Welcome to Wellsford’s new home of diving

 

Oceandry Drysuits are the only Drysuit manufacturer in NZ and have been for over 20 years, keeping scuba divers and fishermen warm and dry in top quality neoprene Oceandry Drysuits and Tuffie’s Waders.

Owners Paul and Marianne Hayman moved to Wellsford nine years ago. Moving the factory premises from Warkworth to Wellsford four years ago was based on the convenience of being able to work close to home. Oceandry went mostly unnoticed on Station Road as most of their business comes and goes on courier NZ wide.

“Locals occasionally pop in to the factory to find out exactly what it is that we do as many people are not familiar with what a drysuit is,” says Paul hayman.

Originally Oceandry was solely a wholesaler with their drysuits only available through NZ dive shops, so not a lot of passing trade, but late in 2013 they opened their doors to the public, allowing them to offer top quality products at the best possible prices backed by expert advice and knowledge all direct from the manufacturer.

“From there it was a natural progression to use the spare space in the showroom and stock it with dive gear making us a one stop dive shop.”

The dive shop has been open since November last year, offering locals a good range of gear at competitive prices and the convenience of only needing to pop down the road when they need something.

Customer service is a high priority says Paul: “We take time to listen to our customers, giving them information as needed so they leave with the best products to meet their needs.”

The shop is also stocked with most of the neccessities needed for snorkelling and diving, all the small bits and pieces such as spare mask straps and snorkel keepers, knives, torches as well as diving wetsuits in one or two piece, and Spring or Steamer suits for kids and adults. A full range of spear fishing gear is also available by request. If they don’t stock it they can generally get it in on overnight freight.

Aside from the dive and snorkel gear we also have a great range of nautical inspired gifts from large underwater photos on canvas and holographic pictures. Our latest shipment of brass ornaments has just arrived, all beautifully handmade reproductions. Then we have full size and small dive helmets, compasses, telescopes and key rings which make unique gifts for those that are hard to buy for.

“Oceandry is a small family owned company,” says Paul. “Our primary business is manufacturing neoprene drysuits and waders. We specialise in custom made fitting and also have stock sizes only using the best products available to manufacture our drysuits and waders so we can confidently back them with a lifetime guarantee on workmanship.”

Many customers are commercial users such as Niwa, NZ police dive squad, the NZ Navy, Department of Conservation, many councils and universities. Their Tuffie’s waders have become very popular on

NZ oyster farms because they last so well. Looking for a new pair of waders for recreational fishing or duck hunting? This will be the last pair of waders you will ever need to buy.

Other products manufactured include medical compression bands, prosthetic dry covers and Tuffie’s neoprene armguards which were originally made for oyster farmers to protect their arms from the abrasion of the ropes and oysters, but they have also become popular with dairy farmers to protect their arms in the milking shed from chemicals and the scuffing from cows hooves.

The range includes dry gun bags and camera bags and bulk orders of stubbie and can holders. Oceandry is also one of the main repairers of Drysuits in NZ handling all brands of drysuits, waders and wetsuits.

Says Paul: “Basically if there is something that you want to keep dry we can make it, just ask and we can work with you to make it happen.”


EXPERT ADVICE: Oceandry stocks a heap of recreational and commercial dive gear in their Wellsford store.