Home of the SCUBA Show is the Long Beach Convention Center with Hyatt Regency Hotel attached (host hotel), Queen Mary, dive charter boats, Pacific Ocean and Aquarium of the Pacific nearby.

The annual SCUBA Show convention, the largest dive expo in the western U.S., is growing again this year. More exhibit spaces have been added to make SCUBA Show 2002 the largest, most elaborate dive expo ever.

This part one of the SCUBA Show preview will take a look at the show’s seminar program, and exhibitor presentations, door prizes, special exhibits, and special hotel accommodations for those who would like to make a weekend of the event (highly recommended!). Part two, to be published in the June issue will preview continuous underwater film festival, exhibits, demo pool, and Saturday Night Casino Party benefit with the California Scuba Service Award.

Many parts of the show have been revamped and reformatted for a better show. The exhibit hall has been reconfigured for better enjoyment by the show attendees and the seminar rooms are in the newer, larger front portion of the convention center.

SEMINARS
The SCUBA Show seminar programs have gained a reputation over the years as enriching, educational and inspirational material that any diver can use. This year is no exception.

Jack and Sue Drafahl

This year for the first time, the SCUBA Show is pleased to announce the presenting speakers Jack and Sue Drafahl. The Drafahls are experts in the field of underwater image making, especially the newly emerging and exciting area of digital underwater photography.

Speaking of digital imaging, local author and dive pro Steve Barsky will be presenting a seminar on digital underwater video. Interest is expected to be high in these area of underwater fun that is exploding and changing in what seems to be a daily basis.

Returning for a second year in a row is Marty Snyderman. Always a favorite, Marty will be giving a new talk on getting started as a pro film maker, underwater photographer, writer and speaker. He will also be giving two photo talks and a continuing favorite entitled “Sharks in the Wild.”

Rounding out the entourage of seminars and speakers include material on dive accident management, marine life (with special emphasis on California), and how to purchase dive gear.

Speakers include authors Dale Sheckler, Bruce Watkins, Professor Bob Given, California Scuba Service Award Winner Lorraine Sadler, and wreck experts Bill Wilson and Pat Smith, amongst several other noted authorities.

EXHIBITOR PRESENTATIONS
SCUBA Show exhibitor also sponsor a number of talks during the show. Most of these are detailed presentations on various travel destinations, including what you will see, what you can expect and packages and programs available. Other presentations include talks on dive gear.

DOOR PRIZES
This year’s SCUBA Show has some especially exciting door prizes. All paid general admission attendees are eligible.

Saturday’s prizes include Ocean Kayak package (Scrambler XT dive kayak, paddle, deluxe backrest, vest — an $834 value!) donated by Pacific Wilderness Diving Superstores (San Pedro & Orange, www.pacificwilderness.com); Dive Diva Wetsuit from Sea Dreams — designer wetsuits for women, www.seadreamswetsuits.com; SeaQuest Raider Buoyancy Compensator — new for 2002, fully integrated, Tech redefined with comfort! www.sea-quest.com

The Grand Prize will be drawn at the close of the show Sunday with all those who have deposited door prize slips during the weekend eligible. The grand prize is Yap Island dive resort package that includes a seven-night accommodation at Manta Ray Bay Hotel (www.mantaray.com) for one in Garden View Room, 10 dives with Yap Divers and use of weights, belts and air tanks, airport transfers, tax and round trip airfare for one from Continental Airlines (www.continental.com). Some restrictions apply. (value: approximately $1,330 plus airfare).

In addition, many exhibitors will hold drawings for various prizes through their booths at SCUBA Show 2002. Various restrictions apply to each drawing.

SPECIAL EXHIBITS
Nick Icorn’s Museum of Diving History is the largest collection of antique dive gear in the country, perhaps the world. Nick will bring a large portion of his collection to the SCUBA Show and will be on hand to regale you with his many stories, many humorous, some tragic, on how diving and dive gear has evolved over the decades.

Recognized as the authorities in shipwreck diving along the California coastline, the California Wreck Divers will be displaying some of their most prize-restored shipwreck artifacts from around the world. Their members will be on hand to offer their expertise.

The SCUBA Show will have on hand a special guest marine artist, Rogest (Ron Stevens). This artist first gained notoriety in diving, working for one of Australia’s largest dive operators. He now paints the underwater critters from the thousands of exceptional dives experienced world wide but primarily on the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, and Papua New Guinea. His paintings are in the unusual Australian Aboriginal style of dot painting. “I like to think of myself as a ‘PIRARTIST,’ a combination of artist and diving pirate,” says Rogest. His art has been featured in many dive magazines. This year’s official show shirt (on sale at the info desk) features one of his paintings depicting a juvenile garibaldi in kelp.

And finally, dazzling displays of underwater photography will be provided by the Orange County and Los Angeles Underwater Photographic Society. These underwater photo displays feature images from around the world, many award winning.

HOTEL
Seminars, exhibit hall, film festival — it’s difficult to take in the entire show in just one day! Why not make a weekend of it, or longer? Nearby is the Aquarium of the Pacific and dive charter boats. Official Host Hotel for SCUBA Show 2002 is the luxurious Hyatt Regency Long Beach Hotel, attached to the Long Beach Convention Center and overlooking the Queen Mary, Long Beach Harbor, dive charter boats, and the Aquarium of the Pacific (only one block away). Show participants receive a special low convention rate. Reservations are to be made directly with the Hyatt Hotel at (562) 491-1234, fax (562) 432-1972 or through Hyatt’s Central Reservation System at 1-800-233-1234. Reservations should be made no later than June 6, 2002 as the special rates cannot be guaranteed after that time. Identify yourself as a SCUBA Show 2002 participant to obtain special convention rate. Book early as space is limited.

Part II of this preview article will appear in the June issue of California Diving News and cover information on the preview continuous underwater film festival, exhibits, demo pool, and Saturday Night Casino Party benefit with the California Scuba Service Award. Full information, including advanced registration (recommended to save money and time) is available on the insert at the center of this issue or online at www.saintbrendan.com.