Date: December 15th 2010

Hi Divers,
1. Hello
It's me, Jim! Still here teaching away & selling tons (OK kilograms) of gear yeah, not in this economy. Fully of the Bay Area's Dive Stores have shut down. 20 years ago most snorkeling and Scuba gear was bought at Dive stores. Not so since the blossoming of the internet. Scuba.com, scubatoys.com, discount-scuba.com. Check it out.
2. WWW trouble
The first few years the www was up, some good people put up websites. The better companies were too rough on pricing for online sales, so Dive Stores have always been slightly less expensive; and a whole lot more knowledgeable. You cannot talk to a professional diver at online sites, period. If your internet gear does something funny , you can try for a refund good luck! Those of you who learned to dive here, are a little bit savvy about gear it's sort of like your WINGS when flying a plane. Don't but discounted radios and fuel gauges online!Training
3. Training
And I worry about new divers who took a 3 day scuba certification class they just don't know much and are a burden on the poor Divemaster who is responsible for limiting drowning events. However ALL the big associations are firming up our professional standards of training so IT GETS better!
4. Economy and Scuba
This economic saga we are in has dented our group travel to exotic places. CalDiving is the funnest Scuba diving on the planet. After 30 years I still go diving on MY vacations! Probably there are 1500 of you on this mailer of 8000 who have done this with us. And it's LEGAL!
Cozumel is already booked (every October) 2011. We have 6 deposits. All new students from this year. Good for you! NI am working (always) on the Galapagos,Turks and Caicos and a legal Cuba trip (you must spend 51% of your diving counting plants and animals for the Dept of Fisheries. Talk about planning in ADVANCE! Round trip emails to Havana take 3-4 weeks. I could hike there in that time..... Maybe not....
5. Channel Islands
The California coast from Santa Barbara to Santa Catalina has no diving; but the many Islands do. Faaantastic. Great food, private bunk/rooms and unlimited diving even 12 dives a day if your a nut;; sorta like me.
6. Good time to buy scuba gear!
This Xmas is a good time to put that Scuba assembly together so NO MORE RENTING. I now officially know TOO much about dive gear:wetsuits,
Regs,BCs, and computer consoles. If you have not been in the store this CENTURY, you will be shocked. My prices have dropped about 40%. I am a tough, picky buyer I buy a years stock in dead winter when the manufacturers are debating chapter11 well, maybe just a little BROKE! I have a new generation of super masks and Ultrasuper fins. You will enjoy them so much you will keep them in your bed on vacations.
7. SCUBAGEAR prices:
My store will not be open FOREVER (unless 1 of you dilettantish divers wants to take over). Prices for my favorite gear starts at Regs.-$375, Bcs. (with integrated weights) $475, Computer (with Pressure gauge and compass) consoles are at $345. LED searchlight power flashlights are $85 AND they burn 22-26 hours on 1 battery set. Awesome. Every car owner needs one of these so if you get marooned, you can signal commercial flights at 40,000 feet...Maybe not Xmas buying time. Hmmm. What should you buy your friends - SCUBA STUFF! My favorite is a gift certificate for full or partial tuition for a SCUBA class! Get those lame friends of yours diving. There are lots of toys in the store to stuff a Xmas stocking. As always, all merchandise is trad-able or refundable, so not to worry about buying too much because you had too much to drink!
8. I miss you......
Sooooo many of you learned to dive with me, and Peter, and James (Son), Joe, and John + about 20 more Instructors who have rallied to the CAUSE of promoting sport diving; and doing it quite well.

Jim
PS Think SCUBA gifts. Keep YOUR dive facility open. If I quit it will be Steeles only. Great guy no inventory no pool