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Sub Sea Systems — Our World is a blog dedicated to the unique experiences of Sub Sea Systems — Immerse yourself in our incredible adventures, company culture, and innovative programs and products.

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Friday, March 27, 2015

Trekker & Delfina — It’s ‘SEA’ster


Easter is just around the corner. This week we want to share a little Easter story with you. Our mascots — Trekker and Delfina — star in this fun story.



Trekker donned his white Sea TREK helmet and descended to the sea floor. Every time he stepped off of the entry ladder and turned to see the vastness of the ocean in front of him he was amazed. Even more, he was amazed that he was breathing underwater! The feeling never got old— you see, Trekker is an iguana.

Trekker walked slowly, feeling the weightlessness of being on the floor of the sea. He searched the beautiful coral seascape for his friend Delfina. Delfina is a pretty little dolphin, and Trekker and Delfina had recently become friends. Delfina loved to explore, but she was always irritated when she had to resurface to get air. Trekker showed her his Sea TREK helmet and Delfina was ecstatic. She now has her very own helmet and uses it for all of her adventures.

Finally, Trekker saw Delfina swimming towards him. He was so excited to teach her about his traditions (those of the surface dwellers). This time he was going to tell her about Easter.

Trekker and Delfina had developed a special way to communicate underwater. A combination of hand signs and written words (on special underwater tablets) allowed them to share stories about the 2 different worlds in which they live.

Trekker was wearing his very special bunny ears on top of his SeaTREK helmet in celebration of the upcoming holiday. When Delfina saw them her eyes sparkled and her smile got even bigger.

Trekker began to tell her — in their special language — all about Easter. Delfina laughed as Trekker gestured and wrote frantically explaining everything. He told her about the Easter bunny, and dying Easter eggs, and great Easter egg hunts. He described Easter grass, Easter baskets, jellybeans, and giant chocolate bunnies. He told her about family gatherings, Easter dresses and delicious dinners. Delfina watched with delight and nodded her head. Then it was Delfina’s turn to share. Trekker handed her their writing tablet, and Delfina wrote ‘SEA’ster!!!

Trekker was confused and shook his head. ‘Eeeeeeeee’aster he signed. Delfina underlined ‘SEA’ster again. Then she began to sign wildly sharing the traditions of the inhabitants that live beneath the waves, and all the things they do to celebrate ‘SEA’ster.



Delfina described a special creature called the ‘SEA’ster Octopus (a Dumbo Octopus) that brings basket stars — holding gifts of pearls, sea glass, and chocolate covered mackerel — to every child. She told him that under the sea they also have a special hunt: the most beautiful and colorful nudibranchs get together and plan a game of hide-and-seek. The sea creature who finds the most nudibranchs gets to be the King or Queen of  ‘SEA’ster. The winner wears a crown, sits on a throne, and eats all of the special treats that the creatures of the sea prepare for the special day. ‘SEA’ster favorites are sea pig with plankton aioli, twice baked giant kelp, and coral berry cobbler.



After she finished signing Delfina swam away for a moment. Trekker didn’t wait long as Delfina almost instantly came back. With a sparkle of bubbles and a big laugh Delfina placed a set of ‘SEA’ster bunny ears on her helmet. The ‘SEA’ster Octopus has ears, too? signed Trekker. Delfina’s smile got even wider as she nodded and pointed in the distance. The ‘SEA’ster octopus quickly swam out of sight, but not before Trekker got a glimpse. Trekker had to say Goodbye to Delfina, but he knew they would meet again soon, and teach each other more about the wonderful things that are different about their worlds.

As Trekker waved to Delfina he recalled the ‘SEA’ster bunny. I guess our worlds aren’t that different thought Trekker.

Print a coloring page and celebrate 'SEA'ster with us!

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Thursday, March 19, 2015

What to Pack for the Perfect Spring and Summer Activities on a FunCat


Spring is in the air and the desire to be out of doors and in our beautiful environment is rampant. With sunny skies and sparkling lakes and bays in our minds we are gearing up for this year’s FunCat season. The hottest trend on the bay and the coolest ride on the lake — FunCat Electric Catamarans offer a truly unique experience. There are so many wonderful ways to spend spring and summer days, and we thought it would be fun to share our favorite FunCat days! We gathered together all of the things you need to plan a day of your own. We even included a suggested track for each themed day. Read about our plans below.

The FunCat Picnic



What is it about eating outdoors? The food tastes better, the company seems happier, and the time goes by a little bit slower so you can relax and really enjoy your meal. Imagine taking that picnic out on a watery, private playground in the middle of the lake! FunCat’s are perfect for the leisurely meal. Keep your food in the dry storage compartments (no soggy sandwiches here!), place your cold drinks in the cup holders, and recline on the chaise lounge style seat as you enjoy!

What to bring:



Suggested Track: Pontoon by Little Big Town



The FunCat Date Night



The side-by-side seating of the FunCat lends itself perfectly to cozying up with your honey. Head out when the sun gets low and pop a cork. We think the FunCat offers a pretty unique date night.

What to bring:

  • Wine — Yes Please! We chose a local favorite– Boeger Zinfandel
  • Wine glasses — or you could just share the bottle
  • Corkscrew — DO NOT FORGET THIS ONE
  • Cheese and Crackers — Vermont aged sharp cheddar from Cracker Barrel
  • Chocolate — Trader Joe's dark chocolate peanut butter cups (careful, these are addicting!)
  • Flowers — always get her flowers
  • Bluetooth speaker to amplify your romance – we’re crazy for the Jawbone JAMBOX!


Suggested Track: P.S. I Love You by Billie Holiday



The FunCat Fishing Trip



Fishing from a fishing pole mount on a reclined FunCat chaise lounge and a quiet evening on the water: what better way to catch dinner? With FunCat’s silent electric motors the fish will never hear you coming!

What to bring:

  • Fishing Pole —duh
  • Bait — How about hot pink sparkly shrimp flavored marshmallows?
  • Hooks — Necessary
  • Snacks — Trail mix and cashews (you’re going to need that protein for all the fish fighting)
  • A hat to keep sun off— We like our FunCat hat and we will wear it even though we have a bimini sun shade
  • A camouflage cell phone cover by OtterBox — so the fish can’t see it


Suggested Track: That’s My Kind Of Night by Luke Bryan



The FunCat Relaxation Day



Need some zen? Pack up and take your FunCat to that perfect place on the water. The place where no one ever goes, and you can find peace.

What to bring:



Suggested Track: More Shine by Si*Sé



The FunCat Adventure Day



Kids love the FunCat because it is so easy to drive, but how much more would they love a whole day of adventure on a FunCat! Create a scavenger hunt. Think of things that would be on the water such as a stick of driftwood or a feather. Think of things that you might find on the shore. Ask them to paint pictures of birds they find with their binoculars. Take a journal so they can write about the day. Be sure to pack snacks!

What to bring:

  • Binoculars — a kid’s pair and a parent’s pair
  • Paper & Pen — we packed our FunCat pen
  • Art Supplies — plein air (I mean water) painting is the best; we packed Holbein Gouache
  • Hats — Angry Birds
  • A FunCat koozie — keep your drinks cold
  • Snacks — Gimme a break…


Suggested Track: Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf



The Girly FunCat Day



NO BOYS ALLOWED. Grab your bikini, a towel, some suntan lotion and a magazine and hit the water! Bring some fun toenail polish and pamper yourself in the middle of the bay.

What to bring:

  • Swimming suit
  • Towel
  • Suntan lotion — don’t forget to protect your skin with some SPF, Hawaiian Tropic is our go to
  • Magazine — The girlier the better; how about GLAMOUR
  • Nail Polish — Go wild; essie stays on great!


Suggested Track: Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper



The FunCat Morning



Make your morning a GREAT morning. If you plan this little excursion it won’t matter what side of the bed you woke up on, you will soon be in the BEST of moods as you glide on your FunCat toward the sunrise. Bring Coffee and breakfast, and then sip some mimosa as you snuggle in your blanket and slippers and read the morning paper.

What to bring:

  • Coffee — Coffee ALWAYS comes first; we selected a local specialty roast from Temple Coffee
  • Breakfast — homemade banana walnut crème cake…mmm
  • A blanket and slippers — keep warm and cozy
  • Orange Juice — Tropicana
  • Champagne — Can’t have OJ without champagne; we chose Schramsberg


Suggested Track: You Are The Sunshine Of My Life by Stevie Wonder



The FunCat Selfie Day



Lounging on the lake aboard a FunCat Electric Catamaran is an awesome place to take a selfie, but you can make it even better... Props like mustaches and lips, big hats, and sunglasses add charm, while a GoPro on a selfie stick makes your photos fabulous. Be sure to keep hydrated! You wouldn’t want chapped lips in your selfie!

What to bring:

  • A Camera — A GoPro or an iphone
  • A selfie stick — A GoPole
  • Props — lips, mustaches, sunglasses, and hats — Go crazy
  • A mirror
  • Water Bottle — Dasani with a straw (cute selfie idea)


Suggested Track: Firework by Katy Perry



The FunCat Game Day



There is nothing better than family game night… except… family game day on a FunCat in the middle of the lake! Pack your favorite games (board games —not so much– you don’t want to lose those pieces in the water!) and head out into the blue. Bubbles, squirt guns, and card games are your best bet!

What to bring:




Suggested Track: It’s All in the Game by Tommy Edwards

Please share our fun FunCat day plans with your friends and tell us your ideas for fun in the sun on a FunCat in the comments below.

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Thursday, March 12, 2015

Clear Lounge Launch




Clear Lounge (the world’s 1st underwater oxygen bar) had its official launch party here in Diamond Springs, California at Sub Sea Systems’ corporate headquarters last Thursday, March 5th. We invited family, friends and vendors to take the plunge and be some of the first to experience Clear Lounge. D.J. Alazzawi from 102.5 KSFM (a local radio station) even setup a light show and fog machine, while top 40 hits pumped throughout the warehouse. The flashing lights and bubbles in clear lounge fit right into the club-like atmosphere.



The main event of the party was watching the first EVER guests step into Clear Lounge! With a packed warehouse, the audience had their smartphone cameras ready as Ashley Azbill, Sam Ludden and Ethan Bentley descended into the lounge where they bounced around in slow motion, shot the high-powered bubble gun, posed in front of the digital video wall for some underwater selfies, played jenga, and wrote messages to onlookers as we all watched in awe from outside the tank. During the ‘entertainment,’ our dry guests tasted freshly blended smoothies from the Clear Lounge Smoothie Bar; we served delicious Strawberry Banana and tangy Pineapple Paradise... they were such a hit that we ran out!



A number of guests immersed themselves in Clear Lounge that night, and the reviews were stellar. We loved hearing the feedback! Guests shared: they felt energized, they enjoyed the scents — Orange Grove and Chillin’ Peppermint — they didn’t want to give up the bubble gun, they liked playing Jenga, and they were really excited about the photo booth. It seems Clear Lounge already has many fans! Guests left the party with a cool Clear Lounge window cling decal, and a can of spearmint flavored oxygen, so they could bring a little bit of the experience home with them.



We celebrated the completion of Clear Lounge — the great accomplishment that was the culmination of all our employees’ dedication and hard work — and we celebrated the achievement of Jim Mayfield’s vision. A feeling of pride resides in each employee, for the part we have played in creating this one-of-a-kind experience, and for the innovative company that we work for.

Music bumping, the tank pulsing color and light, smiling faces of guests interacting inside and outside the tank — it was a sight to see; what a success!!!



In the days following our launch party we invited local press to experience Clear Lounge. News anchors from nearby news stations came out to see the world’s first underwater oxygen bar. Our first media guest, Walt Gray from News 10, came out on Friday March 6th to see Clear Lounge… Needless to say he was impressed.


The following Tuesday, Good Day Sacramento’s Heather Brent visited us bright and early. She climbed into the Clear Lounge and was the first to report LIVE from beneath the surface. Her bubbly personality was contagious! Heather told us she was absolutely energized by the oxygen. We loved having her.



Next, Fox 40’s Gary Gelfand entered the lounge. He was dressed for the event, wearing his suit jacket and dress shirt into the Clear Lounge– now that’s what we call a wetsuit! Gary reported with enthusiasm and humor. We loved watching him pretend to eat the jellyfish toy (a target for the bubble gun). And we thought it was really funny that he kept writing, “Where is the bathroom?” on the underwater writing tablets. Thanks for a great time Gary Gelfand!






A little while later KCRA came out to learn about the Clear Lounge. Kyle Mayfield, Clear Lounge Product Director, enjoyed walking Marcelino Navarro through the Clear Lounge from top to bottom.



Our last guest of the day was Wendy Schultz from the Mountain Democrat (California’s oldest newspaper). Without hesitation, she climbed right into Clear Lounge wearing a purple wetsuit that perfectly matched her toenail polish. We watched as she smiled and wrote “WOW!” on the underwater writing tablet. It was easy to see she thoroughly enjoyed herself! The story is available only to the newspaper’s subscribers, but your can read an excerpt here.

Sadly, the aquarium is now empty, as we prepare for its shipment early next week. It is bittersweet; we’re sad to see it leave Diamond Springs, however overwhelmingly happy and excited to see it arrive at its final destination in Puerta Maya, Cozumel, Mexico. And, we’re already in the planning stages for our next Clear Lounge!

Stay tuned as we prepare for Clear Lounge Cozumel’s Grand Opening in April! We look forward to introducing thousands of non-divers and non-swimmers to their first oxygenated breaths underwater!

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