Aqua Lung Demo Week Aboard the Wind Dancer to Cocos Island

Divers can join the newly refurbished Wind Dancer May 26 - June 5, 2012 for a Demo Week to try an assortment of Aqua Lung dive equipment while enjoying a world class live-aboard experience with Dancer Fleet. Cocos Island is unquestionably known as one of the best adventure dive destinations in the world. Schooling hammerheads, whale sharks, numerous species of rays and much, much more!

Don Rockwell, CEO of Aqua Lung International and Eric Thorstenson, Director of Engineering at Aqua Lung will host the 10-night charter to this exciting destination.

While onboard, divers will have the opportunity to try new equipment not yet on the market and several different BC’s, regulators, computers, masks, and fins from Aqua Lung while exploring the best of Cocos Island. With the “factory team” aboard this is the perfect opportunity to learn about the how and why’s of different features on Aqua Lung Dive Equipment. In addition, each participant will receive a custom embroidered Aqua Lung gear bag shipped to him or her prior to departure. Read Don's comments from his most recent Dancer Fleet Demo Week Adventure.

Aqua Lung is the official dive equipment supplier for Aggressor & Dancer Fleets. Aqua Lungs’ commitment to world-class designs and quality are a perfect match for the world-class LiveAboard adventures offered by both fleets.

To Learn More about Aqua Lung Demo Weeks, Read Don Rockwell's Comments
and The Captain's Log from the Sun Dancer II Aqua Lung Demo Week in April of this year.

Jim Church School of
Underwater Photography

The “hands-on” teaching style of Jim Church continues with his close friends and associates Mike Mesgleski & Mike Haber. Like Jim, “Mike & Mike” are focused on their student’s photography the entire week. Topside, in between dives, they conduct daily group presentations in the salon and then work with you one-on-one with your camera equipment. Underwater, they will help you set up shots, check composition, find subjects and even pose for you. From digital point & shoot cameras to housed digital SLR systems, Mike & Mike will help you get the shot. After a week of their instruction and help, you’re sure to take home some great underwater photos and have a fun time doing it!

The all-new Digital Darkroom is a new element that has been added to the Jim Church School of Underwater Photography courses.   The Digital Darkroom program is an add-on to the standard Photo Class lessons.  It’s twice the learning’ in one package. Every one of us has spent many hours at the computer working on images, trying to improve them.  The Digital Darkroom program is designed to show you how to accomplish this correctly and efficiently. For example, cloning and repairing are not just about removing backscatter or sensor dust.  Sometimes it’s necessary to remove or reposition entire image elements such as divers, fish, or even the sun itself.  Sometimes from one image to another.  We will be showing you how this is done.

We will demonstrate the following subjects using the most current versions of Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, Bridge and Apple Aperture. This includes: • Color Correction  • Cloning and Repairing  • Color Management  • Adjustment Layers  • Sharpening  • Dodging and Burning  • Cropping  • B&W Conversion

"Dive With the Owners" Wine Appreciation Charter
Sun Dancer (Belize) - May 19 - 26, 2012

Join Dancer Fleet CEO Wayne Brown and Cinematographer Stan Waterman as they host a wine appreciation and tasting charter. They will share stories, toasts and fun facts about wine and their diving exploits.  You will also learn about food pairings with the delectable cuisine prepared by our chef Jerry Carcamo, who mentored aboard under the guidance of Instructor chef Walter Tanner from the Florida Culinary Institute.  Sample fine and unique vintages of red and white wines and learn impressive facts to tempt your palette for more. 

This experience is combined with diving the pristine coral walls of Belize - home of the world's second largest barrier reef and the famed Blue Hole. So after an exciting day of diving, with the final dive of the day being held at dusk, clean up, kick-back and enjoy a totally new wine experience aboard the Sun Dancer II.  Who knew learning could be so much fun?

During the charter you will have the opportunity to view the video “WineWorks”, created under the direction of Wayne Brown. You will learn from the industries top ranked experts as they provide insight on the entire spectrum of wine appreciation. So whether you are a wine connoisseur or a novice this unique charter is for you. Expect great diving, great company and great accommodations aboard the “Queen of the Caribbean” Sun Dancer II all while learning about some great wines.

Join Marty Snyderman
Celebrity Photo Week .

July 7 - 17, 2012 - Coco Island
Aboard Wind Dancer

Join Emmy Award winning cinematographer and professional underwater photographer Marty Snyderman aboard the Wind Dancer and cruise to the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site - Cocos Island. 

Escape to a lush, green, uninhabited island resting 300 miles off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast while learning the secrets of taking fabulous photos under the direction of one of the top underwater photographers in the industry.  Rocky pinnacles surrounding Cocos are beacons for big animals and big action.  Schooling hammerheads, countless white-tip sharks, mantas, tuna and even whale sharks call Cocos home. This is a perfect setting to learn to enhance your photographic images as Marty shares his knowledgeable photo tips.  Marty has been teaching underwater photography for almost 30 years and he takes a lot of pride in helping his students learn about and enjoy their own underwater photographic adventures.

Marty Snyderman is recognized as one of the world’s premier experts in the art and science of underwater photography.  With many credits to his name, Marty is the Marine Life Editor for Dive Training Magazine and is the long time author of the magazine’s What’s That, Always Learning, and Behind The Lens columns.  He is an Emmy Award winning cinematographer, still photographer, author and speaker specializing in issues concerning marine wildlife and the marine environment. A recipient of DEMA”s highly prestigious Reaching Out Award and, therefore, a member of DEMA’s Hall of Fame, Marty serves on the Board of Trustees of REEF and as an Advisor to the Shark Research Institute. This will be his 15th trip to Cocos. Who better to join you on an adventure to this fantastic remote location than this expert on both sharks and underwater photography!

While there will not be a formal class, Marty will be happy to share his photographic expertise with those that are interested. He will give slide presentations about sharks, underwater photography and some adventures in his life.
Cocos Island is where the action is – big action that is! For many, the main attractions are the large pelagic species, which are very abundant in this unique meeting point between deep and shallow waters.  The largest schools of hammerhead sharks in the world are consistently reported here.  These and other large animals are nearly certain on every dive.  The rich coral reef, volcanic tunnels, caves, massifs and deeper waters surrounding Cocos Island are home to more than 30 species of coral, 60 species of crustaceans, 600 species of mollusks and over 300 species of fish. With so much action you won’t know where to point your camera first.

Join Stan Waterman & The Owners
for a Unique Diving Experience.

Aug 4 - 14, 2012 - Cocos Island
Aboard Wind Dancer

Stan Waterman is truly one of SCUBA's early pioneers. While operating a dive business in the Bahamas in the 1950's, he shot his first 16mm film-and was hooked. For the next 15 years, he continued to document his dive exploits under the seven seas; most were ultimately shown as TV documentaries. Stan's perhaps best known for his commercial film work. He was Associate Producer and Underwater Cameraman for that shark classic, Blue Water, White Death. Co-Director of Underwater Photography and second unit for The Deep, Stan has also been responsible for ten years' worth of production on ABC's "American Sportsman Show" and, more recently, ABC's "Spirit of Adventure" series and the "Expedition Earth" series on ESPN. Stan's trips do not include a photo course.

Stan Waterman's book, "Sea Salt", is a hard back book of memories and essays with over 300 pages and more than 65 pictures encompassing growing up in Maine by the sea and a half century of diving adventures around the world. You may purchase the book online at www.fishid.com.