As an extremely popular dive destination, the Cayman Islands attract tens of thousands of visiting divers annually. These divers visit Cayman’s white sand shores with the purpose of experiencing the beautiful coral reefs, crystal clear waters and variety of reef fish that are found in the local marine environment. And it is up to the dive operators of the Cayman Islands to maintain our widespread reputation as a beautiful and safe location to dive.

On Thursday, December 6, 2012, dive equipment manufacturer Aqualung held an equipment service clinic for 16 attendees, all of whom are members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA). The clinic was titled ‘resort tech service technician training,’ and it gave participants the chance to learn basic servicing of rental fleet equipment. Having trained staff at a watersports company will allow for more thorough inspection of gear in that company’s rental fleet, with the trained employee being able to better identify when rental gear needs more than routine servicing. Basic service and cleaning of the rental gear can also take place right at the shop when an employee has received their certification of training from the manufacturer.

Ted Foreman of Aqualung, who ran the training session, enjoyed flying to the Cayman Islands on Cayman Airways, which touts itself as the diver’s airline. The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort and Spa hosted Mr. Foreman for the time he was on island, and Budget Rent-A-Car provided a special rate on a rental car.

‘Typically, this type of course would only be held at the annual Dive Equipment and Marketing Association’s annual expo (DEMA) in the US. Instead of each participant paying to travel to Las Vegas or Florida, as well as the cost of a hotel, meals, car rental and the US$250 registration fee for the clinic, it was a much more affordable training opportunity that Divers Supply was happy to coordinate,’ said Adam Gibbons from Divers Supply. ‘Because of the support from Cayman Airways, the Westin and Budget, the cost to participants was only US $125—a true bargain to attend this training that will help our island maintain its designation as a safe place to dive.’

Another resort tech training with ScubaPro will take place in January for CITA Watersports members. Aqualung and ScubaPro are the most popular brands of dive equipment in the rental fleets of Cayman Islands dive operators.

The Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) was formed in March 2001, through an amalgamation of the Cayman Tourism Alliance and the Cayman Islands Hotel and Condominium Association. The CITA represents tourism businesses from all sectors, including hotels, condominiums and villas, watersports operators, restaurants, attractions, airlines, tourism transport providers, cruise sector businesses and allied tourism service providers. The CITA represents over 200 tourism businesses and is active in the areas of industry and government relations, marketing and events, industry development and education.