Issue 26

Inside this issue:

DIVEMASTERS Association Diver-Down Newsletter

The DMAV welcomes its new Vice President at our 2002 Christmas Party.

A message from our club's new Vice President, Darrel Hubberd. 

Happy New Years to all my friends and dive buddies.

As you may already know, VP Christine Ford asked to be removed from this post due to her permanent change of station (PCS) to Korea. She is a good friend and will be missed. It was an honor to be nominated and voted her replacement. I accepted and will do the best job I can.

Now that I'm in the VP seat, it's only fair that I tell a little bit about myself. I'm 33 yrs old, six feet tall, with sparkling brown eyes. I enjoy camping, moon lit walks on the beach, and diving. Lots and lots of DIVING…

Seriously, my name is Darrel Hubberd, I'm an SSI Open Water Instructor, who promotes safety, education, community involvement, and above all else FUN.  I've been in the Air Force since Nov. 87. Currently stationed at Langley AFB, I'm an Aerospace Physiology Instructor, which has a lot of similarities to teaching diving physiology. I made my first PADI open water dives off a rocky beach on Catalina Island, CA, almost ten years ago. The water was bitter cold, but the diving was great and I was hooked. Since then I've gone diving in Baja, the FL Keys, Puerto Rico, N. Carolina, and Virginia.

During my time underwater, I've experienced lots of cool stuff. From photographing playful garibaldi in kelp forests, to being face-to-face with a not-so-shy alligator, to lying on the bottom watching eight stingray "fly" over me in perfect formation. But my favorite part of diving is the enjoyment of watching a new diver feeling that rush from diving for the  first time, that rush is what makes us all come back for more. For some of us it's getting that perfect photo for others, it's the taste of danger. Whatever it is that turns you on (about diving)!

I hope you will share diving with fellow divers and future diver.  I've enjoyed being a member of DMAV for several years and have been diving with many of you. While I'm in the VP seat, I'd like to help this club evolve a little bit. I want to see more people involved, having fun, and diving. I challenge all of us to come up with some fresh ideas to spice-up our dive club and make 2003 our best year yet... more diving, more fun.

Cheers,
Darrel

Dives of Special Interest

• Grand Bahamas                 Valentine's Day Weekend February 13 - 17, 2003.  $766.00  includes airfare, accommodations at the Royal Oasis, standard room, and a 6-dive package.   
  
• Grand Bahamas                 Winter Sales  February 27, March 6, 13, 27 and April 10 2003.  $746.00  includes airfare, 4 nights                accommodations at the Royal Oasis, standard room, and a 6-dive package.
  
• Grand Bahamas                 Winter Sales  February 24, March 3, 17,  and April 7 2003.  $526.00  includes airfare, 3 nights               accommodations at the Royal Oasis, standard room, and a 4-dive package.
  
• TRUK and PALAU two week dive trip to Micronesia beginning the week of Feb. 7. 
  
• Great Barrier Reef,            Australia July 25 - August 10 2003
  

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