As you may already know we have changed our domain name from SaguaroSports.com to SaguaroScuba.com. We have been working hard to bring you a new catalog site complete with a blog, travel section and E-Learning.

We felt that SaguaroScuba.com was more specific and relevant to the type of products we sell on this site.

The main difference is the layout but we have also taken steps to improve security so that you can feel confident in making purchases with us.

Take a look around. Here are some links to the main parts of the site:

• Online Catalog: We have up to 30,000 Items in stock. Brand names include Sherwood, Genesis, Akona and more.
• Travel: This will be up-to-date with all of our group travel destinations.
• Classes:  You can browse all of our classes. We also have Online Classes(SDI and PADI).
• Weekly Special: Here you will find three discounted products each week.
• We match Internet Pricing:  We match internet pricing and will beat any competitor price by 5%.
• Class Schedule: Here you will find schedules for pre-pool, open water, and classroom.
• Photo Gallery: Various photos of not only the store but several dive trips
• Newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Thanks for choosing to shop with us. We hope you sign up for the newsletter and visit often for weekly specials, blog updates, and new products.

Back to the Basics!

Even though you are certified and no longer need an instructor with you, doesn’t mean you don’t need the rules you learned. The rules are what keep you save and without them accidents or even death can happen. You may think some of the rules are not important but every rule is in place for a reason.

Checklist- Before entering the water you and your buddy should make sure your gear looks proper. Make sure nothing is broken and your buddy knows your equipment. Just remember B.W.A.R.F. (BCD, Weights, Air, Release, and Final OK).

Plan your dive- Before getting in the water make a plan. Look at how you will enter, how long you will be down, how deep, what direction you want to swim and your exit. It’s easier to plan ahead instead of guessing and having to end a dive early because of no plan.

Are you in good shape?- When you got certified you had to fill out a medical form. You must have passed if you are certified but how healthy are you now? It is important to still be in good shape when diving.

Only dive where you feel comfortable- When you feel uncomfortable on a dive you don’t enjoy it, you use more air, and your buddy will not enjoy having to worry about you. Talk about a dive before you attempt it. If conditions are not what you like or feel comfortable with, you and your buddy should end the dive.

Touch nothing- You are taught to hover in pool session for a reason. Do not touch the bottom. There are plants and wildlife under you. Another rule is don’t touch animals. The best way to get hurt is to touch something you know nothing about, the safest thing to do is to touch nothing.

Stick with buddy- You need to stay with your buddy. When diving with a buddy you need to be able to see them. If you get separated look for a minute and surface, they should surface also. If you see their bubbles while on surface and you feel ok with going back down to join them, do so.

Know your limit- Never go deeper than what you’re comfortable with. There is no competition about depth. Plan your dive and follow it.

Hand signals- You and your buddy should understand each other underwater. If not practice your signs and even come up with new ones. Signing underwater is fun and you will understand things they point out easier.

Practice- If you haven’t been diving in a while it is a good idea to practice. Go to your dive shops local pool day and blow so bubbles. If it has been a few years since your last dive, a Refresher course is always a good idea.

Always learning- Just because you are certified doesn’t mean there is nothing left to learn. There are always more classes and lessons to be taught.

Talk about your dive with buddies- If something unexpected happen to you during the dive, talk to your buddy about it. If it was a problem you can talk about how to avoid it.

Diving is not for everyone!

This month’s travel destination: Bonaire, ABC Islands

Have you ever just wanted to dive non-stop? There’s a place you can day or night. With 60+ dive sites, Bonaire is the shore diving capital of the world, having over 271 species of fish there’s always something new to see. Even on land Bonaire offers multiple activities. You will need all the time you can get to experience this place.

• Tour the Lac Bay by kayak, see small sponges, sea turtles and bird life in the mangroves of Bonaire.
• Visit the Donkey Sanctuary, where hundreds of donkeys live and play. Why not foster a donkey?
• Cave snorkeling anyone? Bonaire has inland caves, with clear, cool water. Take a deep breath and let your eyes go crazy.
• Feeling dangerous? Try the new hot sport on Bonaire, wind surfing. It’s a go-cart with a sail.
• Klein Bonaire is the uninhabited island off of Bonaire. Besides the great snorkeling and diving this island is a sea turtle hatchery. The sea turtles on the island use the beaches to make their nests and lay eggs.
• There is no shortage of food here. With over 70 different cultures the variety is never ending. You don’t have to go far for good food even your hotel is sure to have just as many choices.

This is the destination that has a little bit of everything. Whether relaxing on the white beach or jumping in the beautiful clear water, this is the place where you can come and let it all go. What are you waiting for? Come in, call, or check out our website and reserve your spot to paradise now.

Anyone up for wreck diving? This dive destination has over 300 shipwrecks, which represent the last 400 years of man being at sea. If there was ever treasure in our ocean this would be the place to find it. This heavily traveled shipping lane is Bermuda, a place of danger for sailors because of its treacherous reefs. The wrecks you can see range from ferryboats, war ships, or treasure ships. Looking to get shipwreck certificated? You’ve come to the right place; this certification includes 22 of the major wrecks around the island. Now I did mention treasure, Bermuda is home to hundreds of shipwrecks and still today you can find artifacts from those wrecks. So when diving here, make sure to keep an eyes open for something shiny.

Yes, it is true, this is an article about global warming. But, not to worry, we aren’t writing this to point fingers or to make you feel badly for guilty. This article is simply being written to raise awareness to our dying coral reefs. As divers what do you look for in a great scuba destination? Is it a white, barren and lifeless location or one that is overflowing with colorful corals and aquatic life? I, for one, am looking for exuberant animals and fascinating colors. Corals can grow to be large in size but no matter what the species they are extremely delicate and complicated life forms. In fact, corals directly depend on their zooxanthellae for survival. The zooxanthellae provide the coral with most of its energy requirements in return for protection, survival and nutrients. When the temperature rises, over exposure to solar radiation or any other environmental stresses occur the zooxanthellae are expelled from the coral. Along with the zooxanthellae goes the green fluorescent proteins which result in the coral to bleach. Coral bleaching is a real factor affecting corals today and if we can’t get the environment under control coral reefs will be replaced with white skeleton coral graveyards.  There is still time to fix the damage!

Go rechargeable!   Tons of used batteries are thrown away each year just to sit at the bottom of local landfills.  Consider buying rechargeable batteries to cut down on battery pollution and to save tons of cash.  Stores carry rechargeable batteries in all sizes to accommodate all of your electronics.  Make the switch and save.

There is a horrible thing happening in our waters, something that is hurting our marine ecosystem and will in force negative change in our oceans. Every year an estimated 100 million sharks are killed, one of the biggest reasons is for Shark Fin Soup. If we don’t have these sharks in our oceans, natures balance will be changed. Sharks are needed for many reasons and taking them away is hurting our fish populations. When killing sharks there isn’t a breed they are hunting for, many types of sharks will do. If fishermen are killing more than one type of shark that means different types of fish are also being hurt by this. If there is a decline in the number of sharks hunting fish then the fish population will start to overrun before they destroy themselves. When killing these sharks, they aren’t saving the whole shark the only part they are after are the fins. Most of the times they will catch the shark, haul the shark on deck, cut off its fins and throw the sharks body back in the water alive, were it will sink and drown. Another thing that this affects is tourism, divers wanting to dive with sharks. When diving many divers will tell you seeing a shark in a special encounter because it is so rare. However, there is a way to fix this problem, by banning finning in all countries coasts. Only a small number of countries so far have banned finning, with major finning countries still out there. There is a global shark protection act in the works in Europe were more than 100,000 people signed against finning. Here in the U.S. you can help stop this by writing letters to our senate, asking them to pass a bill protecting these beautiful creatures. It may take some time but someday soon, I hope this problem will be fixed and we can have the pleasure of seeing more sharks in the wild.

This weeks conservation tip is quick and easy…go for glass instead of plastic. Glass containers are less resource-hungry than plastics and are far easier to recycle. Tons of plastic containers flood landfills and, more importantly for divers, our oceans every year.

This month’s travel destination: Roatan, Honduras What do you look for in a dive trip? Maybe, for you, it’s all about the coral reefs, abundant marine life or ultra clear water. Roatan will NOT disappoint; the surrounding reefs are spilling over with beautiful wildlife and the visibility seems endless. The diving is not only some of the best the world, the islands have so much more to offer for every type of individual.

Tour the Island: The flora, fauna and mountain top views will leave you speechless.

Explore the tree tops by zip-lining.

Catch hold of the “rich” history. Honduras was once a main stop for the real Pirates of the Caribbean. You may stumble across some lost treasure.

Submerge yourself in heart pounding excitement by going on a shark or dolphin dive.

Looking for an active nightlife spot; you found it. Away from the resorts is a long stretch of clubs and bars where the locals are kind, the music is loud and the drinks are cold.

Fresh lobster anyone? A perfect meal after a long day of diving and excitement. Caribbean cuisine is unique and mouthwatering.

These days we are looking for some destination that has it ALL for not a lot of green. Some place that offers an escape from the hectic everyday routine but not from the fun and excitement. This popular diving destination has it all. Beautiful water, great people and adventure around every corner. Go ahead, take a step out of the business suit and join in on the fun.

A visitor to the Caribbean Sea threatens its ecosystem. This creature is eating fish that prevent seaweed from destroying its fragile reef. A native to the Indo-Pacific oceanic region, the Lionfish has somehow appeared in our backyard. The mystery to solve is how the Lionfish got here. There are many different theories but two stood out amongst the rest. The first idea is that when Hurricane Andrew took place in 1992, an aquarium was destroyed. Releasing this fish into Biscayne Bay and from there the Lionfish fed and bred. The second idea is as early as 1985; the Lionfish was released either by fish or egg into these waters by people having them as pets or people who are in the aquarium trade business. Now that they are here they are expanding and they are doing it fast. Female Lionfish can produce up to two million eggs a year. If we are going to save this ecosystem it needs to happen soon.