And the Winner is.... (Remember, never hold your breath!)

Congratulations are in order for Andrew Statler, Master Scuba Diver Trainer with TD Scuba.  Andrew was recently announced as the winner of the PADI Go Pro Challenge for 2007 for all of the Americas.

The Gro Pro Challenge was created in 2007 to promote the professional development of scuba divers around the world.  Each region selected one candidate who had achieved the highest number of professional rankings in that region.  Any PADI professional was automatically included in this contest, but only the professional who earned the most ratings in their region was recognized.  There were four $10,000 prizes awarded for 2007.

Andrew Statler became a dive professional in early 2007, earning his Divemaster rating in February of 2007 and then went on to complete EFR Instructor, Assistant Instructor, Open Water Scuba Instructor, and Master Scuba Diver Trainer in March, April, May, and July respectively.  In addition, Andrew earned 24 specialty instructor ratings and completed 51 student certifications in 2007.

If you see Andrew around, be sure to give him a big 'OK'.

What do a bunch of scuba divers do in the wintertime?  Well, when they aren't pulling out the dry suits and headed out for dive in brisk March waters of the midwest, they are getting together to share stories, experiences, and education. On a recent night in March, however, the Stingray Dive Club decided to try their hands at bowling.

Taking a step back from the typical Tuesday evening dive club events at Minsky's Pizza in Lee's Summit, the Stingray Dive Club decided to try something different this month and we all headed down to the Strike Market Lanes and rolled a couple of games worth of balls.  We gave out prizes to the hi game, lo game, most marks, and most gutter balls, so you didn't even have to be a good bowler to have a great time.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  So much so that the owner came over and tried to sign everyone up for summer bowling leagues.  We said we'd be glad to and asked if they would like to sign up for our summer scuba diving leagues!  Bowling may not be the same under water, but I think we may just have to give it a try!

TD Scuba recently offered a local dive trip to Bonne Terre Mine south of St. Louis.  11 scuba divers from TD Scuba car-pooled over to St. Louis, strapped on their thickest neoprene and dry suits and headed into the mine for a refreshing dive in 58 degree water.  The cold isn't the thing you will remember when you go to Bonne Terre.  When you can see over 100 feet in fresh water and start to take in the sites of an underground man-made structure which was closed in the 60s and is now full of water, the cold becomes unimportant.

We dove two dives in the mine that day.  After a brief review of basic dive skills, we were off on an underwater tour around giant columns of rock that were left in place to support the rock overhead in order to see the minerals and equipment that was just left in the mine when it closed.  It is a fantastic inland diving experience and I would recommend to anyone who has never had a chance to dive it.  The operation is well-run, our tour leaders were extremely friendly, and the water is cool but clear.