Happy Holidays!

Introducing New Combo Courses

New divers who want a quick start on their dive training while on vacation in the Cayman Islands, or certified divers looking to sharpen scuba skills, will find a ready solution in 2014 with Red Sail Sports. To meet growing demand for training in a short time span, Grand Cayman’s leading resort dive operator is introducing 3-day courses that combine PADI Open Water Certification with two specialties: Enriched Air Nitrox and Peak Performance Bouyancy. Also added to the dive training program for certified divers is an Advanced Diver/Nitrox Combination course that can be done in two days.

“We know our guest’s time on Grand Cayman is limited and they want to make the most of it, so Red Sail Sports is being creative and accommodating. Our extensive dive training program and resources allows us to do this,” said Operations Manager Rod McDowall.  “We want our new divers to enjoy a great experience in the island’s warm, clear water, and this will keep them coming back. That’s good for business.”

The Enriched Air Diver course is reportedly PADI’s most popular specialty course - Nitrox allows a diver to safely dive more often and for a longer period of time. McDowall says demand for Nitrox is a big motivation for adding the combo courses, and as is the wide use of dive computers, which allow divers to accurately track dive profiles.  Both the Nitrox and Peak Performance Buoyancy specialties are easy to integrate with the open water certification in Red Sail Sports’ extensive dive training program.

The three combination courses require online theory work with PADI in advance of the trip.  Once on Grand Cayman students undergo a quick eLearner review and then do three days of in-water training with Red Sail Sports, both from shore and from the dive boats, to complete their certification. To add a Nitrox specialty, the student is taught the basics of enriched air diving during the morning two-tank boat trip, and then does last open water checkout dive on Nitrox. An afternoon Nitrox classroom session is then done to complete the specialty certification.

The same basic schedule is followed for the Open Water Certification/ Peak Performance Buoyancy Combo, where a student works on breath control, proper weighting and streamlining – making them more comfortable in the water and a better, more confident diver. This specialty requires an extra dive on day 3 of training. The Advance Diver/Nitrox Combo involves 5 adventure dives over two days including; navigation, peak performance buoyancy, deep diving and Nitrox.

Red Sail Sports has certified an estimated 50,000 divers on Grand Cayman through its extensive dive training program and island-wide locations over the past 25 years. Dive Supervisor Clive Webb says the most popular courses are Open Water Certification, Advanced Diver and Nitrox.

“Last year we certified 11 Nitrox divers, and so far this year we have already certified 51, so 2014 looks exciting,” says Webb, adding that resident divers take advantage of living in a top dive destination. “Our courses for local residents have gone through the roof! Most Open Water classes are full, and we’ve had to add extras - our prices are so good that we have a constant stream of residents going through scuba training.”

The Open Water/Nitrox combo course is US $575; the Open Water/ Peak Performance Buoyancy combo course is US $550. Both fees include all equipment use, manuals, instruction and boat diving. A fee of $138 must be paid directly to PADI for online theory work done before arrival in Grand Cayman. 

Peak Performance Buoyancy can help you reduce your air consumption and make you feel more relaxed while diving!

Diving in Style: Red Sail Sports offers Convenient All-Access Dive Package for a Limited Time

With four Red Sail Sports locations island-wide, and other perks, package adds depth, variety and a touch of class to a Grand Cayman dive vacation

Trinity Caves on the West Wall, Eagle Ray Pass on the stunning North Wall, Grouper Grotto at remote East End, Stingray City in the North Sound − all iconic dive sites in the Cayman Islands − all available through Red Sail Sports in one dive package being offered for a limited time. The Ultimate Dive Stay and Play Package, with accommodations at the Westin Grand Cayman Resort on Seven Mile Beach, is an all-access pass to Grand Cayman’s best dive sites. With four convenient locations across the island Red Sail Sports is the only dive operator that lets guests choose which side of the island they want to dive on every day of their vacation.

Custom-built dive boats pull up directly on the beach at the Westin, to pick up guests for a short ride to the West Wall dive sites. North Wall dive trips depart from the nearby Red Sail Sports Dive Shop at the Safehaven Canal. Dive excursions to the remote East End dive sites begin with a check-in at the company’s dive shop at Morritts Tortuga Club. Guests can choose their dive trips when they book their dive package, and convenience is just one aspect of the whole Red Sail Sports dive experience.

“We take the comfort of our guests seriously so their ultimate dive experience also extends to the quality of our dive boats where they have plenty of room to walk around and enjoy themselves on the ride to the dive sites and during surface intervals,” says Red Sail Sports Operations Manager Rod McDowall. “Our customers are spending a considerable amount of money to travel to the Cayman Islands. Often this is their only dive trip of the year, so we don’t scrimp on the quality of our boats or service.”

McDowall says the quality of life is in the details, and this is something Red Sail Sports took into account in designing its dive boats. The decks are spacious and all boats include luxuries such as fresh-water shower, marine head (restroom), separate camera rinse-tank, dry-table and large dive platform for easy entry. The Red Sail Sports touch includes having cold drinking water available on board for guests and serving fresh fruit served between dives.

“All our dive boats were designed with a diver's needs and comforts in mind,” he says. “There are no small and cramped boats in our fleet, so our guests can enjoy of the fantastic diving that Cayman is famous for, and do it in comfort. This is what they are here for.”

Grand Cayman is one of the best-known dive destinations in the world, famous for its dramatic drop-offs,

unspoiled coral reefs, abundant marine life, famous stingrays and shipwrecks. The water is warm and crystal clear year round.

The Ultimate Dive Stay and Play Package starts from $539 per person based on double occupancy. The package includes 4 nights at the resort on Seven Mile Beach, 3 days of diving, free breakfast, a daily 2-tank dive, 50% off night dive, 50% off Stingray City Dive a FREE sunset sail aboard a luxury catamaran, 10% off at any of the island’s Shops of Red Sail Sports and 20% off watersports at any location, discounted rates on Nitrox tanks and BCD and regulator rentals. Ultimate Dive Stay and Play Packages are also available in 5, 6, 7 or more nights. Adding convenience and accessibility, Red Sail Sports is also offering discounted car rental from Budget as an add-on perk. Rates are valid from now through December 20, and blackout dates apply.

To book or for more information on the Ultimate Dive Stay and Play Package visit us at BOOTH # 1255 during the DEMA show.

For more information:

Call toll free: 1-877-506-6368

E-mail: info@redsailcayman.com

Web: www.redsailcayman.com 

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/redsailcayman

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/redsailsports 

Coral Spawning: a Rare Natural Wonder that Fascinates and Draws Divers to the Cayman Islands

Reef corals spend all year pretending to be rocks, but for a few special minutes each September, late at night, they explode into effervescent life as they spawn and try to reproduce. 

In the Cayman Islands divers and underwater photographers are gearing up for a mysterious and elusive ocean event that happens once a year when conditions are just right – coral spawning. During a limited window of time, late at night in September each year, many of the corals in Cayman’s reefs spawn simultaneously, releasing eggs and sperm together to cross-fertilize and scatter in the current. 

“One of the great lures of diving is that feeling of discovery - thrill from seeing something that few others have,” says British marine biologist and underwater photographer Alex Mustard, explaining the lure of the annual coral spawning. “But as more and more people dive, rare treats are getting harder and harder to find.”

 “We think that it’s tied to certain events or conditions, such as water temperature, the moon phase, and the ocean currents,” says Dr. Ellen Prager well-respected marine scientist and author.  Dr. Prager, who was recently staying at Sunset House doing research for an upcoming middle grade adventure book, says the timing is critical because if the corals don’t release their gametes at the same time they won’t have the chance to cross-fertilize.

“This is one of the most fascinating parts of the process because for corals there is no enticing mating dance or courtship in advance of spawning, and it’s not just one coral, it’s many and only once a year,” she says.  “It also takes a lot of energy because they have to build up to it.”

The lure of the mysterious coral spawning is irresistible for divers, both locals and visitors. Some will make late night shore dives, with cameras in hand, from facilities such as Sunset House or Divetech in search of the elusive event. Others with go out with Ocean Frontiers at East End for late-night boat dives scheduled Sept 24, 25 & 26.  Working with Alex Mustard, Steve Broadbelt and his team believe that after 10 years, they have worked out a formula that predicts the time the coral will spawn.

“We’ve got it down to a 15-minute window, and last year it was 5 minutes out,” says Broadbelt. “One of the first cues that the coral is going to spawn is the brittle stars − they start to come out. If you don’t see brittle stars out, pack your bags and go home.”

Copyright - Alex Mustard

With some customers traveling thousands of miles to witness the event, Broadbelt says there is pressure to get the timing right for the “show”, and while they never guarantee that everyone will witness the coral spawning, Ocean Frontiers has had good success. But it is nerve-racking.

 “So you get in, get comfortable, get camera set up and then wait. And then 10 minutes of waiting seems like 10 hours,” he says. “If you get in too early, your going to run out of air – if you get in too late you are going to miss it and then you have to wait 365 days until it happens again.”

Alex Mustard remembers the first night he dove with Ocean Frontiers on the hunt for coral spawning.

“In the excitement of flying across an ocean and heading out to the reef late at night, I had forgotten how much the odds are stacked against us,” he recalls. “Maybe we were too late? Maybe the corals had spawned earlier in the evening? Maybe they had spawned yesterday? Maybe they had spawned a month earlier? Maybe they just don’t mass spawn in Cayman? I look at my watch again.”

But within 20 minutes, and with a bang, the main show starts - the ultimate underwater fireworks display. The crowd pleasers, according to both Alex Mustard and Steve Broadbelt, are the mountainous star corals, true to their name, that release thousands of bundles at once.

Copyright - Alex Mustard

“The intensity of spawning is such that the visibility has dropped from about 80 feet to about 20 feet in just a few minutes. It is like diving in a blizzard, with the tiny fat-filled bundles drifting slowly to the surface like snowflakes in reverse,” says Mustard.

Dr. Prager says when coral spawns it’s like ringing the dinner bell for fish and other reef creatures. “It’s a feeding frenzy – eggs and sperm are like a buffet for everything else on the reef.  All of a sudden lots of yummy treats are served, free-of-charge.”

The marine scientist says there is strategy involved in this type of spawning described as “broadcasting”. Millions of eggs and sperm are released because the corals are hedging their bets that a few eggs will survive long enough to become coral larvae and find just the right spot to land and begin growing into coral. Survivors go where the wind, waves and currents take them.

This year people all over the world can see the coral spawn in the Cayman Islands if they log on to a live underwater webcam set up on a shallow coral head just off Ocean Frontiers’ dock. The webcam is part of a reef monitoring system set up by Ocean Frontiers and Teens4Oceans a non-profit organization that encourages young people to be ocean stewards. To view the webcam visit http://oceanfrontiers.com/webcam.html

Colorado teen Parker Lindsay, who logs on to watch the live video stream several times a day, is excited about the coral spawning. “Hopefully we can bring this amazing event to the public!” he says.

Alex Mustard says although his original calculations had held up so that Ocean Frontiers continues to successfully take guests out to watch the spawn, its never a sure thing.

“This is nature and you can never be totally certain, when chasing five minutes in a whole year. That, of course, is part of the thrill,” he says.  “As humans we are too used to bending the natural world to our will, but to see coral spawning we have to dive to natures rhythm.”

Corals spawn at the same time on all three Cayman Islands. The different reefs of the world spawn at different times of year and the mystery of exactly why remains and continues to fascinate.

Blog post courtesy of the Cayman Bottom Times Group.

The Cayman Bottom Times is news collaboration by five leading dive operators to promote the superb diving of the Cayman Islands, and keep the diving public informed of important developments and events. Divetech, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports and Sunset House in Grand Cayman, and the Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman, all members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, represent more than 100 years of solid experience in a destination that is recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving. With a unique combination of deep wall and shallow reef diving, several wrecks, and world-famous Stingray City, the Cayman Islands has cemented its place as the top diving destination in the Caribbean.

Fall in Cayman

Red Sail Sports and the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism have teamed up to offer you 50% off a Night Dive this fall! That's right, you can experience Cayman's reefs in a whole new light (or lack of light) for just US$40!

Here's a taster as to what you might find on a Grand Cayman Night Dive...

To grab this spectacular offer visit www.onlyincayman.com.

Who will be your next dive buddy?

The Cayman Islands is renowned for its world-class diving, but did you know we've had some famous faces visit our shores just to experience our spectacular walls and reefs? We were surprised to read this story - Celebrities and Dive Legends Drawn to the Cayman Islands Again and Again and see the large list of celebrities who have visit the Cayman Islands to dive our beautiful waters. 


At Red Sail Sports, we welcomed Al Roker aboard our dive boats in 1995 as he filmed segment for NBC about one of Grand Cayman's most famous dive sites - Stingray City. Al was able to visit Stingray City after completing a one-day Discover Scuba Resort Course. After his short introduction to diving we were glad to welcome him back to Grand Cayman to complete his open water diver certification. 

Pat Kenny (Red Sail Sports) with Al Roker, 1995

You never know who your next dive buddy will be while diving in Grand Cayman, but if you haven't tried scuba diving you will never know. Take a Discover Scuba Diving Course on your next Cayman vacation!

Perfect Family Vacation - Grand Cayman of course!

Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman offers exciting adventures for families with both divers and non-divers who want to splash into fun the summer

Summer is in full swing and Red Sail Sports is geared up with a variety of watersports adventures for families who want to spend quality time together above and below the crystal clear waters of the Cayman Islands. Famous for its world-class dive sites, perfect weather conditions, impressive safety record and beautiful Seven Mile Beach, Cayman is the perfect place to bring the whole family on vacation, both divers and non-divers. This safe, English-speaking, British Territory is just an hour’s flight from Miami, and it offers top-notch hotels, resorts and condos. In no time, visitors are on the beach soaking up the sun or checking out dive gear for their first dive.

“We feel like we are back in our happy place, and we can’t wait to get down to the beach,” says regular visitor Julie Franken of Jacksonville FL. “From the minute we step off the plane and walk into the terminal, we have to pinch ourselves to believe that we are back and it that has already been a year.”

Franken is part of an extended family of 12 from Jacksonville, FL that vacations in Cayman every July, and they just enjoyed their 10th trip to the island. Matriarch Molly Johnson, her children and grandchildren gather at two family condos at Morritt’s Tortuga Club on Grand Cayman’s East End. Watersports activities with Red Sail Sports / Tortuga Divers are central to their plans because the family includes 6 certified divers and 6 non-divers who love spending time in the water.

“It has not occurred to us to go anywhere else because it’s just so perfect there. You can go and do anything you want to do, everything Cayman has to offer,” says Franken. “I just think East End is perfect for us - the beauty, the constant breeze, the sunrise, the stars at night – its almost as if you can touch the sky!”

“Making sure the whole family has a great time on Grand Cayman is a priority for Red Sail Sports and Tortuga Divers, it always has been,” said Rod McDowall Operations Manager. Red Sail Sports, parent company for Tortuga Divers based at Morritt’s Tortuga Club, has been offering first-rate dive services for 25 years. A number of scuba experiences are available for the whole family, whether they are certified to dive or not.

During the past 10 years, several members of the Johnson family have completed their Open Water certification in Cayman. A couple of the kids took the plunge this summer; 18 year old Mary Franken enrolled in a Learn to Dive Resort Course and her cousin, 8 year old sister Elena Rankin became a “bubblemaker”. As a resort student, Mary learned the basics of scuba in the swimming pool, got comfortable with the gear and then enjoyed two guided shallow dives in the sea with an instructor. Elena also learned scuba basics in the pool, and made a short dive in the shallow end with a dive instructor. Mary Franken is so excited about diving she plans to become a certified diver before next summer.

“These experiences are the perfect way to introduce kids to scuba and help them learn about the sea,” says McDowall. “Mary and Elena could be our future divers and the next generation of environmentalists.” He adds that Red Sail Sports also offers the SASY (Supplied Air Surface for Youth) program that allows kids to gear up and blow bubbles while swimming around on the surface of the pool, but just watching the action below.

Red Sail Sports operates dive and watersports shops across Grand Cayman, from Seven Mile Beach to East End to North Side, so no matter where guests stay on the island Red Sail Sports has their watersports needs covered. Families can enjoy glass-bottom boat trips to the Stingray Sandbar, Catamaran snorkel trips, sunset sails and dinner sails, and all the beach sports that include windsurfing, kayaking and more. A Waverunner Safari allows groups to take waverunners to snorkel spots on the reef or into the mangroves together. Cayman’s reefs are so diverse that each stop offers plenty of colorful and unique sights. A safari through the mangroves offers a close-up look at the ecosystem that keeps the water clean, protects the shoreline of the island and provides a nursery for young fish.

Julie Franken says they spend every day on “Cayman time”, whether they are diving and snorkeling Stingray City, exploring the Wreck of the Kittiwake, swimming at Smith Cove, or just hanging out together and relaxing on the beach. “We love sitting and watching the view of the ocean and the sound of the wind,” she says, “but a week is never enough. We are always talking about what we will do next year when we come back.”

The Johnson Family just love Grand Cayman Diving!

“The Johnson family is a living example that ‘the family that plays together stays together,’” said Rod McDowall. “Red Sail Sports is here to make sure they make the most of their time together, so they go home with new memories to add to their long list of happy times in the Cayman Islands.”

Kids Scuba Programmes

Grand Cayman is arguably one of the best family friendly destinations in the Caribbean with its warm weather, large white sand beaches and crystal clear water - the perfect playground for any family. Red Sail Sports is on-hand to help make that family vacation a memorable one offering dive activities for everyone -even the kiddos who have never taken a breath underwater!

Red Sail Sports offer two programmes that are the perfect introduction for kids into the world of scuba diving, and once they've tried it they'll want to learn more! SASY (Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth) is the perfect way to give younger kids the experience of snorkeling with scuba equipment in a safe environment. Their first session will be in the pool with a Red Sail Sports instructor, and then after that they can venture into the sea and snorkel the shallow reefs supervised.

For older kids, 8-10, the PADI Bubblemaker course is an introduction to breathing underwater with scuba equipment. Under the supervision of a Red Sail Sports Instructor, kids will learn the basics of the kiddy-size scuba equipment they'll be using, be able to take their first breath underwater and play games in the pool. Have a look at the video below to see the PADI Bubblemaker program in action.

Both the SASY and Bubblemaker kids programs are available at all Red Sail Sports dive locations throughout Grand Cayman. Ask us about Kids Scuba programmes today!

(1) 877-506-6368
www.redsailcayman.com

Visiting the Stingrays in Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman is home to the famous Stingray City (dive site) and Stingray City Sandbar (snorkel site). Everyday we take visitors out to the North Sound to visit our friendly Southern Stingrays. At the shallow sandbar our guests can stand, snorkel, pet and play with these lovable rays. A visit to Stingray City is a MUST DO on a Cayman vacation.

Here is a list of all the Red Sail Sports Stingray City Sandbar excursions:
Breakfast with the Rays
Stingray Sandbar and Reef Sail
Stingray Sandbar and Rum Point Tour

Kiss a ray for seven years good luck!

The picture below was taken by Sam, a member of our very own Catamaran Crew.

For the diver, the original Stingray City dive site is the place to be. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday we take divers out to this shallow 12 ft site. Enticed by some squid from the divemaster, the Stingrays quickly appear and surround the divers sitting on the sandy bottom. A great up close and personal interaction with these magnificent creatures! 

Have a look at this video by Darrin, Red Sail Sports Instructor.

Ryan's Incredible Push Across America

Welcome to Red Sail Sports new Cayman dive blog. Each week we'll bring you the latest from beyond the reefs and wrecks of the Cayman Islands! 

This week we have been following the conclusion of Ryan Chalmer's epic Push Across America. For 71 days he pushed the equivalent of two marathon's everyday in his racing wheelchair. Ryan pushed from LA to New York through 16 states, 4 timezone and across some of the toughest terrain. His amazing feat of endurance was to raise awareness of the Stay-Focused organization for which he is a mentor. Stay-Focused helps teens and young adults with disabilities through scuba diving certification programs here in Grand Cayman. Red Sail Sports has been a supporter of the organisation for years and has welcomed many awesome teens on board our dive boat - including Ryan (find out more by watching this video).

On Saturday June 15, Ryan reached the conclusion of his Push Across America (right on schedule) rolling into Central Park around 9:30am. WELL DONE RYAN!

3300 miles in 71 days - amazing!