A Tribe Called K2 Buhl-oog!

Xcel International, Inc. (Xcel) is the leader in Skin Cancer Prevention rolling out its 2009 line of Xcel Ventx Sun Protection, and Xcel Scuba Wetsuits, and Xcel Bamboo Thermoflex Wetsuit line.

Xcel Announces 2009 Skin Cancer Awareness Partnership

taking its efforts to raise skin cancer awareness to a national level, announcing its 2009 partnership with the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii (CRCH), a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer through research, education, and service.

Through December 31, 2009, as part of its UV PROTECTION, SKIN CANCER PREVENTION program, Xcel will donate a percentage of proceeds from national sales of Xcel UV Protection Gear to benefit the research efforts of the CRCH.
"Xcel is in a prime position to raise awareness about the importance and ease of sun protection," says Ed D’Ascoli, Xcel president and founder. "As a brand headquartered in Hawaii, where the sun shines strong almost 365 days each year, we’ve been designing our UV Protection Gear specifically for maximum sun protection and performance. Our 2009 partnership with the CRCH is the next step in Xcel’s ongoing efforts to raise much-needed skin cancer awareness."

Xcel UV Protection Gear performance apparel is designed from fibers to finished product to block over 95 – 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, whether wet or dry. A core wetsuit brand, Xcel applies its cutting-edge wetsuit innovations and features to full UV Protection Gear product lines for men, women, and youth – product that emphasizes high performance with the added benefit of built-in sun protection.
"With nation-wide proceeds benefiting cancer research," adds D’Ascoli, "our UV Protection Gear not only benefits the individual wearer – it can help people everywhere in the long run, by contributing to the valuable research we need to understand, treat, and prevent skin cancer."

The partnership between Xcel and the CRCH began with a similar Hawaii-only effort in May 2007, during National Skin Cancer Awareness month. Due to that campaign’s success, Xcel is expanding its proceeds base to include sales made throughout Hawaii and the United States mainland.
"Our continuing partnership with Xcel is an excellent example of how companies, and individuals, can help join the fight against cancer," adds Dr. Michele Carbone, interim director of the CRCH. "Skin cancer is especially preventable; the CRCH works for the cure through research, and Xcel through product innovation."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mad props go out to Xcel on taking the lead to prevent Skin Cancer now at epidemic proportions. You can read more: http://www.xcelwetsuits.com/sun/index.php?area=news&id=79&page=1

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A beautiful young lady visited us yesterday to start her adventure in scuba diving.  We debated the various equipment, and she tried on a number of superpremium Xcel & Pinnacle Scuba Wetsuits, as well as some economical Henderson wetsuits also.  After a host of hours she seemed more bewildered at the mountain of equipment she had to ultimately purchase, which spurred the writing of this article. 

Know that each scuba diving shop or dive centre will be offering you a bewildering array of varied equipment, from masks and fins to snorkels, wetsuits, BCDs and other useful things.  Sometimes you can even be a little confused what to pick.  It is sort of accepted that a huge quantity of provided diving equipment makes the choice comparatively hard notwithstanding of this you need to select scuba diving equipment which will be open the adventure of innerspace and the wonderful depths of the ocean for you. 

So, is there a way to make your decision quicker and easier?  To do it you need to keep in mind the next factors that will effect your call.  Initially you wish to consider the environmental conditions.  In fact, the dimensions of your scuba diving equipment fiscal plan, and the undeniable fact that you can spend a bucketload of money doesn’t matter if you select the inaccurate apparatus for your local environmental conditions. 

So you need to bear in mind these things :

Where are you going to dive and what are the environmental situations there? 

You need also to think whether you actually need a full scuba diving wetsuit or a shorty will be sufficient for you.  You would like also to take into consideration the temperature of the water and in the case it is cold enough then you’ll have to get a scuba dry suit.  It should be also added that it is necessary to choose whether you need an environmentally sealed first stage (on your scuba regulator) to prevent freezing. 

You need to also remember that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. 

The point is that it is easy to trim costs by providing low quality items that will not stand up to any degree of ordinary use and,  a saving here will be at the price of apparatus life or safety.  In Scuba Diving, the addage that “cheap costs”, is where Murphy of Murphy’s Law hides.

It is highly recommended to ask if the store has display models or stock from the prior season.  You need to also know that you’ve got the opportunity to save money on gear like dive bags by replacing other products if you purchase inexpensive plastic storage crates in shops and other stores.  You may be sure that you’ll get it for a tenth of the price of a dive bag and besides it’ll do the job absolutely fine. 

Think outside of the box.  Places like these (non life support equipment) is where you can cut corners and preserve your income.  Always feel free to give us a call, on things like this. . .we at K2 are here to help:  818 982 2652

Comfort is the other principal point to be considered.  You want always to remember that you which will be using this life support equipment, and that is the reason why you want to make certain you spend enough time trying it in order to assure you are feeling comfy. 

To conclude, you’ll realize that choosing scuba diving equipment can be straightforward so long as you apply a bit of forethought.  Without regard for the colossal quantity of funds available for your scuba diving package, you should be ready to select many products and then take it slowly and select scuba diving equipment which will be superb for you. 

Thanks for reading!

Selecting the best scuba diving wetsuits is tantamount to giving yourself that full-geared up confidence to take part in a worthwhile scuba diving experience. Wetsuits offer assorted degrees of thermal protection for the body while underwater with its man-made neoprene material that might be fitted out with spandex fibers to provide further flexibleness. Here are some beneficial subjects to help in your search and purchase for this scuba gear : Finding your Wetsuit Style.

Xcel Wetsuits are available in full-body, three quarters ( only half of the legs and arms are covered ), and two-piece styles. The three quarters or ’shorty’ wetsuit is practical to be used in warm waters while the two-piece wetsuit will fit cold water dives. If you are an occasional, recreational diver, shorties will be a good selection. But if you want to make a job or occupation out of diving, getting a full body wetsuit will give you the power to don it in both cold water and warm water dives.

Wetsuit Fit: When selecting a wetsuit its fit and tailoring for your body shape is imperative. A poor wetsuit that fits your body shape is always going to perform better than a bad fitting high quality wetsuit. So fit is really vital. At K2 Scuba, you can look forward to a call and custom fitting you to the suit that it right for you, rather than just taking an order for some stock size and shipping it to you. Look for a snugg fit all over your body particularly your torso, good length on your legs and arms. When you try a wetsuit on do some stretches and squats to see how it follows the contour of your body.

SUITS IN THE 21ST CENTURY ARE NO LONGER UNCOMFORTABLE.  Don’t believe the hype that a wetsuit is only comfortable in the water!

If you notice significant room particularly on your lumbar region, in that arch between the pinnacle of your bum and your shoulder, then you don’t have a decent fit. Simply, if your wetsuit does not adhere closely to your body shape then water will flush in and you won’t stay warm.  You have spent a grip of money for an ill fitting suit.

Another crucial area to look for tight fit is round the neck, where you enter the wetsuit. Manifestly you will not need it to choke you but you do need it to be secure as can be to stop water flushing into your wetsuit when duck diving. There are a number of neck entry systems that different wetsuit brands will be offering, the regular back zip and velcro close over or the front zip offered by Xcel Diving Wetsuits or Pinnacle Wetsuits. The general public do need to try on some wetsuits to get one that fits them completely.

Naturally, there are retailers offering custom-made wetsuits for those with deeper pockets. When cut to your size, the wetsuit guarantees utmost comfort, better insulation and flexibility. Judge your Diving Desires . A wetsuit should snuggly fit your body to increase flexibleness as you move underwater and insulation to guard you from cold temperatures at the depths. Neoprene is the standard material for wetsuits and are available in thicknesses of 2mm to about 9mm. However , you check the thickness that you are most ok with. In most examples, wetsuits carrying a thickness beyond 5mm can get real massive underwater to put a dent on overall adaptability. When that occurs, the chance of efficient insulation loses its meaning if the material constricts movement. keeping up the Correct Condition of Your Wetsuit.

There are available cleaning agents and desalters to keep your wetsuit spic-and-span after each dive. This could rid the wetsuit of salt, forestall perspiration from sticking to the material, deodorize the garment and extend its useful life too. As much as humanly possible, dip your wetsuit in a tub crammed with an enzyme-based cleaner and hand wash it scrupulously ; especially avoid messing up the backstitching of a wetsuit. Do not forget to mist it while drying outside but watch out not to reveal it to direct sunlight. The stink of a wetsuit are the bacteria from your skin hiding in the nooks and crannies of the neoprene.  Wash your suit!

Likewise , hang the wetsuit in a cool, dry place and away from direct daylight when storing them..

Thanks for reading, leave your comments below. . . yes, now!

There are a boatload of small and large e-tailers as well local dive shops nationwide and internationally where you could spend your hard earned dollars. . . .

. . . and you picked us! It is a privilege to earn your business and you deserve to be treated like an honored guest. . . welcome to K2, where we will treat you like a friend first, and a customer second.If you are a new customer, prepare to be in awe!

Our ratings are running approx one review per 120 transactions, so you are looking at the love we have gotten from over a thousand giddy customers. How can we make you part of the K2 Family? We stand for good ol’ customer service, and stake our reputation on it!

Warranty

K2 is an authorized Dealer for all products we carry so your amazing spank brand new  thingamwhiz comes with the full Manufacturer’s warranty. That means, if it breaks, we exchange it out for a new one, upgrade needed, we handle it for you, if there is a grey area, we will go to bat for you with the manufacturer. The other guys, welp,  the other unauthorized grey market guys with the spectacular low prices. . . g’luck!

Warning: Unauthorized Dealers May Cost You Money

Like your iPod, scuba gear is backed by manufacturer’s warranties. If you buy from K2, an authorized dealer, you will be notified in the event of a safety recall. The warranty is much more important with scuba gear, as this is life support equipment and Murphy ( of Murphy’s Law) is following you around at 130 feet of seawater. Every year the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) finds several scuba products that require recall. The Aqualung Titan was the latest recall September ‘O8. Please click the above link to read about it.

Our Ridiculously Customer Oriented 30/60/90/120 Return Policy

You may return all undamaged items purchased at K2 SCUBA Dive Center and K2Scuba.com within 30 days of the original delivery for a complete ‘no questions asked’ refund.
We will also accept your return up to 60/90/120 days from date of purchase. Here is how it works:
60 days and after you will receive a 75% K2 Scuba store credit towards future merchandise.
90 days and after you will receive a 50% K2 Scuba store credit towards future merchandise.
Up to 120 days-upon receiving your return product, you will receive a 25% store credit towards future merchandise.

Please read the complete terms and conditions here.

Bonus Gift

With every purchase, no matter how big or small, you will receive a gift from us  as a way of saying thank you for the privilege of serving you, our customer.

Zero Risk Proposition/ Guarantee

We guarantee you will LOVE your Oceanic, Pinnacle, and Xcel  diving equipment (and a host of other manufacturers) or we will buy it back from you. Dive it, play in the bath tub or pool for 30 days, WE WILL BUY IT BACK from you. . . or exchange it with no questions asked.

Perfect Fit Guarantee

Can’t decide which size wetsuit, mask, or BCD to purchase because you are b’tween sizes?
Afraid of buying stuff because it looks good on the model, but maybe not yourself?
You get the box home and excitedly open it only to discover that you HATE the color?
Well, we want to calm your fears. You have ZERO RISK and we endeavor to make you smile with the K2 Perfect Fit Guarantee! Give us a call, and we will send you out what will please you. We don’t rest until you are gleefully happy! Please read the complete terms and conditions here.

Delivery, Shipping and Handling

We have deep stock of the products we carry, so when you order, we ship within 24 hours, and you can count on a confirmation email with a tracking number.

If we don’t live up to this promise, call me, Tevis Verrett at 818 982 2652 and I will personally look into your order and call you back with the fix. I will also send you a special gift to say thanks.

We never add a handling charge, nor are there surcharges; that is fleecing the unsuspecting customer and it’s just wrong. What you pay up front is what you pay. . . and no hidden charges! (remember, treating you like a friend)

Setup & Installation of Gear

It is all about customer service! This is the K2 difference, and you don’t have to wonder what condition your product will arrive in when you receive it . We will either assemble it before it leaves the warehouse, or send it to a K2 instructor local to you, or. . . do nothing because you are an experienced diver. The Big Picture. . .you have options, and you have the SAY, and we ask YOU!

Deliverability and Availability

If the reason you came to us is because you want your item, you want it now, and you don’t want to wait for it… you came to the right place. We understand that you want it right now. Often, discounters have lower prices, but are” oh-so- sorry-we’re-out-of -it”, so they try to sell you something else. So please don’t be fooled by competitors who have deeply discounted prices, because their deliverability or availability of those products just might not be there.

Customer Support

It is what K2 is all about. we aren’t done until you are gleefully happy!

Technical support

Youbought the latest SuperBangWhiz Dive Computer from us, and have questions. You bought a pair of drygloves and need help installing them on your drysuit. We are here for you BEFORE and AFTER your purchase and we are privileged to be your local diveshop. . . this is what separates us from the discounters.

It is a promise that we will walk you through it.

Deep Selection of Products, Travel Locations and Services

 Part and parcel of the K2 Difference is that it is our sincere endeavor to make your shopping convenient, easy, and a fun experience to shop, travel, and learn with us. Don’t you deserve the luxury of fun in your experience of purchasing your dive gear?

This is our solemn promise to you!

Ultrastretch Bamboo

New to the 2009 Xcel Dive line is the Bamboo Ultrastretch series made from recycled materials. Bamboo has insulating features that add comfort and warmth to a wetsuit. Using recycled yarns reduces the amount of materials going into landfills.

Read more here. . .

• The UltraStretch is a cold-water scuba diving 7/6mm wetsuit fullsuit retails for $429.97. The 5/4mm wetsuit is for more temperate water climes and retails for $359.97.
• Classic back zipper design is easier for women to put on or take off than suits with a cross-chest front zipper.
• Back Zipper with Adjustable wrap collar for comfort
• Xcel’s Bamboo-infused water-resistant Dual Level ThermoBarrier lining made from recycled materials; upper body in high pile for core warmth, with lower body and sleeves in lower pile for stretch performance
• Easy on & off ankle zipper system with inner ankle dams
• Quadruple glued and blind stitched seams with reinforced stress points means this suit is super premium and will last, and last, and last!
• Xcel will guarantee all the seams for the life of the suit, if a seam splits, return it 5-7-10 years from now and Xcel will fix it or give you a new suit.
• 5mm body, 4mm sleeves, 3mm outer lower legs and inner spine puts the warmth where you need it, and flexibility to keep you moving comfortably.



• These super premium suits come with the super premium K2 Customer Service, and we guarantee to make sure that your suit is a perfect and custom fit. Expect a call after your purchase and have your measurements handy!
• We have all sizes in currently in stock and are one of the few master dealers in the country to stock all regular and most specialty sizes:

   

Men:

S, M, MT, ML, LS L, LT XLS, XL, LXT, 2XLS, XXL, 3XL

Specialty Sizes:

XS, MLS, 3XLS, 4XL, 5XL

Women:

4, 6, 8S, 8T, 10S, 10T, 12S, 12, 14

Specialty Sizes:

6T, 14S, 16

Please see Xcel Sizing Chart here. . .

• Deliverability when it comes to your needs and desires is our highest priority. Leaving for vacation two days? Your (professionally fit) suit will be there next day!  

•  

  Customer support and technical support are here for you before and AFTER the transaction. At any time of the day or night, call toll free 866 523 4836.

   

• We guarantee you will love this suit, or we will buy it back from you. Dive it, play in the bath tub or pool for 30 days, if it isn’t the warmest, stretchiest, most comfortable suit that you have ever worn or purchased, WE WILL BUY IT BACK from you. . exchange it or give you your money back!

• You have ZERO risk on this most amazing Xcel Bamboo Thermoflex UltraStretch!

• Xcel warranties each and every glued seam for the life of the suit. That means even after you pass it down to Uncle Elmer, or sell it, the warranty follows. If a seam fails, send it back and Xcel will either repair it, or give you a brand new suit!
• If we haven’t shown you the love enough yet, please read our global policies here. We endeavor to treat you like a friend first, and a customer last.

Join the revolution!