Every year dive industry insiders from across the globe get together for four days of seminars, exhibitions, networking and socializing. This immersion in all-things-dive-related is called the DEMA Show and in 2005 it's going down Oct. 4 - 7 in Las Vegas. Attendance is limited to scuba diving trade professionals, but Sport Diver is there to give you a behind the scenes look at what's new from equipment manufacturers, dive travel hotspots, dive operators, hotels and other scuba diving service providers.

Check back each day to see what's new!

Day

[pagebreak]

Drew Richardson, President of PADI, joins the Bill Magee Blues Band on stage at the PADI Member Social.

At the PADI Member Social, the crowd danced to excellent live music performed by Bill Magee Blues Band from San Diego.

The Dive Aventuras team from the Riviera Maya and Christine from the PADI Travel Network (right).

Day

[pagebreak]

Keith Sahm, Dee Montieth, and Mike Pinington of Sunset House are at the show spreading the news about the upgrades at Grand Cayman's hotel for divers by divers. With these improvements, the new accommodations are now as good as the diving.

Day

[pagebreak]

On Tuesday, PADI formally recognized Stu Schooley, owner of Pennsylvania's Dutch Springs, for 25 years of service to the dive industry. Pictured: Stu Schooley and Kristen Vallette of PADI

Instructor Brad Varney of Kihei, Hawaii is the Master Scuba Diver Training winner. Stu Schooley selected his name at PADI's booth on Tuesday, October 3 from a fishbowl full of PADI Instructors who have produced Master Scuba Divers since the program began in June. Brad has won a dive trip worth up to $5000 with PADI Travel Network.

Cressi-Sub's newest computer, the Archimede 2 has been aesthetically redesigned and allows the diver to manage two different Nitrox mixes. It can also monitor dives in both Dive Mode and Guage Mode for technical divers.

UK's Mini Q40 eLED Plus is just like the old one but revamped for over twice the light output.

Technical divers take note: AquaLung has launched Apeks, a 100% technical line with two different harness set-ups, full metal back plates and three different bladder sizes. Apeks launched September 1 and is shipping now. AquaLung is also featuring its new line of AC wetsuits made from innovative fabric so stretchy and pliable that the designers have returned the insulation to every panel. The suits come in 3mm/5mm/7mm as well as two hooded vests, a 6.6 and a 6.4.

Cressi-Sub's travel BC, the Aqua Light features several updates, including softer padding on the back since most people travel with only their 3 mm. The BC folds down so compactly that it will easily fit into carry-on luggage – with room to spare.

Day

[pagebreak]

There's a lot of product in the Henderson booth, but most unique is their new line of Insta Dry wetsuits and their new shorty. The suit is said to dry within five minutes of emerging from water – perfect for dive travel. And the fabric ensures full body memory after a break-in period of about five wearings.

The Aggressor Fleet plies the world's blue corners and certainly has a huge presence at DEMA.

Dozens of retailers packed the Sherwood/Akona booth on Friday at 12:30 to learn if their standby boarding pass would be upgraded to a confirmed trip to Tahiti. Only one person would hear their name called: Derek Proser from Underwater Phantaseas in Lakewood, CO was the lucky winner and he¹ll soon be heading to Tahiti thanks to Air Tahiti Nui, Pearl Resorts, Tahiti Tourism and Blue Nui Dive Centers. Pictured left to right: Charles Bush (Sherwood), Wendy Zvara (Blue Nui Dive Centers), Kahi Arnand (Pearl Resorts), Bob Hanes for Derek Proser (winner: Underwater Phantaseas), Mari Masuda (Tahiti Tourism) and Jeff Mondle (Sport Diver).

Sherwood's brand new BC, the Axis (men's) and Solaris (women's), debuted at DEMA and will begin shipping in the new year. There's no cummerbund on this incredibly plush, back-inflated model so the front is clean and uncluttered. Dump valves are in both shoulders as well as the rear.

The cool thing about Bauer's hand-held Securas moisture monitor is the one button accuracy that gives an instant reading of the purification cartridge cartridge.

Bauer's K20V is a new 5000psi compressor system rated to deliver 20CFM charge rate. Bauer is using new technologies -- such as stainless steel intercoolers, cast aluminum crank case and low pressure oil pump -- in the construction of the compressor.

The faces of Roatan's Anthony's Key Resort: Joni Galindo, Claudia Cuevas and Haydee Galindo.

Day