Kurt Kucera

Scuba Diver, Car Enthusiast, Outdoorsman

Exercising to Support Scuba Diving

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Whether you’re a veteran diver or a beginner, there are ways that you can improve your scuba diving experience. One of the best things that you can do is work on your physical fitness. 

Regular exercise strengthens your heart and lungs, which will increase your endurance and help you feel more comfortable under the water. Furthermore, the more physically fit you are, the safer you’ll be as a diver. Here are some quick tips to get you in shape for your next dive.

Walk regularly

It seems overly simple, but it’s true– walking can help you to live longer. Research has shown that people who walk regularly are 50% less likely to die from heart disease than non-walkers. This fact is significant considering that heart disease is one of the leading killers of divers. Try to walk about 30 minutes per day.

Strength train

Strength training will make everything in life easier, including lugging your 50lb oxygen tank around. Leg exercises will help you to swim better. Working your core will help you support your back. And don’t forget that muscles burn calories. That means that the more muscle you have, the easier is it to keep extra weight off and it’s best to be a healthy weight when diving. 

Work on your feet and calves

Your feet and calves are muscles that are most likely to cramp when you are scuba diving. Your feet and calves are not accustomed to the work required by extended dives. Working on these muscles not only strengthens them, but it also increases circulation. The more blood flow to a muscle, the less likely you are to cramp up. Try to do toes grabs and calf lifts as part of your daily exercise routine.

Best Destination Dives in August

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It can be a challenge to decide where to take your August diving trip. There is so much underwater action taking place right now; from the coasts of Australia to Mexico. Depending on whether you’d like to swim with sea lions or have the company of whale sharks, there are numerous locations offering great diving experiences this time of year.

Here are two great options for anyone looking to take an August dive trip.
Galapagos Islands
 As the weather cools throughout the Galapagos Islands stronger currents and conditions move in. However, this also means that August marks the arrival of whale sharks. On the Islands of Darwin and Wolf you can not only dive with these phenomenal creatures, but you’ll also have the opportunity to see Galapagos sharks and scalloped hammerheads.

Of course there are always turtles, eagle rays, and all types of fish to swim alongside. Sharks are what most divers are searching for this time of year, but make sure to also keep an eye out for marine iguanas, sea lions, and Galapagos penguins in the shallows.
The water will be cold so make sure you’ve packed a thick wetsuit.

 

Southern Australia

As winter begins in South Australia, the ocean offers a truly special marine life experience. In the summer as the water temperatures drop, hundreds of thousands of cuttlefish arrive to breed. If you decide to take a dive near Adelaide, along the upper ends of the Spencer Gulf you will be able to see these gigantic cuttlefish in huge numbers.

With the male fish heavily outnumbering the female, competition is fierce and the vibrant colors they display to attract a mate can be quite the show. This can be an intense, sensational dive!
 There are also a number of guided tours, helping you to find leafy sea dragons. Australia is very well known for these and because the creatures are larger than seahorses they’re especially great for any underwater photography.

2019 Spring Travel Destinations

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Since we are starting to get into some of the coldest months of the year, it’s never too early to start planning your spring vacation. Right now you can see a lot of great winter discounts depending on where exactly you want to travel to. Your destination choice will also be contingent upon the activities you want to participate in and the type of weather you want to enjoy. Each travel spot offers different sites and activities for a vacation by yourself, with friends, a significant other or for the entire family. Now is the time to start looking forward to your spring vacation. Let’s take a look at some of the hot spots for 2019.

Mexico
Los Cabos, Mexico offers a vast array of marine life. It also houses one of the largest protected national marine parks in the world, which make it a perfect spot for anyone looking to add some wildlife to their vacation plans. Los Cabos offers many different experiences including the chance to pick your produce and prepare a meal with one of the visiting Chefs who own the local restaurant, Los Tamarindos.

Belize
Palencia, Belize is very different from other areas you would visit that include an extensive amount of resorts. Palencia is known as a fishing village with many beautiful styled homes that has become more and more popular. The new luxury resort, Itz’ana is making waves and creating a vibrant and cultured atmosphere for travelers. The resort uses Mayan artifacts to add to that culture and give visitors a piece of history.

Australia
Australia, specifically Brisbane, is becoming one of the most sought after cities to visit. With many historical sites and beautiful new architecture, there are so many things to do and see. The Brisbane river is one of the top attractions for locals and tourists alike. Labeled as the “river city,” they offer river cruises overlooking the beautiful city and landscape, restaurants, and tons of local culture spots.

Florida Keys
Since Hurricane Irma, the Florida Keys have been able to revamp and re-open a large amount of their best tourist locations and create updated and new hotel openings that are urging travelers to come vacation from all over the world. If you’re looking for a beautiful destination without traveling outside the US, Key West is an excellent spot for you. Key West also offers historical attractions in being the home of the novelist, Ernest Hemingway.

Best Scuba Sites in Mexico

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Scuba diving is one of the most eye-opening water sports you can experience while on your vacation. It gives you the chance to see parts of the world you may only get to see on the big screen. Luckily, there are places all over the world that offer an  underwater diving experience that will be unforgettable.

Mexico is home to some of the most beautiful travel destinations. Each coast of Mexico offers a different scuba experience, so depending on where you want to visit, you can venture out into the open waters and observe beautiful marine life.

Cozumel Islands
Cozumel offers opportunities for both experienced and beginner divers. These diving tours let tourists swim with turtles and other marine animals to make for an extraordinary experience. There are chances to drift dive and deep wall dive on your outing as well.  Aquaworld within Cozumel offers some of the best scuba diving packages.

Cancun
Cancun has been one of the most visited spots for tourist from all over. The sites and endless opportunities for things to do while there make it a vacation hot spot. One of the activities they offer is scuba diving in the Cancun Underwater Museum where you can see a large number of underwater sculptures, proven to be the best part of your travel experience.  

Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya is known as one of the best places for experienced and beginner divers alike. The warm waters give this diving experience a one of a kind feel, where you can venture out into the clear blue waters and cave dive deeper into the sea. It is also located right where the Yucatan Peninsula and the Caribbean Sea meet.

Acapulco
Acapulco resides on the Pacific coast of Mexico. The waters within Acapulco are a lot lower in temperature which makes it a little more difficult for the average or beginner divers. Scuba diving in these waters requires an expert instructor to accompany the diver, which are available when you visit this spot.  

Baja Peninsula
The Baja Peninsula also resides on the Pacific coast and has some of the lowest water temperatures in Mexico. It is one of the best spots for an advanced and experienced diver looking for a great dive. Divers who take on the Baja Peninsula can also enjoy seeing the giant ray that resides in the shallow waters on the coast.

Great Gifts For Scuba Divers

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Finding gifts for your friends and family can be a daunting task especially when it comes to those who have hobbies as unique as scuba diving. This is a common struggle among many people with friends who participate in scuba diving. So, let’s take a look at this list of great gifts for scuba diving enthusiasts.

 

Jackery Mini Portable Charger

The company Jackery designs many different models of their mobile portable phone charger, however, the Jackery Mini is great for its travel-friendly size. These chargers are compatible with most devices such as iPhone, iPad Mini, iPod, Android, Windows phone, Smartphones, Tablets, Gaming devices, and MP3 players.

 

iSea 4

This is iPhone housing unit that will allow you to record any underwater images or videos with your iPhone up to 200ft. While it may be a little pricey, costing about $250, it could be worth the money due to its versatility and how it adds to your iPhone.

 

iStabilizer Flex

This is another Apple compatible product. In fact, one of the leaders in universal lightweight compact tripods, steady cams, and other products for smartphones, tablets, and cameras announced that this iStabilizer Flex recently won the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Award in the category for Best App/Gadget for Phone Pics.

 

UK Pro Pole 38HDF

Compatible for the GoPro or any other underwater camera, the UK Pro Pole 38HDF is a unique floating telescope pole that is perfect for watersports, traveling, sailing, and any other activity where you will need maximum flexibility in shooting to go along with security in water. This also makes it a perfect gift for those who enjoy scuba diving.

 

Sharkbanz

It is a fear for all divers to encounter sharks during their dives which is why Sharkbanz are a great gift for those divers. The Sharkbanz wristbands include a patented magnetic technology which deters sharks away from the divers wearing them. Now, keep in mind, many divers do enjoy encountering these majestic creatures, especially due to the fact that they are so unlikely to bother divers. However, these Sharkbanz are great for those divers who to add a little peace of mind during their dives.