You know you want to be there. you know you have to be there. THIS IS THE PARTY you have been waiting for!

Bangalore Dive Club together with Planet Scuba India has once again managed to take dive trips to a whole new level. The Nethrani dive trip saw a unprecendented 40 divers from India descending on Murdeshwar’s shores. It was a huge number of people and it was a show of strength from the divers.

Nethrani was closed to diving after an incident involving  the arrest of some divers. This happened post 26/11 when security was a knee jerk reaction to the terror incident in Mumbai. After numerous efforts by PSI and the local diving community, Nethrani finally got approved for scuba diving.

Divers were all in high spirits waiting to begin their adventure in these “forbidden” waters as such. There was a high level of camaraderie and anticipation in the air. Even though visibility on the first day was poor due to  heavy rains the night before the marine life underwater more than made up for it. Huge lobsters, cuttlefish, moray eels and many more varieties of fish kept the divers completely entertained. It truly was a fantastic dive experience.

There were press involved in this dive trip as well. They got a taste of what scuba diving is all about. The one thing that struck both press and divers is the extensive damage that has been done to the marine environment due to excessive fishing. There was mutual concensus that something had to be done to curb discriminatory practices of fishing and some sort of basic education needs to be imparted to the fishermen on what to fish and how to do it the right way without destroying the environment in which they too are dependent on.

All in all, it was a fantastic 3 days of diving and everyone had a good time. Here’s hoping that Nethrani becomes the diving paradise that it is in good time.

 
Netrani is now open for diving!! That’s right, after all the numerous meetings and negotiations; Netrani has opened up her beautiful waters for divers to discover hidden treasures.
 
Nethrani is a small uninhabited island that makes a perfect setting for an adventure yarn. Nethrani Island is just off Murdeshwar, which is famous for its Shiva temple lies one of best dive sites in this part of the world. The last thing you would expect to see here is the submarine wonderland bustling with everything from Angelfish and Turtles to Barracuda and Moray Eels.

With depths ranging from 6 to 40 meters and visibility from 15 to 30 meters, divers from every level can experience the wonders of life beneath the waves.
 
The Bangalore Dive Club in association with Planet Scuba India is organizing the best ever dive trip  to Netrani. This is to usher in the new era of diving exploration in the pristine waters there. Come join us in greeting our long lost fish friends and other stunning marine eco system in our own backyard in Karnataka.  
 
The Nursery
A shallow dive site with a maximum depth of 10 metres. So named because of the profusion of juveniles of many fish species as well as Nudibranchs found here. Ideal for beginners as well as advanced divers who enjoy looking for all things small and wonderful. Great site for macro photography.

Grand Central Stations
High adrenaline action with lots of big fish. Gradual slope going down to 20 metres. This is one place the fish watch you !! Schools of big Surgeonfish, Parrotfish, Red Snappers, Batfish, Barracudas, Rabbitfish and many more come cruising by to check YOU out !!

The Abyss
Dropping down to 35 metres, this dive site is an ideal one for deep dive fanatics. Large schools of Barracuda, Tuna and cruising pelagic are often sighted. The gravel bottom has a gradual slope heading towards the island where we complete our safety stop in Dini’s Delight.

Dini’s Delight
Shallow dive with a maximum depth of 8 metres. Gigantic coral head are home to an incredible variety of fishlife. Good for beginners and photographers alike, this is a good spot to see lobster, moray eel and several species of angelfish and surgeonfish not commonly found in these waters.

Cul de Sac
With sheer walls on either side, this dive site is a pretty and gentle dive where one “goes with the flow” !! A gentle surge takes you into a cul de sac teaming with tiny reef fishes. The bottom is made up of sea grass where many species of Goby share their home with the housekeeping shrimp!.

• Aladin’s Cave
  Reported to be the mouth of a tunnel which travels into the core of the island!
   
  This trip is for Open Water Students as well as for certified divers with some experience under their belt or those willing to move ahead with the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course. Whatever you are, a new world of adventure and discovery awaits you under water. 

  Essential Information
  Cost?
  Rs.  18500/- + 10.3% Tax
   
  Who can go?
  Open Water Students or certified divers or  all those who want to complete Advanced Open Water course during this trip and  over 18 years of age.
   
  What is included?
  ·    Transportation Bangalore – Murudeshwar and back by A/C chartered Bus ·    Twin  sharing  Non A/C Standard Accommodation .
  ·    8  Dives including night dives (depends on whether condition)
  ·    Boat Transfer – Murudeshwar – Netrani and Back
  ·    Equipment availability on first cum first basis
   
  What is not included?
  Transport from House to our Office & Back 
  Dive Insurance coverage.
  Food, Alcoholic, soft drinks
  Any Item which is not included in the included list
   
  Courses available on the trip!
   Advanced Open Water Diver Course -  Fee Rs. 16500/- + Tax 10.3% 
     
  Itinerary
  ·Day 1 & 2 (Thursday 29th Oct  2009 &  Friday 30th Oct 2009) 
   ·6 pm meet and board the A/C Chartered Coach or Private Bus heading to MurudeshwarFriday  30th of October
  ·6am arrive in Murudeshwar and check into RNS Yatrinivas Hotel and freshen up, catch a few more winks, fuel up with breakfast and double check your gear
  ·7 / 8am load up and leave for the boat
  ·7.30  / 8:30am boat loaded and ready to set sail
  ·By 9 or  10am reach Nethrani Island, check the conditions and choose from 1 of  6 fabulous dive sites
  ·Dive deep into the Blue and feel the stress of city life fade away
  ·7:30pm early dinner, stories of the deep, such great company that you will find it hard to pull yourself away to get a good night’s sleep and charge up for the next day
   
  ·Day 3 & 4 (Saturday 31st  Oct  2009 & Sunday 1st Nov 2009) 
  ·7am breakfast and ready to leave by 8
  ·8:30am on the boat and following the same routine as yesterday for these two days
  ·4pm back on the main land with another 8 dive day racked up in your log book
  ·5pm all packed up, checked out and ready to head back to the grind at home in Bangalore
   
  Important Guidelines for booking:
   
  §Fare is subject to change according to your booking dates later than 10th Oct 2009
  §No refunds for cancellation.
  §Schedule Date and timings subject to change
  §The Bangalore Dive Club and Planet Scuba India reserves all rights to change details subject to demand and availability and  they will not be responsible  for sudden changes in the whether.
   
  PLEASE CONTACT FOR REGISTRATION
   
  DOMINIC  /  MADHU KUMAR
  PLANET SCUBA INDIA PVT. LTD.
  NO.3266, 11THMAIN, HAL 2ND STAGE,INDIRANAGAR, BANGALORE
  PHONE NO. 080-41573939, 25213366,  info@bangalorediveclub.com

At least 6 million tonnes of debris enters the world’s oceans each year, causing harm to underwater environments and wildlife. With unique access to the underwater world, scuba divers can help remove debris underwater, raise awareness and drive positive change. Project AWARE Foundation is dedicated to addressing the devastating impacts of marine debris and coordinates global beach and underwater cleanups year round.

International Cleanup Day is the biggest underwater cleanup of its kind. Held annually on the 3rd Saturday in September each year, more than 370,000 volunteers clean over 33,000 miles of shoreline to remove seven million pounds of rubbish.

This year in India David Perry, Operations Manager and instructor at Planet Scuba India registered with Project AWARE and visited Turtle Bay for the cleanup. Joining hands with Turtle Bay Resort Kundapur they initiated the beach clean up. They were helped by participants from FSL (Field Study Learn) an NGO, International students from Germany, Australia and Switzerland, many local kids, teens from the local Youth Club, members from the local church and patrons of the Lions Club. Close to 60 participants helped clean the local beach by picking up litter.

Dominic a PSI representative said the litter they picked up could have filled an entire tempo van. With almost 150 bags of rubbish consisting mostly of plastic bags, glass bottles, shoes and other forms of trash.

It was not all work with no fun, participants had a fun round of beach volleyball to reward themselves for their hard work. Turtle Bay Resort sponsored food and drinks for the participants.

It is through events like this that PSI hopes to spread awareness about protecting our eco system and to lead people with a hands on approach to protect our earth. It is important for people to come together as a community and start making International Beach Clean Up, not only a yearly event but hopefully a monthly event in all parts of the world.

BECOME A PADI INSTRUCTOR AND BE A PART OF INDIAN DIVING HISTORY!

Here is the basic information that you need to know. To ask any questions, confirm your attendance, order your PADI Materials or just have a chat call, David Perry on +91 94493 51192 or email at dave@planetscubaindia.com.

When?
The IDC runs from 16 November to 27 November including a free 2-day mock IE to fine tune your examination skills. The IE is on 28-30 November.

Where?
The IDC will be held at Planet Scuba India’s new purpose-built Instructor Training facility in Port Blair, Andaman Islands. With the latest multimedia classroom, an Olympic size pool and crystal clear waters on the doorstep the facilities will be unrivalled. The IE will also be in Port Blair.

Course Director
The Course Director running the IDC will be Matt Bolton – a Platinum Course Director normally based in Thailand who is generally considered to be one of the world’s top Instructor Trainers.

How much?
This first IDC will be cheaper than most comparable IDCs in the region and so the price of the IDC will be just 50,000 Rs (1,038 $USD)! This price includes your Instructor Candidate Workbook, open and confined water Lesson Planning Slates and your PADI IDC fee – worth over 12,000 Rs (250 $USD) in total!

You will pay direct to PADI the cost of the Instructor Exam (695 $AU).

Pre-requisites
You must be a PADI Divemaster or an Instructor in good standing with another recognized organisation, have 100 logged dives and have been diving for more than 6 months since your entry-level diving course.

If you are crossing over from another certification body or are unsure about your knowledge of PADI skills or current diving theory, we will be arranging a Pre-IDC Preparation Course.

You must also become an Emergency First Response Instructor prior to the IE (unless you are a current Instructor with DAN, Red Cross or other approved organisation) and we have scheduled an EFR Instructor Course for 14-15 November immediately prior to the IDC for all those candidates who need it.

PADI Materials
In addition to the Instructor Candidate Workbook and Slates included in the price of the IDC, PADI give the following list of Required Materials that you must have at the IDC/IE:

PADI Instructor Manual (digital or paper but must be legal and up to date i.e. 2009 version)
Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Instructor Outline
Diving Knowledge Workbook
Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving
Project AWARE Specialty Instructor Outline
AWARE – Coral Reef Conservation Specialty Instructor Outline
RDP – Table and eRDPML including associated Instructions for Use booklets

PADI Open Water Diver Manual
Open Water Diver Quizzes & Exams booklet
PADI Adventures in Diving Manual
PADI Rescue Diver Manual
Rescue Diver Final Exams booklet
PADI Divemaster Manual
Divemaster Final Exams booklet
Aquatic Cue Cards – for Open Water Diver, Adventures in Diving, Rescue Diver, Divemaster and Discover Scuba Diving

Please note that the various Manuals must be complete and up to date with the Knowledge Reviews intact.

You may have access to some or all of these materials – for anything that you don’t have simply order it through Planet Scuba India at a special wholesale price.

What should you do now?
Once you have decided to take part in the IDC, you simply contact me by email and we will arrange for you to pay a deposit of 10,000 Rs (208 $USD). We will then send you your Instructor Candidate Workbook so that you can make a start on your Independent Study – 17 Knowledge Reviews to do before the IDC starts!

David Perry will then stay in touch with you on at least a fortnightly basis to give you further information.

* Currency conversion based on current exchange rate

** please message for more information