What is a Clinic?

...Frequently Asked questions (and their answers)

Q: Who are the Boston Sea Rovers?
A: The Boston Sea Rovers are first and foremost a dive club, and are also a group of volunteers that have run a yearly clinic since 1954 dedicated to raising the level of knowledge of the underwater world.  Click here to learn more about the history of the Boston Sea Rovers.

Q: What is a Clinic?
A: A Boston Sea Rovers International Clinic is a weekend of learning, fun and adventure, designed for and by scuba divers and marine enthusiasts.  It is the oldest and most respected of all diving related shows in the country, having been started in 1954, and run continuously ever since.  The Clinic features daytime seminars covering all aspects of scuba diving and the marine environment, a large exhibit hall full of over 60 exhibitors featuring diving related products, services and destinations, a spectacular Saturday Evening Film Festival, and specialized workshops for additional in-depth training. Use the following links to discover more about this year's daytime seminars and workshops.

Q: How long is the clinic and where is it held?
A: The annual two-day clinic, is held traditionally at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in downtown Boston Massachusetts, one of the most beautiful hotels in the city.

Q: When is it held?
A: The Clinics are typically held the first full weekend in March.

Q: What exactly is a seminar?
A: A seminar is a presentation given by a professional in the underwater world who has been pre-screened by the Sea Rovers, and is typically an expert in his or her field of the underwater world. Each presenter has flexibility in the media they use (slides, video, etc.) as well as how the material is presented. The Sea Rovers attempt to get the most knowledgeable people in the field as well as folks who have a good rapport with an audience, but the primary emphasis is always placed on high quality images and knowledgeable speakers.

Q: What Topics are covered during the seminar?
A: SCUBA diving is a unique and fascinating sport, with an enormous amount of fascination for participants and observers alike. Considering recent ocean-related news events, from the tragedy of the Kursk , to the hype over "The Perfect Storm", to animated discussions regarding fishing and whaling problems, and it's clear that the ocean is important to everyone. The Sea Rovers Clinic is devoted to presenting issues related to diving to the general public, and to keeping the public informed, and involved. Please look at the Daytime Speakers list for the presentation titles at this year’s show. Click here to see this year's daytime seminars.  Back to Top

Q: Who gives the seminars?
A: A quick look at this year’s Daytime Speakers will give you a good idea of who will be presenting this year. Keep an eye on the list as things do change as we get closer to the actual date of the clinic.   Back to Top

Q: Who would be interested in the clinic?
A: The show attracts an assortment of people ranging from hard core divers to people who just are interested in the environment and lots of folks in-between. You will find the cream of the crop of Northeast divers: those who are serious about their diving, those who buy equipment and want to know what is new and available, those who go on diving trips, those who dive locally, and even those who don’t dive but are interested in our underwater world. Attendees jam the hotel during the day and the theater for the Saturday evening film festival. The kids programs on Sunday are bringing more families to the show than ever before. There is something for everyone at the Sea Rovers Clinic!   Back to Top

Q: What Exhibitors are in the Grand Ballroom Exhibit Hall?
A: As soon as we have a solid list it is posted to the Web site. Many exhibitors return year after year but we also try to bring in some new ones each year.  Typical exhibitors include diving equipment manufacturers, service providers, local dive shops and clubs, exotic dive destinations and travel reps, and more.  Back to Top

Q: Where can I buy tickets for the clinic?
A: The best place to purchase tickets is on the Web site, but they can also be purchased from supporting dive shops and businesses. Tickets are limited so you want to purchase yours sooner rather than later. Tickets can be purchased at the door if there are any still available. Click here to purchase tickets online and reserve your spot at the 2007 clinic!.  Back to Top

Q: Where is the film festival, and does it sell out?
A: The film Festival is held in the John Hancock Auditorium, a short walk from the clinic site (located on the corner of Stuart and Berkeley St, in the BackBay)  The festival starts at 8 PM sharp Saturday night, and typically ends between 10:30-10:45PM. The evening show does sell out and we recommend purchasing tickets from the Web site before the clinic starts.  Find out more information about this year's film festival here.  Back to Top

Q: What is typically shown during the film festival?
A: The Saturday night film festival has the best of underwaterfilm from all over the world. The Boston Sea Rovers Web site has information about who will be presenting at the Film Festival this year.   Back to Top

Q: Are there activities for children?
A: On the second day of the clinic the Rovers have a room specifically for kids programs including the New England Aquarium’s Education Department Touch Tank. In addition, most kids have a blast going through the exhibition area. Check the Kids Program page on the Boston Sea Rovers Web site for details. More details about childrens activities can be found on our Kids Program Page.  Back to Top

Q: How can I learn more about the Boston Sea Rovers and the clinic?
A: The Boston Sea Rovers Web site is your best source of information about the Rovers and the clinic. To learn more, why not volunteer to work at a clinic and get to know the people behind the clinic?   Back to Top

Q: Are there reduced rates for the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel?
A: Yes, the Sea Rovers reserve a limited number of rooms at a special rate for the show. Anyone can request these rooms but once they are taken, any remaining rooms are the regular Fairmont rates. The point is to reserve a room early when the reduced rate rooms are still available. Details about the rooms are available in the hotel section of the Web site.  Back to Top

Q: How do I get there?
A: .....check back soon for up to date directions.

Q: Where can I park?
A: There is on-the-street metered parking around the hotel and several parking garages in the area, but this is in the Back Bay, and parking is not cheap. The hotel also has valet parking, although we strongly recommend that you save yourself hassles and money, and park outside of the city and take the T to the show.  Great parking is easily accessible at several T locations on the outskirts of Boston and in the suburbs – go to http://www.mbta.com/ and find out how to save yourself some grief!  Back to Top