DiVentures Scuba & Swim Center has taken on a new partnership with Fins Attached, the Marine Research and Conservation group.
Fins Attached, a research group that conducts research, promotes conservation and provides education for the protection of marine ecosystems caught the attention of those at DiVentures because founder Dr. Alex Antoniou is friends with one of the DiVentures scuba instructors, Pat Purkhiser.
“Dr. Antoniou has been associated with Pat for some time now and that’s how we became aware of the work he is doing,” says Jessica Williams Marketing Director of DiVentures.
“We like what his group is doing and felt a certain responsibility to teach our customers about him and his work also. We teach a lot of people to swim and now we are making sure that they are also very aware of their environment.”
Williams says that DiVentures’ sponsorship will allow Fins Attached to invest in a new VEMCO VR100 directional hydrophone which is a portable receiver that will help track sharks tagged at various research locations. Even though DiVentures stores in Omaha, NE and Springfield, MO are not on the ocean Williams says that the company has a strong connection to sharks and the ocean. “With the shark population rapidly decreasing, the beauty of our oceans is at risk,” says Williams. “We feel a strong need to do our part.”
Fins Attached works on a lot of ecosystem issues including shark tagging to track migratory patterns, public awareness and education, and shark research expeditions.
In the future DiVentures hopes to become even more involved with Fins Attached through opportunities for to make a difference.
DiVentures’ customers will see more shark education programs locally, as well as opportunities to join Fins Attached on shark research expeditions in Mexico, Costa Rica and other environmental hotspots.
DiVentures in Omaha, Nebraska is home to 12,000 square ft. facility and has a heated 25 yard pool, ranging from 3.5 feet to 14 feet deep. The pool is used for a variety of aquatic programs, including: scuba training, swim lessons, swim team, water aerobics, lap swim, lifeguard courses, pool parties, family swim and more.
In addition to the pool, DiVentures’ large retail floor displays the best brands of scuba equipment. The facility includes a service and repair department, classroom and locker rooms.
“We have a lot of people come through our facility,” says Williams. “In this important time in our history there is a need for more people to be aware and where better to begin than where people are learning the basics of diving and swimming.”
Williams says that DiVentures will continue to support and sponsor the endeavors of Fins Attached because they believe in what they are doing.
They are also inviting others to get behind the effort as well. To learn more visit www.finsattached.org. For more info about DiVentures visit www.diventures.net. ■
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