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The Divemasters Association of Virginia was founded in 1998 by Bob Shourot.
I remember the very first meeting of the club's charter members.
"Camaraderie," Bob had said, "is one of the key ingredients to safe and enjoyable recreational scuba diving, and a dive club would let divers talk and meet with each other on a regular basis."
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Bob also envisioned a dive club with members of all diving skill levels that would help out their fellow divers in many ways.
Safety Through Education was a creed that Bob believed in and he wanted the club to be an inspiration to its' members to advance their skills and training.
When it came time to pick a name for the club, Bob suggested The Divemasters Association.
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Not because he wanted only divemasters to join, but because he wanted the club's name to inspire all of its' members to be motivated to excel beyond their current training.
At the end of that first meeting Bob asked how many of us wanted to join and help build his vision.
Without hesitation, everyone there signed up and with only a handful of members, Bob's vision began.
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So whenever I'm standing on the edge of a dive boat, ready to plug into our wondrous world of water, I'll think of Bob.
I'll remember all that he has taught us and all the adventures we have lived, so many of them vicariously through the exciting stories that he would share.
And at the end of the dive, when my hand grasps the hang bar, I'll thank Bob for bringing me back safely, for it is he who has taken us all beyond the waters edge .
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