A-1 Scuba + Diventures

Let me guess… The Valet diving-op told you they’d wash your gear? Sadly we see stuff like this all too often. Luckily our service techs have all the right tools and experience to get your gear cleaned and working properly again. Turn around is at an all time low this summer, so get your sets in soon and have them ready for that next impromptu trip!

A-1 Adaptive diver photos in Roatan last week.

A few photos and information about the recent National Park Service, Wounded Veterans In Parks, USS Arizona Project.

Open water dives start this weekend at Chatfield. Come join us!

🌊✨ What an unforgettable week! Our amazing trip flew by at warp speed, but the memories, experiences, and friendships will last forever.

Today was the icing on the cake — our crew took us to Anthony’s Key Resort for an exhilarating dolphin encounter. Snorkeling alongside these incredible animals and learning about their unique behaviors was pure magic.

Afterward, we motored across to the AKR restaurant for a delicious lunch. A heartfelt thank-you to Samir Galindo, Terri, Eldon, and Yolanda — friends for life. 💙

The day ended with a scrumptious dinner at the Mayan Princess Resort filled with smiles, laughter, and photos.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s divers with disabilities adaptive adventure as we return to Cayman Brac the end of May.

Thank you to everyone who made this week so fun-filled and unforgettable. Here’s to more dives, more laughter, and more memories together! 🐬

🌊 WATER IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER! 🌊

Our annual Divers with Disabilities trip is a profound reminder of the power and impact diving has on every front. Most importantly, it has become a cherished tradition—a family of people coming together to celebrate friendships, share quality time, and embrace the pleasure and freedom the underwater world provides.

In daily life, barriers, obstacles, and physical pain can weigh heavily. Yet underwater, much of that nearly disappears. Gravity fades, limitations ease, and a new sense of possibility emerges.

When asked what they enjoy most about diving, our guests shared the following comments:

• Michael — “The people I’m diving with see me, not the wheelchair. I feel normal. I’m able to spend quality time with my family and friends.”
• Melissa — “I don’t feel broken when I dive. There aren’t sounds that trigger my hearing hypersensitivity from my traumatic brain injury. Everyone is on the same page.”
• Nicole — “It’s the only sport I can do with my family. It doesn’t strain my joints and gives me independence.”
• Ray — “The people we’re with are uplifting and encouraging. I get to enjoy an exhilarating experience with my wife and daughter.”
• Jeff — “It gives me mobility I don’t have on land. I love being with a group who’ve become lifelong friends.”

In so many ways, whether disabled or able-bodied, we dive for the same reasons: freedom, connection, and joy.

🌊 CELEBRATING OUR AMAZING ADAPTIVE DIVER BUDDIES! 🌊

Being an Adaptive Dive Buddy isn’t just about diving—it’s about living the spirit of compassion, fun, and teamwork. The requirements are extraordinary yet simple:

• A big heart — always ready to give.
• Love helping others — because joy multiplies when shared.
• Possess a fun-factor — one that exceeds all scales.
• Commitment to safety — ensuring every dive is safe and packed with enjoyment.
• Endless smiling — positivity that’s contagious underwater and above.
• Tremendous compassion — the true foundation of adaptive diving.

Today was a perfect example of teamwork: buddies experienced what it’s like to be transported from the beach at Mayan Princess Resort to the dive boat in a three-wheel floating trike, and to be lifted in and out of the boat with a hoist, using a harness or sling. These hands-on lessons built empathy, adaptability, and confidence.

This attitude is exactly what makes our buddies extraordinary—and why adaptive divers have the most amazing experiences possible when diving with them💙🐠

We simply could not offer individuals with disabilities the freedom and exhilaration of diving without our wonderful buddies. Please accept our deepest appreciation. We love you more than words can describe.

Additionally, we want to express our appreciation to the Mayan Princess Divers crew for their dedication and unwavering commitment to help divers with disabilities safe access to the joy and wonders of diving.

WATER IS TRULY THE GREAT EQUALIZER!

Our annual adaptive divers trip has officially begun. This year our group is staying at the beautiful Mayan Princess Resort on the island of Roatan.

Several of our longtime friends have joined us as well as some people who are diving with us their first time.

This is our favorite trip of the year and it happens to be at our favorite island in the Caribbean.

Stay tuned for some inspiring stories and photos of this amazing group of people.

It was an extraordinary week of accomplishments for the 2026 National Park Service Wounded Veterans In Parks USS Arizona Dive Team.

Each morning began at base quarters before the team headed to the Dive Locker, Building 416, for the daily briefing—reviewing objectives, mapping out key elements of the assignment, and gathering the necessary materials for the day’s mission.

Upon arrival at the pier, equipment was unloaded, transferred to the shuttle boat, and transported to the USS Arizona Memorial, where the day’s project officially began. After Brett reviewed the final details, the teams entered the water and got to work.

The week’s projects opened with a detailed tour of the ship led by Brett. With more than 500 dives on the Arizona, Brett is a true expert on every aspect of the ship’s deck. During the tour, he identified several portholes on the starboard side that divers would probe the following day in search of “pooling” bunker C fuel—a messy task that often results in oil on just about everything.

Another major project involved locating various PVC receptacles on the ship. Once found, one diver inserted a long pole into the receptacle on the deck while their buddy held the opposite end at the surface, where a GPS device was attached. Scientists aboard a nearby boat used tracking equipment to record seven separate ship locations. It was physically demanding work, and the teams performed exceptionally.

The grand finale of the week was witnessing the Memorial Day ceremony at the Visitor Center. Tom Leatherman, Superintendent Pearl Harbor National Memorial, went out of his way to thank the WVIP Team and presented each member with his personal Challenge Coin. Another key contributor honored the team by presenting each diver with an American flag.

The week concluded with every mission successfully completed, new lifelong friendships formed, and a profound sense of accomplishment. One team member summed it up perfectly: “It’s the most rewarding, fulfilling, and humbling experience anyone can imagine.”

Gratitude to the team: Brett, Andy, Larkin, Jeremy, Dave, Paul, and Jeremiah. You’re all rockstars.

And a very special thank you to Aileen Utterdyke, President & CEO of Pacific Historic Parks, and Tom Leatherman, Superintendent of Pearl Harbor National Memorial.

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women… can never be repaid.”
—Harry S. Truman

PLEASE NOTE: numerous underwater image’s will shared in the days ahead.