Fun-Filled Island Sun Splash To Draw Families To Florida Keys June 10-16
Upper Florida Keys -- Warm water and warm hearts are to welcome water-lovers at Island Sun Splash '07, slated for Sunday, June 10, through Saturday, June 16. Organized by the Upper Keys Association of Dive and Snorkel Operators, the event includes activities for everyone from experienced diving experts to families visiting North America's only living coral barrier reef for the first time.
Special events directed at youngsters are a hallmark of Island Sun Splash.
"Kids are the future of diving so let's get them involved," said Kenny Wheeler, one of the event's organizers. "We want people to know that the Dive Capital of the World, Key Largo, and our close neighbors to the south are the perfect destinations for families to dive and snorkel."
Discover Scuba diving classes are to be offered so visitors can get their first taste of diving. Snorkeling lessons are set to make sightseeing from the water's surface a fun and safe experience.
Underwater photography and video seminars are to be accompanied by photo and video contests, with separate divisions for kids and adults. World-renowned underwater photographers Tom and Therisa Stack and Emmy-winning videographer Frazier Nivens are to present "how to" seminars and direct the contests.
Mixing fun above and below the water is the Land Sea Photo Scavenger Hunt, during which contestants must seek out and photograph local landmarks and beautiful reef fish to earn points and win prizes. Every kid age 15 and younger that participates in the junior division will be a prize winner.
Kids also can enter the Junior Olympics, a set of in-pool games that focus on fun, sportsmanship and competition.
The Reef Environmental Education Foundation is to conduct its popular fish ID classes so no introductions will be necessary when snorkelers and divers come nose to snout with the local underwater inhabitants.
Shallow reefs and wrecks in calm, clear water await newly-certified and less experienced divers, while advanced divers can make the journey down to various shipwrecks off the Upper Keys.
For extremely experienced divers, seminars are to focus on deep technical diving. One of the week's anticipated highlights is a trip to the new Florida Keys History of Diving Museum, which houses an unparalleled collection of historic dive gear. The museum features a special collection dedicated to Art McKee, a treasure diver from Islamorada regarded as the "father of recreational diving."
Drs. Joe and Sally Bauer, founders of the museum, are to offer seminars on the history of diving and show how recreational diving actually got its start in the waters off Islamorada.
Modern treasure hunter Carl Fismer is to conduct two seminars on the 1733 Spanish Fleet that was forced onto Keys reefs by a powerful hurricane. Fismer plans to lead tours to local wreck sites after each session.
Rounding out the Island Sun Splash roster of events are kayaking trips, introductory sailing lessons and a fishing clinic at the Worldwide Sportsman store in Islamorada.
A family barbecue and awards party is to climax the week of fun, education and entertainment.
Admission wristbands to Island Sun Splash cost $20 per adult and $10 per youngster age 10 to 14. Children under 10 are admitted without charge.
The wristbands allow entrance to all seminars, the Try Scuba pool sessions and 10 percent discounts on dive trips, dive gear, apparel, meals at participating restaurants and merchandise at participating retailers.
A 25 percent discount is to be offered on refresher courses and peak performance buoyancy clinics.
For the latest schedules and lists of participating dive shops, restaurants and retailers, visit www.divecapital.org.
To find out about Key Largo accommodations, call the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce at (305) 451-4747 or (800) 822-1088. To find out about Islamorada accommodations, call the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at (305) 664-4503 or (800) 322-5397.
More information about lodging and activities throughout the Keys can be found by visiting the Florida Keys Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.
Upper Florida Keys -- Warm water and warm hearts are to welcome water-lovers at Island Sun Splash '07, slated for Sunday, June 10, through Saturday, June 16. Organized by the Upper Keys Association of Dive and Snorkel Operators, the event includes activities for everyone from experienced diving experts to families visiting North America's only living coral barrier reef for the first time.
Special events directed at youngsters are a hallmark of Island Sun Splash.
"Kids are the future of diving so let's get them involved," said Kenny Wheeler, one of the event's organizers. "We want people to know that the Dive Capital of the World, Key Largo, and our close neighbors to the south are the perfect destinations for families to dive and snorkel."
Discover Scuba diving classes are to be offered so visitors can get their first taste of diving. Snorkeling lessons are set to make sightseeing from the water's surface a fun and safe experience.
Underwater photography and video seminars are to be accompanied by photo and video contests, with separate divisions for kids and adults. World-renowned underwater photographers Tom and Therisa Stack and Emmy-winning videographer Frazier Nivens are to present "how to" seminars and direct the contests.
Mixing fun above and below the water is the Land Sea Photo Scavenger Hunt, during which contestants must seek out and photograph local landmarks and beautiful reef fish to earn points and win prizes. Every kid age 15 and younger that participates in the junior division will be a prize winner.
Kids also can enter the Junior Olympics, a set of in-pool games that focus on fun, sportsmanship and competition.
The Reef Environmental Education Foundation is to conduct its popular fish ID classes so no introductions will be necessary when snorkelers and divers come nose to snout with the local underwater inhabitants.
Shallow reefs and wrecks in calm, clear water await newly-certified and less experienced divers, while advanced divers can make the journey down to various shipwrecks off the Upper Keys.
For extremely experienced divers, seminars are to focus on deep technical diving. One of the week's anticipated highlights is a trip to the new Florida Keys History of Diving Museum, which houses an unparalleled collection of historic dive gear. The museum features a special collection dedicated to Art McKee, a treasure diver from Islamorada regarded as the "father of recreational diving."
Drs. Joe and Sally Bauer, founders of the museum, are to offer seminars on the history of diving and show how recreational diving actually got its start in the waters off Islamorada.
Modern treasure hunter Carl Fismer is to conduct two seminars on the 1733 Spanish Fleet that was forced onto Keys reefs by a powerful hurricane. Fismer plans to lead tours to local wreck sites after each session.
Rounding out the Island Sun Splash roster of events are kayaking trips, introductory sailing lessons and a fishing clinic at the Worldwide Sportsman store in Islamorada.
A family barbecue and awards party is to climax the week of fun, education and entertainment.
Admission wristbands to Island Sun Splash cost $20 per adult and $10 per youngster age 10 to 14. Children under 10 are admitted without charge.
The wristbands allow entrance to all seminars, the Try Scuba pool sessions and 10 percent discounts on dive trips, dive gear, apparel, meals at participating restaurants and merchandise at participating retailers.
A 25 percent discount is to be offered on refresher courses and peak performance buoyancy clinics.
For the latest schedules and lists of participating dive shops, restaurants and retailers, visit www.divecapital.org.
To find out about Key Largo accommodations, call the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce at (305) 451-4747 or (800) 822-1088. To find out about Islamorada accommodations, call the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at (305) 664-4503 or (800) 322-5397.
More information about lodging and activities throughout the Keys can be found by visiting the Florida Keys Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.
