Split Fins or Blade Fins

 The design itself is meant to channel the right amount of water with each kick behind you to propel you forward and allowing extra water to slip through the split to ease the strain and work load on the ankles, shins and all other muscles involved in the desired kicking style. The atomic split fins are great for those people that can be exasperated and tired with a stiffer more cumbersome blade fin or for those with lower limb injuries.

Ever dropped a fin while gearing up? Don’t panic these are a fraction positively buoyant and so, no more feeling around on the bottom groping for your fins in the kelp!

 The Atomic split fins come in a range of colours, with the options of rubber or stainless-steel fins straps.

Features include:

• Less Drag, More Thrust, Less Strength is Used
• Latest Technology in Composite Plastic Polymer Materials
• Light Fin (Great Travel Fin)
• Increases Thrust and Reduces Fatigue
• EZ-LOK Squeeze-Style” Quick-Release Buckles
• EZ-LOK: Snap-On-and-Off with Ease, Will-Not Disengage- Accidentally
• Rubber Straps with Large Pull-Tab for Easy Donning and Doffing
• Flexibility and Rigidity for Efficient Propulsion
• Less Air Consumption
• Power Rails: Backbone of the Split Fin, Highly-Resilient, Storing and Releasing Energy with Every Kick
• Semi-Ridged Flex Battens: Control the Precise Wing Shape to Optimize Thrust and Reduce Drag
• Large Surface Area Blade Improves Pivoting, Turning and Alternate Kick Styles
• Thin, Yet Strong and Highly Flexible Hinge Points Cause Blade to React Quick-and-Efficiently
• Anatomically Contoured Foot Pocket Designed to Fit Foot without Stress Points
• Semi-Open Toe for Added Comfort
• Internal Sole Plate, Ridged Platform Beneath-the-Foot, Greater Power Transfer to the Blade
• Soft, Comfortable Open Heel Foot Pocket
• Sizes: Small, Medium, Large or X-Large

Spend $100 in store anytime during December to go into the draw for some awesome fins!

Oceanic Alpha Reg & Octi, Zeagle Plus BCD and Compact Gauges

Jacket style BCD and Regulator combo

 Oceanic’s Alpha 8 Second Stage and SP5 First Stage produce a low-priced, no frills regulator system that offers easy breathing. This regulator is so rugged and economical to maintain (replacement parts are inexpensive). It can be used with air or Nitrox mixtures up to 40 % right out-of-the-box. The Alpha 8’s super sturdy ABS/polycarbonate housing weighs just 170 g and measures 7.4 cm in diameter. The lightweight material and anatomically designed mouthpiece translates into a second stage that won’t cause jaw fatigue. The Alpha 8 second stage is a dependable downstream demand valve design.
The SP-5 first stage regulator offers all divers the opportunity to own a top performing regulator. Repeatedly rated as the best in its class, the SP-5 exceeds both Navy Class A and European CE standards. The SP-5 is a non-balanced flow-by piston designed regulator..

The Zeagle Base BCD is a highly durable jacket style BC. The Base is a unisex front adjustable jacket style BC made from reinforced and fade resistant Cordura 1000 denier nylon material on bladder, shoulder straps, harness and pocket material. The bladder is internally urethane laminated with welded seams for airtight integrity. The BCD’s harness is made up of a dual position adjustable sternum strap, webbed cummerbund with dual adjustment, torso adjustable shoulder straps, adjustable, sternum and waist straps. All straps are equipped with squeeze-style” side-release buckles for quick and easy donning and doffing.
The Base BCD is equipped with two stainless steel and two plastic D-rings along with one retractor D-ring, accessory webbing hook and two hook and loop closure utility pockets for attachment and storage of accessory items. Buoyancy control is made easy with the right shoulder and rear right overpressure relief/pull dump valves and Zeagle’s Power Inflator System with 3/8″ threaded quick-disconnect low pressure hose. The inflator is also connected to a pull dump valve for rapid deflation.
The Base BCD provides 10.9 kg of lift capacity. This Jacket style BCD has an extra soft back pad for increased comfort, a dry weight of 3 kg, and is made in the USA.

Spend $100 in store anytime in November 2018 and go in to win this package

We’re not just in your element; we were born there!

In a factory on the coast of British Columbia — BARE, the brainchild of 2 divers determined on creating a drysuit for the frigid waters of the Canadian Pacific Ocean was born. For over 40 years, Bare has honed their expertise and become obsessed in their pursuit of creating wetsuits, drysuits and accessories that meet these requirements.

Their wetsuits and drysuits use a unique combination of anatomically correct patterns, sophisticated materials and painstaking craftsmanship; along with in-house design and manufacturing facilities to constantly evolve our wetsuit and drysuit design to exceed the expectations of our customers.

WE’RE JUST BREAKING THE SURFACE. Looking to the future, BARE is committed as ever to pushing scuba diving to greater depths and greater discovery.

Introducing the 8/7MM Velocity Ultra Hooded Semi-Dry

If you don’t want to invest in a dry-suit but want to keep warm on your dives the Velocity Semi-Dry Hooded Suit is for you. The suit drastically reduces the water exchange that occurs with a standard wet suit and keeps you warmer for longer periods of time. This means increased comfort, decreased air consumption and longer bottom times.

Just look at this suits features!

The Velocity Ultra is a performance driven wetsuit that features the Progressive Full-Stretch (PFS) construction of the popular Velocity, with the advancement of UltraWarmth Celliant Infrared Technology. Bare’s greatest innovations in design and development together for longer, more comfortable dives.

The combination of three different full-stretch material types PFS, makes this one of the highest performing mid-priced suits available. We start with Bare-Fit, the foundation of every Bare suit, which uses ergonomic design and intricate shaping patterns with articulated arms and legs. Then we highlight areas of the suit where flexibility and abrasion resistance are essential and incorporate special full-stretch fabrics to maximize performance in these key areas. PFS gives the Velocity Ultra Series a fit and feel unlike any other. What makes the Velocity Ultra Series truly special is that it’s the only mid-priced dive suit to feature the thermal-activated performance of Celliant Infrared Technology. Using minerals woven into the fabric of the suit, Celliant turns wasted body heat into infrared energy, reflecting it back to your body. This results in increased warmth, faster recovery times, and greater stamina for longer, more comfortable dives.

Suit has an attached hood features Celliant lining for additional warmth. 2mm neoprene internal pullover bib for additional warmth and comfort. Front-entry cross-chest heavy-duty plastic dry zipper. 10mm spine and kidney pad to provide extra comfort for tank placement. Seamless underarms for superior comfort when worn on its own, with an additional wet layer or with a BCD. Skin-to-skin double 3mm Glideskin wrist and ankle seals. Embossed back knee flex panels to reduce bulk behind the knee when kicking and crouching. PROTEKT knee protection provides the next generation of abrasion and wear resistance. Anatomically correct pattern for three-dimensional fit throughout for superior fit, comfort and mobility. Suits is equipped with heavy-duty ankle zippers for easy donning and doffing. Double glued construction eliminates water entry through the seams.

Bare 8/7mm 2017 Ultra Velocity Semi-Dry Men’s Hooded Suit Features

Bare 8/7mm Ultra Velocity Semi-Dry Men’s Hooded Suit:

Progressive Full-Stretch Technology

Full-Stretch Nylon-2 Neoprene

Varying-Degrees of Full-Stretch Panels into Specific Performance Zones

Progressive Stretch: Concept Only Available in Velocity Series

Ergonomic Suit Design, Complex Shaped Patterns with Articulated Arms and Legs

Front-Entry Cross-Chest Heavy-Duty Plastic Dry Zipper

Seamless Underarms for Superior Comfort when Worn On-Its-Own

Skin-to-Skin Double 3mm Glideskin Wrist and Ankle Seals

PROTEKT Knee Protection Provides Next Generation of Abrasion/Wear Resistance

Spend $100 in store during the month of October for a chance to win this suit!

August monthly prize draw!

Whether it’s poking your nose under a rock to check for that next monster cray or going for an always epic night dive to check out the nocturnal sea life, every diver should carry at least one torch. A back up is also always a good idea, as well as a necessity when night diving. The Hollis LED Mini is a great torch for either purpose, hunting for crayfish or as a back up at night. It’s compact, and for it’s size carries a lot of “oomph”. The simple click on, click off mechanism is so straight forward that even my cat could use it. The simplicity and durability of this torch means you’ll experience minimal flooding (if you’ve ever had a flooded torch, you’ll understand this pain) as well as a bright beam from a compact piece of kit. See below for the specs. 

• Single 3W backup light
• Concentrated 8 degree beam
• Output 210 Lumen
• Burntime – 4 hours total
• Bulb life 50,000 hours
• T6061-T6 Anodized Aluminum
• 3 AAA alkaline batteries
• Rear tie-point for boltsnap/lanyard included
• Double O-ring seals
• State of the art PMMA reflector

Once you’ve gone head first into that cray hole with your awesome torch and returned safely with your catch, you’ll need to be sure he’s up to size. Included in the prize for the month of August will be a standard aluminium cray measure. Ensuring your catch is legal will save you a potential headache, as well as giving the wee fellas a chance to grow up to size for good eating. The aluminium measure is tough, and can be clipped to your gear for easy underwater measuring.

Crays are spiky little buggers, if you’ve ever tried grabbing one bare handed you’ll understand this pain. This is their defense mechanism (one of many) and luckily for us we can combat this using kevlar palm gloves. Kevlar stitching is durable and definitely able to withstand those pesky cray spikes. In your kit you’ll find a pair of Oceanic Kevlar gloves. These gloves are warm enough for NZ waters, as well as being tough enough to tackle the biggest of crays.

And finally, as a cherry on top of this badass sundae, you’ll need somewhere to put all these crays you’ll be catching. An NZ made, Dive HQ catch bag will do the trick for sure. This heavy duty catch bag will retain your catch, saving you hanging on for dear life to a frantic crayfish. Nothing worse than doing the work only to discover your dinner has snuck out the back way.

Spend $100 in store anytime during the month of August to go in the draw!

Oceanic Geo 2

The Oceanic Geo 2 is a great entry level wrist mounted computer. So stylish you could wear it in and out of the water. The wide selection of colours will allow you to match your outfit whether it be on a tropical beach or penetrating a wreck at 30 metres under torch light. A simplistic menu orientation and 4 buttons allow for ease of use. Capable of adjusting for enriched air levels right up to 100% O2 with separate gas mixes. For the first-time dive computer buyers, not being restricted to where the high-pressure hose can reach gives you an unfamiliar feeling of freedom.

The display itself is simple and easy to understand (paired with a lovely laminated instruction for use card). Getting in the water needs no effort aside from securely attaching it to your wrist. (or leg we won’t judge you for it.) Whilst in the water, reading the display is very straight forward, everything important is right in front of my eyes. My depth, bottom time, no decompression limit, ascent rate meter and tissue loading graph. Probably my favourite thing is not having to scroll through the entire list of dives or options like those single button operation computers. If I just happen to miss what I’m looking for because I hit the button one time too many I can scroll backwards! Get rid of the console computer and your old G-Shock at the same time and purchase one of these gems.

Features Include:

• The Geo 2.0 Dive Computer is powered by Oceanic’s Exclusive Dual Algorithm™ – Your choice between Pelagic DSAT (Spencer/Powell data basis) or Pelagic Z+ (Buhlmann ZHL-16C data basis)
• Operating Modes: WATCH (Alternate Time, Chrono, Daily Alarm, Countdown Timer), NORM (Air and Nitrox), GAUGE (with run timer) and FREE (tracks calculations to allow switching between NORM and Free)
• User-Friendly Interface with “Step Back” – allows forward and backward navigation through menus and settings
• Switch between up to 2 Nitrox mixes to 100% O2 with no restriction (Gas 1 may be up to 100%, and may be less or greater than Gas 2)
• Stop times <3 minutes – displays minutes & seconds Deep Stop with Countdown Timer – Maybe turned on or off. 2-minute countdown at half your max depth, for dives greater than 80 ft / 25m
• Single button access to “Last Dive” display (max depth& bottom time)
• Data Retention – maintains calculations indefinitely when the battery is changed
• The Geo 2.0 dive computer has an audible alarm with flashing LED light
• 24 dive on-unit log book
• History Mode includes total number of dives, max depth, total dive hours, and lowest temp
• The Geo 2.0 comes with optional PC Interface with OceanLog Download and Settings Upload
• Firmware Auto-Update: download and install the latest firmware – these may be operational improvements or even new features

Spend $100 in store and go into the draw to win one of these awesome computers! Competition running for different prizes, each month, for the next 12 months! Score!

“When are you going to get a real job?” It’s a question that has followed me for my entire adult life. The question was often heard from well-meaning friends, who were sure that I was wasting my life by not pursuing a “career”. Spending my nights pouring drinks for well to do businessmen in dark bars and filling my days with sleep and various hobbies.

Much of my experience thus far has pushed me into doing something that most found, to put it politely, “non-traditional.” Most of the adults I’ve known in my life work at jobs that they hate. Fulfilment, if ever considered at all, wasn’t something the folks I grew up with got from an employer. They were satisfied with a pay check; the thought that one should actually enjoy what they did for a living never occurred to them. I, on the other hand, came under the influence of my father. He felt the idea of preparing someone for a vocation, and then only after they finished training, hope that they liked what they were doing was an embarrassingly dumb idea. He insisted that the secret to a happy life was to first find the thing you love, and then figure out a way to get paid for it. Never did I dream that the thing I loved would be diving.

My first dive was at the age of 14, on a family holiday in Fiji. I remember it like it was yesterday, for all the wrong (or right?) reasons. After completing an orientation in a tragically shallow resort pool, the following day dad and I set out for a “real” dive in the ocean. The sea was black, wind howled and whipped us around like kites on the boat ride to the site. Upon arrival I was nauseous and terrified. After a traumatising backwards roll we made our descent down the line. Unfortunately the dive itself is a foggy memory at this point. We made our ascent, upon surfacing I looked my father straight in the eye and, I’m told in a very impassioned manner, said I “was never (*insert expletive here*) doing that again”.
Its 11 years later and I look back on my first experience in the majesty that is the ocean with a smile. I imagine myself reliving that specific dive with the experience I now have under my belt, the wind wouldn’t worry me, and the waves would excite me. The black of the water would enthral me. Descending into the quiet beauty that waits for us below the surface every time we dive would have been a relief, not a terror.
Between that far off memory and now, I have my dad to thank, being a PADI certified diver himself he’s always had a thirst for the adventure that comes with SCUBA diving. Me being the eldest and least stubborn of his children I was (somehow, and thank goodness I was) swindled into making several more dives with him over the years. Slowly my fear faded and morphed into awe. Soon, beneath the surface of the water, in any form, was the only place I ever wanted to be. With his encouragement, endless support from friends who know me and my family, 9 years after that first dive, I began my journey to becoming a PADI diving instructor and haven’t looked back.
Now, I get to take those experiencing the same fear I once did and introduce them to the unfamiliar. Watching uncertainty slip away, to be replaced by excitement, has become a normal part of my day. We, as divers, face the unknown on the daily, explore the unexplored and know not to be afraid of sharks.

If you’re considering giving the sport a go, just do it. If you’re already a diver considering becoming a part of the PADI professional community, just do it.
Who needs a “real job” anyway, right?

Meet Louis Kimber, who works for Dive HQ Christchurch as a Senior Dive Instructor, and teaches our full time Diploma students.

Louis qualified as an Instructor with Dive HQ Christchurch, completing his Diploma in Scuba Diving in 2014.

Louis is an experienced Senior Instructor, and his recent group of full time Diploma students all passed, achieving a 90+% pass rate.

 Louis’ favourite dive site is a wreck dive, the Mikhail Lermontov in Port Gore.

  The Mikhail Lermontov is a 180m long Russian cruise liner, which sunk 30 years ago when the

  Marlborough harbourmaster, Captain Don Jamison who was piloting the vessel, misjudged Cape

 Jackson and hit  rocks.

A wreck dive, with boat only access, this beautiful dive is

14m to 35m in depth,  with visibility of 4m to 15m.

The Lemontov has created its own mini ecosystem,

with an amazing and diverse variety of fish to see.

Blue Cod, Octopus, Leather Jackets, Kahawai, and a resident Eel,

make this an amazing dive experience.

  Louis says that he most enjoys swimming through the Winter Gardens and on

  to the swimming pool.

  It is a favourite dive for many of our full time Diploma Students too, who

take a trip to this dive site as part of their Dive Master training.

Interested in making diving your job? 

Our August intake of the Diploma of Scuba Diving is filling up fast. This is a full time, one year course that provides everything you need to work in a dive related industry or to become a dive expert while you decide on your next move. You can find out more about this here http://www.divehqscuba.co.nz/tertiary-courses

Interested? Then call me on 0800 348347 or email me at richard@divehqscuba.co.nz or my mobile 0274 348347, and we can organise a meeting to chat it though.

I never realised that a hobby would take over my life and become a passion… some say an obsession! I was always unsure about my career after finishing school and after muddling my way through university, I decided to enrol on a scuba dive instructor course at one of the local dive stores in Palmerston North. It changed my life.

Over the past 18 years as a PADI Instructor I have been able to share my passion with over 2500 students from swimming pool experiences to certifying as a speciality instructor.

It is such a buzz when you catch up with someone you taught 15 years ago and you can see where the underwater world has taken them, compare stories and talk about great dive locations.

Thankfully I found scuba diving early in my career so I have been able to learn many things and I am still learning now; – I am currently completing courses as a student to build my knowledge and keep my enjoyment and passion alive.

You too can love your adventurous life and become a diving instructor with Dive HQ Christchurch. Enrol now in the Diploma in Professional Scuba Instruction, starting February and find your way in life, having fun, meeting great people and diving.

There are so few industries where your hobby is genuinely your work. It’s such a thrill to be paid for something you truly love

So pop into the shop, have a chat and see where scuba diving can take you!

Desirable Dive Buddies have many important qualities, of course there is the fun factor, but really the reason for a dive buddy is simple – Safety!

Finding the right person to share the adventure of diving with can make a huge difference to your experience. Learning to be a good diver should include learning to be a good buddy diver too, however too often it seems the more experienced a diver becomes, the more they forget some of the fundamentals of diving safely and considerately with your dive buddy. Do you still remember to do a Buddy Check?  Dive your Plan and Plan your Dive? How about doing a dive brief and a de-brief?

One of the best ways to find a good dive buddy is to be a good one in the first place!  Another tip is to consider how they behavior out of water, and you should get a picture of what kind of dive buddy they will be!

Want to Meet New Dive Buddies?
Joining onto a dive trip, or enrolling in a dive course are some of the best ways to meet a dive buddy. Enquire with Dive HQ Christchurch for trips to Akaroa Peninsula, Kaikoura, Motenau, as well as the Solomons in 2018!

The Best Buddies are:

Patient – Are they a patient person, or do they hurry through tasks and take short cuts.  Will they wait for you if you have a problem or will they make you feel rushed? Diving with someone who tells you to hurry up, can lead to stress and mistakes.
Aware – Are they aware of their environment and others? Will they be able to spot dangers, or attractions and avoid getting lost.  Will they be aware of you, or will they ignore you under the water and go into their own world!
Positive  – What attitude do they bring to your dive? Are the positive and do they enjoy diving, will they be enthused about similar things to you and want to share in the enjoyment.
Good Communicators – Do they take the time to talk about the dive plan with you, and plan who will lead, or will you dive side by side. Do you plan what you will do if you lose each other?
Respectful – Are they a respectful person, to others and to their environment?  Or do they only think of their own needs, and do as they please during a dive rather than consider you and the surroundings.

Buddies to Beware of:

Buddies who won’t do a buddy check!
Buddies that go down or surface without you!
Buddies that don’t dive to plan.
Buddies that don’t dive close to you
Buddies that get into underwater arguments!

Why Bother with a Buddy?

Aside from the enjoyment of sharing the dive experience with someone, there are a number of scenarios where you would count your lucky star fish that you have a buddy to help, including:

Worst case – Out-of-air emergency
Low on air
Getting trapped in ropes/seaweed/net
Equipment failure
Illness or medical emergency
Getting caught in a current
Leg cramps
Getting lost
Feeling narked and making poor decisions
Feeling panicked

HAVE YOU EVER?

Lost your dive buddy while taking photos or spearfishing?
Had cramp in your leg while diving, but had no one to massage it for you?
Surfaced without your buddy?
Started a dive without doing a buddy check?
Spent a whole dive chasing your buddy’s fins just to keep up with them?
Forgotten to turn on your tank – clear sign of forgetting the buddy check!
Come to the surface after a dive and found only one of you saw lots of cool stuff while the other missed it?
Had an underwater argument?
Felt that your buddy has put your safety at risk while diving?

Let’s keep the Dive Buddy standard a high one and enjoy safe diving together.
To find out more about dive trips and courses contact:
Dive HQ Christchurch
103 Durham St South
Sydenham
Christchurch
Call 0800 DIVEHQ (348347)
www.diveskiworld.co.nz

Are you considering enrolling on a scuba diving course, but not yet entirely sure whether it is for you? Breathing underwater is not a natural human trait, but once you have experienced it – believe us – you won’t want to go back.

Here, we aim to answer some of the questions you may have before jumping into the deep.

• I really want to learn to dive, but know nothing about scuba. Is this a problem?

You do not need to have any knowledge about diving prior to starting your PADI course. The theory and practical sections are designed to teach you everything you need to know!

• I am not much of a reader. Will this make the theory difficult for me?

The PADI Open Water Course caters to students from the age of 10. The book is designed to be an easy read for all students. It isn’t just text, but images, quizzes, and schematics too, along with a series of videos on DVD. There is also an online version (eLearning), if you prefer to be computer or tablet based. If you are worried about the theory, you can always leave yourself plenty of time, and discuss extra sessions with your instructor.

• Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

You do not have to be an Olympic swimmer to learn to scuba dive, however you will have to pass a swim test at the beginning of the course. You do not have to know how to swim well, you will just have to be able to go 200m without stopping. You also have to be able to tread water/float for 10 minutes.

• How long will my certification last?

The great thing about a PADI certification is that it never expires! However, once you are certified, if you go a long period without diving, we recommend you take a refresher to go ever your skills with a trained professional. Or you could consider the PADI ReActivate program!

• How long does the course run for?

At Dive HQ Christchurch, the course runs over two weekends. The first is a theory and pool weekend, the second is for the four required open water dives. All are full days. This may differ in places.

• I wear glasses/contacts. Can I still dive?

There is no reason why your eyesight should prevent you from diving. If you cannot go without any form of corrective lenses, there are several options for you. You can wear contacts while diving. It is important to find a mask that fits you well, to avoid any leaks (purchasing your own would be my advice). During the course you will have to flood and remove your mask. Inform your instructor that you wear contacts, and you will be able to perform the skills with your eyes kept shut.

If contacts are not an option for you, it is possible to get lenses suited to you prescription fitted in most masks. We can organise this in store. We also have a few masks with a selection of prescription lenses that we can fit on the spot, such as Oceanic’s ion 4 mask.

• What about sharks?

Sharks are awesome! Chances are, you won’t get to see one on your open water course, but if you are that lucky then enjoy the experience! Sharks are generally very passive and peaceful creatures, and you have no reason to fear them.

If you would like to experience breathing underwater before enrolling onto the Open Water Course, we offer try dives where you can trial the gear, take your first breath underwater, and attempt some skills with an instructor. Inquire for more info!

 It is completely normal to have queries before learning to dive. If there is anything you are wondering about, or any questions you would like answered before enrolling on an Open Water Diver Course, then do not hesitate to get in touch with us! We can talk you through how the course will be run, and everything it will entail. 

Call us on (03) 379 5804, email us at sales@diveskiworld.co.nz, or visit us in the Dive HQ Christchurch shop at 103 Durham St South!