Scuba diving at the world renowned Blue Heron Bridge (BHB), also known as Phil Foster Park, is something every diver should experience. The Blue Heron Bridge was chosen in 2013 as the best dive site in the world by PADI’s Sport Diver magazine for good reasons… Its diversity of marine life and its easy accessibility are just two of the many important traits of this terrific dive site. With such a special place in our own backyard, it isn’t hard to see why many locals spend day after day under the Blue Heron Bridge.
To celebrate this amazing dive site, Pura Vida Divers will be hosting a Social Night on Friday, March 11, 2016 to raise awareness about the Blue Heron Bridge. This is a FREE event!
It doesn’t matter if you’re a diver, surfer or beach goer, everyone is welcome to attend. So join us for an evening of socializing, delicious food, and the unique creatures that call the BHB home.
Andrea Whitaker, underwater photographer, REEF Fish Surveyor and Pura Vida staff member will be presenting along with Shana Phelan, Pura Vida Owner/Operator and Environmental Conservation Adviser. Topics will include: Creature diversity and identification, finding hidden sea creatures, photo tips, dive site orientation, dive etiquette and skill sets that will help to provide you with a better dive, threats to the BHB environment and its inhabitants, and what we all can do to protect this amazing dive site. For more information about Andrea Whitaker and Shana Phelan, please see their bio at the bottom of this blog.
Our team will be providing drinks and appetizers. Guests are welcome to bring a small covered dish food to share, however this is not a requirement! If you are unable to bring a dish, please do not let the dish prevent you from coming.
We will also have a 50/50 cash drawing to raise money for the Palm Beach County Artificial Reef Fund. So don’t forget to bring some cash!!
Itinerary for the Evening:
6:15 – 7:00 Happy Hour!
(Food, drinks and socializing)
7:00 – 7:45 Presentation by Andrea Whitaker & Shana Phelan
7:45 – 8:30 Q & A with Andrea Whitaker & Shana Phelan
Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 8, 2016
(561) 840-8750
info.pvd@puravidadivers.co
The fun doesn’t stop here. In addition to day dives, we also offer organized night dives, private dive guides and a wide range of PADI distinctive specialty courses including: the Blue Heron Bridge Distinctive Specialty (exclusively at Pura Vida Divers), Night Diver, Digital Photography and Digital Video.
If you attend our Blue Heron Bridge Social Night on Friday, March 11th, you can earn your Blue Heron Bridge Distinctive Specialty on Saturday, March 12 for only $59.99. A $10 donation to Project Aware, an air tank, and certification card are all included. Plus this certification counts toward your Master Scuba Diver (MSD) certification. For more information, please click here, or call the shop at 561.840.8750.
March’s guest presenter biography: Andrea Whitaker Check out some of her accomplishments. Although originally from Iowa, Andrea graduated from UNC Charlotte with a degree in Biology concentrating in Ecology and Environmental Biology. While in college Andrea co-managed a dive center but once graduated, she spent several years working in Washington State as a wetland biologist. Tired of the dreary, cold water and winters, Andrea moved to South Florida in 2012 to work towards a Masters in Marine Biology. Andrea joined the PVD team in late 2012 as the store manager and reservation specialist. She’s most likely the friendly voice you hear on the phone when you call to book your diving adventure. On her days off, Andrea volunteers at FIU in Northern Miami on a research project involving Bull Sharks. Andrea’s favorite dive sites are The Corridor and Juno Ledge. March’s guest presenter biography: Shana PhelanCheck out some of her accomplishments.
Originally from Columbus, Indiana, Shana graduated from the College of Charleston in South Carolina with Marine Biology and Environmental Science Degrees. After initially moving to Florida to pursue a career in diving she returned to the Carolinas where she completed her Masters Degree in Coastal Environmental Management at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. She has worked with theLoggerhead Marine Life Center as a Marine Biologist and Researcher studying endangered and threatened sea turtles including the elusive Leatherback. In 2002, she was interviewed by The Discovery Channel in regards to her research, and in 2005 she worked with WIDECAST to create a Sea Turtle Trauma Response Field Guide which is now used throughout the Caribbean. She returned to Pura Vida in 2005 as a Co-owner and serves as the Administrator of the Palm Beach County Diving Association. In 2013 she was selected to serve as a Team Member for the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI). In addition, Shana is a PADI Staff Instructor, DAN Instructor, EFR Instructor, and TDI Instructor. Her favorite dive sites include Juno Ledge and Fourth Windows.
