International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Honors Sport's Founders in Grand Cayman
New York, New York, December 20, 2007 - What do a dive business pioneer, the president of PADI Worldwide, an award-winning environmentalist, a world famous marine artist and one of the world's leading underwater photographers have in common? They will all be recognized by the prestigious International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame at the seventh annual induction ceremony and dinner on January 17th, 2008 in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
Robert "Bob" Halstead, Dr. Drew Richardson, Daniel Mercier, Ron Steven and Cathy Church will be honored for their outstanding contributions to the sport of scuba diving at the induction ceremony and dinner, hosted by the Hon. Charles E. Clifford, Cayman Islands Minister of Tourism, at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort.
"Coming from diverse backgrounds and fields, all five inductees possess a track record of offerings to the development, growth and/or promotion of the sport of recreational scuba diving around the world," said the Hon. Minister. "The honor bestowed upon them commemorates the achievements and contributions of the champions of diving."
Robert "Bob" Halstead **** Since 1973 Bob Halstead has been systematically exploring the reefs and wrecks of Papua New Guinea. Together with his wife Dinah, Bob is credited with the birth of dive tourism in Papua New Guinea, starting the country's first full time sport diving business in 1977 and the first live-aboard dive boat operation in 1986. Since then, the couple have led sport diving, filming and scientific expeditions exploring the underwater coastal regions of Papua New Guinea and have jointly made over 15,000 dives and discovered several new marine species in the process. Bob has won several gold medals in international underwater photographic competitions and has published eight books on diving and marine life and written hundreds of magazine articles on diving safety, marine life and Papua New Guinea dive sites.
Dr. Drew Richardson Few people have influenced diving as much as Dr. Drew Richardson, President and Chief Operations Officer for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Worldwide. Respected by competitors and peers alike, it is safe to say that Dr. Richardson has improved and broadened access to diver education for more than 10 million divers around the world. He joined PADI in 1985 where, among his many landmark accomplishments, he guided the development of the Recreational Dive Planner - the first dive tables developed and tested specifically for recreational divers; launched the SAFE Diver programme; laid the groundwork for the project AWARE Foundation; and oversaw the development of literally every course and course product introduced by PADI, DSAT and the PADI International Resort and Retailer Association. In his current role as President of Current Publishing, he is participating in the development of a marine sciences curriculum for national use in high schools.
Daniel Mercier A true environmentalist, Daniel has spent his life making divers and people aware of sea wealth and resources. He has made more than 7,000 dives, as many in exploration as through his job as instructor and guide, and has won numerous awards for his work in starting diving clubs, running diver education programs and organizing some of the earliest film and underwater festivals. Today, Daniel is the President of the World Festival of Underwater Images and of the European Committee of Professional Diving Instructors.
Ron Steven Known to the art world simply as "Rogest", Ron Steven's "dotillist" method of painting is one of the most recognizable styles in marine art today. But the real essence of this businessman-turned-diver/artist is how he uses his art to communicate marine conservation messages to ocean aficionados of all ages. A natural educator and former dive instructor, Ron's favorite activity is working with the most influential group of people that there is when it comes to our ocean's futures: the world's children.
Cathy Church Cathy Church has been photographing the beautiful underwater world since 1965. She was the contributing photo editor for SKIN DIVER magazine for 15 years from 1970 to 1985, and is today recognized as one of the world's foremost teachers and authors on underwater photography. Cathy received the prestigious NOGI award for the arts in 1987, is a past President of the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences and was admitted to the Explorers Club in 2000.
Please visit www.scubahalloffame.com/main.html or www.caymanislands.ky for additional information.
New York, New York, December 20, 2007 - What do a dive business pioneer, the president of PADI Worldwide, an award-winning environmentalist, a world famous marine artist and one of the world's leading underwater photographers have in common? They will all be recognized by the prestigious International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame at the seventh annual induction ceremony and dinner on January 17th, 2008 in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
Robert "Bob" Halstead, Dr. Drew Richardson, Daniel Mercier, Ron Steven and Cathy Church will be honored for their outstanding contributions to the sport of scuba diving at the induction ceremony and dinner, hosted by the Hon. Charles E. Clifford, Cayman Islands Minister of Tourism, at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort.
"Coming from diverse backgrounds and fields, all five inductees possess a track record of offerings to the development, growth and/or promotion of the sport of recreational scuba diving around the world," said the Hon. Minister. "The honor bestowed upon them commemorates the achievements and contributions of the champions of diving."
Robert "Bob" Halstead **** Since 1973 Bob Halstead has been systematically exploring the reefs and wrecks of Papua New Guinea. Together with his wife Dinah, Bob is credited with the birth of dive tourism in Papua New Guinea, starting the country's first full time sport diving business in 1977 and the first live-aboard dive boat operation in 1986. Since then, the couple have led sport diving, filming and scientific expeditions exploring the underwater coastal regions of Papua New Guinea and have jointly made over 15,000 dives and discovered several new marine species in the process. Bob has won several gold medals in international underwater photographic competitions and has published eight books on diving and marine life and written hundreds of magazine articles on diving safety, marine life and Papua New Guinea dive sites.
Dr. Drew Richardson Few people have influenced diving as much as Dr. Drew Richardson, President and Chief Operations Officer for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Worldwide. Respected by competitors and peers alike, it is safe to say that Dr. Richardson has improved and broadened access to diver education for more than 10 million divers around the world. He joined PADI in 1985 where, among his many landmark accomplishments, he guided the development of the Recreational Dive Planner - the first dive tables developed and tested specifically for recreational divers; launched the SAFE Diver programme; laid the groundwork for the project AWARE Foundation; and oversaw the development of literally every course and course product introduced by PADI, DSAT and the PADI International Resort and Retailer Association. In his current role as President of Current Publishing, he is participating in the development of a marine sciences curriculum for national use in high schools.
Daniel Mercier A true environmentalist, Daniel has spent his life making divers and people aware of sea wealth and resources. He has made more than 7,000 dives, as many in exploration as through his job as instructor and guide, and has won numerous awards for his work in starting diving clubs, running diver education programs and organizing some of the earliest film and underwater festivals. Today, Daniel is the President of the World Festival of Underwater Images and of the European Committee of Professional Diving Instructors.
Ron Steven Known to the art world simply as "Rogest", Ron Steven's "dotillist" method of painting is one of the most recognizable styles in marine art today. But the real essence of this businessman-turned-diver/artist is how he uses his art to communicate marine conservation messages to ocean aficionados of all ages. A natural educator and former dive instructor, Ron's favorite activity is working with the most influential group of people that there is when it comes to our ocean's futures: the world's children.
Cathy Church Cathy Church has been photographing the beautiful underwater world since 1965. She was the contributing photo editor for SKIN DIVER magazine for 15 years from 1970 to 1985, and is today recognized as one of the world's foremost teachers and authors on underwater photography. Cathy received the prestigious NOGI award for the arts in 1987, is a past President of the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences and was admitted to the Explorers Club in 2000.
Please visit www.scubahalloffame.com/main.html or www.caymanislands.ky for additional information.
