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A few years ago my work took me into contact with a Harley Davidson dealer. I quickly developed a fascination for the H-D subculture that led me into the world of Harley riders, from weekend corporate cowboys to hard-core bikies who dealt in drugs and arms and prostitution. It was quite an adventure and I discovered that the world of Harley riders has a degree of stereotyping, but also that the last people you would expect were proud Harley owners. Like any motorcycle, Harley Davidson’s have their fans and detractors. ‘Like riding an armchair down the highway’ is how I heard one person describe it. Like that’s a bad thing?

Being a pillion on a cruising Harley is definitely a different experience than being a white knuckled pillion on a Japanese motorcycle, perched behind a boyfriend who doesn’t know how to ride under 100k’s, in the freezing cold and slipping millimeter by millimeter closer to the back of the pillion seat. You really learn how to grip with your thighs. As well as the usual suspects of HD Parts, the Harley subculture infiltrates every aspect of the Harley lovers lifestyle. You can get Harley-Davidson branded jewelry, wedding favors, fashion clothing and even homewares such as wine glasses, coffee cups and travel mugs. I bet a lot of men have Harley keyrings and belt buckles without even realising they do. That H-D flame logo found on everything from accessories to Discount Harley Parts is some kind of subliminal suggestion, I’m sure.

One day I plan to ride across the United States with a group of women Harley riders comprised of grandmothers, college students, corporate professionals and women just like me – seeking an amazing experience of female power and the Sisterhood.

Everyone has an image conjured up by the iconic brand of Harley-Davidson. For those in the ‘club’, it’s an image of the freedom found only on the open road and in the brother/sisterhood of other Harley owners.

- Rebecca, Stephen’s sister!

OK, you’ve booked that Scuba Trip of a lifetime to the Fareast or other exotic locale - and now you need to be sure all your gear arrives there safely. Especially with some of the new TSA regulations there are a few things every diver needs to know about traveling with Scuba Gear.

Of course before packing any Scuba gear for travel it is best to have a complete gear “check-up” and make sure everything is functioning properly. Many divers will buy some spiffy new piece of equipment for a dive trip and never take it out of the box before they travel, not a good idea according to the pros - always test even brand new equipment before you travel with it.

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Movies such as “JAWS” and “Open Water” would have you believe that the oceans is littered with sharks, just lurking about waiting to gobble up tasty morsels like Scuba Divers. The truth is Sharks are really quite scarce in the oceans of the world; in fact many species of shark are endangered. A scuba diver faces far more risk from hypothermia, or an incompetent buddy then from a shark. However sharks are fascinating creatures, and if you do want to get up and personal and experience one of the truly great thrills of a lifetime then a Shark Dive is just the way to do it.

Specific Shark Dives are organized at the sites where sharks are known to inhabit or migrate through all over the world. Safety is of utmost concern in a Shark Dive. A Shark Dive will involve the use of State-of -the-Art shark proof cages that float suspended at depth with the diver safely inside. The shark proof cage is lowered into the ocean, so the Scuba Diver may observe the sharks upclose yet safely. Shark proof cages are light weight yet built very strong, and are made to withstand even the impact of a Great White Shark ramming the cage.

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Unlike other recreational sports and activities, Scuba Diving requires some meticulous record keeping, planning, and even some complex mathematics. But like with other fields, computers and computer technology are now making it easier for Scuba Divers to create and maintain digital Divelogs, plan and manage dives, even edit and share images and underwater photo’s, on PC’s and handheld devices.

One of the most popular computer software for divers is Dive Assistant. Dive Assistant performs a number of vital functions for scuba divers, including dive logging and dive planning, equipment management, and dive table database. The latest version features improved synchronization, enhanced stability and importing of dive profiles from dive computers. Dive assistant is available in both a desktop and pocket PC edition, and they can synch together. Another popular software is Alpha Scuba Log. Read more »

When it comes to great Scuba Dive sites and scuba diving opportunities in Asia most dive professionals agree that the place to be is Phuket Thailand. Don’t let the funny name intimidate you (its pronounced “Poo-get”) - for divers Phuket translates into “Paradise”

Phuket has been called the ‘Pearl of the South’ and for scuba divers it’s certainly the gem of Asia diving. This island paradise rests in the Adaman Sea lying only 8 degrees north of the equator. The Island has a year round tropical climate with an average water temperature of 78°F. The waters surrounding Phuket Island are home to an astonishing variety of undersea life. Below the surface of the Adaman sea is a feast for the eyes of scuba divers. Vast panoramas of corals explode with color. Tropical fish species abound. Manta rays and the majestic whale shark are not uncommon sites. The warm clear waters and wealth of marine life of Phuket make it a must for Asia Divers and underwater photographers.

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Scuba divers generally know the country of Belize as one of the top dive sites in the world. Boarding Guatemala, Southeast of Mexico on the Central American Coast, Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef on the planet, and has often been referred to as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World. This reef that parallels the coastline is not the only reason that makes Belize one of the world’s most popular destinations for snorklers and scuba divers. The series of small islands known as “cayes” that lie off the coast of the mainland each have coral reefs and unique dive sites of their own. Housing impressive underwater gardens teeming with sea life of all shapes and sizes.

The clear turquoise waters surrounding Belize average 79-84 degrees year round. Close to the barrier reef, Ambergris Caye is a favorite destination for Scuba Divers. Located 4 miles southeast of San Pedro is Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The ocean floor here ranges from 5 to 35 feet, so divers of every skill level, and even snorklers have the opportunity to experience what many have said is “like swimming in an aquarium” filled with colorful tropical fish of all types. Read more »

When most people hear the word Scuba Suit they automatically thing of the “Wet Suit”. And lay people think that the Wet Suit gets its name because it is worn in the water and therefore it gets wet. But there are actually two types of Scuba Diving Suit the Wet Suit and the Dry Suit and which one you were depends on the water temperature and other conditions you will be diving under.

The purpose of the scuba suit is to provide thermal protection in the water. Even in tropical waters, as you dive deep the water temperature can decrease rapidly. People are more familiar with the wets suit because most recreational diving is done in warm waters, where the wet suit is worn as much for sun protection and protection from little stinging critters like sea lice, as it is for warmth. A wets suit keeps your body warm by trapping a thin layer of water between the suit and your body. Your body temperature warms the water and the warmed water then forms an insulating layer. Usually mad from neoprene a kind of rubber, a wet suit needs to fit snuggly to work, a loose fitting wet suit will leak water and lose its insulating properties. Wets suits come in a torso length, that can keep a scuba diver warm in waters temperatures ranging form around 78 degrees to 90 degrees. A full body wet suit can be worn form 68 degrees to 85 degrees.

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Scuba Diving can be great fun for the entire family. Children as young as 8 years old can be certified on some level, and those 12 - 15 can receive many of the same certifications as adults. Scuba Diving is a great way to teach your children about the world around them and gain a greater appreciation for the environment and protecting the natural world.

Of course anyone even children, can enjoy their first foray below the surface by snorkeling or “skin diving” Most people, including the little ones, can snorkel quite well the first time out. Snorkeling involves swimming at the surface of the water, wearing fins, a mask, and the snorkel -a curved tube you can breathe through. The snorkeler or skin diver well then “free dive” below the surface for as long as he or she can hold his breath. Snorkeling is best in shallow reefs, is inexpensive, requires little equipment, and is easy to learn.

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From New England to Key West the U.S. East Coast offers Scuba Divers a figurative and literal “treasure trove” of dive delights. Beginners and experts alike will find 100’s of dive sites all up and down the East Coast, no matter what skill level of diving certification you posses, or specialty challenges you crave.

New England of course is known for lobster, and lobster diving is very popular in the northern waters of the East Coast. There are many boat charters that can get you out to the lobster grounds for a unique “bug dive”. Being one of the main port sites in the U.S., wrecks also abound off of the coast of New England, making it a wreck divers playground. For those with the skills and expertise beyond recreational scuba diver and have advanced to Technical Diver, the allure of one of the most famous wrecks in the world rests in these waters - the Andrea Dora. There are many wrecks and other interesting marine habitats off the coast of New York’s Long Island and the Jersey Shore. Both New York and Jersey’s beaches offer some great beach dive sites. On the Jersey shore stretching from Sandy Hook to Cape May The New Jersey Artificial Reef Program has been creating marine habitats from intentionally sunk ships and other large items. Sea Bass, Porgies, Black Fish, Lobster and many other species of marine life now call these man-made structures home.

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From Key Largo to Key West the Florida keys span 110 miles and are a tropical wonderland and Scuba divers paradise you can visit without ever having to leave the United States.

The Florida Keys is the third largest barrier reef in the world, and the only living coral reef in the United States. Starting with John Pennekamp State Park in the upper keys, down on through Islamorada and into Key West, the Florida Keys offer some of the best Scuba Diving sites and experiences in the world. The first Key, Key Largo has been called the Scuba Diving Capital of the World, and with good reason. Here you will find John Pennekamp State Park, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary - a 2800 square mile protected sanctuary for coral and dozens of aquatic creatures. The Sanctuary is divided up into six distinct dive sites, each with its own special appeal to scuba divers.
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