The Dive Evangelist

I have been in love with the underwater world, either as a snorkeler or scuba diver, for as long as I can remember. I have never been much of an environmentalist, however, and the extent of my activism in the past has been little more than the occasional editorial. In recent years, I've noticed the dive industry take an increasingly environmentalist slant, at least based on the subject matter of many dive publications. And when I got involved with Oceanblue Divers, I noted that this organization also focused on environmental issues as one of its missions.

I was ambivalent about all of this; I like the environment as much as the next guy, but I'm no activist. An editorial in Dive Training magazine ("Kelp-Huggers Unite!", April 2007) really brought it all home for me, however, and made me see the connection between scuba diving and environmentalism in a whole new light. Writer Alex Brylske made the point that, for many (if not most) divers, the magic of diving comes from the very environment in which they put themselves on every dive. It is this otherworldly setting, and the weird and wonderful creatures that inhabit it, that make diving the amazing and awe-inspiring sport that it is.

So, for that reason, environmental issues are of paramount importance -- and relevance -- to scuba diving, unlike with most other sports. If global warming means less snow for skiiers, snowmaking machines can make up the difference. If a drought dries out the sod on the 18th hole, that's easily solved by adding more seed and more sprinklers. But if environmental damage wipes out a coral reef, or if overfishing drives sharks to the brink of extinction, there's not much we can do to salvage our sport (though, I guess, we can always design bigger and better swimming pools to dive in).

Whether you call yourself a true "Kelp-Hugger" with salt water in your veins, or you're simply an occasional diver, environmental issues are directly relevant to you and the sport you love. And in the spirit of such awareness, and in observance of Earth Day 2007 (Sunday, April 22) we are planning a slew of environmental events for the month of April: a Beach Cleanup, participation in "Sea of People," a "Save the Whale Sharks" reception with the Shark Research Institute, and much more. Stay tuned for more info -- and go hug a strand of kelp!
 

Oceanblue Divers' introduction to the dive industry at Beneath the Sea last weekend was a tremendous success. The club's "Wetter is Better" T-shirts had the place abuzz, and we made many great contacts with industry companies and legends. As a result, we'll have even bigger and better events and trips as we continue our explosive growth.

Next month, we host Dan Crowell (captain of the SEEKER, of Shadow Divers fame) at our April happy hour. On Memorial Day Weekend, renowned underwater photographer Stephen Frink will join us on a Key Largo "Dive 'n' Dash" trip co-sponsored by Scuba Diving Magazine. And we're in the planning process to bring the Shadow Divers themselves (John Chatterton and Richie Kohler) to a future happy hour.

We owe a hearty thank-you to all of the volunteers who came out to Beneath the Sea to help out in the booth and to give their time to Beneath the Sea on behalf of Oceanblue Divers. Your generosity with your time played no small part in our success last weekend, and we appreciate the efforts of each and every one of you. This club would never survive without the amazing enthusiasm and support shown by its members. I don't want to sound like a Michael Feld parrot, but I have to say "You all ROCK!"