U.S. West Coast Scuba Diving Pioneers To Be
Honored At 2010 International Legends Of Diving - Cozumel
Contact: Gwen Wyble
Phone: 419-352-9203 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9 A.M. EDT, October 14, 2009 |
BOWLING GREEN,
OHIO, October 14, 2009 – The Portage Quarry of Bowling Green, Ohio is pleased to
announce the second offshore event for the LEGENDS OF DIVING. Held annually in
Bowling Green since 2006, Jeff Rice, Managing Director of the Portage Quarry has
attracted notable American diving legends such as Zale Parry, Dr. Sam Miller,
Dr. A. Jose Jones, Robert Croft and Dottie Frazier.
In April 2009 the first offshore program was held in Lucaya, Grand Bahama
Island, The Bahamas. More than 120 divers and non-divers attended the highly
successful event. The event has garnered attention from popular dive
destinations in the Caribbean who were interested in hosting this prestigious
event. According to Rice, “I am delighted to formally announce that the
International Legends of Diving event will be held on the island of Cozumel
April 12-19, 2010. This is our second off shore program and we are excited about
bringing the event to Mexico to enjoy the superb diving, genuine hospitality and
culture of the country.”
The official host hotel and dive operator for the 2010 ILD is the Wyndham
Cozumel Resort and Spa and Sand Dollar Sports. These companies are thrilled to
host the event and look forward to a spectacular dive program for the
destination. Jorge Ortiz, Group Sales Manager for the Wyndham states, “On behalf
of the staff and management of the Wyndham Cozumel we are very excited to work
with Jeff Rice on hosting the legends of diving and guests at one of Cozumel’s
top all-inclusive resorts.”
Cozumel’s premier dive operator Sand Dollar Sports showed a strong interest to
work with Rice and his staff after receiving a proposal outlining the history of
the event. In order for the dive operator to better understand the concept of
the program, Rice asked the company to review the pictures and comments posted
on the ILD web site from the April 2009 event. For Matias Garrido, Sales Manager
of SDS it was an easy decision to make, “Once I visited the web site for the
Legends of Diving I knew that our company would make a great partner for this
worthwhile program. We look forward to welcoming the group in April 2010.”
Two outstanding legends of diving have been chosen to attend the historic event
and recognized for their achievements in scuba diving – Bob Meistrell, Founder
and Owner of Body Glove and James Stewart, Scientist and Diving Officer Emeritus
with Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Both of these legends reside in
Southern California where the initial roots of scuba diving instruction began in
the 1950’s. These men will be honored at an awards ceremony where they will
receive the one of a kind “ILD Award” – a uniquely hand crafted glass diver
positioned in a giant stride.
Bob Meistrell along with his twin brother Bill (deceased) founded Dive N’ Surf
in 1957, one of the first dive shops to open in California. The Meistrells were
known for experimenting with various materials and methods to delay the onset of
hypothermia during free dives and while surfing. The Meistrells working with
other diving legends solved the problem with the introduction of a “wetsuit”.
From there they went on to develop neoprene wet suits for surfers, and to serve
the growing interest in recreational diving which led to the formation of Body
Glove, known around the world as the leader in watersports clothing and wet
suits.
James Stewart love for the ocean began in 1941 when he put on a scuba mask and
took his first free dive into the cold Pacific Ocean. In 1952 Stewart began his
long and productive association with Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Conrad
(Connie) Limbaugh and Dr. Andreas (Andy) Rechnitzer developed the diving
instructor program at Scripps. Limbaugh recruited Stewart as a volunteer in the
Scripps program where he assisted in research and diver training. The Scripps
dive training program was developed just to train scientific divers in the
proper use of scuba gear. It was this dive training program that paved the way
for many sport and scientific diver training courses to be started around the
world.
On hand will be Dan Orr, President and CEO of Divers Alert Network (DAN) who
will serve as the master of ceremonies for the 2010 ILD Award Ceremony. DAN is a
proud sponsor of the International Legends of Diving. All divers and those
interested are invited to attend this historic event honoring two of scuba
diving’s great legends.

James Stewart |
\
Bob Meistrell |

Dan Orr |
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Cozumel is known
worldwide as a premier diving destination. The warm, clear, turquoise waters and
abundance of coral reefs and sea life attract divers from around the world. The
major dive sites in the surrounding waters include: Barracuda, Cardona,
Chankanaab, Chun Chancaab, Colombia, La Francesa, Los Atolones, Maracaibo,
Palancar, Paraiso, Paso del Cedral, Punta Sur, San Francisco Wall, Santa Rosa
Wall and Yucab. Besides diving, Cozumel offers many other water sports for
marine enthusiasts, including snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, windsurfing and
parasailing.
For land lovers and avid golfers, Cozumel boasts a one-of-a-kind championship
18-hole, Nicklaus-design, eco-friendly golf course. In 2006, the Cozumel Country
Club achieved designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" by the
Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System (ACSS), making it the first golf course in
Mexico to hold this prestigious honor. While driving through the eco-friendly
course players can witness animals and plant life native to the area.
In addition, the island offers other popular recreational land activities such
as horseback riding, tennis, hiking and exciting ATV and jeep tours.
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The Portage Quarry
Recreation Club is a premier dive training facility located in Bowling Green,
Ohio - home of the Legends of Diving held annually in August, has hosted some of
the most interesting men and women dive pioneers who gave unselfishly of their
time and took enormous risks with their lives to improve the recreational sport
of scuba diving.
Legends
Weekend Links 2010 Legends Information
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Sea
Cozumel - Registration and Deposit
Legends of Diving
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