Waterproof Housings For Canon G7

Great Selection of Underwater Housings Offered

The Canon WP-DC11 Waterproof Case is designed especially for the PowerShot G7. Capture those underwater shots or use your G7 during inclement weather. Case also provides protection from sand, dirt and dust. It is depth rated as waterproof up to 130 feet. You van pick one up at Amazon for $119.00 but most dealers are charging about $155.00 to $180.00.

Ikelite's offering for the Canon G7 camera is an injected molded clear polycarbonate case. The housing offers a clear view of the camera's control functions and is depth rated to 200 feet. Installation is quick and simple. The O-ring seal can be checked visually through the clear housing. A release handle system allows for easy attachment and removal of SubStrobe mounting arms at the touch of a button. The housing is sized and weighted for nearly neutral buoyancy, offering superb handling underwater. The housing allows underwater photos to be taken with the built-in flash of the camera. An External Strobe is recommended to improve the images by reducing the illumination of particles suspended in the water. Prices range from $449.95 - $459.00.

The Ewa-Marine housing for this camera is the DCG-7. This waterproof digital camera case was designed by Ewa-Marine for the Canon PowerShot G7 / G9 digital cameras. It is depth rated to 33 feet. Ewa-Marine housings are perfect for snorkeling, shallow diving while offering protection from sand, dust, humidity or foul weather conditions. These affordable housings are long lasting and easy to maintain! Prices range from $155.00 to $170.00.

The Canon G series cameras have been real "troopers" and have made the rounds for years in oceans, lakes and pools. They are sold performers inside of the housings mentioned above. Being a Canon fan, I can think of no greater pleasure than to take a Canon G series camera with me on a dive, to capture those once in a lifetime memories.

Shark Attacks On The Rise!

ISAF Reports Increase In Unprovoked Shark Attacks

The ISAF acronym stands for - International Shark Attack Files at the University of Florida. They have been working hard to investigate, catalog and report all shark attacks.

The year 2001, off the coast of the USA will be an unforgettable year for shark attacks with several attacks and three fatalities. There were also 50 attacks which is three less attacks than 2000 which only resulted in one fatality.

Here's how the ISAF list attacks for the USA and Canada:

2001: 50 attacks and 3 fatalities

2002: 47 attacks and 0 fatalities

2003: 40 attacks and 1 fatality

2004: 30 attacks and 2 fatalities

2005: 40 attacks and 1 fatality

2006: 40 attacks and 0 fatalities

2007: 50 attacks and 0 fatalities

Deaths have gone down since 2001 but other than 2004, unprovoked shark attacks can be clearly seen as rising. Why is this trend turning slowly up? There are many theories, in fact probably enough, that one will be mentioned that you agree with more than others.

Theories run from global warming to the increase of people involved in aquatic sports. These vary from one region to another and also on the kind of shark.

The mistaken identity theory is a good one. Man paddles short board out to the break and is mistaken for a seal and bang, he's being sampled by a Great White Shark. In Hawaii and Australia, in certain areas they are supposedly mistaken for giant sea turtles.

The most controversial theory and my favorite ones, is that sharks are being lured into more shallow waters by interactive shark feeding displays, all for a share of those tourist dollars.

Look at Yellowstone Park for instance, man finds happy cuddly bears and feeds them consistently, all of a sudden bears are smashing into cars, tearing up campsites and some actually killing people. These are all certain death sentences for the bear, who man has pre-conditioned to associate his presence with some easy to procure and tasty treats. It seems like every time man interferes with nature he unbalances natural laws and we all, people and animals, suffer for it.

Many places have banned these shark feeding dive trips but there are plenty of spots in the Bahamas, Tahiti, Mexico, South Africa and so on that still have thriving tourist dive packages available. Supposedly banned in Florida, the shark feeding business still persists despite the law. Many other injuries beside bites have occurred, such as missing fingers - courtesy of playful eels and other intolerant ocean critters. Many of these have been documented by underwater photography crews!

Oddly enough and flying in the face of all of the data, the "dive masters" of these excursions blame, not themselves but the over-fishing of commercial fishermen. They cry out that the government should not tamper with their way of life!

You mean way of death don't you? Don't Feed The Animals Dummy!

Water Sports In Puerto Rico

A Water Sports Haven

You don't have to travel to South Africa, Australia or HI to enjoy the best in water sporting action. Puerto Rico offers hundreds of miles of coastline and year-round summer weather. You could look and find a different beach for every day of the year! You can even choose your level of excitement, from a stroll in the beautiful, shallow waters to riding the wild surf of Rincon.

Puerto Rico offers loads of other water sports for water sports enthusiasts looking to get on the water, but not in it. You can do some windsurfing, sailing or fishing the ocean, lakes, rivers and bays. If you're looking for more action, you can always try kayaking on the Tanama River or the Caribbean. And, how about body surfing down a rushing mountain stream? Sounds nice doesn't it? Well, Puerto Rico has it all.

You can enjoy World-class surfing at nearly every part of the island with waves that can reach 35 feet high, but particularly in Rincon, site of two world surfing championships and a host to numerous major surfing competitions.

Thinking about a vacation including surfing or various other water sports? Start thinking Puerto Rico!

Swimming With Sharks!

Enjoying Sharks in Their Own Habitat

I have always considered how wonderful the animal kingdom is and how fascinating it is. By this remark, I mean the "big picture" of how everything serves a vital purpose in maintaining equilibrium amongst themselves and in relationship to the world.

Every animal or insect serves an important purpose and without them another portion can spin out of control. They co-exist in a harmony that is important to their survival but ours as well.

True animal experts all seem to agree that the best methods of research can have no interference by humans, in order to come up with the most accurate information. I have often hoped that a research team form some wildlife TV show would "step in" and rescue the weak and emaciated your animal and save it from a horrible death quite easily, but instead, let nature work it's course and record the events (good or bad) as they took place without interfering. I've gotten used to this and see the wisdom in such research techniques.

Well, I was relaxing the other night and had an "Animal Planet" show on the TV and there was this man who took scuba parties out into the ocean to his favorite nurse shark haven. It seems that this man dives their almost daily and has the local nurse sharks conditioned to take small baitfish from his hand, as he pets, hugs and kisses them on the mouth - without the regulator covering his lips! That's really pushing it!

He was featured in a video clip with his boatload of tourist divers, all submerged in his nurse shark "honey hole" and was showing the folks how to hold a baitfish for the sharks while also petting them, turning them upside down and kissing their stomach, hugging them and kissing them on the mouth when ZANG, one of them clamped down on his mouth like a Pit Bull on steroids!

Nurse sharks are loaded with gnarly teeth and are known for clamping down and not letting go of their iron grip. I honestly forget if they used some technique to get the shark to release him. In fact I don't think they could, if memory serves, the shark finally just released him with his mouth hanging off of his skull.

He was taken to the hospital where cosmetic surgeries were performed and finally he healed up and looked as good as new, despite the difficult task of reconstructing his mouth and lips. He attempted to lamely explain (as an expert) how some movement he made triggered the shark bite and is down there still, probably today, bringing home his paycheck, courtesy of the patient and long-suffering nurse sharks that inhabit his underwater circus.

Now this was just the worst, in keeping with the theory that human interraction with wildlife changes the animals and throws the whole system out of sync. I believe he got what was coming to him and will again someday if he persists. You may be one of those bleeding hearts who wants to wrestle and cuddle with the big, maned, pussy-cats of the Serengeti or kiss sharks on their cute little tummies, but not this kid - never! There's a Bible Proverb that comes to mind - "never follow a fool in his folly"!

Are you a snorkeler or scuba diver? Bring back unforgettable memories of your exploits, use an Ewa-Marine waterproof camera case for digital, SLR and video camcorders!

To all of my fellow Americans - have a safe and fun filled Fourth of July weekend!