President-Elect Obama names Jane Lubchenco to run the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a government agency responsible for understanding and conserving the oceans and atmosphere.  Lubchenco, a marine biologist, founded the Aldo Leopold Leadership Program.  The program works to give talented young scientists a chance to develop skills to become effective communicators with both media and policy makers.  If Lubchenco is confirmed, she will become the first female director of the NOAA Agency.  Lubchenco has been a longtime supporter of ocean conservation and has spent her career developing methods to ensure the sustainability of the ocean.  She has also been named the prestigious honor of receiving the MacArther Foundation “Genius” Grant!

To learn more about Jane Lubchenco, CLICK HERE!
Entry by Katie Moses

A youth group from Temple Sinai came to the Downtown Aquarium this past Sunday to enjoy a snorkel with the fish. 36 youngsters swam with turtles, eels, and nurse sharks for an afternoon filled with fun and salt water! They had a blast at this unique Denver experience.

Entry by Kate Suek

The Divers Alert Network is now accepting applications for thier summer 2009 Research Internship Program. Are you still in college or a recent graduate? Do you love diving, diving physiology, diving research, hyperbarics or just want to delve a little deeper into the scuba industry? Are you trying to find a way to make scuba a career path?

If so, this internship may be perfect! A-1 Scuba’s Kate Suek was a research intern during the 2008 summer and was stationed in Durham, North Carolina at the DAN Headquarters. Interns have been placed all around the world including Scotland, Cayman Islands, Roatan and the South Pacific.

2009 will be the Research Internship Program’s 10th anniversary and it’s shaping up to be an exciting year! If you are interested in the program please feel free to contact Kate at the shop or visit the program’s website at www.diversalertnetwork.org/research/projects/intern/participate.asp  Additionally, a full write-up of Kate’s exciting summer experience can be found on DAN’s website at http://diversalertnetwork.org/News/Article.aspx?newsid=985958.

Entry by Kate Suek

A-1 Scuba would like to give much kudos to Jenna Mussell — one of the newest students to finish the confined water portion of the PADI open water course. Jenna completed all of the quizzes as well as the final exam with 100%! An incredible feat for anyone, Jenna is only 13. Jenna came prepared to class, eager to learn and ready to jump into the pool and put her new skills to use. Wendie, Jenna’s instructor and A-1’s training director, said Jenna was not only a pleasure on dry land, but a natural in the water. Congratulations Jenna - and from everyone at A-1 Scuba and Travel: have fun on your open waters with your mom and dad in Hawaii!

Entry by Kate Suek

One of our very own, Carolyn Petersen, plunged into the shark tank for a second time at the Downtown Aquarium on November 30th.  Carolyn, one of our full-time travel agents blew some bubbles with Shane Taylor.  Shane helped Carolyn find some shark teeth and to learn about shark behavior as well as shark conservation.  She called the experience, “like no other.”  After raving, she confided that she had a fear of sharks and decided to use the dives at the aquarium to quell that fear…..and it worked!  Now Carolyn can’t wait to plan her next dive vacation and see some sharks out in the wild!

To schedule your dive at the Downtown Aquarium with the Sharks, call us at 303-789-2450.

Entry by Kate Suek

During the Santo Biodiversity 2006 Survey nearly 10,000 species were found on and around the remote South Pacific Island Espiritu Santo in the country of Vanuatu.  The expedition took nearly five months to complete and 153 scientists from 20 countries participated.  The expedition examined mountains, forests, caves, reefs, and water for living organisms.

Of the 10,000 species found, approximately 2,000 are believed to be new species.  During the marine survey around the tiny island, nearly 600 species of crab were identified!! The Squat Lobster (shown in the picture), found in the depths of the ocean around 492 feet, is a new species.

Log on to National Geographic to see pictures of the other various species found and for more information.  More Info

Feel free to post any comments or questions on this Blog.

Thank you,

Katie Moses

Jon Polkow and his two sons, Dylan and Kael, took in a Saturday afternoon Dive with the Sharks at the Downtown Aquarium.  Jon, owner of Innovative Scuba Concepts based in Colorado Springs, dived into the “Sunken Shipwreck” exhibit with A-1 Scuba and Travel Center owner Scott Taylor and dive guide Wendie Murray for 45 minutes of shark teeth, waving to aquarium guests and blowing bubbles.  Many thanks to the Polkow’s for letting A-1 and the Downtown Aquarium be a part of their weekend!

Entry by Kate Suek

Between rock climbing, bicycling and snow skiing, Robb Kimbrough finds time to join his daughters for a scuba adventure to Australia.  Robb lost his legs three years ago but that’s not kept him from enjoying life.  His new prosthetic “fin feet” worked great in the pool and now he’s ready to use them “down under”.  Between all these fun events Robb has his own construction company and volunteers as a            “Peer Visitor” for those who have become amputees or are aware they they are about to become an amputee.  You’re welcome to contact this inspiring individual at chinookconstruction@post.com or if you have any questions about his “fin feet” please contact his Prosthetist, Chris Hoyt at 303-477-7044.

This past weekend’s open water certification at the Homestead Crater in Utah went swimmingly!  Eleven students easily passed their open waters.  Congratulations to: Hunter Downing, Christopher Fullerton, Ryan Massey, Carol Morrison, Jared Morrison, Jesse Morrison, Thomas Mowery, Erin Russell, John Schiel, Sally Schiel, Jill Summer.

Additional congratulations are in order for A-1 Scuba’s newest Advanced Open Water divers! Well done to: Stacia Hazlett, Carla Jordan, Sharom Siemer, Mike Smith.

Entry by Kate Suek