Please add this to your website:

I recently had the Raptor escort me on a paddle across the Santa Barbara channel. Having done a number of marathon swims and paddles of this nature, I know what it takes to have a great escort boat.

From the moment I began making arrangements up until the time I landed on the beach, my event was handled in the most professional manner possible. These folks are a pleasure to deal with and the boat crew (Captain John and Logan) are ocean guys that operate in an expert manner.

I felt completely safe out there and in the best of hands. I wouldn't hesitate to hire the Raptor for another crossing and recommend it to others.

Suzanne Riedinger

Jay,

I wanted to touch base with you to thank everyone on the Raptor for a great dive experience yesterday. All of you were knowledgeable with the area and very helpful. The diving conditions were outstanding and I can't wait to come back. I will definitely tell all my dive friends to dive the Raptor if they are traveling to the LA (Ventura) area (5 Stars)...

I will be downloading the pictures that I took (within the next couple of days) and will be sending them to you.

Once again tell everyone thanks and I hope to see them soon!

Scott

I would just like to let you guys know that you are doing a great job. This was our second trip out on the Raptor and I didn’t think it could be any better than the last one... but it was.

The conditions were not great but you guys still managed to get us in on some good diving. The food and snacks were great and I always look forward to the brownies. The captain and crew were very helpful throughout the day.

If anyone has any reservations about boat diving in California, they should definitely check out the Raptor... it is a fun time for all levels.

Mike Delfino
Dago Divers

Hello Mike,

Thank you very much for taking the time to provide your thoughts regarding the positive experience that you had recently while diving aboard the Raptor. I am proud of the operation, the boat and the crew; it does make me happy to hear that our customers do see the difference we make and that they do appreciate our efforts.

Thank you once again for your kind comments; I will pass this on to the crew.

All the best,

James F. Smith
-owner-
Raptor Dive Charters




Patrick and I both agreed that our dive on the Raptor was the best dive boat experience to date. You guys are professionals and have fine tuned your art down to the details. On the way home I said that I couldn't think of one thing I would recommend you change and he agreed.

I would highly recommend the Raptor to others and we hope to do it again soon!

Thanks,
Melissa

Just wanted to thank all involved with the Whites dry suit DEMO dives and specialty certification.

Everything from when I first wandered into Ventura Dive & Sport and Nick and Scott got me interested, to sitting down with Mike Doyon to do all my final paperwork was FIVE-STAR… FIRST CLASS!!

The pool, the Raptor-

I have found my new dive home!

My fiancé and her son can’t wait to get certified!

Wouldn’t do it anywhere else.

See you soon,

Jim G.

Christy,

I would like to thank you, the Raptor and everybody at Ventura Dive and Sport for a really good time. Not only did we have some great diving, we had two great days out on the ocean!

I was pleasantly surprised at the professional and organized structure to the day, the way people were checked in and out by both their dive station and name along with the help and advice that the dive crew offered. Other things that really made the day were things like the captain slowing the boat to see the dolphins, whales and also a sun fish (all without being requested) just because they wanted everybody to see them. Your boat - The Raptor was an excellent boat, plenty of room, easy to get in and out from and really fast.

Your home cooked and prepared food on board was another addition to the already perfect service, it was very tasty and plenty of it.

Next time I am in California, I will definitely be heading your way for more diving.

Although some of the photos did not get great visibility, there were some good ones, even without a strobe - in case anybody wants to see the quality from the camera (which was an Olympus 1030SW) the link to my photos from the dives is below, feel free to take any photos of interest.

http://booker-jones.smugmug.com/gallery/5021703_HCxED#303089157_9kZjv

Regards

Mark

My son Sean and I would like to thank the crew of the Raptor and the staff at Ventura Dive & Sport for making our dive trip to Anacapa Island a great one.

Bob, Monrovia Ca.

Again, a BIG THANK YOU!!! to you and your crew... we had a awesome time!!! Your boat, your crew, conditions, dive spots, vis.... Everything was great!!! We will definitely want to do another trip with you guys again.

Let me know when your shop does promotions, I will let people know.

Take care,

Susan

Hello Raptor Dive Charters.

I was pleasantly surprised at the professional and organized structure to the day, the way people were checked in and out by both their dive station and name along with the help and advice that the Raptor\'s dive crew offered. Other things that really made the day were things like the captain slowing the boat to see the dolphins, whales and also a sun fish (all without being requested) just because they wanted everybody to see them. Your boat - The Raptor- was an excellent boat, plenty of room, easy to get in and out from and really fast.

Your home cooked and prepared food on board was another addition to the already perfect service; it was very tasty and plenty of it.
Next time I am in California, I will definitely be heading your way for more diving.

Mark

It was fun chatting with you on the boat. I have to say, I was soooo impressed with Ventura Dive & Sport\'s operation. Great facility, great store, super boat. And all of it so well organized.

I wish there was an operation like that up here in our area. We have the corporate cookie cutter (Sport Chalet - nice people, but they have to work within the system) or the mom and pop dive shop (I lock the doors at 6pm and then open a beer.)

We hope to be back down to Ventura Labor Day, and if not at least send people your way. I know they will be well taken care of.

Sea ya,

Jody

Hello to all!

On Saturday, June 14, while on my second dive of the day off the Raptor, I became caught up in the surge and couldn't get back to the boat. I was already getting tired from trying to swim back to the boat, so I gave the distress signal. Thank God that Joe and Kathy actually pay close attention to the divers and spotted me immediately. Kathy swam out to me as fast as she could and pulled me back to the boat, all the while having to listen to my panicked babbling. She remained calm and focused, and got me back safely. At the time, I really wished she was riding a SeaDoo instead of swimming with a boogie board, but all worked out well.

This was my second trip on the Raptor, and my friend Bob and I are really impressed with the way you run things -- from the roominess and cleanliness of the boat, the great food, drinks, and snacks, and the friendly and professional crew. And I can add to this list GREAT EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

I am so, so, sooo thankful to Kathy, and just can't say enough about how grateful I am for her strong swimming skills. And a big thanks to Joe, who had to stay on the boat and watch for others, but I am sure was thinking good thoughts.

I will definitely be back diving off of the Raptor, but next time it will be with a dive guide!

Again, a great big "Thank You!", and I will be seeing you again, hopefully soon.

Denise

Dive Journal:

The Raptor serves up great eats, and Janel and I enjoy oranges, watermelon, and especially some big Thompson seedless grapes between dives. The next site is only 5 minutes away, and we cut our post-dive chatter short to get ready for it. With the shallow depth of last dive, practically no surface interval is required. This site is further up the ocean-side of Anacapa, roughly in the middle of the island.

We again see a patch of kelp and are told there is an underwater rock arch formation parallel to the island to explore. The dive site is small but we are told it is a pretty one that is infrequently visited, again due to the usual current and wind patterns. Janel and I are in the water and finning for the kelp soon enough. We edge into the forest, and find the sea lions are continuing their playful approaches to us, appearing suddenly from the murky distances. We first enter into a dense part of the kelp, explore the fish schools and urchins for a while, then start along a ridge that defines the edge of the forest, where we can duck into and out of the trees.

We are again enchanted by our surroundings and choose often to simply find a comfortable repose and meditate some minutes away. The frequent visits by the sea lions grab our attention, and we see another batwing ray along the way. After about 40 minutes of exploration, it is starting to get a little bit cold. We spy some of the other divers headed back to the boat and decide to tag along. Back on board, several of the other divers are discussing the dive and ask if we'd found the arch.

I guess we never even tried to look for it! We are still grinning about the dive experience, however. The viewing was excellent and the diving very comfortable. I would return to the Raptor any day.

Janel Warming up after
our dive at the Arch
The craggey shoreline of
Anacapa Island
Photos by Rich Torkington

I'd like to add a comment to your website from someone who frequently dives the Raptor. I always take the Raptor because the crew is absolutely the best. The boat is fast and convenient, but the crew is really the most important. They always make me feel welcome, safe and never fail to add they are there to make sure we have a good time. I often see instructors who are not working that day assisting other divers just because they are helpful people.

The soul of the Raptor is the wonderful crew. Their energy and enthusiasm fills the boat and they make all the divers feel secure & comfortable... and they do their best to make sure everyone has a great time.

I also appreciate the Raptor's commitment to safety... they know who their divers are and where they are at all times. The dive briefings are excellent!

See you soon,

Pam

Your operation (for my club) was, in a word, gracious, professional, and outstanding. Ok... three words! I look forward to diving with the Raptor again with my dive club.

All the best,

Fred

Raptor Dive Charters

Had a great time - the Raptor is all you said it would be and your whole operation - store, boat, training facility, staff - were all top notch. I was very impressed. See the write-up and pics at http://scubadivetravellife.blogspot.com/

Diving was really good too - challenging at times - but learn and grow, and on we go. Have a great summer. I hope to see you in the fall.

Thanks again,

Jody