Newsletter August 2013
In This Newsletter
- International Divers with Mermaids
- International Schools update
- More news for June
- Meet Sanya Lohitnavy, Mermaids Course Director
- 20% off PADI Specialty Courses
- Buy any set of regulators and get a free regulator bag
- All Swim Googles less 10%
- Social Time and Instructor Examinations
- Mermaids International Clean Up Day – 6th year anniversary
International Divers with Mermaids
Discovering Scuba Diving for the first time is exhilarating. On a dream trip to Thailand, six friends from Scotland made Mermaids Dive Center their first stop of a fun packed tour, which will see them journey through Thailand in six weeks.
After the easy bus journey from Bangkok, Mermaids collected Claire and her friends from the North Pattaya Bus Station and soon had them at the center getting them ready for their diving experience.
They experienced a true fishing pier at Samaesan where they boarded Mermaids 1 to go diving. After 2 great dives, a fabulous lunch and lots of fun with the Mermaids Instructors, the group returned to the Main Operations Center to get their certificates to remember their day. Well done to Claire with an “i”, Clare without an “i”, Tyler, Liam, Ailidh and Ruairi. Have a fabulous time in Thailand.
8 year old Emily Malinen from Brussells loved her Bubblemaker program so much, she came back to do dive with us 3 times during her holiday. Well done Emily and we are looking forward to seeing you on your next school holiday.
Nadia from Bangkok, our young dive trainee was delighted to be diving on the Mermaids boat at the same time as Thai superstar Kosin Rachakrom. Also doing dive training is Chuang from China and Patrick from Taiwan. All three are doing the Master Scuba Diver Internship and are certainly a fun trio to have with us on the Mermaids boats.
Team Japan had lots of awesome days training and fun diving in the month of July. Congratulations to all Team Japan divers on their Divemaster, Rescue and Advanced Open Water Course achievements. Congratulations to new members who joined in.
International Schools update
The Regent’s Summer Camp joined Mermaids Dive Center for a day out on the boat to experience snorkeling and swimming. The Regent’s Summer Camp is held every year in July to keep children of all ages and nationalities entertained over the summer holidays.
28 students and teachers boarded the Mermaids 1 boat located in Samaesan on Thursday 18th July. They were super excited to be on the boat and getting into the water. After an orientation of the boat and where to find facilities on board, they were soon off to the first island of Koh Chan East to begin snorkeling.
For some of the children, this was their first time snorkeling but as always they had the experienced Mermaids Team soon helping them to enjoy snorkeling and have fun. After the first session and spotting lots Damsel Fish, Christmas tree worms on the coral and a variety of marine life, everyone jumped back on board to have some lunch.
After lunch, the boat moved on to Koh Rong Nang to give the snorkelers a different site to experience. There were lots of sightings of hard and soft coral including Brain, Staghorn and Table. Angelfish, Bat Fish, Pufferfish and Boxfish were just some of the exciting life on view.
It was time to finish the day and although there were lots of tired children and adults, they all agreed they had a fantastic time and were eager to do snorkeling again or even try diving.
More news for June
Mermaids Dive Center became an Aqualung Partner Center. Aqua Lung’s Partner Centers are privately owned dive centers around the world that have gone through an extensive selection process and offers up to date and well maintained rental equipment. Factory trained repair technicians, inspected and tested cylinders and valves and friendly and qualified staff to make your experience memorable.
The compressor room at the Main Operations Center had a refurbishment with additional air banks installed. Thanks to the dedicated team at Mermaids for making this possible and more efficient for our customers.
A marine survey with 3A Bangkok Ltd was done on the 15th July for the Stella Fomahlaut Freighter. Docked at Koh Si Chang, Vlad and Philipe went underwater to measure and assess the condition of the hull.
Congratulations to Michael Holmsteen from Denmark, James Bagnall from South Africa and James Whybrow for passing their PADI examinations and becoming Open Water Scuba Instructors on the 10th July. They all scored high marks on the PADI examinations after their Instructor training course with Russell Martin and his team.
Meet Sanya Lohitnavy, Mermaids Course Director
Welcome to the Mermaids team Sanya Lohitnavy. Sanya is managing the Mermaids Bangkok store, as well as and is a Mermaids PADI Course Director. Being fluent in Thai and English, Sanya has taught both local and international students and Instructor candidates.
He is also an accomplished Technical Diver and enjoys Muay Thai in his spare time. To meet Sanya and his team, head along to Mermaids Dive Center, Bangkok located in the Outdoor Unlimited Zone on the 2nd floor of the Amarin Shopping Plaza.
Sheena Walls, General Manager of Mermaids said “we are extremely happy to have Sanya, a well respected Course Director on board with us and to strengthen the local Thai market for Mermaids”
20% off PADI Specialty Courses
Due to popular demand, we are continuing the promotion of PADI Specialty Diver training courses at 20% off.
- Enriched Air Diver – Stay down longer and get back in the water sooner. Learn how to dive using Enriched Air Nitrox, PADI’s most popular specialty course.
- Deep Diver – Explore the wonders of the deep. Learn techniques for diving in the deeper ranges of 18-40 metres / 60-130 feet
- Wreck Diver – Learn how to explore mysterious sunken shipwrecks. Do thiscourse on the WW2 wreck “The Hardeep” located at Samaesan.
- Sidemount Diver – Because you are able to move the cylinder from your back to your side, it instantly takes the pressure off of your back and gives you more flexibility to move and enjoy your dive.
Buy any set of regulators and get a free regulator bag
Scubapro MK2 Plus First Stage, R295 Second Stage, R295 Octopus and U line Pressure Gauge at 21,723 baht
This first stage epitomizes reliability and its implicity. Its standard piston design is ideal for divers who don’t want to get bogged down with an overwhelming amount of bits and pieces, but still want the peace of mind that comes with a sound piece of equipment. This first stage is equipped with Scubapro’s Thermal Insulating System (TIS), which will keep your first stage functioning properly, even in frigid water. The MK2 has one high-pressure port and four low-pressure ports.
Scubapro MK25 First Stage, S600 second stage, R295 Octopus and U line Pressure Gauge at 37,707 baht
Newly restyled for 2013, the S600 is continuously evolving and is in its 5th edition. Timeless design and chrome plated marine grade brass make this high performing system a classic. With a top performing balanced piston first stage paired with the high performance air balanced second stage; this combination is Scubapro’s most popular regulator combination. The S600 truly matches the MK25′s characteristics and thanks to its adjustment possibilities, it adapts to all diving conditions and all diver preferences. Ease of breathing is the essence of this system.
Apeks XTX100 Regulator, XTX40 Octopus and Apeks Single Pressure Gauge at 35,798 baht
The Apeks XTX100 still tops independent regulator reviews and is respected as one of the best regulators in the world. To improve on this has not been easy. The new XTX100 takes all that is good from the current version and offers even more. The regulator has been brought right up to date with stunning looks and Apeks have also made functional improvements.
Apeks AT20/US4 Regulator, AT20 Octopus and Apeks Pressure Gauge at 19,414 baht
The first stage has 4 medium pressure ports The medium pressure ports on the US4 first stage are on the body of the 1st stage itself. It now has only one high-pressure port as opposed to two on the UST version.
This regulator has been finished with as much care and attention to detail as any of our regulators, but is most suitable for warm water resort diving. A good quality, warm water regulator at a very good price.
All Swim Googles less 10%
Aqua Sphere is the premier swimming equipment manufacturer for swim training, fitness swimming and triathlon events with innovations such as Vista swim mask, Vista Junior Kid’s swim mask or the new Kayenne goggle.
The Kayenne opens up the playing field – quite literally. Oversized lenses with a patented curved lens technology gives you style while providing an undistorted, expanded, 180-degree field of vision.
Social Time and Instructor Examinations
Join us on Sunday 18th August to celebrate Mermaids latest Instructor Candidates passing the PADI examinations. The BBQ will start at 6pm. Bring your friends and family for a great night and help the new PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors celebrate this remarkable achievement.
If you miss this BBQ, we will be holding the Saturday social BBQ on 31st August after the boats come back from diving.
Mermaids International Clean Up Day – 6th year anniversary
The highlight of the year at Mermaids Dive Center is the Mermaids International Clean up day, taking place this year on Saturday 21st September 2013. We are calling all divers, snorkelers and passengers of all ages. Join us for the day cleaning up Koh Sak South either underwater or by snorkeling the shallow reefs and beach. Breakfast and lunch and all dive/snorkel equipment is include in the day for you, as well as a T Shirt to remember the day by. On the evening, we will celebrate our efforts with a dinner at the Residence Gardens Hotel with a raffle prize giving.
The passionate Mermaids Divers and snorkelers who participate in the International clean up day each year don’t just pick up trash that endangers the health of humans, wildlife and coastal economies; they count every item as well. Many of the most commonly found pieces of trash include items we use every day from food wrappers to beverage containers to plastic bags. Make a difference to our local environment and join us on the day. For more information and to make your booking click on this link
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