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| Innovation brings diving passion to millions |
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by Brian Welch
askMANDO.com
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When they say they’ve introduced more non-divers to the world’s oceans than any other company, the founders of Sub Sea Systems are not necessarily bragging. After all, it’s not bragging if it’s true. Officially, they call themselves specialists in aquatic innovation.
“The whole basis of our company was created to get people under water so that they could share our passion for diving,” explains Jim Mayfield, chairman of Sub Sea Systems. “Having grown up as divers, we wanted to actually make diving accessible. The problem is most of the ocean that we see is the surface. But the beauty that’s there is what’s beneath, and the problem is finding ways to make that accessible. That’s why we created with Snuba, Sea Trek and our other products.”
In case you’re wondering, Snuba is a worldwide patented shallow water diving system that bridges the gap between snorkeling and scuba diving.
“We started Snuba in 1988. A lot of people want to know what Snuba means. It was an acronym meaning ‘surface nexus underwater breathing apparatus.’ Or, you could call it a combination of snorkeling and the word scuba,” said Mayfield. “Snuba is a cross between snorkeling and scuba diving. We just found that there was a huge void between snorkeling and scuba diving for people on vacation.
“They do snorkeling because scuba diving is physically demanding, it takes time and it’s expensive. So we came up with Snuba. It’s a half-hour guided touring program. We have over a hundred locations worldwide in tropical resort areas. There’s a 15 minute pre-dive orientation where you learn some useful information you can apply for snorkeling the rest of your life. You dive down to 20 feet, and the tank remains on the surface in a raft that just trails along with you. It’s just an amazing experience that’s easier than snorkeling. We’ve taken out more than five million people since we started this program,” Mayfield continued.
Now we move on to Sea Trek, an underwater helmet diving system and program that Mayfield says takes it to another level.
“It’s a helmet you wear on your shoulders. There are ten helmets that make up a system, and it is also a guided tour. We have 35 sites around the world, and we’re very big with the cruise lines,” said Mayfield. “Basically, if you can walk and breathe, you can do Sea Trek. It’s a walking tour on the bottom of the ocean. Depths range from about 8 to 30 feet.”
Sea Trek includes a guided trail so participants can get close to coral and other underwater things, but not so close that damage can occur. “You can wear prescription glasses, your hair stays dry, and you breathe through your nose,” said Mayfield. “So it’s very comfortable for people to do. We just had a record when a 93-year-old gentleman experienced Sea Trek in Grand Cayman.”
Another product available from Sub Sea Systems is Fun Cat, which is described as a floating eco-friendly electric catamaran. Mayfield says his wife thinks this is the best thing the company has ever created.
“The Fun Cat is really an amazing product. I always like to talk about how we’ve created some very sophisticated systems with submersibles that go down 1,500 feet. And Snuba and Sea Trek are certainly a little more complicated and very unique. But Fun Cats look like electrically-powered chaise lounges floating around. They propel you along at about four miles-an-hour, and it’s like a two-person lounge chair. You’re able to cruise along the waterway and enjoy this surreal experience floating silently looking at your feet and an open vista in front of you,” Mayfield explains.
“It’s just an amazing product. It has two recline positions and a cover you fold back if you want sun. You can snorkel off of it, and they are very durable. The propellers are built up into the hull so you can drag it right out on to the beach and not worry about hitting a propeller as you bring it to shore,” Mayfield continued.
“There’s no rudder. You actually steer with what we call directional force . If you want to go to the left, you just apply a little bit of right electric motor, or you can reverse the left and it can turn in its own axis. But it makes it almost like an arcade game to actually drive it. That’s fun.”
Mayfield says at least one famous person owns a Fun Cat. “Retired Denver Bronco John Elway is one of our clients. He purchased a Fun Cat for his private home on a lake. We’ve sold to a number of homes on waterways. Whether it’s the ocean in Florida, or on lakes inland, it works great either way,” Mayfield said.
The founders of Sub Sea Systems have gone beyond just introducing non-divers to the beauty of the sea. To address environmental concerns related to reef conservation, education and awareness, the company created Reef Alliance, a non-profit organization that educates Snuba and Sea Trek participants and others about the fragility of our oceans.
www.subseasystems.com
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