New items of dive gear will be introduced at the show. Photos by B. Hamblin.

THE Diving Event of the Year!
SCUBA Show 2004
Event Preview, Part 2

This part two of the preview article will give you all the final details of “THE Diving Event of the Year!™” SCUBA Show 2004 is the largest expo in the Western U.S. and takes place May 22, 23 at the Long Beach Convention Center. There are so many different activities and highlights of the show we had to break this into two parts.

EXHIBITS
The largest part of the SCUBA Show in numbers alone is the exhibit hall. With over 76,000 square feet, the exhibit hall will hold over 250 exhibits and displays from every aspect of the diving world.

Many of the manufacturers use this diving season lead-in to introduce and showcase many new or improved products. This will be the perfect opportunity to handle, try-on, touch and get first hand experience and expertise with these products. In some instances you will be able to try them out in the on-site demo pool.

The next largest group in the exhibit hall is the dive travel representatives. Always wondered what it would be like to travel to exotic destinations but had too many questions? Ask first hand from those that live and dive all over the world. See the beautiful photographs and imagine yourself on that very reef. Many offer “Show Specials” available only at the SCUBA Show. You can save hundreds, even thousands on your next vacation for you and your club.

SCUBA Show 2004 Continuous Film Festival SATURDAY, MAY 22 •Galapagos Forever by Globe Video Productions -11:00 a.m. •Fiji Diver, Nudi World (The Great U/W Photographer) by Jack & Sue Drafahl - 11:20 a.m. & 1:25 p.m. •Kritters of Komodo by Globe Video Productions - 11:45 a.m. & 1:50 p.m. •Do Lunch by Walter Marti - 12:10 p.m. & 2:15 p.m. •La Jolla Underwater Park by Herb Gruenhagen - 12:16 p.m. & 2:21 p.m. •Eye Candy—Images from the Banda Sea, Close Encounters by Globe Video Productions - 12:30 p.m. & 2:35 p.m. •Kararu Kritters—Expedition of a Lifetime - 1:10 p.m. & 3:50 p.m. •Peter Hughes—Luxury Live-Aboard Dive Adventures - 3:00 p.m. •Wreck Diving by Hammerhead Press - 3:25 p.m. •Synthetic Sea by Bill Macdonald & Algalita - 4:20 p.m. •Stayin’ Alive by Larry and Denise Tackett 4:45 p.m. SUNDAY, MAY 23 •Synthetic Sea by Bill Macdonald & Algalita - 11:00 a.m. •Galapagos Forever by Globe Video Productions - 11:30 a.m. •Peter Hughes—Luxury Live-Aboard Dive Adventures -11:50 a.m. & 3:30 p.m. •Wreck Diving by Hammerhead Press - 12:15 p.m. •Kararu—Expedition of a Lifetime & Kritters- 12:40 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. •Safety Stop by Joe Pomento - 12:55 p.m. & 2:05 p.m. •The Sharks of Guadalupe Island, Life on the Sandy Bottom by Globe Video Productions - 1:30 p.m. & 2:20 p.m. •Lost Submarine—UB88 by Gary Fabian - 1:50 p.m. & 2:35 p.m. •Stayin’ Alive by Larry and Denise Tackett - 3:55 p.m.

CASINO PARTY BENEFIT
The social highlight of the weekend is the Casino Party on Saturday evening. The party will begin immediately following the close of the show at 6 p.m. on Saturday night. The party benefits the Catalina Conservancy Divers (CCD), a dedicated group of volunteer divers working to protect and preserve the Catalina Island marine environment. Eighty-eight percent of Catalina Island is under the private non-profit protection of the Catalina Conservancy. The CCD is the marine environment branch of this important group.

Participants in the Casino Party will enjoy “gaming” into the night, using “funny-money” to play black-jack, roulette, craps, and more. Cashing out at the end of the evening, the high-rollers will then turn in chips for opportunity tickets with the chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes, including dive gear, travel and more. Also, during the evening will be a silent auction where participants can bid on gear, trips, etc., with all the proceeds benefiting the important projects of the Catalina Conservancy Divers. Contributors and sponsors to the Casino Party include Pacific Wilderness, Action Plus, Torgny Designs, DUI, Posada Del Sol, The Darkroom, Sealife Cameras, Pelican Products, Advanced Diving Products, California Diving News, and many others. Visit www.ccd.org for a complete list of prize and silent auction donors.

During the evening there will also be a silent auction with various dive travel packages, gear, trips and more offered up for bidding. There are many bargains, a lot of fun, but most of all, it benefits the CCD.

Entrance to the Casino Party is $25 and includes funny-money (more if you purchase your ticket in advance) and a raffle ticket. Food and drinks will be available for purchase at an additional charge.

CALIFORNIA SCUBA SERVICE AWARD
Climax of the Casino Party is the presenting of the California Scuba Service Award (CSSA). This award was commissioned by Saint Brendan Corporation, parent company of the SCUBA Show and California Diving News, to recognize those who have made significant, long-term positive contributions to the diving community.

The recipient of the 2004 California Scuba Service Award is Bob Given. Bob has been a certified diver for 40 years, and has over 45 years of diving experience. Throughout his professional career, he has utilized scuba in almost every position since 1957. Since 1966 he has held various positions at the Marine Science Center on Catalina Island, including resident biologist and director. Bob has designed and taught various courses in research techniques; and has also designed specialized equipment and techniques for underwater data gathering.

The demo/trial tank is one of the more popular aspects of the show. Particpants can get a free intro to scuba.

DEMO TANK/POOL
The demo tank/pool has been brought back again by popular demand for young and old. Sponsored by Sport Chalet, non-divers can get into the heated demo pool and try scuba—FREE. Introductory scuba lessons will be given periodically throughout show hours. This is available for all ages. Make sure to bring your bathing suit!

For complete information including advanced registration see the insert in this issue or visit www.saintbrendan.com online.