Adventure Scuba Dive Log

Scuba Diving at Big Horn Canyon (Yellowtail Dam)

2010-09-08T10:06:00.001-06:00

Montana Dive Fest

2010-07-15T20:24:00.001-06:00

It’s Montana State Dive Fest Time! Get together with divers from around the state for diving and a whole lot of fun. The event is hosted by Mountain Sharks Dive Club at Blue Bay on Flathead Lake, August 20-22. Adult registrations received before July 31 include a 2010 Divefest T-shirt.

Click the link below for more information and to download a registration form.

Montana Dive Fest

David Gallo shows underwater astonishments | Video on TED.com

2010-02-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

Cool video about how octopus can blend in to their surroundings.

David Gallo shows underwater astonishments | Video on TED.com

SeaLife Unveils Its Own “Cash for "Clunkers” Camera Rebate Program!

2010-01-20T20:11:00.001-07:00

Have an older SeaLife digital underwater camera or SeaLife flash and would like to upgrade to a DC800, DC1000 or SeaLife Digital Pro Flash? Here’s a great opportunity. Trade in your old SeaLife digital camera or SeaLife flash (working or not) and receive a rebate check.

Let Adventure Scuba help you turn your “clunker” camera or flash into a new one! We’ll even handle the paperwork and ship you “clunker” to SeaLife for you!

For complete details, click here.

Scuba Cat

2009-11-11T21:32:00.001-07:00

Just when I thought I had seen it all. Some how I don't think my kitty would think this was a good idea!

Underwater Pumpkin Carving In Montana

2009-10-27T22:09:00.001-06:00

It was a great day at the lake for fun and pumpkin carving. The divers did a great job creating their master pieces.

Montana Dive Fest 2009

2009-08-17T21:47:00.001-06:00

Just got back from the Montana State Dive Fest. What a great time. We had presentations from several speakers on a variety of topics.

The diving was fun- a lot of places to explore. A few divers also got the opportunity to try out full face masks.

Plans are already being made for next year- don't miss out!

Montana Dive Fest – Don’t Miss Out on the Fun!

2009-07-21T20:21:00.001-06:00

The time is quickly approaching for the Montana State Dive Fest at Yacht Basin Chalet. It will be held Aug 14-16, 2009. We have lots of events on the calendar from seminars, movies, races and trivia. Hope that you can come for the fun filled events and come to the Island.

Yacht Basin Chalet

Here is a list of events that are scheduled to take place:

Friday: Potluck dinner and diving.

Saturday: Breakfast with a VHF Radio class from the Coast Guard and presentation from the Search and Rescue. Diving will begin after and we will have a rotation of boats going to different islands. At lunch time our Duckie races will begin and run throughout the day and you must have a team to race against. We will also have John from DUI/Ocean Reef putting on a class for full face masks At dinner we have a special guest presenter that represents a resort in Belize and after dinner Barry Dunford from PADI will do a presentation for us.

We are also holding a silent auction for dive items that you no longer need or want part of the proceeds will go to DAN. We have lots scheduled for the weekend and you will be able to take part in what you want. Saturday night we will have entertainment and that will be a surprise.

Throughout the day we will be making announcements of certain things that will be taking place and prizes will be given out throughout the day.

Sunday: we will have breakfast, the state council meeting, and anyone wanting to dive before you head home, we will have boats going out to islands again. We hope that you will join us for a great time.

All meals are included in the cost of $50 for all divers, Children ages 5-9 it is $25 and under 5 they are free.

For additional information or to register, contact Karen at Helena Scuba. There hours are 11-7 M-F at 406-442-4334. She can take a credit card for your registration.

Adventure Scuba has rental gear available. Call Mandy or Carolyn at Adventure Scuba to reserve you gear!

DAN announces new Member Benefits

2009-07-14T21:34:00.008-06:00

For many divers, DAN (Diver Alert Network) is like an old friend- always there when you need them. Our ol' buddy just got better. DAN recently announced new benefits for its members.

DAN's members magazine is now available online. You will be able to veiw current articles, research archived articles and they will be adding features that are not in print. The magazine web address is www.alertdiver.com.

In these turbulant times, the addition of the Worldcue Planner Travel Intelligence Resource is a great addition. As a DAN member, you have available real-time travel information on just about any location in the world.

Divers have long been turning to DAN for important diver safety information. DAN has now added Online Training seminar on topics that are of interest to divers. Non-members pay $25 per seminar.

If you are a member, be sure to take advantage of these great benefits. Becoming a member is really easy. Follow this link and join today!

Desintation : Fiji

2009-06-06T20:27:00.002-06:00

I've posted the trip information for our next big dive trip. Dave & I will be leading a group to Fiji. Fiji is know of it's spectacular diving and exotic atomosphere. The flyer for the trip can be downloaded at www.divemontana.com.

I have limited spaces availalble. Don't miss out on this one.

Gear Swap Time!

2009-05-25T22:12:00.002-06:00

It's time for Adventure Scuba's Annual Gear Swap! Clean out those dive bags and bring in those treasure. We'll help you price them and sell them. Click here for the complete details.

Shop early for best selection!

Divers have fun in the air as well as in the water!

2009-03-07T22:00:00.003-07:00

We just got back from Belize. The group decided to have a little "top side" fun and went Zip-Lining and Cave Tubing. It was a real gas!

Getting Ready to Escape

2009-01-27T20:01:00.004-07:00

I don't know about you, but this cold weather is getting me thinking of traveling to the tropics. The white stuff on the ground would be warm sand and the breeze a warm one. The good news is that in less than a group of Montana divers will be heading to Belize. Better yet, I am going with them.

We depart on February 21 for a week of fun in the sun.

Wish you could come along- don't miss out next year!

Aqua Lung now available at Adventure Scuba!

2008-12-28T13:50:00.002-07:00

Adventure Scuba is pleased to announce that it has become an Aqua Lung distributor. Aqua Lung has been an industry leader for over 60 years. They offer an extensive family of brands such as Apeks, Sunnuto, Sea Quest and Deep See.

Stop in the shop to see the new arrivals.

Holiday Open House

2008-12-03T20:48:00.003-07:00

Join us for a little holiday cheer! We are holding our Annual Customer Appreciation Open house on December 5, 5-8 pm. We will have refreshments, a door prize and special discounts on the things you need to complete your holiday shopping!
See you there!

Adventure Scuba
2101 Grand Avenue
Billings MT 59102

www.DiveMontana.com

Underwater Pumpkin Carving Dive

2008-12-03T20:35:00.004-07:00

The High Country Dive Club held their annual pumpkin carving dive this past October.
It's a great test of skill, patience and an artistry? Okay, it's just plain good fun!

We'll post the dates for next year's dive on www.divemontana.com. Don't miss out on the fun!

Splash For Trash 2008

2008-09-15T21:12:00.004-06:00

Who would of thought that picking up trash could be so much fun! It's especially fun when you are picking up trash under water-- underwater it's more like finding lost treasure than trash. You know the old saying- one man's trash is another one's treasure. We found the usual treasures- lures, cans etc. The area is amazingly clean considering the amount of use it gets.

When we weren't finding "treasures" we were having fun watching the bass, who were watching us. They are a very curious species and pretty bold. We also spotted a sauger as well as crayfish. The weather was beautiful- mid 70's and the vis was about 30 feet. Fall diving at Yellowtail is my personal favorote. The water temp is still in the mid to hi 60's and the visablity get better than mid summer. It's not quite the Carribean, but it's a pretty close!

A big "THANK YOU" to the divers that came out to participate is this worth while event. We not only helped maintain our favorite "watering hole", but contributed to the study of the condition of the worlds waters. A tally of what we collected has been submitted to Project Aware and the Marine Conseratory. The data will be combined with data collected from Clean up Dives around the world.

Coming Soon: Underwater Pumpkin Carving. Visit DiveMontana.com for details.

Seeing is Believing!

2008-09-08T21:29:00.004-06:00

Every year, dive equipment manufactures work hard at coming up with new products. Sometimes they are sucessful in creating a new product that is truly an advance to scuba equipment techonology. Who would have thought the coolest thing would be a mask! Okay, it's not just any mask. Oceanic's HUD (Heads Up Display) mask would combine a hoseless dive computer with a scuba mask!

Oceanic has always been a leader in diving computers, now they've taken it to the next level. Imagine being able to know your depth, time and air pressure at all times- you don't have to reach for a computer console. As a photographer, I really appreciate the convienence. It's really easy to get so involved in hunting for the perfect picture and forget to check your air pressure. With the HUD, the information is just a glance away. You can keep your camera in the ready position and not miss a shot!

The HUD has all the features that you expect from a diving computer, including Nitrox and being able to download and upload to your PC.

Stop in to Adventure Scuba and check it out!

Under the Sea update

2008-08-12T21:11:00.004-06:00

I just checked and the Under The Sea with Al Giddings is showing on Montana PBS on Sunday, August 17 at 6:50 pm. It should be an interesting program.

http://www.montanapbs.org/Schedule/Programs_AtoZ/

Get out the popcorn and enjoy!

Under the Sea with Al Giddings

2008-08-04T21:49:00.005-06:00

The Michelangelo of the Deep Sea," the "American Cousteau," pioneer, innovator and record-breaker, are just some of the words used to describe Al Giddings, four-time Emmy Award winner and one of the world’s most accomplished and renowned underwater director-producer-cinematographers. Drawing from more than 30 years of deep sea diving experience—and quite possibly the most hours underwater of any human being—Giddings shares stories and scenes from a lifetime of undersea film adventures. With unprecedented access to his one-of-a-kind library of underwater footage, featuring countless television specials, documentaries, groundbreaking IMAX undersea films, and Hollywood movies like Titanic, The Abyss and The Deep, WLIW New York President and General Manager Terrel Cass speaks one-on-one with the legend to discover the fearless genius behind his breathtaking aquatic images. UNDER THE SEA WITH AL GIDDINGS premieres nationwide June 2008 on PBS

Watch for Under the Sea, Tuesday, August 12, 12:00am
CHANNEL 9 (KUSM)Montana PBS

Just as a side note, Mr. Giddings lives in the Livingston MT area. For more information click here.

Interested in Underwater Videography? The PADI Underwater Videography Specialty is available through Adventure Scuba.

More on the Lionfish

2008-08-01T21:36:00.001-06:00

I found some additional information on the Lionfish that you will find interesting.

Lionfish Letters from the Field

2008-08-01T20:56:00.004-06:00

NEWS FROM REEF
By Lad Akins, Director of Special Projects
Nassau, Bahamas - July 30, 2008 -- Up early this morning and readying for another big day on the lionfish front. As part of an Associated Press story on the lionfish, I am joined by Andy Dehart and Lisa Mitchell here in Nassau to shoot footage of our lionfish work and do interviews for an AP television segment. We'll be live collecting fish, tagging a few and talking about the current research being conducted by REEF, NOAA, Simon Fraser University and Oregon State University - research showing that the lionfish appear to be having severe impacts on our native fish populations. To summarize, stomach contents show over 50 species of prey items including fish and invertebrates; lionfish are eating the prey faster than they can naturally recover and they can reduce recruitment of juveniles to reefs by 80%! It is a scary picture.

Click here to read the entire article.

Be A Diver

2008-07-30T21:38:00.004-06:00

Want to "Be a Diver"? Call or visit Adventure Scuba in Billings and we'll get you on your way!

Join the Adventure Scuba Blog!

2008-07-15T21:45:00.003-06:00

Would you like to blog with us? Share your diving stories? Ask a question? Just drop me an e-mail at info@divemontana.com.

Montana Dive Fest

2008-07-15T21:25:00.003-06:00

The Pirates are taking over Canyon Ferry! Helena Scuba and the Helena Scuba club are hosting the Annual Montana Dive Fest, August 15-17 at Canyon Ferry. There will be activities for both divers and land-lubbers. They have planned treasure hunts, educational presentations and equipment demos and DIVING! Complete information and registration forms are available at www.divemontana.com. If you need rental gear for the weekend, please let us know.

It will be a great weekend of diving! See you there!

Big Horn Canyon Diving

2008-07-01T20:56:00.005-06:00

Dive season is upon us. Yellowtail Dam (Big Horn National Recreation area) is a favorite destinaton for the local divers. In the past few years the level of the lake was extremely low. So low that in some areas of the lake, they were unable to launch boats. This year is a different story. The lake is nearly full and the boat ramps is in great shape. (click here for current data)

The visablity is still pretty good- not as good as it was earlier this spring, but still worth the dip. The ideal way to dive the lake is from a boat. This gets you away from boat traffic. The lake has several coves that you can tuck you boat into. Some of these coves have mooring bouys to tie off to. Water temp is in the mid-fifties - a 7mm wet suit or dry suit would be great.

Additional info and photos

Going diving? Drop me an email about your dive- conditions, what you saw, etc and I'll post it on the blog. Send pictures if you have them.

Belize Trip announced!

2008-06-30T12:35:00.003-06:00

Dave & Carolyn invite you to join them this February for a dive trip to Belize. They will be staying at Ramon's Village on Ambergris Caye. This tropical paradise will be a great way to get away from the cold and snow of Montana.

The dates for the trip are February 21-28, 2009 and include 7 nights lodging and 5 days of 2 tank boat dives. Don't miss out- space is limited!
For a brochure and pricing information, click here.

High Country Divers "Scuba Olympics"

2008-06-19T21:23:00.002-06:00

Soon it will be time for the Summer Olympics. Not to be out done, Adventure Scuba and the High Country Divers are hosting their own version. Scuba Olympics test you basic scuba related skills- Naviagation, gear set up and the always fun "fin races". It's a family event and divers and non-divers are welcome to partipate.

We will have "Fabulous" prizes for the champions and Root Beer Floats for all.

Join us on June 25 at 6 PM. We will meet at Adventure Scuba and test our skills across the street at Rose Park.

(The Olympic "events" are all done on the grass- so, no, we don't get to see you in your swim suit this time! Maybe next time.)

Looking forward to the Summer Dive Season

2008-05-18T21:39:00.003-06:00

Memorial Day weekend for many of us is the start of dive season in Montana. Don't get me wrong, many of your fellow divers have been diving all winter long- tropical trips and even at one of our local dive site- Yellowtail. (They reported visablity of 40 feet last weekend!)

The Adventure Scuba staff will be diving a Canyon Ferry for the Memorial Day weekend. We will be joined by the divers from the Sports Cove in Bozeman. We will have several divers completing their Open Water Certificaitons as well as divers completing their Advanced and various specialities. For details about joining us, call or e-mail the shop.