Congratulations to our newest PADI Divemaster

Congratulations to our newest PADI Divemaster - Robb Harrellson. Robb is an active member of our dive club, the master chef responsible for the delicious turkey at our annual Turkey Fry and a constant friendly and smiling face at all our events.

Robb started his divemaster in June and just finished this past week. The divemaster program is a rewarding part of every divers development and can be completed at the individuals pace as each program is privately scheduled.

Be sure to look for Robb helping with classes in the future and at many of our upcoming events.

Congratulations again Robb - job well done!

UW Tree Trimming 2009

For those of you who missed this years Underwater Christmas Tree Trimming, you'll want to be on the lookout for next years date.

Everyone who attended this years event had a wonderful time.

The pool was a balmy 85 degrees, the tree was sunk and ready for trimming, the food was great, and the camraderie, as always, was outstanding. Angelina Weller and Rob Harrilson took pictures and a good time was had by all.

Join us for the first event of the New Year:

The Annual Polar Bear Dive at Mermet Springs on January 1, 2010.

Hope to see you all there.

TGADC Halloween Party 2009

What a Halloween party on Oct 30 at The Great American Diving Company Aqua Center. Pictured here are Lori Harrellson, Terry Swink, Kristy Harris, Angelina Weller and the Hammer Head, Carl Davis! Angelina headed up the event by turning the Aqua Center in to a spooky place for the evening with a lot of help from others! Over two dozen folks showed up through out the evening showing off their customes. For those on FaceBook, check out Angelina's photo album for more pictures from the event.

Congratulations to our Newest PADI Divemaster

Congratulations to Dr. Al Elbendary, our newest PADI Divemaster. Al started his divemaster course this June and just finished last night! Congratulations Al!

Al is an active dive traveler and is also currently working on his DSAT Tec Diver certification. Be sure to look for Al on one of our upcoming trips or working with one of our classes as an assistant.

Little Cayman Trip Report - Day Seven

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Our last day of diving starts out with the best weather we've had yet. Blue skies with scattered clouds and about 75 degrees. We head around the island for our last two dives on Bloody Bay Wall. Our first stop is Randy's Gazebo. Randy's is world famous and photographs of it appear regularly in dive publications. We drop off the boat and head over the wall. The wall is craggy with lots of small holes and cuts to explore. Covering the reef are millions of tropical fish of every variety. Heading along the wall we reach a natural coral archway which gives the dive site it's name. After exploring the wall for a while we come up onto the reef and watch the divemaster capture the biggest Lion Fish of the week. It's a big one and it's fast but the divemaster is faster. One less pest on the reef.

For our last dive we move just down the reef to Mixing Bowl which is a dive site that straddles the two marine parks on this side of the island - Bloody Bay Marine Park and Jackson Marine Park. Mixing Bowl has elements of both parks - a small mini wall and sandy boulevard on one side and a hardpan shallow section on the other side. Minutes after we drop over the wall we see one...two...three reef sharks cruising in an out of a crevice in the reef. Hanging around for several minutes everyone gets a good view. Following the show we explore the rest of the reef. Huge schools of schoolmaster, yellowtail snapper and other schooling fish are everywhere. The whole reef is like one large aquarium.

We head back to the boat and then the resort. Smiles are on everyone's face. Despite the spotty weather at the beginning of the week it's been a fabulous week. We get back to the resort and it's time to start getting ready to head home. Folks are cleaning their gear, exploring the island and generally relaxing. It's been a great trip and we've all made some great new friends. Tomorrow we head home and back to the real world. Boooooooooooo!

Little Cayman Trip Report - Day Six

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

The weather has finally cleared. Scattered clouds and blue skies greet us and we go to breakfast. Heading out on time as usual at 8:10 we are on our way to Cayman Brac to dive the wreck of the Capt. Keith Tibbets. Originally a Soviet naval frigate given to the Cuban navy, the ship was purchased by the Cayman government and sank in 1996 as a dive site at which time it was named in honor of a local dive operator. Tossed around by a couple of hurricanes over the years, the wreck is now sitting in between 60 and 100 feet of water and is broken in two. The forward half is lying on its port side. The starboard side is sheered away and open for exploration. The forward gun turrent is still in place and makes a great photo op. Swimming along the wreck we reach the center section which is scattered debris including one of the large turbine engines. The aft section is sitting upright and is intact. Several swim throughs allow us to explore different areas incuding one control room with panel labels written in Russian.

We finish our short visit to Cayman Brac and head the 6 miles back to Little Cayman. Our next stop is Marylin's Cut - one of divemaster's favorite. After we enter the water we follow the divemaster on a tour. We drop down in a small hole in the reef and follow her through a long and pretty swimthrough. Exiting out into a large crevice that looks like somebody cut with a jagged knife in to the reef, we swim along the sheer wall. The wall is covered with thousands and thousands of Fairy Baslets. Out of the blue appears an Eagle Ray - a nice addition to an already gorgeous dive.

Our 3rd dive today takes us Great Wall East - and extension of our Great Wall West dive from Tuesday. Our freindly groupers Ralph and Larry. Like underwater puppy dogs, the groupers come looking for attention and even a welcome rub down. Larry and Ralph like to be petted and will follow any obliging diver around. They even appreciate it when you scare up a squirrel fish for them to munch on. After playing with Larry and Ralph we drop over the edge of the wall and cruise, enjoying the vertical and amazing wall. Like Great Wall West, this site has huge sponges and coral trees hanging out in the blue. We return to the top of the wall and spend the rest of the time with our grouper friends - Ralph is in the picture with todays post.

Tomorrow we finish our diving and while we look forward to going home we will miss this place.

Little Cayman Trip Report - Day Five

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Today we wake up to scattered clouds. The forecast is for bad whether but it looks like it might be clearning. Not long goes by before the clouds roll in again and the drizzle starts. Not to be stopped by some rain, we head out for our first dive. Heading around to the north side we encounter strong winds and rough seas. Being safety conscious the boat turns arounds and takes us to two sites on the south side - Black Hole and Richard's Reef. On both dives we enter the water and swim along the top of the wall. As we follow the divemaster each time we drop over the wall and the visibility is over 100' over the wall. The walls slope down to the darkness and are covered with lobsters, large sponges, coral trees and gorgonians. A major difference of the walls here and much of the caribbean is the large number of fish even deeper on the walls. Following the wall for a while we come back over the top of the reef and begin to explore the coral heads. Groupers of all kinds are everywhere and friendly. Schoolmasters, parrotfish, black durgon and squirrelfish fill the reef. The tops of the walls are like fields of grass swaying in the wind - covered in soft corals and sea fans slowly moving back and forth in the gentle surge.

As the day has gone on the weather continues to improve. After another wonderful lunch we board the boat and head out for the 3rd dive of the day. Conditions have improved and we are able to head to the north side and a Bloody Bay Wall site - Coconut Wall. We enter the water and are greeted by huge lobsters strutting around the bottom like they own the reef. Every coral finger has one or two out and about. We spread out and find Spotted Drums. A few lucky people even encounter a Spotted Eagle Ray. We also find a Lion Fish hiding among the reef. With obvious experience, the divemaster catches the pesky fish in a net and takes it up to the boat. Why? Lion Fish are an invasive species without any predators in caribben. Lion Fish are voracious eaters and are destroying local fish populations. The divemasters on the boat euthanize the Lion Fish and return it to the ocean for recycling.

Another day has gone by and the diving continues to be spectacular. The dive operation is well organized and runs a safe and timely operation. The boats are spacious and comfortable. The air fills are good with at least 2800 psi everytime. The rooms are clean, luxurious and comfortable. The air conditioning even works well. As I've said before the restaurant is incredible. Food is varied, delicious and plentiful.

Little Cayman Trip Report - Day Four

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Thunderstorms all night long and this morning have the group worried we are even going to dive today. But just like home, wait a little bit and the weather will change. By the time the boat is ready to depart the clouds have broken up a bit and the ocean has calmed down. Several members of the group have decided to not join us because they are worried about rough seas. Unfortunately they will find out they made a bad choice.

We board teh boat today crewed by what will turn out to be our best dive crew yet - Laura and Sunny. It's an all boy boat crewed by and all girl crew. And we are happy for it. These girls rock. They run a smooth boat, are well organized and as we will find out can pick a great dive site. We head out for Bloody Bay Wall and our first dive site - Lea Lea's Lookout. Lea Lea's is a wall dive. We start out heading along the top of the wall checking out a few sand pits and coral heads. One of the group even finds a lion fish. We drop down into a crevice and follow that out to the wall at 100'. Visibility is easily 150' - 200'. The group is spread out along the wall and we can see from one end to the other. The wall is covered with large sponges, sea fans, gorgonians and full of fish. We reach a large pinacle split away from the wall which is our signal to come back up to the top of wall and begin are trip back to the boat. Large lobster and a few sea turtles greet the group as we explore. Back on the boat the group is in agreement - this is by far the best dive of the trip.

For our second dive we head to Barracuda Bight, another site on Bloody Bay Wall. We drop off the boat and the visibility is still fantastic. Cruising over the hardpan top of the reef we are greeted by large groupers, parrotfish and other reef critters. Dropping over the wall we cruise along and are amazed by the lobster - they're everywhere. Look in a hole and there is probably one or two lobsters staring back at you. We cruise for about 30 minutes and turn around cruising along the top of the reef back to the boat. Not 5 minutes later we find a 5 or 6 foot long nurse sharking hiding under a large coral head being guarded by a huge and photogenic grouper posing for pictures. A few turtles say hi to us on the way as well. Back at the boat the group is jazzed - two fabulous dives - can it get any better than this?

After yet another gourmet lunch (Yep - I'm getting tired of saying that but honestly no one eats this well everyday. No one can go hungry!) we head back out on the boat. Many of the group that bailed out in the morning have rejoined the group and it's good they did. We head to one of the best dives in the world - Great Wall West. If you see an underwater picture of Bloody Ball Wall it's this site. Dropping in the water we are greeted by Ralph the Grouper. Ralph likes attention from divers. He likes to be petted and is happy to sit there and be played with and photographed. Everyone get's plenty of time with Ralph before dropping over the wall. My heart stops when I see the wall. Its completely vertical like the side of a building and plunges to 6000'. Jutting out from the wall are large bundles of sponges 5' - 10' in diameter. Large barrel sponges the size of small cars. At about 100' we see trees of hard coral the size of large oak trees. To be honest this is the most amazing dive I have ever seen in the caribbean. We cruise up and back along the wall for almost an hour. I don't want to leave. For much of the dive we are accompanied by a small turtle that doesn't seem to mind the company. Finally we end this dive of a lifetime and say goodbye to Ralph who is still hanging out by the boat.

We return to the resort with the entire boat in agreement - this is by far the best day of diving yet and for most the best dives they have ever had. Our crew has their work set out for them. Will they be able to out do today? We'll see.

Little Cayman Trip Report - Day Three

Monday, October 19th, 2009

This morning we wake up to a downpour and wind. The water's a little rough but Reef Divers is still planning on going out. After another delicious breakfast we head out to our first dive on Bloody Ball Wall. After a 20 minute ride we arrive at the wall and the weather is not cooperating. From the surface the visibility on the sites look poor. The divemasters check several dive sites before they decide on Jackson's Reef & Wall. We enter the water and find out the vis at Joy's Joy isn't much better. With me on this dive are also several members of the group. We are planning on doing their Deep Adventure Dive for their Advanced Open Water certification. The weather has stirred everything up and in the visibility on top of the wall is 20 - 30 feet. Not what we have hoped for. We head for the wall and as soon as we drop over the edge visibility opens up to about 100 feet. Now that is more like it. The students handily finish off their skills and we head down the wall, enjoying the visibility here. Like the sites from the day before fish life is abundant. The reef looks like many others located all throughout the carribean with one major difference - again, the fish life. More variety and more quantity. We finish off the dive swimming back through the poor visibilty.

In between the first and second boat dives, Reef Divers has dry towels, fruit and snacks on board for our enjoyment. The fresh water rinse is also a bonus. This is first class boat diving. The boat crew moves us around to the other side of the island for our second dive at Gay's Reef. Gay's is a shallow dive - about 50' and is composed of a small "mini wall" and scattered coral heads. We enter the water and are pleased to find that our visibility is much improved over the first dive. With a 60 minute bottom dive we got plenty of time explore all the nooks and crannies of this site. Besides the large number of regular tropical fish we find sea turtles, small eels and even one of the pest predators - a lion fish. We return back to the resort happy and wanting more bottom time.

Following another tasty lunch we head out for our 3rd boat dive to Windsock. Located just down the shore from the hotel, Windsock is a shallow 50' reef comprised of dozens of coral fingers extending out from shore. Our Advanced students spend the first 10 minutes of the dive completing their Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive skills and then scatter to explore this interesting site. Low and flat, this site is full of holes to check out for a wide variety of reef life. Throughout all 3 dives, one of the divemasters is videotaping the group.

We return to the resort satisfied but hoping that condition improve tomorrow. We want to be back on Bloody Bay Wall. Prior to dinner we attend the Manager's Rum Reception and have an opportunity to view the video. It's great and we will be showing it at our upcoming Dive Travel Night. Free Rum Punch and appetizers entertain the group while we hear from each of the department managers about the services offered at the resort. The presentation is finished off with a short magic show and flaming juggling demonstration from the bartender! After the reception we head off to dinner and are dreaming of tomorrows dives.

Little Cayman Trip Report - Day Two

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

Our dive group wakens to sun and scattered clouds. It's rained overnight but then it does on most islands at some point. Once again, we eat. This time breakfast served buffet style: eggs, a make to order omlet station, fresh fruit, bacon, sausage, french toast. cereal and more. It's obvious we aren't going to lose any weight on this trip! Prior to breakfast everyone sets their gear outside their rooms. The divemasters collect the gear and stow it away onboard our boat. We won't have to move our BCs and regulators all week as the divemasters will move it from tank to tank after we do the initial setup. At the end of the day all we have to do is take our mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuits off the boat and store them in their gear storage room easily located at the end of the dock.

3 of our people are still waiting for their gear. The dive shop has loaned them gear to use but the divemasters stall waiting for the first plane of the day to arrive. About 8:30 we get word that everyones gear has arrived. The hotel manager makes a special trip to the airport to pick up the gear and within minutes everyone is back on board with their own gear. What service - no one is going ot miss a dive because of Cayman Airways! We depart the dock a few minutes late but with a happy and excited group. We are destined for Bloody Bay Wall.

Our first dive is Cumber's Caves. A giant green moray and grouper greet us as we enter the water. Southern rays float along the sand looking for food and are easy to spot as each one has one or two fish following them looking for easy handouts. Live and large conch are everywhere. Apparently without locals hunting them for food they have become quite common and big. Large schools of tropicals abound everywhere.

Our second dive is Ringer's Reef. A shallower section of Bloody Ball Wall alows us 60 minutes to explore. As we find on all dives, large schools and large quantities of tropicals, large parrot fish and trigger fish everywhere. Burrfish - also called pufferfish and porcupine fish are common as well.

We head back to the resort for lunch. Again buffet style - coldcuts, salad, lasagna and desert. After lunch, part of the group heads out for a 3rd boat dive while the rest of the group relaxes around the resort or starts to explore the island. The resort has bikes for rent, a spa offering massages, a bar to enjoy a drink or two and a nice pool and hot tub to relax in. Our 3rd dive is to Sarahs Set. Another shallower site similar to Ringers. Again - can I keep saying that? - tons of tropics, turtles, rays and large and common parrot fish, trigger fish and burrfish. Overall our first day of diving couldn't have been better. The reefs are pristine. This fish life abundant.

The divemasters are friendly and attentive. Entering the water, all we have to do is walk to the back of the boat. The divemaster brings your tank, helps you into it and you giant stride into the water. Coming out, you have a seat at the back and the divemaster removes your gear, changes your tank and you're ready for the next time.

Another awesome and gourmet dinner finishes off the day. A bunch of the group decompresses in the hot tub and we call it a night ready for the next day in paradise.

Little Cayman Trip Report - Day One

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

Our trip starts out with early morning wake up calls as everyone arrives at the airport between 4 am and 4:30 am. After yet another confusing check in process with Delta Airlines we are off to Atlanta. Why do they have to change the process each time? Changing planes in Atlanta we head to Grand Cayman. We've got a 3 hour layover here while everyone scatters in search of food. Finally it's time to head to Little Cayman. Our flight is an adventure of it's own. 16 people cram themselve in an old Dehaviland plane for the 30 minute flight. After we board the pilot informs us that we checked 1080 pounds of luggage and they can only carry 800 pounds and that they'll do their best to get it on the next flight but no guarantees.

Arriving in Little Cayman we arrive at Little Cayman Beach Resort and immediately we are aware that this is no ordinary dive resort. From the imaculate and well appointed lobby to the newly remodeled rooms with time floors, comfortable beds and stone countertops the whole resort is first class. Unfortunately we also find out that 4 of our group has luggage still sitting in Grand Cayman. Our hopes are that it shows up on the next flight in a hour or so. We check in at the dive shop and confirm all is well for our week of diving. The group quickly finds the bar to enjoy it's free welcome drink and begins to socialize. Making new friends and reconnecting with old ones is one of the highlights of any dive trip.

While relaxing we see the next flight takeoff and everyone is eager to see the missing luggage has appeared. Unfortunately not! In a show of fantastic customer service the dive shop has offered everyone rental gear at no charge until their gear shows up. They save the day for those folks missing luggage. The dinner bell sounds (literally) and we dash off to the restaurant and are amazed at the food. Meals are served buffet style and are all you can eat. Tonight we are treated to salad, BBQ ribs, chicken and brisket, corn on the cob, beans, cornbread, 4 different kinds of pies and other side dishes. The restaurant is as nice as any restuarant as home with china service and waiters that are ever present but never in the way. We adjourne from dinner stuffed, happy and ready for bed after a long day of travel.

We are looking forward to our first day of diving on Sunday thinking can it get any better than this?

Venturing Crew 2287 held an Open House and Discover Scuba on Sunday evening, October 11th. We had about 24 participants with many of them experiencing scuba for the first time.

If you are between the ages of 14 and 21 and want to share the fun of diving with coed friends, this is the crew for you! Many thanks to the staff members that made the experience possible: Bill Cowley, Darren Stross, Jack Humes, Dr. Al Elbendary and Rob Harrilson. Contact Terry Flynn or Bill Cowley for more information.

PADI Rescue Diver Class - October 2009

Congratulations to our current PADI Rescue Diver course. Finishing up their class & pool work this week, the class will be moving on to Mermet Springs this weekend to complete their training.

The PADI Rescue Diver course is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable classes you can take and prepares you watch out for yourself, your buddies and to begin your leadership training as a PADI Divemaster.

Ancient Egypt & The Red Sea Dive Adventure Trip

May 16th - 28th, 2011

Ancient Egypt & The Red Sea Dive Adventure Trip

Now taking reservations!

Considered a classic "once in a lifetime" adventure by many, travel with us to exotic Egypt and dive the Red Sea. Explore ancient Egypt and dive the Red Sea on this 2 week adventure which includes:

• 6 days in Egypt - Cairo, Valley of the Kings and Luxor


• 6 days in Sharm El Sheikh diving the Red Sea


• Roundtrip airfare from New York to Egypt


• All ground transfers, land tours, 21 meals, English speaking guides, hotels, taxes, tanks, weights, etc.

See our detailed trip itinerary here

The price is $4999.00 / diver (double occupancy) or $5599 / diver (single occupancy) and includes everything listed above. You will need airfare from your home city to New York which will we have available when flights are listed.

Non-diver rates are available upon request.

Interested in joining us on the unique adventure? Let Steve know by sending him an email or giving him a call at (636) 949-0880.

Congratulation to our Newest PADI Divemaster

Congratulations to Scott Steiner, our newest PADI Divemaster. Scott has been diving for several years now and is also a DSAT Tec Deep Diver. If you've been in one of our classes over the past couple of months you may have met Scott as he has been very active with classes.

Scott will continue to be around as he helps with upcoming classes and joins us on some of our upcoming trips.

The Divemaster course is a lot of work but provides a lot of rewards. If you are interested in finding out more, contact Steve Olfe at 636-949-0880 or steve.olfe@stldive.com.

Instant Rebate From Suunto

Now through December 15th, 2009 Suunto is offering an instant $150 rebate on the purchase of any Cobra, Cobra 3, D4, D6 or D9 dive computer.

And best of all, there's no paperwork - just instant savings. What a deal that is!

Valid on purchases between 9/1/2009 and 12/15/2009 only.

Congratulations to our Newest PADI Divemaster

Congratulations to Chris Baue, our newest PADI Divemaster. Chris started working on his Divemaster in 2008, was transfered out of town for work for most of the last year and just returned a couple of weeks ago. Finishing his Divemaster course was one of his top priorities upon his return.

Chris will be working with our upcoming classes and you may also find him working occassionally behind the counters at our Kirkwood and Chesterfield stores.

The Divemaster course takes a lot of work but has a lot of rewards as well. Congrats again Chris!

Congratulations to our Blackbeard's Cruise Winner

Congratulations to John Haug, the winner of our recent Blackbeard's Cruise winner. John just completed his PADI Open Water Diver course this past weekend and is sporting a new set of Aqualung dive gear.

Congrats John - now you've got somewhere awesome to go and get that new gear wet!

Back to School Sale - Win a FREE Blackbeard's Trip

Save 10% - 20% off all in stock items Plus special savings below!

Win a FREE Blackbeards Trip - $899 Value
Get a free raffle ticket for every $100 you spend at any of our stores between August 27th and August 31st. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $50 each.*

Aqualung
Get an instant $150 rebate on any D4, D6, D9 or Cobra dive computer in addition to the sale pricing.

Get an instant $50 - $100 rebate on any Aqualung or Apeks regulator in addition to the sale pricing.

Aeris
BC, Regulator, Octopus and Gauge / Computer packages from $699.95 - $849.95

Henderson
All discontinued suits, boots, gloves & hoods 40% - 60% off

Rental Wetsuits
Rental 2 Piece Wetsuits - $20 each (St. Charles Store Only)

Travel
Make a new deposit on any of our upcoming international trips and get a free Advanced Open Water or select PADI Specialty Course for FREE on that trip!

Training
Sign yourself and a buddy up for any PADI or DSAT course and get 20% off the course!**

Stohlquist Paddling Gear
All in stock PFDs, drytops, drysuits, drypants and accessories - 40% off (St. Charles Store Only)

AquaSphere Triathalon Suits
40% off all in stock suits (St. Charles Store Only)

* Raffle tickets awarded based on pre-sales tax invoice amount. Invoices cannot be combined to boost raffle tickets awarded. Drawing will be held on 9/2/09 at our Main Street St. Charles store. ** excludes MSD Season Pass. All previous sales excluded. Cannot be combined with other rebates, discounts, offers, specials or coupons. Terms sublect to change without notice.

Dive Club Social & BBQ

This past Saturday we hosted the latest Dive Club Social & BBQ at the AquaCenter and had about 25 people show up. Several new people joined us, made new friends, and will probably be diving soon with some new dive buddies in the very near future. Special thanks to DMC Robb Harrellson for all his hard work over the grill, Terri for tending the pool, and to Ashley for handing out attendance prizes.

Thanks to everyone that attended!

Aqualung Traveler Bags Designed For Today's Traveler

New from Aqualung is the Traveler line of gear bags. Ranging from Roller Bags to Mesh Backpacks, Duffels and everything in between, the Traveler bags are designed for today's traveling diver.

The Traveler bags are lightweight, packed with features and made from diver and water friendly materials. Even the largest of bags only weight 10 lbs or less making that perfect for airline travel.

Best of all, the bags come with a lifetime warranty from Aqualung.

See these fabulous bags today at any of our locations.

Support Breast Cancer Research w/ Princeton Tec

Available for a Limited Time Only

Priceton Tec Shockwave LED Light in Pink!

Princeton Tec is manufacturing a limited number (500) of Shockwave LED lights in Pink and is donating $10 for each one sold to Breast Cancer Research. TGADC will be matching the $10 dontation with our own for a total of $20 / light we sell.

The Shockwave LED features Triple Maxbright LEDs combined with Princeton Tec's proprietary optics offer unprecedented brightness and beam smoothness. 400 Lumens of pure brute power is offered with two modes of illumination; high for super bright and low for extended battery life. The light output is calibrated for both close range tasks and spotting at a distance. The Shockwave LED is engineered to be impact resistant and waterproof to 100 meters.

The Shockwave LED is $134.95 each and the limited pink color will be shipping in 2 - 3 weeks. We expect this limited run to be sold out quickly so if you want one we are taking pre-shipping orders with payment to guarantee delivery.

Contact any of our stores to order yours today!

DASA Scuba Camp - June 18th 2009

Our thanks to the folks from DASA (Disabled Athletes Sports
Association) for allowing us the opprtunity to spend the day
introducing their campers to the fun of scuba diving.

Kids spend the week at camp doing all sorts of adventure activities
and sports with Scuba being a popular event.

This is the 4th year we have done this event and is trully a rewarding
day.

New Divers

Diving is a family affair for the Flynn's.

Congratulations to three new divers. Patrick Flynn, Matthew Flynn and Riley Flynn who completed their Open Water and their Advanced Open water over the last three days. Even heavy rains on Monday couldn't stop these guys from completing their dives.

Shown in the picture (L to R) Brian Flynn, Patrick Flynn, Riley Flynn, Kevin Flynn and Matthew Flynn. TGADC Course Director (and proud grandfather) is in front. The picture was taken in a heavy downpour after their navigation dive.

Only 5 more grandsons to go!

Suunto HelO2 Dive Computer Now In Stock

The Suunto HelO2 is the first dive computer from Suunto with full mixed gas capability. It is rated to 120 m/393 ft and incorporates the new Suunto Technical RGBM algorithm. Based on the RGBM algorithm developed by Dr. Bruce Wienke, widely recognized decompression scientist, the Suunto Technical RGMB algorithm extends decompression flexibility into the world of technical diving. The algorithm introduces helium tissue groups in the decompression model to enable trimix diving, as well as diving on air and nitrox.

It allows eight gases to be programmed as primary or secondary gases, and enables oxygen content of 8-100%, and helium content of 0-92%. For the technical diver, the great benefit of the algorithm is that it provides more flexibility and reduces task load when decompressing by removing the need to constantly monitor a slate and watch.

The Suunto technical dive planner is an easy-to-use graphical planner for planning dive profiles, gases, and back-up plans. The intuitive interface enables the diver to try different
variations of depth, time, gases and partial pressures without having to continously recalculate.

The Suunto technical dive planner calculates all changes instantly and presents the results on on easy-to-read graph. When ready, the diver can simply export the planned gases and other dive-critical information from PC to dive computer with the included USB cable – removing the need to copy all the calculations onto a slate. Divers are also provided with gas mixing instructions for their planned dive, which they can print out and give to a dive shop if not mixing themselves.

The Suunto technical dive planner enables divers to plan dive series based on real dive profiles – not planned dive profiles – making the plans for later dives in the series more accurate and realistic. The planner also allows divers to compare the planned dive and the and actual dive, helping them pinpoint future areas of improvement in both planning and diving.

ADVANCED FEATURES :

• 8 gas switching
• Suunto technical RGBM algorithm (including helium tissues)
• Deep stops
• Matrix display
• Dive profile displayed graphically on the screen
• Seamless collaboration with dive planner
• Expanded personal adjustment

Other main features:

• 2 operating modes (Mixed gas, Gauge)
• Complete decompression data
• Suunto tech. Deep stop RGBM
• 42h logbook and profile memory
• Lifetime history memory
• Profile memory bookmark
• Wireless tank pressure
• 300 bar compatible
• PC-interface
• Multi step ascent rate indicator
• Altitude adjustment 0-3000m (0-10000ft)
• Automatic safety stop countdown
• Extended decompression range (ceiling, floor)
• Calendar clock
• Electroluminescent illumination (back light)
• User-replaceable battery
• Depth display range 0-150m (0-450ft)
• Audible alarms
• Max. depth alarm
• Display shield
• User-selectable metric or imperial units

Roatan Honduras Dive Trip - Part Three

Days Five - Seven: Our next 3 days of diving include the wreck of the El Aguila, Canyon Reef and Green Out House Wall on Wednesday, Fish Den, Seaquest Deep, Gibson's Bight and White Hole on Thursday and finishing up on Friday with Hole in the Wall, Peter's Place and Fish Den.

What have we seen this trip? Well beyond the typical reef fish common throughout the caribbean we have been fortunate enough to see large Green Moray Eels, Turtles, Snowflake Morays, Large schools of groupers, Octopus, Scorpionfish, Frogfish and Toadfish.

Despite all the diving we still have found time to enjoy many of the other activities available at AKR. Several people have gone horseback riding, gone to the Dolphin show during the afternoon or have done the Dolphin Experience, kayaking, snorkeling and the Canopy Ride. AKR advertises one of the most diverse offerings of activities and they sure deliver on that.

Mixed in with all the diving and other activities, we have been enjoying a hot breakfast every day as well as a varied menu for lunch and dinner. Needless to say nobody is going home hungry. It's almost 6 PM and happy hour is in full swing at the bar. The music is rolling over the resort and everyone is enjoying their last night on the island before we return to the "real" world tomorrow.

Be sure to take time out of your busy schedules and plan on coming on one of our upcoming trips. We've got Little Cayman in October, Cozumel in January and Fiji next May. Each trip gives you the chance to escape the ordinary and live the good life - at least for a week or so.

We'll see you back in St. Louis!

Roatan Honduras Dive Trip - Part Two

Days Two - Four: We begin our week of diving on Sunday with dives to Pillar Coral, Spooky Channel and White Hole. Like most of the dive sites on the south side of the island, these sites feature a spectacular variety of both hard and soft coral on reefs that slope out from the iron shore to a wall at approximately 100 feet. Cuts in the coral run perpendicular to the shore and provide a myriad of places for larger inhabitants to hide like eels & crabs.

Monday we visit the wreck of the Odyssey, Melissa's Reef and Bill's Place. Tuesdays dives are to West End Wall, Mandy's Eel Garden, Butcher's Place and Green Out House Wall.

In between most dives we return to AKR for a short surface interval as most dive sites are just minutes from the resort. On Tuesday though we do our surface interval between dives West End Wall and Mandy's Eel Garden on the beach at Infinity Bay snorkeling and enjoying the sand. Later that day we have lunch and tourist time at Fins & Flippers, a resort on the north side of the island also owned by AKR that caters to the cruise ship tourist. Snorkeling, sightseeing, swimming and BBQ lunch were enjoyed by everyone.

Joining in with our group are Sherry and Evan, the daughter and grandson of Lynn Rodgers. Sherry, Evan & Kateri are enjoying snorkeling a couple times each day and are seeing all kinds of cool stuff like lobsters, eels and turtles!

More Tomorrow . . .

Roatan Honduras Dive Trip - Part One

Geetings to all our dive buddies from Anthony's Key Resort in beautiful Roatan, Honduras. Despite a 7.1 earthquake just two days prior to our departure everything at the resort and Roatan in general is up and running. Damage was minor and mostly cosmetic in nature. Some areas are having some interruption in water service because of broken water pipes but the resort is in full swing. We left St. Louis at an eye opening 6 AM with 13 of our 16 people in the group including Steve Olfe (the group leader), Terry Flynn, Tom & Kateri Watters, Al & Janet Marks, Duane Pinkley, Lynn Rodgers, Al Elbendary, Bill Cowley, Gloria Kolenc, William Cowley & Jude Davis. Arriving in Atlanta, we picked up two more of the group, Bob & Carolyn Orr. Our last group member, Sherry Schaffer, met us here on the island. We were greeted by a representative from AKR that took care of transporting us and our none to small pile of luggage to the hotel. Following a short orientation and a welcome buffet lunch we settled in for a week of diving, sun and ocean. A small group couldn't wait to get in the water and immediately did their orientation dive and hit the shore dive for a warm up dive. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and then everyone hit the sack early. The early flights and hot weather did everyone in for the first day.





More Tomorrow . . .

PADI Drysuit Diver Course - May 20th 2009

Congratulations to our latest PADI Drysuit Diver course including (from left to right), Richard Frahm, Chris Eubank, Bill Cowley (instructor), Mike Eubank and Tom Merseal.

Thanks guys and enjoy your open water dives!

May 2009 Oriskany Trimix Trip

Congratulations to Steve Cockriel, Rick Schneider and Mark Swink on completing the DSAT Trimix class in Pensacola. They completed training dives, in tough conditions, to 219 feet on the sunken aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Oriskany.

Special thanks goes out to our Captain Jim Meyers, of the Dr. Dive and our DM, Rob for all their assistance..

In the photo (by Mark Swink) are front row, l to r: Steve Cockriel & Terry Flynn (Instr.). Back Row, l to r: Mark Swink & Rick Schneider.

We have another DSAT Tec Deep class in August and also a recreational trip. Please check out the website, http://www.tgadc.com/ for details or call the shop at 636 949 0880.

April 2009 Oriskany Tec Deep Trip

Congratulations to Three new Tec Divers...Bill Cowley, Scott Steiner, and Rusty Warren. The three completed their TEC Deep diver on the U.S.S. Oriskany, an aircraft carrier intentionally sunk as an artificial reef 23 miles off the coast of Pensacola FL. Final dives were to 165 fsw.

Listed in the picture is Bill Cowley, Terry Flynn (Instructor), Rusty Warren and Scott Steiner.

Interested in diving the Oriskany or becoming a Tec diver? Call the shop for details.

Digital Underwater Class - Jeff Miller

Jeff Miller checks out his camera and underwater housing in The Great American Diving Company's Aqua Center during a Digital Underwater Photo class with Bill Cowley. Jeff found the under water taking photos more work than on land. Jeff takes pictures all the time and now combines two of his loves together.

TEC Deep

Congratulations to Dr. Al Elbendary on the completion of his DSAT Level One Tec Deep diver class. Al finished up his dives at Mermet Springs this past weekend.

Venture Crew 2287 Discover Scuba Diving night

Crew members Adam Loyet, Luke Rohlfing, Nathan Rowling, and Dan Rohlfing attended a Discover Scuba Diving Wednesday night in the pool of The Great American Diving Company with their Master Instructor and Crew member Bill Cowley. Crew member Gloria Kolenc was on hand to provide shore support and take the picture. The group had a great time and plans on telling their friends to come join the crew too!

Tec Deep

Congratulations to Bill Cowley and Scott Steiner. On Saturday and Sunday, Bill Cowley finished up the DSAT Level 1 Tec Deep diver course.

On Monday and Tuesday, Scott Steiner (left in photo) finished his Level 1 Course as well. (Terry Flynn, DSAT TEC Instructor Trainer is on the right)

The weather was not the best as it rained all day Sunday and Monday, and the vizability was only 2-3 ft. Below 55-60 feet the vizability improved considerably.

Both divers persevered the rain and the 42 degree water and completed this challenging program. They will complete the DSAT Level Two Tec Deep course on the U.S.S. Oriskany later this month.

For thoses divers looking for more of a challenge after recreational diving...this program could be for you. Contact Steve Olfe or Terry Flynn at the shop to learn more.

There are still two spots open for the August Oriskany dives.

Venture Crew 2287 has 1st Discover Scuba Diving Event

Jessica Holland and Lance Woolbright are members of a new The Greater St. Louis Area Council (GSLAC) Venturing Crew 2287. Both attended the crew's 1st PADI Discover Scuba Diving night with TGADC PADI master instructor Bill Cowley and the help of William Cowley, both members of the crew 2287. Both Jessica and Lance said they had a great time and would love to spend more time blowing bubbles underwater..... SCUBA diving is the main interest of the crew.

The crew has an open house on April 2 at 7 pm in the Chesterfield store. If you would like to join the crew, contact any The Great American Diving Company stores for more information.

Aeris Dive Gear Packages

We're celebrating spring with some fabulous dive gear packages from Aeris:

Sport Basic Package - $699.95

Includes: A1 non-DVT Regulator, A1 Octopus, Max Depth 2 Gauge Console and Sport Weight Integrated BC

and

Sport Computer Package - $899.95

Includes: A1 DVT Regulator, A1 Octopus, XR1 NX Dive Computer 2 Gauge Console and Sport Weight Integrated BC

Add a compass to either package for just $53!

PADI Digital Underwater Photo Class - March 17th, 2009

Angelina Weller shows off her cool shooting skills during her PADI Underwater Photo Class...On second thought..shouldn't she be underwater?

Atomic Aquatics Has Gone Pink!

It's springtime and we're seeing pink. Pink Atomic Aquatics gear that is.

Now in stock in pink at all of our locations are:

• Splitfins
• Frameless Clear Medium Fit Mask
• Subframe Clear Mask
• SV2 Snorkel

Coming in April - Purple!

Open Water Class - March 2, 4, 9 & 11, 2009

Thank you and congratulations to the students in our latest PADI Open Water scuba course:

• Josie Beckman
• Mike Bollasina
• Perry Collins
• James Kuhl
• Larry Kuhl
• Mike Kuhl
• Scott Kuhl
• Zach Osterwisch
• Rob Retterer
• Kristy Harris (Instructor)
• Matt McClure (Assistant)

eLearning Open Water Class - February 28th, 2009

Thanks and congratulations to our newest divers in Saturday's eLearning Open Water Class. Have fun on that cruise!

• Bill Berberich


• Susan Berberich


• Andy Berberich


• Matt Berberich


• Nikki Berberich


• Billy Berberich


• Madi Berberich


• Mark Alexander (Instructor)


• Stan Frost (Assistant)

A Weekend at Our World Underwater - February 20th-22nd, 2009

This past weekend, myself and several others from TGADC traveled to Chicago for the 39th Annual Our World Underwater show. I've been going to Our World Underwater regularly for the past 20 years, sometimes as a dive consumer, sometimes working the show in a booth but mostly to see old friends and make new ones. Over the years I've seen Our World Underwater grow from a small grass roots show held in the meeting rooms in the Hyatt O'Hare to a sophisticated show in the adjacent Rosemont Convention Center. Much of this growth and maturity has come from the excellent work of the volunteers who produce the show and primarily from the vision and dedication of Patrick Hammer, the President of Our World Underwater. Patricks enthusiasm and excitement for diving is infectious.

The weekend started out as usual with the Friday night film festival featuring films on great lakes wreck diving, winning still images from the 4th Annual Wetpixel.com and DivePhotoGuide.com photo contest, diving the U-352 in North Carolina and diving in Guadalcanal.

Saturday morning and afternoon was spent on the exhibit floor talking with a variety of manufacturers and travel destinations. Attendance was excellent - spurring the thought that despite the economic worries divers are wanting to get out and get diving. Saturday evening we were back to the film festival featuring films about diving in Indonesia, the Philippines, diving with Cuttlefish & Sperm Whales, shark conservation and a sneak peak at Season 2 of the PBS series Jonathan Bird's Blue World. We also got to see the video winners from the Wetpixel and DivePhotoGuide contest.

Sunday our visit to the now very snowy Windy City wrapped up with some more time on the exhibit floor and the silent auction for a one of a kind, original Carlos Hiller oil painting. This year the painting featured Orca Whales feeding on Salmon. Congratulations to TGADC owner Steve Olfe for once again being the high bidder in the silent auction. Proceeds from the auction benefit Project A.W.A.R.E.

Join us next year in February for our trip again to Our World Underwater which will be celebrating it's 40th year.

Our World Underwater

February 19 - 21, 2010

Emergency Oxygen Provider Course - February 19th, 2009

Diving accidents, while rare, can happen and the most common and universal form of first aid is administration of oxygen.

PADI Emergency Oxygen Specialty Instructor Kristy Harris shows David Barrs the proper methods to administer oxygen to an injured diver.

Be sure to check out our upcoming schedule of classes for you opportunity to become a better buddy.

Enriched Air Course - February 17th, 2009

PADI IDC Staff Instructor Jack Humes (c) shows Rany Unger (l) and Patrick Masching (r) how to analyze an Enriched Air fill to verify it's oxygen content.

Enriched Air allows divers to have longer no-decompression limits on their dives resulting in more bottom time to enjoy your dive.

EFR Instructor Course - February 17th, 2009

Thanks to Scott Fletcher and Fred Roethler for completing their EFR Instructor Course taught by EFR Instructor Trainer Terry Flynn.

EFR Instructors can teach CPR, AED and First Aid for adults, infants and children through Emergency First Response (EFR), a corporate affiliate of PADI.

Congratulations guys and go out and make a difference in the community!

Digital Underwater Photo Class - February 13th, 2009

Thanks to Rod & Jennifer Riegel for coming out and participating in the PADI Digital Underwater Photo class with PADI Master Instructor Bill Cowley. Great pictures guys and have fun on your trip...be sure to bring us some pictures from the trip.

Open Water Class - February 3rd - 12th, 2009

Congratulations and thank you to the students and staff of our most recent PADI Open Water Diver course at the TGADC Aquacenter. Way to go and keep those fins in the water!

• Kristy Harris (Instructor)


• Bill Cowley (Instructor)


• Mike Penner


• Susan Penner


• Beth Bharwani

Open Water Class - February 7th & 8th, 2009

Thanks and congratulations to the our PADI Open Water Course students in the February 7th & 8th weekend class. Have fun!

• Chase Weeks
• Kent Poyser (Assistant)
• Tom Watters (Instructor)
• Tom Pliske
• Ryan Pliske

Richie Kohler Rebreather Reception - February 23rd

Join us for an entertaining and informative evening with Richie Kohler. Richie is well known around the world for his technical diving expeditions and is the subject of the best seller novel Shadow Divers. Richie will be talking about closed circuit rebreathers, their application to technical and recreational diving and will have several units on display as well.

Location: TGADC Main Street St. Charles
Time: 6:30 PM - Meet & Greet, 7:00 PM - Presentation

RSVPs are requested.

Check out Richie's website here.