Divi Flamingo Beach Hosts Handicapped Scuba Association Trip

Be a Buddy! Course Offered to Certify Dive Buddies for Divers with Disabilities

Chapel Hill, NC (May 28, 2008) - Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino is once again hosting the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA) for their annual dive in the world class waters off Bonaire. This year's trip is set for August 9th through 16th, 2008, and is the group's 24th annual excursion to the resort. For able-bodied divers looking to do some good while on vacation, a dive buddy training course will be held at the hotel's on-site dive center August 6th through 8th.

The Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino (http://www.diviflamingo.com) is a gateway to Bonaire's world-renowned snorkeling and scuba diving, with Calabas Reef just a few feet offshore. The resort's PADI five-star dive operation, Divi Dive Bonaire, (http://www.diviflamingo.com/DiviFlamingo/bonaire-scuba-diving-vacation.html), offers customized handicap accessible dive boats (no lifting), top-of-the-line gear and a seasoned dive crew, including HSA trained dive masters. The hotel is completely accessible and rooms have roll-in showers. Further, the charming island capital of Kralendijk is a five-minute "roll" from the hotel, which helps makes Divi the perfect spot for the HSA trip.

HSA Dive Trip - The hotel package includes 7 nights hotel accommodations, breakfast daily and roundtrip airport transfers, six days of boat diving, 3 dives per day and unlimited shore diving on the beautiful Calabas Reef. Price for scuba divers is $1,240 per person double occupancy, $1,670 single occupancy. Non-diving guests charges are $880 double occupancy; $1,345 single occupancy.

Dive Buddy Course - During the three day training course, August 6th through 8th, students will learn about disabilities and experience being handicapped while diving, ultimately earning HSA dive buddy certification.

Instructor Training Course - Certified instructors can also take a course to earn teaching status for training divers with disabilities that will be held concurrently with the Dive Buddy Course.

For reservations and additional trip and course information, contact the HSA at 949.498.4540 or hsa@hsascuba.com.

"The HSA has been going to the Divi in Bonaire since 1983," stated Jim Gattacre, founder and president of the HSA. "From the very first trip it has felt like home. The staff accommodated us so well in 1983, and has continually upgraded the accessibility of the resort every year since. They are very in-touch with our needs."

Anne Ens, director of marketing for Divi Resorts, says, "We are proud that Divi Flamingo Beach is their first choice for the annual HSA trip. The hotel is located just a few feet away from some of Bonaire's most pristine reefs and a multiplicity of marine life. Everyone should be able to have this one-of-a-kind experience."

For more information on Divi Resorts, call 1-800-367-3484, or visit www.diviresorts.com.