If you've already decided you'd like to join the Del Rio Dive Club you can download the necessary forms in the JOIN and CLUB INFO links.  You do not have to be a member to attend meetings.

LOOK FOR OUR NEXT EVENT!  We post a lot of more immediate info on the forums due to their flexibility.

New Podcast!!!  ScubaDog and ScubaBob are your co-hosts for a new podcast, right out of Del Rio, Texas.  Two Guys Who Dive is live via Ustream.tv every Saturday at 8:00pm Central.  Just head over to www.ustream.tv/channel/two-guys-who-dive

Amistad Scuba - No longer in business.  Due to circumstances they didn't anticipate, the great folks at Amistad Scuba have had to shut down that part of their business.  They've been looking for someone to purchase the cascade system so that we could still have a large capacity for air fills, but so far there's been no luck.  They are selling all of their accessories and gear at tremendous discounts, so take advantage of a great opportunity.

Plans For Trips in 2012:   We don't have the activity or support yet to develop any significant dive trips, but we definitely plan to put together a "Tons of Steel" trip to the Texas gulf coast.  More details to come.  Also, we have:

Balmorhea State Park - PROPOSED DATES PICKED!!!  This is always a fun trip and it's good for every level of diver.  A four hour drive puts you in extremely clear, pool-like water with huge numbers of fish, some soft-shell turtles and, depending on the time of year, diving ducks.  You can bring an RV, tent or stay in one of the cabins.  You will be responsible for your own reservations, but if you network with other divers who are going you can usually work out convenient arrangements.  So, without further ado, here are the dates we've picked for Balmorhea:

18-19 May, 15-16 Jun, 13-14 Jul and 17-18 Aug.

PADI Instructor:  Robert Wade, #234370 (aka, ScubaDog).

Dive Classes for 2012: 

26-29 Apr (sign up NLT 6 Apr)

24-27 May (sign up NLT 4 May)

28 Jun-1 Jul (sign up NLT 8 Jun)

26-29 Jul (sign up NLT 6 Jul)

23-26 Aug (sign up NLT 3 Aug)

Please check the forums for details on class costs, etc.  Special request one-on-one classes are available, though at a premium rate.  Download "Things You Should Know About Your Open Water Class" .  Also, please be aware that there is a self-study portion of the class, so I have signup-by dates, designed to give me time to order your materials and for you to be able to complete the workbooks in time for class.

 Your health is paramount as a diver.  You don't have to be an athlete, but being in good general physical health is necessary.  Download the R.S.T.C. Medical Statement and fill it out.  If you answer "Yes" to any question you must obtain a physician signature indicating you are fit to dive. 

Advanced, Rescue Diver and Divemaster scheduled based on interest.  Currently we have three divers who have expressed interest in attaining Advanced certification, so one of our first classes will likely be an Advanced class.

WHERE DO I GET AIR?  WHERE CAN I GET VISUAL INSPECTIONS DONE?  WHERE CAN I RENT GEAR?  Sadly, now that Amistad Scuba is no more, there are no longer any dive shops in the Del Rio area.  Richard Urban, who is also a PADI instructor, is able to do visual inspections of your tank and I am planning on getting certified to do this as well.  Renting gear, however, is another matter altogether.  Both Richard and I have student gear, and Richard has on occasion rented gear out to former students.  Because of the liabilities, I haven't decided yet if I'm willing to do that yet.  Richard and I both have personal compressors that we purchases specifically for teaching classes.  We both have day jobs -- let's face it, it's impossible to make a living solely off of scuba in Del Rio -- so getting air fills comes down to establishing communication and negotiating when to meet up for air fills.  Speaking for myself, I don't want to make a job out of hanging around my compressor when I'd much rather be diving, but within reason I'm willing to sell air fills.  Call 830.313.1025 to see if I can fill your tanks (standard air only -- no enriched air).     - ScubaDog

WHAT ABOUT DIVE CHARTERS?  AMISTAD AQUA ADVENTURES!  With a perfectly configured boat and a thorough knowledge the optimal dive spots on Amistad, Captain Mark Bewley can take you there.  www.amistad-aqua-adventures.

TIDBITS ABOUT AMISTAD:  Many of you have heard of Indian Springs. located up the Devil's River.  But have you heard of Goodenough Springs?  Back in the early 1900s the locals relied on the springs, then located up the Rio Grande, to power a waterwheel that fed water up the bluff to the surrounding land.  Of course, in 1968 they built a dam and created the Amistad Reservoir, which placed the springs well underwater.  What you may also not be aware of is that the spring still flows and that a team of technical divers began a project that culminated in dives in 2003 and 2005.  This project is called GSEP, the Goodenough Springs Exploration Project.  Their website is located at www.goodenoughsprings.org.  They have some fascinating photographs and detailed explanation of the project and the dives.  Also formerly known as Hinojosa Springs, it now is submerged in an average of 150ft of water, well below the depth of recreational divers.  In fact, as the GSEP website makes quite clear, it is one of the most dangerous cave dives in the world.  There is currently a permanent bouy marking its location and the GSEP team did extensive work to lay the guide lines through the cave and a Grim Reaper sign at its entrance.  It should go without saying, you should not attempt this dive unless you are certified in Cave Diving AND have had extensive experience and proper equipment.  This would include decompression stops and use of tri-mix tanks.