World first dolphin swimming experience for Akaroa

The image of James Bond stepping out of a wet suit with a dry tuxedo underneath becomes a reality for Akaroa dolphin swimming operator Black Cat Cruises from 22 July this year.

The company is introducing a world first dolphin swimming experience - the use of dry suits which are also used by New Zealand Armed Forces, the US coast guard and the NASA space programme for Escape Suit Life preservers.

Black Cat Managing Director Paul Bingham product tested the suits upon their arrival this week.

“I wore my normal clothes under the suit and remained 100 percent dry despite spending nearly half an hour in the water. Although the water temperature was around 10C I was very warm, and additional benefits were that they are very buoyant and after being in the water I could slip out of the suit and walk straight off the boat and jump into the car – just like James Bond”.

“You can lie flat in the water and almost go to sleep. The weightlessness is very relaxing. Under normal circumstances I would not be swimming in July but now dolphin swimming is a genuine all year round experience,” he said.

“This is a world first and I believe the investment we have made will really improve the experience that our customers have with us - it’s warm and enjoyable; of course the dolphins don’t mind if you are in a wet suit or dry suit, they seemed to be as friendly as ever.”

The dry suits will be available free of charge from mid July to September and there will be a small surcharge for the rest of the year. Normal wetsuits remain available at no charge year round.

Bingham said the dry suits have proven extremely successful with Canadian rafting companies operating in cold winter months.

Black Cat Cruises has been operating for 22 years and is a former winner of the Supreme tourism award and is the largest tourism operator on Banks Peninsula.
ends

Key details:
• The only place in the world you can swim with hectors dolphins is Akaroa Harbour.
• The New Zealand Government is currently considering a threat management plan for hectors dolphins.
• Hectors dolphins are very rare and native to New Zealand.
• Black Cat Cruises (BCC) is a former supreme tourism award winner with an impressive environmental programme and is Green Globe benchmarked and contributes over $60,000 annually to environmental and community projects.
• Dolphin swimming is a year round activity.
• BCC will be the first and only tourism company in New Zealand using these suits.
• The suits can be worn over normal clothing and keep users 100% dry under the suit.
• Retail price is about $2000 per suit. 10 suits investment of $20,000
• One size fits all from child to XXL

www.blackcat.co.nz