Practice time in the pool available!
Too cold outside to Scuba? Looking for some practice time on the inside? For certified divers looking for some fun you can get some practice on your own during any of our scheduled pool times. There is a $20 fee for pool use and air. Limited rental gear available for nominal handling fee. Get some friends together and play some games or just practice your skills. Call or email (training at uniteddivers.com) for details.

New Web site up!
Finally after much work we lauched our new web site on October 21. We hope you like the new format and will send us your comments, especially if you have a suggestion for something you would like to see,  or have any problems viewing the pages. We will continue to update and add content regularly, stay tuned to this page. 

United Divers is currently recruiting DiveCons and Instructors to join our growing team!  If you are interested in becoming a professional diver or currently are one and are looking to teach please contact the Training Director to schedule and interview and discuss program options.  We look forward to hearing from you!!

Boat Diving In March
The diving season usually begins again in March and knowing how to safely dive from a boat is an important part of scuba diving. On Saturday, March 8th we will conduct our first boat diving specialty of the 2008 season. The course will consist of an academic session followed by practical application using a rubber boat in a pool. The course is a 2-part program class/pool ($75 fee which includes the student kit materials) and the boat dives (an additional $75.00 charter fee).

Pre-Thanksgiving Day boat dive.
It was a very sunny day with the surf  up and the wind blowing out of the west at 18-22 knots with gusts  over 25. As we walked across the ice in the parking lot we noted that this might not really be an  ideal day for a boat dive. However, given we already had the boat and didn't have other plans for the day we decided to make the trip out to Outer Brewster Island anyway. We also didn't want to whimp out.  

The trip out seemed to take no time, as we were all curious to see what the conditions would be at the site. When we arrived we found several lobster boats and some rough seas. We had wanted to dive The Canyons on the east side of Outer Brewster Island.  A beautiful drop-off of hard rock boulders and rock slab form underwater canyons, caverns and overhangs.  Starting in five feet of water, the depth runs to 65 feet, and eventually the bottom turns to gravel. Visibility this time of year can run to 30 to 40 feet. Not today though in these seas.  We decided to swing around Outer Brewster and we and found a nice stretch of water in the lee of Calf Island that was calm. 

We splashed and went down the anchor line in visibility of about 12'-15', which was a pleasant surprise, given the state of the world topside. Once down on the bottom we found what we had come looking for: lots of lobsters and crabs and lots of other interesting creatures. We found some canyons that were very interesting and a bed of scallop shells. We had a little bit of  a current that challenged one of the new dive leaders navigation skills - or maybe it was just some curious sea creature he was following.

While waiting for other divers to leave and return to the boat, a few of us took the opportunity to practice some  waterman skills with the equipment, experimenting with different situations and how to resolve them. A real good learning experience.

Topside, Captain Vern had hot mulled cider for the divers  when they came back on board. For the divers who had never been out at this time of year before they learned many valuable little tips. Like bringing an extra pair of gloves for the second dive to keep your hands warm - much better then putting cold wet gloves back on.

Not certified yet? Complete your classes and pool work in the Boston Metro area during one of our scheduled courses and complete your open water certification dives on vacation in one of the worlds most fantastic dive locations!

Please check our beginner SCUBA diving page for details on courses and schedules.

United Divers Spring Break Trip to the Bahamas

Come join us for a weeklong Bahamian vacation

Want to the escape the cold and crowds of Boston this spring? Would you rather spend a week in warm weather, with crystal clear water, white sand beaches, exotic sea life, and foreign culture? United Divers is organizing just such a get away. In conjunction with Blackbeard's Cruises, United Divers Inc. is offering live-aboard diving adventures around the Out Islands of the Bahamas. During the voyage, you will be able to explore Grand Bahamas, Bimini, Berries and Andros Islands of the western Bahamas all while traveling on a 65' sail boat.

The trip has a total cost of $999. This fee does not include any personal expenses, fuel surcharge, gratuity, or travel cost to Freeport, Grand Bahama, where the boat will depart.

The trip includes:

• 8 days and 7 nights on a 65' sail boat
• 3 to 4 dives per day with thorough dive briefings
• 3 complete meals, snacks, and beverages, including beer, wine and rum punch
• Reef, wall, drift, wreck, and night dives
• Shark dive at "Bull Run"
• Unlimited snorkeling
• Trip ashore to a white sand beach
• A night in port where you can experience local nightlife.
• Fishing and lobstering are allowed.
• Tank, weights and weight belt provided, all other gear is available for rent.
• Lodging on the boat
• Storage space for all personal dive gear

Both certified and non-certified divers are welcome. Not interested in scuba diving? No problem. Non-divers are also welcome. There are many activities offered outside of scuba diving.

Registration
We will offer two trips; March 15th to 21st and March 22nd to 28th. Space is limited so act quickly. A $150 deposit per person is required to confirm your place on board. The total cost is required 60 days prior to departure.

For more information visit  Blackbeard's Cruises , send us an email, or give us a call and ask for Jim.