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!

I have been a PADI instructor for 19 years and one of the most common questions asked when people are completing their PADI open water course or looking at purchasing dive equipment in the shop is, “What dive gear do you use?”

Dive Mask:
Hollis M3 mask is a black silicon dive mask that fits extremely well. Designed for technical diving means that reliability and a great seal on your face is a must. The most important thing with scuba diving masks is the way it fits you. Remember that if your mask continuously leaks and hurts your face, you will not enjoy the scuba or free dive. Also the fact that it has a gopro mount that can attach your camera too gives this mask another tick.Learn more…

Snorkel:
Aqualung Impulse 3 snorkel, I first started using the Impulse 2 snorkel 19 years ago once I first started working as a diving instructor in 1998. The only real change between the two snorkels is that the new impulse 3 is more streamlined and modernised.   What Aqualung have done is designed a snorkel that doesn’t let any water into the bore of the snorkel when on the surface. This stops any surface splash and chop. Learn more…

Fins:
Scubapro Nova Wing Fins hit the dive scene in 2014 and made massive splashes, winning scuba lab fins of the year. Just by looking at these dive fins you can see the shape if different from traditional fins. In the water it feels like you are hardly wearing fins. Nearly all of the dive instructors in the shop now wear these fins. That tells you a lot. Learn more…

Wetsuit:
Aqualung Solafx Wetsuit is a warm suit that meets all my diving needs. I used to be a real hunter gatherer and was always quite rough on the wetsuits. I used to have a Southern Ocean front entry suit and always loved it. For many years I have looked for something similar but never could find it. I had a Beuchat comfort 4 wetsuit for about 3 years before moving to the Solafx. I am still a fan of the Beuchat suits and still use a Beuchat Rocksea Comp open cell spearo suit for freediving and spearfishing. The great thing about the Solafx suit is its 8mm thickness through its core and 7mm around your arms and legs with a super flexible neoprene. Learn more…

Dive Regulator:
I use four different dive regulators, each have a different purpose for the type of diving that I am doing. For technical diving I use a Hollis 200LX, for a stage O2 regulator (over 40% oxygen) I use an oxygen clean Apeks XTX50, for my other stage (under 40% oxygen) I use a Hollis 500SE and lastly for recreational diving I use the Aqualung legend LX regulator and legend octi. Many years of manufacturing has gone into this dive regulator and as a high end product it does not disappoint from its performance underwater at all depths to the ergonomic design that makes the user experience better and easier to use underwater.  Learn more…

Dive Computer:
Shearwater Perdix AI Dive Computer is in a class of its own. Shearwater has been a well-known brand to technical divers for years now and they just get better and better. Colour screen that is perfect for low visibility, links to multiple air transmitter, can be used for recreational, technical and even a backup for your rebreather computer. I can keep going on about this dive computer but take a look at its specs and it says it all. Learn more…

BCD:
Hollis HTS2 harness with integrated weight pockets work so well for me. It offers the flexibility to be used with single, twin, side mount and my Hollis Explorer rebreather. The Hollis technical range is a modulated system that lets you set your harness and wing up to meet your requirements. The other good thing is that the design gives you lots of room around your front and is uncluttered. You really do need to come into Dive HQ Christchurch to see exactly what I mean. Learn more…

Feel free to ask me any questions relating to the dive gear that I use.
Cheers
Richard

“Been there, done that” and you know what? It doesn’t matter. I could have dived the same site a hundred times, and yet I still feel that same bubbling excitement as I gear up for the dive. The drive or boat ride hums with anticipation as everyone discusses what we might see this time. I will grab a tank and set up my equipment – a comfortable and familiar procedure. The sound of waves on the shore, the salty sea wind on my face; the feeling of going home. People are spitting in masks, swilling them out. It isn’t elegant, and we don’t care! Others attach strobes to cameras, and buddy teams help each other gear up. Buddy checks complete? Let’s go.

It begins. Wading out through the waves, letting the cool water wash over you, or back-rolling into the blue. Looking down at that whole other world that lies beneath us – just waiting to be explored!

70% of the planet we live on is covered with water, making it hardly surprising that some of the most spectacular spots on earth lie under the ocean’s surface. Non-divers only get the chance to experience 30% of what is on offer – imagine what you are missing out on!

Regulator in – my lifeline that will supply my air during the dive – I start my descent. Deflating my BCD, I’m in free fall, I can twist and turn in any way I please. I am weightless, I defy gravity, I am flying! Lying face down, arms and legs splayed slowing my descent. I am sky-diving in slow-mo, watching as the sea bed rises to meet me. I will twist over to lie looking up at the surface, as it slips slowly away from me, or maybe let my whole world flip upside down as I plunge – Superman style – onwards; one of my favourite moments of a dive is the descent. It is that sudden sense of weightlessness, when the laws of physics exerted on us on land no longer apply. Ever wanted to experience zero gravity and what it feels like to fly unaided? Then diving will give you a pretty good idea.

Seconds before making contact with the bottom, I take a slow, deep breath, stabilising myself, stopping me inches short of the sea bed. I hang momentarily, then begin my dive. Learning to control your buoyancy is the key to ‘underwater flying’, and you will find that once you have it mastered, you can perform impressive underwater gymnastics with next to no effort. You think it, you do it – your body unquestioningly following your brain and imagination’s orders. Honestly, there is no other feeling quite like it! (You can perfect your buoyancy with a Peak Performance Buoyancy Course!)

Now that you are here, it is time to look around. The whole universe has gone quiet – something else that I love. All you hear is the sound of your own breathing. In, out, in, out… Slow and steady, you are in total control. Every now and then you may hear the unmistakable sound of a parrotfish chomping on nearby coral, or maybe the annoying whine of a boat engine, but you relax, knowing it will soon pass and fade.

How many of you like to spend ages in the shower because it is your ‘thinking place’? Somewhere you can be alone with your thoughts and finally make those decisions that have been hanging over you for a while? Being underwater is kind of like that, but a hundred times better. Your troubles, worries, and problems all fade for that time you spend out in the blue.

No matter where you are diving, there are always a million sights to distract you.

“Whoa! Look at that giant crayfish, right there” *frantic hand signals*

“Seal! Seal behind you!” (What is the signal for seal, anyway?)

Sharks, turtles, pretty colourful fishes… The kelp and coral itself a delight for the eyes. The light playing through the water, floating rainbows, sparkling off the sand… Everything about our underwater world is mesmerizing.

I have been diving for almost fourteen years and yet even now, nothing can match the feeling I get before and during a dive. I still catch myself in complete wonder, halfway through a dive, as I realise I am breathing underwater (a look at my dive computer confirms that yes, I have been breathing underwater for a full 45 minutes now). So I will grin and perform a series of flips, just because I can.

Diving is so much more than a sport; it is a passion, it is true love, it is a life-style! Once you learn to dive, enter into that whole new world, and join the community made up by scuba divers, you will never want to turn back.

If you would like to learn to dive, or continue your diving education, get in touch so we can help you pursue your passion!

Dive HQ Christchurch 2013 Ltd

103 Durham Street South

Sydenham,

Christchurch,

New Zealand

Phone: 03 379-5804

Email: sales@diveskiworld.co.nz

www.diveskiworld.co.nz

Nananu-I-Ra; the name itself conjures up spectacular images of somewhere warm and tropical, but once you discover that the English translation of the Fijian name is ‘Daydream of the West’ it takes it to a whole other level. Breath-taking white sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, listening to the soft lapping of the ocean while you sip at your cold beer… This doesn’t have to be a mere daydream. This is where you will find us for a week in August! (Click here for details)

Nananu-I-Ra is situated 3km off the north coast of the main Island, Viti Levu, and accounts for a tiny 3.5 square kilometres of land mass. In other words, 3.5 km² of paradise! Even better than the sandy haven, is the surrounding underwater world. Being ideally located in the Bligh Waters means that Nananu-I-Ra provides prime access to a multitude of amazing dive sites. Not only this, but it takes a mere hour by boat to travel to the Vatu-I-Ra Channel where a fluctuating current flushes and nourishes the magnificent 300+ species of coral that form the reef. A plethora of marine life thrives in the area; beautiful tropical fish, both loggerhead and green turtles, reef sharks, and you may well come across a few of the endangered humphead wrasse, or the majestic bumphead parrot fish.

Bumphead parrot fish

If you are looking to mix it up a little, then you will not be disappointed. At the centre of the Vatu-I-Ra Channel you will find the dive site E6, a site that is consistently rated to be one of the best in Fiji. Thanks to the seamount that rises from the deep almost to the surface, you stand a good chance of experiencing an encounter with many pelagics, such as large rays and hammerhead sharks! The area is also home to many manta rays, reef sharks, lemon sharks, bull sharks and even the odd tiger shark.

White tip reef shark

You may think that names such as ‘Dream Maker’ and ‘Breath Taker’ are exaggerations! Well just wait until you get under the waves and see for yourself! Just don’t forget your camera – you will want to take memories of this underwater utopia home with you.

Colour everywhere!

As well as being renowned for its phenomenal offshore reefs, Nananu-I-Ra is also known for its great windsurfing and kitesurfing opportunities. Explore the shores on foot or by kayak. Snorkelling is easily accessible from the beaches, and you will find plenty of idyllic spots to kick back and relax.

If you want to join us there, call us on (03) 379 5804, email us at sales@diveskiworld.co.nz, or visit us at 103 Durham Street South, Sydenham, Christchurch!

As winter draws nearer, it is time to start preparing for the cold. Bring out the woolly jumpers, stock up on hot chocolate, (and don’t forget the whisky!) Shorter days, chilly weather, and cooler waters are no reasons to stop you from diving – so long as you know how to keep warm.

It is important to remember that you lose heat 20 times faster in the water compared to on land. Although 16°C may feel comfortable when you are dry, you will quickly feel the cold on a dive.

So how should you keep warm this winter? Here are a few pointers to keep you diving throughout the upcoming months:

Keep your head covered:

Your head is one of your main points of heat loss; in the same way you would wear a hat and scarf when it is cold, wear a hood when diving! With 20 to 40% of heat lost from your head, keeping it covered makes a significant amount of difference when trying to stay warm. If your wetsuit doesn’t have an integrated hood, you can buy them independently (we stock several different models here at Dive HQ Christchurch).

I know that the idea of a hood can be off-putting, and is disliked by many, but there are simple steps to follow to avoid discomfort:

• Keep your hood down and your wetsuit slightly unzipped until you are ready to enter the water
• If you have a separate hood, put it on at the last minute
• Remove your hood during the surface interval, dry your head off, and if possible put a dry hat on

Layer up:

So you have a 7mm wetsuit to keep you nice and warm, yet the chill is still getting through… Why not add a layer under your suit? The same goes for a drysuit. There is nothing to stop you wearing thermals or a sharkskin under your suit.

A great option is Oceanic’s Lavacore range. An awesome selection of thermals: tops – hooded or not, vests, shorts, pants, suits, caps, gloves… Why not try out the Elite merino lined range to guarantee warmth and comfort this winter! Not only are these great under your wetsuit or drysuit, you can use them for many other activities too. Wear them kayaking, sailing, skiing, surfing… a purchase you definitely will not regret! Pop into Dive HQ at 103 Durham St South to find the perfect Lavacore for you. We are continuing to sell all Lavacore at their sale prices. 25% off the standard range, and 30% off the elite range! 

Toasty toes:

No doubt about it, as the temperature drops you become more reluctant to don a wetsuit and take the plunge. There is nothing worse than frozen fingers and toes (ok, I exaggerate – they won’t quite freeze). Want some tricks of the trade on how to keep your extremities warm? You’ve come to the right place. You will already have gloves and boots, but are you wearing anything under them? No? Well you should be! Buy some disposable latex gloves to wear under your neoprene gloves – the trapped air will help keep you warm! Wear a pair of non-cotton socks inside your boots to keep those little piggies toasty warm even on the coldest of days.

Dry suit diving:

Opt for the warmest option of them all! Come and talk to us about our drysuit range. We can help you find the perfect drysuit for you, and talk you through the advantages of owning one, as well as taking you on a drysuit orientation dive.

Prepare for your surface interval:

If you are doing multiple dives, you want to make sure you have everything you need for your surface interval. Have a flask of something hot ready – tea, coffee, soup is a great one, and something warm to put on. Having a windproof jacket to hand is a good idea, as you can pull it on even over a wetsuit and escape from the chilly breeze.

Just remember not to rush your surface interval in your eagerness to return to the water on cold days! Safety first!

Take a break:

If it all gets a bit too much and you need to escape to the sunshine and do some diving in more temperate waters, get in touch with us about our upcoming trips. We are off to the Solomon’s in June, and Fiji in August. Feel free to ring or email us for more information!

Come and see us at Dive HQ for more tips and pointers on staying warm to keep you diving this winter!

Fabulous Canterbury Dive Sites

The past few months have provided Canterbury divers with some wonderful diving conditions and warmer temperatures.  Dive HQ Christchurch always enjoy sharing with their customers their favourite dive sites around Canterbury of which we have many to enjoy.

Canterbury dive sites are centered off Kaikoura coast and Banks Peninsula with visibility often only 2-3 meters but on occasions you will get up to 15 meter. The poor visibility can put a lot of divers off. But when you have some of the most amazing marine and mammal life that New Zealand has to offer this is definitely a destination you should have on your bucket list. Kaikoura is 180 k north of Christchurch and is where two ocean currents meet. The warm waters of the north and the cold water from the sub Antarctic. The rocky coastline offers some great diving and has an abundance of crayfish. Sperm whales are often in this area giving you a between dives experience- whale watching.

South east of Christchurch is Banks Peninsula with a number of dive sites in t    he many sheltered bays around the peninsula. A marine reserve is situated at Flea Bay where you could well have the opportunity to meet with the Yellow Eyed Penguin, White Flippered Penguins, and New Zealand Fur seals. This is also home to the very rare Hectors Dolphin and you may well encounter these delightful creatures.

Find the following sites on the Dive HQ Christchurch Dive Site Map.  Land Information New Zealand, also provides Chart NZ 63 of Kaikoura through to Banks Peninsula, which you can zoom in on to see the reef locations.

Chart NZ 63 Available from LINZ website

Kaikoura

Davidsons Reef-  is an ideal dive for the beginner diver with the chance to practice catching Crayfish and enjoy meeting playful seals. Maximum depth is 12 meters.

Lynch Reef-  A nice dive with great forests of kelp in red , green and brown. Crays at the base of the rocks and butterfish, banded wrasse, spotties, and also the playful seals. An intermediate dive at max 18 meters. Good photography with many sea tulips and kelp as subjects.

Pinnacle Rock – On a clam day this is a great dive. Rated as at the intermediate level with a depth up to 15 meters. Some nice cracks with crayfish. Really great for photography especially of the seals. Spear fishing is also good in this area.

Bushett Shoals- Not a common dive site as conditions dictate this site but if conditions are right this is an amazing dive. Colourful walls, crayfish, wrasse, blue moki, and dog shark. There is even a chance of seeing schools of groper. An exceptional dive site.

Banks Pennisula 

Pigeon Bay – This is rated as a beginners dive. Protected from wind and swells on outside coast. Depth up to 12 meters with the chance to get a crayfish under the kelp. Common fish  red cod  leather jackets. Sea tulips are also found here and a few paua on the rocks for the snorkelers.

Flea Bay – You will see many of New Zealand’s most charismatic marine animals at Pohatu Marine Reserve, which hosts both penguin and seal colonies. The drive to Pohatu is rough and should only be attempted by 4WD.  Kayakers and boaties can explore a more dramatic landscape of sheer cliffs and sea caves not visible from land. Divers driving to the reserve need to be aware that the road reaches nearly 800 m above sea level so they need to plan dives and surface times. Yellow eyed penguins appear at dusk and in summer Hectors dolphins are common. A delightful dive and a great photo opportunity.

Snuffle Nose – An intermediate dive depth up to 15 meters but is not diveable in a southerly swell or strong winds. A crayfish dive and great walls for the photographer with anemones, zoanthids and a few nudibranchs. A good dive with often visibility better than 3 meters.

Organised Dive Trips  with Dive HQ Christchurch  are an opportunity for you to meet other divers and get organised to do some great diving.  You can also join their Dive HQ Club on their website for notifications on upcoming organised Dive Trips

Dive Shop – Operator 

Dive HQ  Christchurch

Julie and Richard Chitty

Richard@diveskiworld.co.nz

www.diveskiworld.co.nz

03 379-5804
0800 DIVEHQ (348347)

Shop Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 8.30am – 5pm
Sunday: Closed

The Suunto Cobra3 – “Maximise Bottom Time and Safety”

Another step along the path to designing the perfect dive computer has been taken, with the Suunto Cobra3.  This week Colin from Dive HQ Christchurch details some of the beneficial features of the popular Suunto Cobra3 Dive Computer.

The Display

• Large Screen
• High Definition electro-luminescent display with dot matrix.
• Display is adjustable to be on from 5 – 30 seconds
• Display lights up automatically when an alarm activates
• Simplified four-button operation which can be used even wearing gloves.

Air Integration Design

• Your tank pressure is monitored and displayed
• Rate of air consumption displayed
• Remaining air time continuously calculated
• Visual and audible alarms for depth and pressure
• Warns you when you are running low on air

Nitrox and Gauge Modes

• Programmable for mixtures between 21% and 50% oxygen
• Also adjustable for oxygen partial pressure between 1.2 and 1.6 bar.
• Can be used as a depth gauge and timer with profile memory.
• Can accelerate decompression by switching to a gas mix with a higher oxygen percentage.

Maximising Bottom Time and Data and Graphs

• The air integration design allows for calculations to be made for maximum bottom time.
• The Deep Stop option adds protection with a series of deep stops between your maximum depth and ceiling.
• You can test upcoming dives, to see the no-decompression and decompression time data for different depths before getting in the water.
• Graphical logs and dive data is logged onto your computer using Suunto DM4 software
• Movescount tracks your activity.

3-D Compass

• The Cobra3’s unique electronic 3D compass can be tilted up to 45 degrees.
• Guided calibration and declination setting so you can dive worldwide without needing multiple compasses.

Compatibility with other Suunto Products

• With the Suunto quick release, you connect to the cylinder pressure gauge with one quick move.
• With the Suunto RGBM algorithm, continuous decompression for optimal ascent time

So if you are still diving using gauges and tables, with short bottom times and long surface intervals, why not consider upgrading to a computer and dive safer for longer!

Come into Dive HQ Christchurch dive shop and Colin or one of the team will help you find the perfect computer for your dives.

Located on 101 Durham St, South Christchurch.
Ph 03 379 5804

On May 29th 2015, 11 intrepid souls headed north to the Lermontov lodge, which is situated on the remote tip of the Queen Charlotte Sound, to embark on a 3 day adventure, diving the wreck of the Mikhail Lermontov.

For those who don’t know, the Mikhail Lermontov was a Russian cruise liner which unfortunately sank after taking the wrong channel whilst navigating around Cape Jackson. The ship wreck is now lying in 35m of water, on her starboard side, in the beautiful but remote Port Gore.

Day 1

After a long drive the day before we awoke early to an overcast morning. After breakfast, we setup our gear, loaded the boats and set out for our first dive of the day. Our 10 min boat ride to our dive site was filled with excited chatter. On arrival, over the side we went and down the line to the wreck. The visibility on the top side of the wreck was about 3m, no too flash. After 40 minutes of sightseeing, all divers were back on board. Back to the digs for a spot of lunch!

2 pm saw us heading out for our second dive of the day. Conditions had improved slightly, yielding 5 m visibility. Another epic dive. More sightseeing, with some of our divers taking in such sights as the winter garden and swimming pool. Others went to investigate the props, conning tower and bow thrusters.

That evening, there was lots of excited talk about what had been seen, and what to look at the next day.

Port Gore – Mickhail Lermontov Wreck Dive Site

Day 2

Starting much the same way as the previous day, we set out early after a hearty breakfast. Conditions top side were a little rougher than the previous day, but this was not going to deter the expedition.  Divers split into 3 groups this time, with eagerly prepared dive plans. This time, some were checking out the Boishoi Lounge, others were going to inspect the bow thruster and hull damage. Another excellent dive.  Back to the lodge for some lunch me thinks!

Again, at about 2 pm we set out for our second dive of the day. Just like the previous dive, groups had their own agenda, as to what to see and do. Again, after about 40 minutes, everyone was back safely onboard the boats, and heading back to the lodge.

That evening, divers talked about what they had seen, others about what they wanted to see, and the rest just crashed!!!

Beautiful Dive Site Port Gore New Zealand

Day 3

Same start to the day as the two previous days. Breakfast, gear up, on the dive boats and into the water. Again, another fantastic dive. Just when you think you have seen it all, something else jumps out and shouts ‘Look at Me’!! Again, another 40 minutes of some breath-taking diving. Back on the boats we went and headed back in again for yup, you guessed it, Lunch! This time, lunch was served on the beach. A little different to the other days, but we were keen to get another dive in before having to travel back home.

Tanks were swapped, food consumed, and off we went for our second dive. Again, epic is all I can say. Words cannot describe what lies under the sea in the picturesque location of Port Gore. After a brief 30 minutes, again, all divers were heading back to the lodge to wash our dive gear, pack away and ready ourselves for the drive home.

A big thank you goes out to Brent Snr and Brent Jnr for a fantastic and monumental few days.  Also a thank you to all those whose who joined me for the trip. I can’t wait for the next trip, to Port Gore, which is being held over Show Weekend in November.

Laurence

Call 0800 DIVEHQ and ask the team at the Dive HQ Christchurch dive shop about joining our next trip to the Lermontov