Try DPVs at Boston Sea Rovers 2026: NAUI Pool Workshop & In-Water Demo

At the Boston Sea Rovers Show 2026, NAUI's Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) Workshop turns a hotel pool into a classroom for controlled‑environment skill work. Held at the Doubletree Hotel & Pool, 50 Ferncroft Rd, Danvers, MA 01923, this two‑session experience pairs a Saturday evening lecture with a Sunday in‑water demo to introduce orientation, ergonomics, and safety around underwater scooters. Organized by NAUI representatives (contact: [email protected]) and listed as "2026 Boston Sea Rovers Symposium Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) NAUI Workshop," the course is designed for divers eager to sample DPV handling without committing to open‑water training. The scene is straightforward: a shallow, hotel pool becomes a proving ground for learning how DPVs change trim, buoyancy, and team awareness. Key features include the pool itself, a mezzanine lecture room (Nexus Room, Mezzanine Level), and close‑quarters equipment work on Single Tank setups with backplate and crotch strap. Natural elements are minimal here by design; the workshop emphasizes mechanical familiarity with the DPV and how gear interacts with common New England cold‑water rigs. Because the demo focuses on orientation and procedural understanding rather than certification, it’s ideal for students who want hands‑on time with scooter ergonomics, mounting and dismounting, and basic underwater navigation techniques. What sets this offering apart is context: it’s embedded in the Boston Sea Rovers Show, a major regional dive expo that collects manufacturers, instructors, and expedition leaders under one roof. That mix makes the Danvers weekend doubly valuable—attendees can compare DPV models, talk shop with vendors, and follow a lecture into practical in‑water time. The workshop’s limitations are clear and honest: it is not a replacement for formal open‑water DPV training and does not confer open‑water DPV competency. Practical details: the program spans roughly five hours across Saturday evening and Sunday morning pool sessions; the in‑water demo requires a DPV pool demo fee and separate FareHarbor registration. Participants must bring a Single Tank, Back Plate with Crotch Strap & Single Tank Wing, Regulator Setup, Wetsuit or Drysuit, proper weighting, Mask, and Fins. Whether you’re testing a DPV for the first time or refreshing skills before an expedition, this controlled, instructor‑led setting offers a low‑pressure way to evaluate equipment, refine procedures, and build confidence before taking a scooter out into open water. Beyond the pool, Danvers sits near Massachusetts’ North Shore—rocky headlands, tidal flats, and cold Atlantic currents that make DPV work different from tropical diving. Practicing scooter posture and response in a shallow pool prepares you for holding station over ledges, threading channels, and managing surge on local dives. The Boston Sea Rovers has been a hub for divers, so this in‑water preview is a practical, low‑risk way to test gear and procedures before taking a DPV into open water.