Greetings From SeaRaiders!!!

[jclevoy]

If any of you are on the fence about SeaRaiders for next year..........DON'T BE!!!!! Ty has picked out a little slice of heaven here on GC for us. THANKS TY!!!!!

First Dives in a little less than 20 minutes. More pics to come....

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u295/jcelevoy/Grand%20Cayman/GC11.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u295/jcelevoy/Grand%20Cayman/GC22.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u295/jcelevoy/Grand%20Cayman/GC3.jpg

[Stenlund]

Enjoy it, all of you!

Leif

[snoballz]

I was in GC for the second time back in May. Truly relaxing.

Have an awesome time! Looking forward to the stories and photos.

b-)

[Caribbean Soul]

That does look great! :-!

Looking forward to more photos of watches and Doxaholics! b-)

--Keith

[Alas]

Jealous - ME - Never!!!:-d

Have a great time all.:-!:-!
Alasdair

[GGD]

Wow.... what a great looking set-up :-!

Enjoy fellas and stay safe.

[Graeme]

WOW that looks sooo cool!!!!!!!!

Have a great time there!!:-!

[giosdad]

With my first Doxa incoming this is another forum I will be watching closely, I can't wait to see pictures.

What do you do with desk divers such as myself on a trip like this?

Mascot? Oxygen bottle boy?

How about watch cleaner and dryer? Now we're talking. :-!

[jclevoy]

With my first Doxa incoming this is another forum I will be watching closely, I can't wait to see pictures.

What do you do with desk divers such as myself on a trip like this?

Mascot? Oxygen bottle boy?

How about watch cleaner and dryer? Now we're talking. :-!

Barry, there are several on the trip that were recently desk-divers (Certified many years ago), and have become certified to come on the trip. There is no time like the present to get a certification and COME DIVING!!! If you think your Doxa is great on land, let me assure you that it is TWICE AS GOOD underwater. Truly, the bezel action and the contrasting hands/face are second to none IMHO.

Back to the Certification thing..........Britt (TMahaun's sister) and jmoors wife were only certified earlier this year. T Bone and Doc Pete were certified years ago, but have gotten back into it for the trip. However, if diving is not for you............It would be very easy to come along and have great fun. Yesterday we dove in the morning and then it was relaxing in the afternoon. Then Todd grilled for the whole bunch for the evening meal right on the beach. Pete had us rolling with laughter for more than 2 hours. Everybody is having a blast so far.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u295/jcelevoy/Grand%20Cayman/PB020001.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u295/jcelevoy/Grand%20Cayman/PB020002.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u295/jcelevoy/Grand%20Cayman/PB020003.jpg

[WORKSIMON]

Jason,

Great to hear you're all having a good time :-! How about putting some names to the faces in the pictures for all as newbies, it would be nice to know who's who :-!

Cheers

Simon

[jclevoy]

Barry, there are several on the trip that were recently desk-divers (Certified many years ago), and have become certified to come on the trip. There is no time like the present to get a certification and COME DIVING!!! If you think your Doxa is great on land, let me assure you that it is TWICE AS GOOD underwater. Truly, the bezel action and the contrasting hands/face are second to none IMHO.

Back to the Certification thing..........Britt (TMahaun's sister) and jmoors wife were only certified earlier this year. T Bone and Doc Pete were certified years ago, but have gotten back into it for the trip. However, if diving is not for you............It would be very easy to come along and have great fun. Yesterday we dove in the morning and then it was relaxing in the afternoon. Then Todd grilled for the whole bunch for the evening meal right on the beach. Pete had us rolling with laughter for more than 2 hours. Everybody is having a blast so far.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u295/jcelevoy/Grand%20Cayman/PB020001.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u295/jcelevoy/Grand%20Cayman/PB020002.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u295/jcelevoy/Grand%20Cayman/PB020003.jpg

First picture:

man with hand scratching his chin is jmoors, next to him is his wife Kathy (has her back to us), next around the circle is Doc Pete holding his Irishstar. T Bone is next in the circle with a smile on his face like he has gotten away with something:-d Next, the gentleman with the mustache is Michael (MTJO), and then lastly is Ty (Subkrawler)

Last picture is Gavin looking at us (Thor) and then on the other side of the table is Todd (TMahaun) and you already met Michael:-!


Ty has an AWESOME underwater camera. Jmoors also has an underwater video camera as well as an underwater camera. Micheal and Todd also have underwater cameras. I didn't bring an underwater camera, but they will be posting underwater pictures. I will be posting some pictures from the Diveboat today if they turn out:-!

[WORKSIMON]

Thanks for that Jason, just need a mugshot of you now :-d

Cheers

Simon

[Caribbean Soul]

Good stuff! But I'm expecting to see more smiles and less of the serious expressions. ;-)

Thanks for the update, looking forward to more when you have a chance to take a break and post again ... but only if it doesn't interrupt the fun. b-)

--Keith

[DEMO111]

Jason, thanks for sharing. Please keep us updated with your great shots. :-!

[jclevoy]

A few shots from before the dives today.....

some of the divegear waiting and ready
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u295/jcelevoy/Grand%20Cayman/PB030003.jpg

The divegroup today
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u295/jcelevoy/Grand%20Cayman/PB030007.jpg

Cheryle (Mrs jclevoy) and jmoors talking to the 2 divemasters
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u295/jcelevoy/Grand%20Cayman/PB030002.jpg

[snoballz]

Looking forward to the underwater wrist shots!

b-)

[GraniteQuarry]

Only one thing to say

I'M JEALOUS AS FU...... :-d

[T Bone]

Man Jason, you are fast!

Having a great time as well, did my first dives today (was a bit under the weather yesterday, so I stayed on the boat). Beautiful underwater topography, lots of coral, sponges and fish.... saw my first ever shark in the wild (had to be at least 4 meters! Okay, maybe more like 4 feet b-). But it was cool!).

Got to resize a few topside pics myself, and then I'll get them posted. For now, I need to get ready to go into town (Georgetown, the other end of the island- and we're going to the reception at Landmark Jewelers tonight :-!).
More later.

[Flyingdoctor]

Met a new friend at The Searaider 2008 extravaganza. His name is Charlie and he swims like a....... well a Duck.

The watch he is wearing is a DUCKSA. OK, OK, I'll get my coat...Try the veal.... :-)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/flyingdoctor/charlie.jpg

Seriously, this has to be the best fun you can have with your clothes on...well actually the clothes are off... but we do have dive suits on :roll:

John, got a great shot of the Irishstar. It's funny how things work out because my image in the Doxa book shows my 300T Reissue as green instead of orange because of a colour correction problem at the printers, but here I am 50 feet down with a green 300T Irishstar. Life imitating art !!!!! :-! I'm indebted to John for staying with me while I SLOOOOWWWLLLYYYY got down and cleared my ears. That an the Doc's Pro Plugs worked a treat. 55 feet and no ear problems... Life is good. John and I then went and did a few swim throughs and had a bloody good dive. Thanks John :-!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/flyingdoctor/irishstar.jpg

And here is John just after that shot.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/flyingdoctor/john.jpg

It has been great to meet everyone either again or for the first time. Searaiders... it's what a credit card was designed for :-)

More to come

Pete

[TMahaun]

Here are a few more pics from the caymans

[snoballz]

Noticed you guys favor air/inflator combos... I see a couple of Atomic SS1's and Zeagle Octo Z's.

b-)

[aikiman44]

Great shots, thanks for posting.:-!

[Steve Tracy]

Wow! You all look like you're having the time of your lives! What an awesome way to show what the Doxa SUB is all about! Keep having a blast!!!!!

[jclevoy]

There are some other nice watches That people brought with them down here besides just Doxas...........But nothing can substitute for a good Doxa Sub when it comes to functionality and reliability under the water.

[T Bone]

Noticed you guys favor air/inflator combos... I see a couple of Atomic SS1's and Zeagle Octo Z's.

b-)

And yet no Scubapro Air II's :-s. Funny that, especially with Ocean Frontiers being a Scubapro dealer. But I'm the most likely candidate to have one, and my ancient 2nd. generation model is still back in Michigan collecting dust :-d. I've gone to a "standard" type octo (and most Scubapro dealers use these on their rentals I think too, to avoid a training gap for those who learned with standard).

I'd have to double check, but I think only 3 or 4 of us are diving Scubapro regs. I'll get a count later, and try to make some more gear observations for those interested.

Gotta go now, heading off for a quick solo trip to Georgetown, followed by a run to the grocer's for some items for tonight's BBQ on the beach! (Immediately followed by our night dive :-!).

[snoballz]

And yet no Scubapro Air II's :-s. Funny that, especially with Ocean Frontiers being a Scubapro dealer. But I'm the most likely candidate to have one, and my ancient 2nd. generation model is still back in Michigan collecting dust :-d. I've gone to a "standard" type octo (and most Scubapro dealers use these on their rentals I think too, to avoid a training gap for those who learned with standard).

I'd have to double check, but I think only 3 or 4 of us are diving Scubapro regs. I'll get a count later, and try to make some more gear observations for those interested.

Gotta go now, heading off for a quick solo trip to Georgetown, followed by a run to the grocer's for some items for tonight's BBQ on the beach! (Immediately followed by our night dive :-!).

Yeah, I didn't see a SP II in any of the pics, which is pretty much the standard. How odd. I dove with a SS1 but now went with a traditional octo necklaced and long hose primary. I'd love to hear some more about equipment, etc. :-!

Where are you all staying and diving? I've only stayed at 7 Miles Beach the two times I was there.

Have fun and look forward to more stories and photos.

-luke

b-)

[Flyingdoctor]

Couple more "action shots" of the team.

First up: Ty

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/flyingdoctor/ty.jpg

Then T-Bone

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/flyingdoctor/tbone.jpg

And then Todd and Britt

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/flyingdoctor/toddandbrit.jpg

and then Randy

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/flyingdoctor/notsure.jpg

For those interested in cameras etc. Photos taken without flash using a Canon A650 with Canon waterproof housing. I used the inbuilt underwater setting for the camera with no adjustment for white balance etc etc.

Pete

[snoballz]

For those interested in cameras etc. Photos taken without flash using a Canon A650 with Canon waterproof housing. I used the inbuilt underwater setting for the camera with no adjustment for white balance etc etc.

Pete

Pete, nice shots! The A650 takes really nice underwater photos... better than my SD800IS. Are you taking the photos is RAW or JPG?

You can do a lot with RAW after the fact especially the white balance.

b-)

[Flyingdoctor]

Pete, nice shots! The A650 takes really nice underwater photos... better than my SD800IS. Are you taking the photos is RAW or JPG?

You can do a lot with RAW after the fact especially the white balance.

b-)

Thanks. I'm trying to get better and it sure is fun trying......

The A650 IS doesn't have raw mode as standard, but I put in the CHDK hack which enhances the OS to include RAW. These shots are all in jpg. I only have a 250 meg card, but maybe tomorrow I'll try a few RAWs. thanks for the idea.

Pete

[Caribbean Soul]

<snip>
For those interested in cameras etc. Photos taken without flash using a Canon A650 with Canon waterproof housing. I used the inbuilt underwater setting for the camera with no adjustment for white balance etc etc.

Pete

Wow, those are great shots, thanks for the photos and the info on the setup. That's a pretty nifty endorsement for the underwater setting! :-!

--Keith

[jclevoy]

We went on an INCREDIBLY good night-dive tonight. Cheryle and I saw 2 Octopus, 3 or 4 Large Spiny Caribbean Lobster, a yellow spotted stingray, and some other AWESOME critters. I think that Todd got some pretty good pictures. Several of the other guys took their cameras as well. Hopefully some of the pictures turned out.....

[Flyingdoctor]

Couple more images from thius morning.

Kathy

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/flyingdoctor/kathy.jpg

Gavin

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/flyingdoctor/gavin.jpg

Err, guys, I think the bar is the other way!!!!!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/flyingdoctor/abys.jpg

Pete

[snoballz]

Very cool! Hey, Pete, seems like your ears are holding up! :-!

b-)

[Flyingdoctor]

Very cool! Hey, Pete, seems like your ears are holding up! :-!

b-)

Amazingly the ears are holding out. Bit sore after this morning, but I should make it through. The Docs Pro Plugs are amazing. From a mechanical or physiological point of view I just can't understand how something in the outer ear canal can affect middle ear barotrauma, but they do. Hell who cares. They work. Thats good enough for me.

Pete

[jclevoy]

We got some AWESOME pictures today. Saw some really cool stuff. Also, we got some professional pictures. Here is a taste with Michael (MTJO) coming out of the swim-through. I will be posting some really good pictures later.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u295/jcelevoy/Grand%20Cayman/AM2T110608_040.jpg

[doc3341]

Hey Jason, you guys are in the Cayman Islands right.....?

Check the weather, I think theres a storm heading that way:think:

[T Bone]

Hey Jason, you guys are in the Cayman Islands right.....?

Check the weather, I think theres a storm heading that way:think:
Really? :-d

Yup. The Searaiders are bugging out! We were all booked on afternoon flights tomorrow, which have all been canceled.... :-|. But we've been re-booked for AM flights :-!. If all goes as planned, the last of our group will be wheels up at 10:30, with most leaving at 9:30. Our thoughts will be with those we leave behind to weather the storm. The crew has been great, they will be running the boats to safe harbor first thing in the morning, they've been packing up the resort and prepping all afternoon. Hopefully, the people, the place and the reefs will all come out unscathed. And best of luck also to the diver's we met from Chicago who just arrived today! (Stopped by our farewell BBQ for a bite). The folks here know hurricanes, and are decently prepared I think. We wish them all well!

[laughinggull]

Looks like you all are having a super time together -- what a great little vacation. Sure wish it was at a time of year I could scoot out of my job, but not likely Sept-April....thanks for all of the great pics! :-!

[b2s]

This is Gr8t guys :-p:-p:-p

Keep them coming :thanks