.atlanticedge.com/scuba_camp_try_it.shtml

If you would like to learn more about Scuba Camp, click here to see our Scuba Camp FAQ page,give us a call at (301) 519-9283, or send an email to training@atlanticedge.com.

Want to Be a Scuba Instructor?

2010-02-26T12:07:00.000-08:00

Dive Pro Seminar-Annapolis and Gaithersburg
Imagine a job where you would look forward to going to work every day………… This Free Seminar will cover how to become an instructor. Whether you are a certified diver or not, we’ll lay out the path you need to take and show you the present employment opportunities in the dive industry. First, I would like to introduce myself. My name is John Harman and I am the Instructor Trainer with Atlantic Edge. I have been teaching scuba diving for over 25 years and instructors for 18 years and still love every single minute. Introducing people to diving is truly amazing, and being a scuba instructor really is a… DREAM JOB! I am constantly asked, “How did you do it?” So in answer to these years of questions, Atlantic Edge has but a few seminars to help educate people on the career possibilities found within the diving industry. I would like to extend an invitation to both yourself and your friends to attend a Dive Pro Scuba Diving Careers Seminar running on the evenings of March 15th and April 13th, discussing the many employment opportunities and career paths available within the Dive Industry. We will be explaining the path to follow to become a PADI Divemaster and Instructor, as well as the training packages that are currently available for 2010. Scuba Diving Instructors and Divemasters are highly sought after throughout the world, with 100’s of jobs currently available in dive centers and dive resort locations. If sitting at a computer desk doesn’t excite you, then come and explore your diving career options at the seminar. What do you have to lose? Seminar Dates Gaithersburg Store March 15 6:30pm Annapolis Store April 13 6:30 pm

Click Here to Register (Registration is FREE and Open To Divers of ALL Levels)

UNDERWATER HUNTER COURSE SUMMER 2010

2010-02-18T10:12:00.000-08:00

Learn how to safely and effectively catch fish underwater in this one day course on underwater hunting. We will teach you how to identify catch able fish, use a pole spear and spear gun, and clean your fish once we get back to the dock.

Spearfishing is a very sustainable way to catch fish - you can choose which fish are the best to take, unlike line fishing where you yank to the surface anything that bites your line. You can also manage the amount you take and not take any more fish than you are going to eat.

Join us for a great day of fun and learning - and who knows, you'll probably bring home some dinner from this one!

Course Cost Includes - Boat fees, instruction, PADI Certification as an Underwater Hunter, use of fishing equipment
Course Cost Does Not Include-dive equipment rental, transportation

2010 DATES

MAY 14

JUNE 18

JULY 9

AUGUST 20

We hope you can join us! Click Here for more info.

HELLO FISH COLLECTORS

2010-02-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

As I sit here during snowmaggeddon I am looking at my aquarium full of fish I collected this past summer and reminiscing about the story behind each fish. What a cool atmosphere with all this snow outside, hope you are enjoying your aquarium as well!
We still have 6 spaces available on our Tropical Fish Collecting Trip. If you are not signed up yet, make sure you check your schedule and do so soon.
Some of you have responded to ask questions and wondering what we would be doing on our trip.
Here’s an idea of what we will be doing:
We will start our trip a few weeks before we even leave for Ft. Lauderdale, on May 19, we will have an introductory meeting, for those of you who don’t know how to set up an aquarium and a how to on collecting. This meeting will give you a better understanding of techniques on how to collect, what to collect and how to s tore and transfer our fish.
Once on site in Ft. Lauderdale, we will set up our storing systems and ready our dive gear for diving.
We will dive in shallow 15-20 foot areas to allow for easy surfacing of our fish. If we dive too deep or catch the wrong species of fish, the bladders of the fish could over expand on surfacing.
What will we collect? With keen eyes for species of juveniles and your new knowledge of identifying the different stage of their development our collection should include: queen angels, blue angels, French angels, towsend angels, four eye butterflies, banded butterflies, blennies, jawfish, gobies, parrotfish and wrasses.
Once back to our rooms we will acclimate and prepare for another day of diving.
Once we have done all our dives we will packet and ship the fish back home. We’ll have bags and oxygen available for shipping them safely.
Now it’s up to you- Do you want fish in your aquarium with a story and adventure? Then join us in Ft. Lauderdale!
Drop me an email john@atlanticedge.com if you have any questions.

What’s Involved in a Regulator Service?

2010-02-16T12:39:00.000-08:00

Most regulators require basically the same amount of labor. You have to take it apart to repair most issues. For that reason when any level of regulator service is needed beyond a mere inspection, there is only one type of procedure that makes sense- a complete overhaul.
What does this entail?

The regulator is completely disassembled and all hard components are cleaned in an ultrasonic bath.
Each manufactures has a specific kit which supplies the required parts that need to be replaced each year including o-rings, seats, filters and spacers.
Your regulator is reassembled and adjusted to manufacturer’s specifications. Its return to you in as close to “as new” condition as possible.

Why Service Your Regulator Yearly?

2010-02-15T11:21:00.000-08:00

There is a lot of confusion out there about whether to have your regulator serviced or not. Diver from time to time will ask us to just check it out since I’ve only used it a couple times in the last year. Apparently these people believe that, because their regulator has received little or no use since it was last worked on, it requires little or nothing in the way of maintenance. This is seldom the case. Most equipment manufacturers recommend and some require a minimum one-year service/inspection interval for regulators to maintain the warranty regardless of how little they are used.
Why?
Regulator performance is affected by far more than just how little or how much use it receives.
Every regulator contains many O-rings. These O-rings are critical to the regulator’s ability to function safely. Over time, these O-rings can dry out, oxidize, shrink and crack. This occurs regardless of whether the regulator is used or not. The first stage of a regulator also contains a high- or low-pressure seat. As time passes, these seats harden and shrink. They become indented by the sharp valve orifices against which they are constantly being pressed. This can cause a regulator’s intermediate pressure to “creep” and second stages to malfunction and free flow.
Therefore, even though a regulator may not have been used in the past year, these O-rings and valve seats may still need replacement if the regulator is to perform safely. The longer a regulator goes without service used or not the greater this need becomes.
Instructional and active divers such as Divemasters and Instructors have their regulators serviced as often as every three to six months.
So don’t ruin your next dive due to lake of maintenance get your regulators serviced annually at least!

WHY PURCHASE SCUBA EQUIPMENT FROM ANYONE ELSE? ATLANTIC EDGE OFFERS THE BEST EQUIPMENT, PRICING AND SERVICE!

2010-02-12T09:56:00.000-08:00

We know you have lots of choices when it comes to where to get your dive gear. We want to make the choice EASY for you - choose Atlantic edge. There are dozens of reasons to choose Atlantic Edge for your gear purchase, but a few of the highlights are:

1) We guarantee the best price. Repeat - we GUARANTEE the best price. We will match ANY price you find - be it another dive store or online.

With this guarantee, why buy online??? You can get the service of a dive store at online prices - how can you lose?

2) We have multiple locations staffed by full time Dive Consultants who can help you with any problems you have with your gear. We'll make it easy.

Bottom line - you can get great service at great prices with Atlantic Edge. We will match any price - find what you want and give us a shot - you'll be glad you did.

Click Here to Browse Our Package Selection, OR find a package that you want online and we'll match the price and get you your gear.

SCUBACAMP 2010- NEW LOWER PRICE AND AGE-NOW FOR KIDS 8-15 YEARS OLD!

2010-02-11T09:33:00.000-08:00

Interested in camp, but want to give your kids a chance to 'try it' before you sign them up? Jump in one of our Scuba Camp Try It sessions! These diving adventures take place throughout the winter and spring and are great chances to get your camper in the water and introduced to scuba, before committing to the full camp program.

'Try It' days are only $30, and if you decide to sign up for camp we'll apply your $30 towards your camp tuition. What do you have to lose?!

We will introduce your camper to scuba diving, show them how to use gear, and get in the water and play a game or two. As always, we'll provide all the gear, so you don't have to worry about any of that. Just bring them out prepared to have fun!

Our next 'Try It' session is February 20th in Annapolis. Spaces are limited - Click Here to Sign Up.

If you would like to learn more about Scuba Camp, click here to see our Scuba Camp FAQ page,give us a call at (301) 519-9283, or send an email to training@atlanticedge.com.

Want To Learn More About Scuba Camp? Enter your email address below and we will send you more information: (view our privacy policy)

Scuba Camp $595

Camp Dates
Location

Register
June 21-25, 2010
Annapolis

Register
June 28-July 2, 2010
Rockville

Register
July 12-16, 2010
Rockville

Register
July 26-30, 2010
Annapolis

Click Here to sign up Online

Become a Scuba Instructor!

2010-02-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

New for 2010- We have revamped our IDC program to take advantage of our onsite pool in Annapolis. We are working hard to make this the BEST IDC option around!!

Our NEW price is $895 for the IDC!!! Compare that around, you won't find a better price anywhere. We will do everything on site at our Annapolis facility (excluding 1 day excursion to the lake) - which includes a classroom, pool and a beach for doing scenarios. A one stop shop, all in a pretty sweet location!

We will be taking advantage of the new PADI eLearning program for the IDC. What used to be the first two days of the IDC can now be done online at your leisure, so the program itself is only 5 days long. We have included the eLearning component in the low $895 price!

IDCs will typically start on Saturdays and end on Wednesdays. Then, the following Thursday and Friday we will run EFR Instructor ($145) and Nitrox Instructor ($145) courses. Both are optional (although EFR Instructor is required to complete your Instructor training), but are great tools to have if you plan on teaching scuba.

Coming from out of town??- No worries - there are hotels in the area with rates as low as $50/night, and we'll work with you to pair you up with a roommate if you want!

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL!!-Sign up for any of our three scheduled IDCs before March 1st and receive $100 off. That's right, an IDC for only $795!!

Course Dates
May
IDC: May 1-5 (click to register with $100 deposit)
EFR Instructor: May 6,7
Nitrox Instructor: May 7

June
IDC: June 5-9 (click to register with $100 deposit)
EFR Instructor: June 10, 11
Nitrox Instructor: June 11

July
IDC: July 17-21 (click to register with $100 deposit)
EFR Instructor: July 22, 23
Nitrox Instructor: July 23

Want To Learn More About Our IDC? Enter your email address below and we will send you more information: (view our privacy policy)

IDC Details
Course Cost: $895

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Course Cost Includes: Classroom, Pool, Open Water Instruction; PADI eLearning Module

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Course Cost Does Not Include: Materials, PADI Fees, Lake Fees

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Payment Schedule: $100 Deposit Due Upon Registration; Balance Due 60 Days Prior To Course

Click Here to sign up Online

Free -Computer Seminar February 15th

2010-02-09T15:15:00.000-08:00

Atlantic Edge-Annapolis and the SUUNTO/Aqua Lung Regional Sales Manager, Brian Miller will be conducting a Suunto Computer Seminar and Underwater Navigation program for all divers at our new Annapolis location on February 15th 2010 at 6:30PM.

If you are in the market for a new computer we will discuss all the features and benefits of the Suunto line, if you own a Suunto computer and don’t know how to use the features we can help you with that!

We want you to take part in the FUN!

This seminar is FREE and each participant will receive a special SUUNTO Coupon just for attending.

Underwater navigation is easy when you do it the SUUNTO way. Learn how to use SUUNTO Computers and be ready to ask about any feature of your SUUNTO Computer. Mr. Miller is an expert that can help you.

Click Here to sign up Online

SHARK TOOTH TRIP-ONLY 5 SPACES AVAILABLE

2010-02-08T12:58:00.000-08:00

If you are interested sign up now. On last years trip we collected over 500 fossils, over 200 shark teeth! Start your collection or add to it. We found 8 species of shark teeth, woolly mammoth teeth, stingray teeth, stingray barbs, horse teeth, fossilized clams and whale teeth!

We are in Venice Florida during the Shark Tooth Festival. The City of Venice, FL in Sarasota County has been named the "Shark's Tooth Capital of the World" because of the millions of shark teeth that wash up on their sandy white beaches. The Sharks Tooth Festival takes place each Spring against the back drop of Venice’s best shark tooth hunting beach, where fossil collectors from around the Southeast display and sell sharks teeth and other prehistoric fossils. More than 100 artists from around the State market their original work. Food vendors serve up delicious dishes from seafood to BBQ. Live entertainment is on stage throughout the Festival. Children are entertained with such events as the Sharks Tooth Scramble and Mote Marine’s hands on exhibit. Trip Date April 8-11, includes 2 nights lodging and 2 days diving.

Click Here to sign up Online

Reschedule -Scuba Equipment Repair Seminar Moved to March 9th in Gaithersburg

2010-02-08T11:45:00.000-08:00

Date and Location Change- Due to the weather, the seminar has been moved to March 9th- Location Gaithersburg.

Scuba is equipment-intensive, but unlike a broken tennis racket or bicycle flat tire,if your scuba equipment fails, you could miss a dive. Proper maintenance, adjustment and understanding of your gear are the keys to keeping everything in top working order to protecting your investment or save your dive on site.

Our Repair Seminar also qualifies as the PADI Equipment Specialist Course. We will teach you how your stuff works. You’ll understand how a regulator magically provides air whenever your lungs call out for it and you’ll learn how to take care of that regulator to be sure you always get that air. Have you ever had a mask strap or a fin strap give out at 100 feet? You can see why it’s a good idea to know how to take care of these minor inconveniences before they become big problems. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We will give you some hands on experience working with hoses, pressure gauges, first stage ports etc.

While the Equipment Seminar is designed to give you a foundation in how your gear operates and what you can do to keep it all in top working order. If it’s been a while since you were in the market for new equipment, the course will bring you up to speed on the latest scuba technology.
Understanding your equipment is the first step to a lifetime of reliability.

The program is not an equipment repair program but it does give you:
1.Theory, principles and operation of dive equipment
2.recommended care and maintenance procedures
3.Hands on field repair solutions to get you back diving it at all possible.
4.What things you need to add to your save a dive kit.
5.Common problems with equipment and recommended professional maintenance procedures
6.Simple suggestions for comfortable equipment configurations and an introduction to new equipment.

Course Cost: $50

Date: February 9Th 6:30pm at our New Annapolis Location!

Get the PADI Equipment Specialist for an additional $30. Use this specialty toward your Master Diver rating.

Sign up on our website: http://www.atlanticedge.com/equipment_specialist.shtml

MANATEES EVERYWHERE!

2010-02-04T11:30:00.000-08:00

Our group just returned from Crystal River, Fl.They had manatees everywhere! With such cold weather in Florida over the past several weeks, the manatee headed for the warm 72 degree river water.
They reported that the river was full of manatees. Some snorkelers even got a hug from a manatee! This of course is not legal unless they approach you. Make sure you get on our trip next year! Mary was the group leader for the trip and said everyone had a blast! They also did dives in the Rainbow River and Homassasa River.

Get a Friend Diving- Try Scuba and play some Games at the Same time!

2010-02-01T11:30:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for a way to intoduce a new buddy to diving?

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If you’re looking for a way to introduce a potential buddy to diving Atlantic Edge Dive Center has a few programs coming up this winter to help!

Underwater Darts - Sunday, Feb. 13th!! Test your darts skills in this class pub game - with a twist! This will be like a regular came of darts - we'll have a dartboard and 'darts' to throw, except we'll do the whole thing underwater! Get off the couch and come out and have a GREAT time with us. No doubt about it, this will be the most memorable game of darts you'll ever play!

This is going to be a ton of fun, so bring your certified or uncertified friends and family and come out, get wet and have a cool afternoon. Bring your cameras and take photos if you want!!

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SCUBA CERTIFIED TO PARTICIPATE

When: Sat, Feb. 13th, 2010, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Where:Bethesda, MD (Georgetown Prep pool)
What:Underwater Darts Contest
Who:Anybody - certified or not - must be 18 or older
Gear:We will provide all gear
Cost:$30 / person

Underwater Frisbee Golf - get underwater and try your hand and have some fun. This is another game that is fun above water, but is even MORE fun underwater.

This is going to be a ton of fun, so bring your certified or uncertified friends and family and come out, get wet and have a cool afternoon. Bring your cameras and take photos if you want!!

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SCUBA CERTIFIED TO PARTICIPATE

Two Sessions:
March 14th, 10am in Bethesda
March 28th, 10am in Frederick
Who:Anybody - certified or not - must be 12 or older
Gear:We will provide all gear
Cost:$30 / person

Underwater Putt Putt
Who doesn't enjoy putt putt? Putt putt is a great way to have a great time with friends - imagine how much fun this will be underwater! What an adventure!

This is going to be a ton of fun, so bring your certified or uncertified friends and family and come out, get wet and have a cool afternoon. Bring your cameras and take photos if you want!!

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SCUBA CERTIFIED TO PARTICIPATE

Two sessions:
March 7th, 10am, Gaithersburg
March 21st, 2pm, Ellicott City

Who:Anybody - certified or not - must be 12 or older
Gear:We will provide all gear
Cost:$30 / person

Lots of cool unique ideas to get a potential new buddy underwater.
Join us!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO SIGN UP ONLINE

We Have a New Staff Member-Matt Portland

2010-01-27T11:08:00.000-08:00

Have you meet Matt Yet? Our newest staff member has a pretty interesting background!
Matt spent most of the late 90s volunteering in Australia's wildlife parks, zoos, public aquariums and oceanic research stations. After working in the reptile house at our National Zoo, Matt spent time in the Galapagos. He returned to start his own business installing and maintaining custom aquaria. New to the dive industry, Matt is working at the shop and hopes to complete his Divemaster training by the summer and soon thereafter, become an instructor. You will find Matt working most days in Gaithersburg.

Atlantic Edge Dive Trip -Group Dives Devil's Den in Florida

2010-01-26T17:54:00.000-08:00

Last week during our Manatee trip our group stopped off to dive Devil's Den, one of North America's most prehistoric places, Devil's Den -- an underground spring inside a dry cave in central Florida. The remains of many extinct animals from the Pleistocene Age (2 million - 10,000 years ago) were discovered at Devil's Den, including the bones of early man, dating back to 75,000 B.C. The pleasant year-around temperature of 72 degrees in the Den allows comfortable diving, winter or summer. On cold winter mornings you can see steam, like smoke, rising from the cave's chimney. Hence, the early settlers called the place Devil's Den.

You'll find open water and cavern diving at its best & will be fascinated by the rock formations with stalactites and 33 million year old fossil beds, truly a natural wonder.

Click Here to watch the video

New 2010 Atlantic Edge Dive Team T-Shirts

2010-01-26T11:25:00.000-08:00

Have you seen our new T-Shirts?
We are stocking both long sleeve and short sleeve t-shirts at our new Annapolis Location.
Long Sleeve $14.95
Short Sleeve $12.95

Join our Dive Team- Stop by see the new store and pick up a tshirt or order online!
Click Here to order

What a cool location!

2010-01-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

Wow! Can you believe it? We have been open in Annapolis now for 3 weeks!
Lots of old timers have stopped by, who either moved into the area over the past 15 years or were traveling to Gaithersburg to shop with us. We have also had many new divers also stop by and look around. (Take a look at this view from our Sales Floor)
If you haven't been by our new Annapolis location yet, make sure you do. It's a great place to walk around. Cars are always stopping at the store just to take pictures of the South River views. We also have a real nice restaurant on location-YellowFin-with great happy hour specials.

2009-12-16T11:59:00.001-08:00

We are SO excited about our new store in Annapolis, and we want you to share in our excitement. We thought and thought about a way to make the opening memorable. We came up with an idea that will be, no doubt, memorable!

We are going to celebrate the opening of the new store with a polar bear dive/swim. The store is right on the bank of the South River, with a small beach right out the front door. Come for the first day of business and we'll all 'take a plunge' together!

You can scuba with us, or just do a polar bear plunge for fun, if you're not a diver. We're not really sure what's down there to dive, and it will be cold, but we'll all be there together so it will be fun!

Ring in the New Year and the new Atlantic Edge-Annapolis with us and participate in an unforgettable day of fun.

Where?-The NEW Atlantic Edge- Annapolis Store: 64 Old South River Road, Edgewater, MD
What?-Polar Bear Dive/Plunge to celebrate the opening of the new store
When?-Sunday, Jan. 3rd at 11:00am

If you are diving, we will provide tanks and weights free of charge. BCs, Regulators, and Wetsuits will be available for rental for $10/item.

Click Here for Details

2009-12-09T07:33:00.000-08:00

Atlantic Edge is coming to Annapolis!! On Jan. 4th, we will be opening a new store in Annapolis, right by the Route 2 Bridge in the Liberty Yacht Club (right under the bridge from the Yellow Fin restaurant).

This new store is going to be extremely cool - it is located in the yacht club, so it’s right on the water with great views of the marina and South River. But the very best thing about the new store is that it has a pool! Come summertime we will be able to offer lots of awesome diving opportunities at our very own pool, right next door to the shop!

Click Here for Details And To See Photos

Underwater Quarterback

2009-12-02T12:36:00.000-08:00

Underwater Quarterback - Sunday, Jan. 10th!! Get psyched for the big game in February by playing in our 'underwater quarterback' contest. This will be a skill game testing your quarterbacking skills - underwater on Scuba! You don't have to be certified to participate - just come on out and have some fun with us! We will have prizes for the winner!

Click Here for Details and to Sign Up Online

Atlantic Edge Happy Hour in Rockville

2009-11-20T07:12:00.000-08:00

Atlantic Edge Happy Hour Gathering: Rockville Town Square

Date: Wednesday, December 9

Time: 5:30 pm start

Place: Gordon Biersch

Address: 200 East Middle Lane, Rockville, MD 20850
http://www.gordonbiersch.com/restaurants/index.php?pg=location&sub=loc&location_id=35

Metro: Walkable from Rockville Metro Station (Red Line)

Parking: Available across the street in the AMC Movie lot

Look for: Small table top dive flag and/or yellow snorkel ;-)
Questions: Email Mel [mel_limson@yahoo.com]

Bring a Buddy Diving

2009-11-17T13:33:00.000-08:00

Want to get a chance to dive with your non-certified buddy? We are having a 'bring a buddy diving' day on Jan. 24th at Hood College in Frederick. Bring your non-certified buddy and they can try diving with you. We'll do some fun events, games, and relays, with prizes for the winning team! Come check it out and have some underwater fun with us!

Click Here for More details

Gift Card Special

2009-11-11T04:19:00.001-08:00

THIS WEEK ONLY - Buy any Learn to Dive or Aquarium Diver gift card, and get a FREE $25 Gift Certificate that can be used for any other purchase! You can use your $25 for another class, gear, a trip - anything you want!!

If you have been looking for a great gift for the diver (or wannabe diver) in your life, take advantage of this great deal. Now, they can learn to dive AND get start on getting some of their own dive gear. Or, you can get them in the Aquarium, and they'll have a few dollars towards that future trip.

Even better - you can get the gift card for one person, and the gift certificate for another. OR - get the gift card for someone, and keep the gift certificate for yourself!!!

Click Here for Details

Scuba Dive With Santa

2009-11-04T05:26:00.000-08:00

Scuba Dive with Santa! For this event, you DO NOT need to be scuba certified - anyone ages 8 and older can participate on Scuba, and younger kids can participate on Snorkel. Join us Dec. 6th at Georgetown Prep in Bethesda. Sessions starting every 30 minutes from 8am until 11:00am.

Click Here for More Info

New Trip! Fish Collecting in Fort Lauderdale

2009-10-28T07:37:00.000-07:00

This is one of the most unique and exciting dive trips you'll ever see. This is not just a dive trip, it's also a seminar on collecting tropical fish! Join Tropical Fish Collector John Harman in Fort Lauderdale to learn how to collect, maintain and transport tropical fish for your own aquarium!

This trip includes 3 days of two tank dives, 4 nights accommodations at the Ocean Pointe Beach Resort in Pompano Beach, instruction from John, as well as all the equipment necessary to keep your fish alive while we are on the trip - which is yours to keep, free!

Don't yet have an aquarium at home? No worries- this trip also includes a seminar on May 19th where John will explain how to set up a salt water aquarium. You can have your aquarium up and running by the time the trip happens!

This trip includes all the knowledge and equipment you will need to collect tropical fish for your own aquarium. The trip cost does not include the actual cost of shipping the fish back from Florida, but we will help you with the shipping process should you decide to ship fish home

Click Here for More Info

Oyster Dive Pictures

2009-10-26T05:02:00.000-07:00

Check out some Oyster Dive pictures here:

http://www.atlanticedge.com/albums/oyster_dives/index.html

There is still time to get out diving and get some oysters!! Click here for more info.

Two New Happy Hours Scheduled

2009-10-16T10:33:00.000-07:00

Everyone that came had such a great time at our happy hour this week that we've put two more on the schedule - Nov. 3rd in Alexandria and Nov. 4th in Baltimore. We hope you can make one (or both)!

Details:
Nov. 3rd -
Alexandria 5:30pm
Southside 815
815 S Washington St
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 836-6222

Nov. 4th
Baltimore, 5:30pm
DuClaw Brewing Company
901 S Bond St
Baltimore, MD 21231

New Fall Hours for Atlantic Edge

2009-10-06T09:17:00.001-07:00

Our new store schedule for October 11 through November 30th:

Monday-Friday 12pm-7pm
Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday Closed

Happy Hour Oct. 14th

2009-10-06T05:17:00.000-07:00

Join us for happy hour at Uncle Julio's at the Rio in Gaithersburg (231 Rio Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878) on Oct. 14th at 5:30pm (we'll be there for a while, you don't have to come right at 5:30). Lets just get together, have some fun and talk diving!

Oyster Dives This Weekend!

2009-10-05T05:53:00.000-07:00

This weekend will be our first weekend of Oyster Dive charters in the Bay! This is a great time of year to do some Oyster Dives becuase the water is still pretty warm (high 60's) and the beds haven't been picked over yet.

Spaces are limited - sign up today! Click here to see the schedule and sign up online.

Coral Restoration Trip Coming Up Fast!

2009-10-05T05:47:00.001-07:00

As you may have read on our web page, in 34 days we will be working in the warm waters of the Florida Keys, with Ken Nedimyer, the founder of the Coral Restoration Foundation. We will have an active role in preparing and then transplanting Staghorn corals from Ken's nursery to their new home on a living reef. The trip runs from Thursday November 5th thru Sunday November 8th, 2009.

We will be having an info session for this trip Tuesday, Oct. 6th at 6:30pm at the shop. This will be a great time to come by and meet trip leader Dan Higgins, talk with other divers, ask any questions, and have a good time. Come join us - we'd love to talk with you.

There is spots still available but space is limited- sign up today!

New Shark Tooth Trip Added

2009-10-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

April 2010 Shark Tooth Trip Added :

We have just added a trip to Venice FL to dive for shark teeth for April 8-11, 2010! This will be a GREAT time to go down there because it will be the beginning of the season, before the teeth have had a chance to be picked by other divers.

This trip is the same itinerary as our other shark tooth trips - Thursday through Sunday, with dives on Friday morning and Saturday morning. This will be our fourth trip like this one, and all the previous trips have gone great - everybody has a great time and finds teeth!

Click here to Learn More

New Cool LOCAL Diving Opportunity

2009-10-01T09:11:00.001-07:00

We have a new, cool local diving opportunity for you - oyster diving in the Chesapeake Bay! Diving for oysters in the bay is a really fun, easy, and exciting opportunity to go diving. The best part - its local! You don't have to jump on a plane to do this - our boat leaves every Friday and Saturday from Annapolis, so just jump in the car and do some fun diving with us!

Charters start the weekend of Oct. 9th. For the early part of the fall, the water won't be all that cold - in the upper 60's even - 7mm suits are all you need.

Charters are only $60, and you get to keep your oysters! Impress your friends and family with all the delicious oysters you can find.

Click Here to Learn More

Click Here to See Schedule and Register Online

Coral Restoration Trip Info Session

2009-09-30T12:47:00.000-07:00

We will be having an info session for the November Coral Restoration Trip next Tuesday night (Oct. 6th) here at the shop. Dan Higgins, an experienced Coral Restoration trip leader and the leader of the November trip, will be conducting the session. Dan will be able to answer all of your questions about this awesome trip. Come out, learn about the trip, and meet some divers!

November Coral Restoration Trip Coming Up

2009-09-28T05:19:00.000-07:00

One of the most rewarding and unique experiences that we offer at Atlantic Edge is our Coral Restoration Trips down to the Florida Keys. On this trip we work with the Coral Restoration Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Key Largo that grows corals in a nursery and then transplants them to the living reef. This is a very cool project and has the potential to be a groundbreaking way to help restore the world's ailing coral reef system.

On this trip you will get hands on with the corals- working with them in the nursery, transplanting them to a site on the reef, and doing some condition monitoring of old transplant sites. You will also take part in lectures with Ken Nedimyer, the founder and president of the Coral Restoration Foundation.

This trip will change the way you look at diving and the coral reef system. We as divers CAN make a difference, and taking part in this trip is a great first step. To learn more, click here.

OC Dive Boat Moves to the Bay

2009-09-25T05:39:00.000-07:00

We will be moving our dive boat from Ocean City to the bay next week! The diving in Ocean City has been awesome this summer, but its sadly over. While its sad to leave the beach, we're lucky enough to live in an area where we can keep diving!

The bay diving is different from the ocean. The depths are shallower, the visibility can be more limited at times, and the spearfishing isn't quite as good. There are, however, oyster beds, which make for really interesting dives collecting oysters. There are also over 400 known wrecks in the bay ( not to mention all the uncharted and unknown wrecks ), so there are tons of opportunities to get in and do some exploring. Lots of these wrecks almost certainly still have artifcacts on them.

Don't put your gear away for the year quite yet. Come out and do some dives with us - you can learn more at www.atlanticedge.com/baydiving.

Lake Season Quickly Coming to an End

2009-09-15T05:38:00.000-07:00

Its hard to believe, but lake diving season is quickly coming to a close, and with it your opportunity to take advantage of local training dives. We will be running a full schedule of Lake classes through the end of October, with opportunities still left to do Open Water Training Dives, Advanced Class, and Rescue Class.

The early fall is actually a really nice time to dive some of the local lakes. The water has had all summer to warm up, and while the air may be a little crisp we are usually lucky enough to have pretty warm air through most of October. There generaly won't be as many divers at the lakes so the clarity tends to be a little better, too.

If you have taken a Learn to Dive class but have yet to do your training dives, remember that your referral is good for 12 months from the point of completion. Don't let your referral expire - take advantage of these last few weeks of training dives and complete your certification! This is also a really good time to take that Advanced or Rescue class you've been promising yourself all summer!

Summer slips away so quickly, but we still have some time - sign up for a local lake class today!

Click Here for Info on Training Dives

Click Here for Info on Advanced Classes

Click Here for Info on Rescue Classes

Save Bluefin Tuna

2009-08-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

Western Atlantic bluefin tuna are in deep peril. This amazing fish that can swim over 40 mph and weigh up to 1,500 pounds is in danger of becoming extinct within 10 years. Rampant commercial fishing has reduced the mature population of this fish by 80% since 1970. Despite this, the federal government is proposing to increase the catch in the Gulf of Mexico, the only known spawning area for bluefin tuna in the western Atlantic Ocean.

Fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico targeting swordfish and yellowfin tuna deploy up to 40 miles of long-lines in the water with hundreds of baited hooks attached. During the 10 hours a day these long-lines are fishing, species that are supposed to be protected in the Gulf of Mexico including bluefin tuna, marlins, and sea turtles are caught and killed. Instead of eliminating this wasteful fishing gear, the Federal government is proposing to allow commercial fishermen to kill and sell more bluefin tuna, despite the fact that their population is at the lowest levels on record.

Click Here to Read More and Sign the Petition

Its Shark Week!

2009-08-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

Remember that this is Shark Week on the Discovery Channel. There is lots of great shark focused programming going on all week, so if you're into sharks, check it out!!

Click Here to Learn More About Shark Week

Click Here to Watch a Clip from the CBS Morning News on Shark Week

Check out Sharks After Dark on Thursday at 9pm, co-hosted by the National Aquarium in DC's Director of Biological Programs Andy Dehart

Scuba Diving Fun at Camp

2009-07-21T08:01:00.000-07:00

We have been working with various camps in the area to do Discover Scuba Diving experiences with the kids, so that EVERYBODY gets a chance to experience Scuba Diving and how much fun it can be. The kids have been having a great time underwater, and we have been having even more fun giving them their first scuba diving experiences. Click the link below to see some of the photos from our most recent Discover Scuba Diving session.

Click Here to See Photos

Wounded soldiers take to diving (from carolina coast online)

2009-07-17T05:47:00.000-07:00

MOREHEAD CITY — Four wounded soldiers boarded a dive boat at Olympus Dive Center and were under way Saturday to a sunken submarine about 30 miles off Atlantic Beach.

The four soldiers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., are members of Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba, a nonprofit organization developed to provide dive opportunities for the injured soldiers.

The program is part of the Wounded Warrior Project that caters to severely injured service members during the time between active duty and their transition to civilian life.

For two years, the SUDS have taught more than 100 injured veterans how to scuba dive. The program is designed to assist returning veterans injured in Afghanistan and Iraq with their rehabilitation at Walter Reed and is the brainchild of John Thompson, SUDS president and certified scuba instructor who worked several summers with Olympus and was volunteering at Walter Reed with the Red Cross when he asked the hospital about the possibility of teaching scuba diving.

Capt. Danny Facciola, assistant and coordinator for the dives, said Mr. Thompson approached him about helping with the program.

“I thought it was a wonderful idea, and I would do anything I can to help,” he said.

Capt. Facciola said after some planning to establish the nonprofit group, Mr. Thompson approached Walter Reed and the proposal was accepted with enthusiasm.

Click Here to Read Full Article
(photo by Helen Outland)

Top 10 Things You Can Do To Help the Bay

2009-07-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

As part of the Smart, Green & Growing initiative, the Department of Natural Resources has released a Top 10 list of action items citizens can do to save the Chesapeake Bay. Recently, scientists environmental experts noted that some river systems may have reached a "tipping point," where self-reinforcing elements within the ecosystem are working to maintain either positive or negative trends. An increase in underwater bay grasses, for example, can promote the growth of more bay grasses, improving water clarity, increasing oxygen levels and providing better habitat for fish and crabs.

Click Here to See the List

Scuba Diving is Fun!

2009-07-15T06:18:00.000-07:00

Taking the plunge and getting your scuba diving certification is fun, and it will open up all kinds of new opportunities for you.

One of the best things about scuba diving is that it can be whatever you want it to be - it can be a pulse pounding, adreneline rushing adventure; it can be a relaxing, calming, floating along the reef zen-like experience; it can be educational; you can do it with large groups or small groups; you can do it close to home, or you can travel the world..... Hopefully once you're certified you'll do all of the above. There are so many amazing opportunities to take advantage of, you could dive for a lifetime and not see everything. Don't wait - start today and start your scuba adventure!

In just the last couple of months, some of the things Atlantic Edge has done (that you could be doing too, once you're certified!):

We collected lobsters and flounders off of Ocean City (and had a GREAT dinner that night!)
We hunted for fossilized shark teeth in Venice, Florida
We dove with stingrays and sea turtles at the National Aquarium in Baltimore
We worked with the Coral Restoration Foundation in the Florida Keys to preserve and build new reef structure

And in the next couple of months.

We will be traveling to the Bahamas to collect and study the invasive Pacific Lionfish
We will be traveling to Yap and Palau to dive some of the most exotic and pristine dive sites in the world
We will be traveling to Bonaire to train Master Scuba Divers

Does any of that sound good to you? Once you're a diver, its all possible! There's still plenty of time to get certified this summer - we hope you will join us for a class!

Award-winning Marine Documentary Slated for Release this Summer

2009-07-15T05:32:00.000-07:00

Sundance Award-Winning thriller The Cove will be released in theaters throughout the country beginning this summer. Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) and Roadside Attractions have acquired all U.S. rights to the film, while The Works International, in conjunction with James Atherton's London-based Quickfire Films Fund, acquired distribution rights for all other territories outside North America.
Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, The Cove is an astounding piece of investigative journalism with the heart of an action thriller. Led by Louie Psihoyos, co-founder of the Ocean Preservation Society, and Richard O'Barry, an internationally recognized authority on dolphin training who is best known for his work on the 1960's TV show "Flipper," the film follows a high-tech dive team on a mission to discover the truth about the international dolphin capture trade as practiced in Taji, Japan. Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques, including hidden microphones and cameras in fake rocks, the team uncovers how this small seaside village serves as a horrifying microcosm of massive ecological crimes happening worldwide.

A local premier of The Cove is scheduled in Washington, DC to take place on July 16th at the Landmark's E Street Cinema at 7:30pm. The film will be publicly released July 31st in New York and Los Angeles and will expand into additional markets the following week. Screenings are scheduled at the Bethesda Row Cinema and the Landmark Harbor East 7 Cinema during the first week of August. For more information on The Cove, visit the film's web site at: www.thecovemovie.com

Loads of Shark Teeth Found on First Shark Tooth Trip

2009-07-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

Our first trip down to Venice to hunt for Shark Teeth was last week, and it was a huge success! Everybody found teeth, with lots and lots of variety of different things to find.

'I was really pleasantly surprised with all the different types of teeth and fossils we were finding down there', says Trip Leader John Harman. 'In a lot of spots you are just finding one kind of tooth, but in Venice you find fossils from all different kinds of sharks, whales, stingrays.... there's really a lot to find.'

Want to join in on the fun? We still have spaces left on our October trip.

Scuba Dive With Zoe the Zebra Shark at the National Aquarium in Baltimore

2009-07-09T09:14:00.001-07:00

Zebra sharks are striped as juveniles, and gradually "grow out" of the stripes. They feed mainly on mollusks and crustaceans as well as small fish. Their flexible body allows them to wriggle into narrow reef crevices in search of food. The largest reported is 12 feet or more, although sizes of less then 7 ½ feet are more typical. They are found around inshore reefs of the western Pacific, Japan to Australia, the Indian Ocean, and the Red Sea.

Zoe is very closely related to a nurse shark - she doesn't have 'teeth' in the way that most sharks do (so don't worry, you won't get bit!). As the divers feed animals in the Wings in the Water exhibit, you might notice the Zebra shark swimming extremely close to the divers - even between their legs.
She is partially blind, and because of this she is trained to respond to sounds, so we can call her to a station when we feed her. When you dive, you might see the results of this training.

Underwater Hunter Course

2009-07-07T11:41:00.001-07:00

We have just added to the schedule an Underwater Hunter course, taking place Friday Sept. 11th in Ocean City. If you've never had the opportunity to spearfish but would like to try this course will be a great opportunity.

Spearfishing is actually a very eco-friendly and sustainable way to fish. With spearfishing, you can control which fish you are taking, opposed to line fishing where you're bringing up every fish that hits your hook. You can also learn to be responsible and only take the fish you're going to eat.

This is a one day course - we will teach you how to use both a pole spear and a spear gun, how to identify which fish to catch, and how to clean and prepare fish once you have caught them.

We hope you can join us! Click Here for more info.

Great Time Diving in Ocean City

2009-07-06T12:08:00.000-07:00

Last week some of the staff of Atlantic Edge had the privilege of going out diving with Captain Jeremiah on the OC Dive Boat. Weather was great, sea conditions were pretty good, and we hit some awesome dive spots.

We first hit the Al Giles Memorial Reef, commonly refered to as 'The Barge'. The Barge is a great spot for spearfishing, as its just a big upside square barge - you don't really need a wreck reel to navigate and its teeming with life. We got some fish for dinner and then headed over to the BI Cutters.

The BI Cutters are a pretty cool wreck site. They aren't entirely 'intact' so you can have a good time exploring and trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together to see how they used to come together as a ship. Lots of great life on this site, too.

After that we hit the Pharoby Dragger, sometimes referred to as the 'Dinner Wreck' for its high quantities of good eating fish. There were flounder everywhere and a few big tog swimmming around. We even were lucky enough to catch an angel shark swimming in the sand.

A great day all around!

South Africa Shark Diving!

2009-07-01T13:06:00.000-07:00

Check out this pic from Jon Acton from his recent trip to South Africa for Shark Diving. These aren't professional photos - real pics from Jon! Can you imagine what it must feel like to see something like this?

You don't have to imagine - we have a trip to Africa in the fall of 2010 to do this! Click Here to get more info.

First Scuba Camp a Success

2009-06-30T03:13:00.001-07:00

Our first scuba camp is complete and it was a huge success! Thanks to Mark and Mel for running a great camp, and congratulations to all the campers who are now one step closer to being scuba certified! We hope to see all of you in a training dive weekend very soon.

Scuba Camp is an awesome program for kids to learn to Scuba Dive. If you are interested in learning more about scuba camp, click here.

Play Hooky With Us in Ocean City This Thursday

2009-06-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

Play hooky with us in Ocean City this Thursday! We've set up a Thursday charter to go out and do some diving and have some fun - take the day off, join us and start the 4th of July holiday weekend in style!

Click Here to Sign Up to Dive on Thursday July 2nd

NEW TRIP!! - Bonaire March 2010

2009-06-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

Atlantic Edge has added a trip to Bonaire in March of 2010 to our travel schedule! This is going to be a cool trip - focused on making the travelers into Master Scuba Divers. Master Scuba Diver is the highest recreational ranking PADI offers - in order to acheive this status you must have Advanced and Rescue Diver certifications and 5 specialties. On this trip we will offer Rescue and a few specialties during the week, so you can come, do some great diving and get some awesome training! We will be staying at Buddy Dive - one of Bonaire's nicest and most diver-friendly resorts!

Click Here to Learn More About This Trip

Scuba Dive in the National Aquarium in Baltimore with Calypso the Sea Turtle

2009-06-25T07:17:00.001-07:00

Meet Calypso the Green Sea Turtle, one of the many friends you can dive with at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Calypso was found cold-stunned in Northport, Long Island, NY in November 2000. About a month into rehab in Long Island the turtle developed a secondary infection in the left front flipper joint and the flipper had to be amputated. These types of infections are not uncommon in cold stunned turtles. Calypso was deemed non-releasable by USFWS, as s/he was one of the first sea turtles to undergo surgical flipper amputation in rehab in this region. At the time, not a lot was known about the survivability of surgically amputated sea turtles in a natural environment. Calypso was later transferred from the original rescue organization to the National Aquarium, Baltimore.

Calypso loves divers and is very curious - s/he'll come right up to you and take a look and sometimes even surprise you by giving you a little *kiss*!

Lionfish - Not Just for Breakfast Anymore!

2009-06-25T05:32:00.000-07:00

Across the diving community a lot has been said about the lionfish invasion. Pacific Lionfish on this side of the world pose a potential threat to the reef system as we know it - they are voracious predators, able to decimate a reef in a matter of weeks. Nothing hunts them naturally, so they are multiplying in numbers at a fast rate.

Atlantic Edge and others are sponsoring dive related trips to collect, study and analyze lionfish. We as a dive community are in a position to help solve this problem by collecting lionfish and helping the scientific community understand more about them.

Now, there is another solution on the table - eating them! More and more has been said about eating lionfish - they are tasty, healthy, and by eating them we help solve the problem of them eating everything else! Click Here to read a recent article on the virtues of eating lionfish.

Local Diving Spot - Hydes Quarry

2009-06-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

A lot of people ask us about local diving spots in the DC/Baltimore area. Given that we are relatively landlocked (aside from the Bay, which presents only a few diving opportunities), there are a few spots that are good for a fun day of diving. If you want to get wet and enjoy a day out in the sun, check out Hydes Quarry in Westminster, MD. Hydes has been set up pretty much exclusively for diving- it has some nice easy entry points, a few good sunken attractions like a sailboat and a school bus, and tons of fish!

Entry into Hydes is $20 for the day for divers. Make sure to bring your c-card and your gear, as there is no dive facility there so you're on your own once you get there. Hydes is managed by the folks at Undersea Outfitters in Westminster. They are friendly, if you have any questions about the Quarry they're helpful.

It isn't quite the Caribbean, but in a pinch it'll do! Click Here for Directions to Hydes Quarry.

Cool Article on Sharks

2009-06-23T09:12:00.001-07:00

If you like sharks, check out this article - its pretty cool:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090622/sc_livescience/sharkskillerstrategyrevealed

2nd Annual Ocean in Focus Conservation Photography Contest

2009-06-22T04:51:00.000-07:00

Marine Photobank and Project AWARE Foundation are teaming up once again to bring you the 2nd Annual Ocean in Focus Conservation Photography Contest on June 8, World Ocean Day. We challenge ocean lovers worldwide to submit their most compelling marine conservation images to this one-of-a-kind photo contest. This summer, point your lenses in a different direction to tell the true stories of our ocean's health and share your story with us and the rest of the world.

Click Here to Learn More

(photo credit Steve Spring, Reef Rescue)

Getting Ready for a Busy Weekend of Diving

2009-06-19T06:23:00.001-07:00

Another busy weekend of diving.... Learn to Dive classes in Bethesda and Roxborough, dives at the Aquarium, and Captain Jeremiah has three days in a row of full charters in Ocean City. There's plenty of diving going on, why aren't you diving?

OC Dive Boat - Special Charter Updates

2009-06-17T05:28:00.001-07:00

We have two special charters on the OC Dive Boat for the weekend of June 27/28:

June 27- On June 27th, we will be heading offshore to the African Queen and the Blenny. These are two of the most famous wrecks off Ocean City. The Blenny is an intact WWII sub and the African Queen is an old wreck with LOTS of life. Both are awesome spearfishing sites.

Click Here to Sign Up for the Blenny/African Queen on June 27th

June 28 -
On June 28th, we are offering dives for a special price of only $100!!

Click Here to sign up for June 28th dives for only $100

Sunfish Off Of Ocean City

2009-06-16T05:51:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Capt. Jeremiah and the crew of OC Dive Boat saw a sunfish while out diving. This is just an example of all the cool stuff you can see out there! Check out the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXj_YVhEouk

We're seeing great stuff every weekend - come out and dive with us! Click here for more info.

Atlantic Edge Has Two New Instructors!

2009-06-15T06:23:00.001-07:00

We are happy to announce that we have to brand new instructors at Atlantic Edge. Mary Robinson and Jeff Wilson, both of whom have been long time Divemasters with us, completed their insturctor courses over the weekend. Congratulations, Jeff and Mary!

Want to teach Scuba yourself? Click Here to learn more about our Instructor Development Course.

Congratulations to Benoit LeGros, Our Newest Divemaster!

2009-06-12T05:46:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Benoit LeGros, who has recently been certified as a PADI Divemaster. Benoit has been working on his Divemaster internship through the winter, but now his paperwork is in he's official (well almost, pending the PADI seal of approval). Great job, Benoit!

Want to become a divemaster, too? We have a great training program - click here to learn more about becoming a divemaster.

New Shark Tooth Trip Scheduled for October

2009-06-10T17:16:00.001-07:00

One of the hottest trips around lately has been the shark tooth trips to the Gulf Coast of Florida. The tooth beds there are shallow, in reasonable visibility, and are abundant with teeth.

These trips have been so popular that we're scheduling our THIRD trip, for Oct. 8-11. Collecting teeth is really cool - its fun to be underwater with a purpose in mind, and you can really wow your friends and family with some of the teeth you'll find. These are fossilized teeth, some of them megalodon teeth that can be 5'' in length or longer!

If you're interested in finding out more about the trip, click here.

Request for Scuba Gear Donations

2009-06-10T06:45:00.000-07:00

Montgomery County Fire/Rescue Captain Lee Silverman, who has been instrumental in supporting the Public Safety Session at the Training Academy and Capt. Rick Steer are preparing to travel to Haiti to continue their mission to develop a Water Rescue Team for the island nation. the men and women firefighters of Haiti are extremely dedicated but have very little in the way of resources to perform their tasks. Many people take Scuba classes or snorkeling classes and then for any number of reasons put the gear in their basement and never go back to using it. That gear could potentially save lives in Haiti. If you have any snorkeling and/or Scuba gear you can make a tax-deductible donation through the Florida International Volunteer Corps. This agency has been instrumental in arranging for training in numerous islands in the Caribbean and specifically Haiti. Any individual that has gear to donate: Scuba masks, snorkels, swim fins, weights and weights belts, BCDs, primary and secondary regulator stages, scuba tanks, gear bags, underwater lights, dive knives/cutting devices, or PFDs etc. should contact Captain Silverman to arrange to have it picked up. lee.silverman@montgomerycountymd.gov

July 5th- Dive and Picnic to Benefit the Coral Restoration Foundation

2009-06-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

On July 5th we'll be sponsoring a fun day of diving and goofing off at Hydes Quarry in Westminster, as a benefit for the Coral Restoration Foundation. Tickets will be $25 for divers, $15 for non divers and will include rentals of tanks and weights (for the divers only, of course) as well as a picnic lunch of burgers, hot dogs, drinks, snacks etc. All proceeds will be donated to the Coral Restoration Foundation.

Shake off the July 4th party the night before with a fun day at the lake with us! Get out, meet some of your fellow divers and have some fun, all for a great cause.

Click Here to Learn More About July 5th Fun Dives to Benefit the Coral Restoration Foundation

Coral Restoration Foundation Coming to DC Aquarium

2009-06-05T05:54:00.000-07:00

One of the coolest ocean related non-profits out there is the Coral Restoration Foundation, run by Ken Nedimyer. We have worked with Ken in the past to bring divers down to work on his projects, which is not only fun to work on but has the promise of turning around the downward spiral the world's coral reef system seems to be on. Ken grows and transplants live coral to the living reef, reestablishing portions of the reef that are in decline.

The plan is for the Coral Restoration Foundation to get an exhibit at the National Aquarium in Washington, DC. More on this later, but this would be great for those of us that live up here to be able to get a first hand look at what Ken and the CRF are doing.

Check Out Shark Trust Wines

2009-06-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

Divers and Wine Afficianados alike - check out Shark Trust Wines. Their mission:
'Our goal at Shark Trust Wines is to bring great wine from around the globe to your table while actively spreading the message about the need for shark conservation and making it easy for people to make a difference through the donation of 10% of our profits. '

What a cool way to support ocean conservancy- by drinking wine!

Happy Diving,

--Trevor