Board Approved Slate of Officers for Membership Consideration

          President                     -         Larry Townsend
          VP of Programs            -         Glada Blench
          VP of Overseas Diving  -         Nils Jacobsen
          VP of Social Events       -         Sarah Crisanto
          VP of Local Diving         -         John and Kathy Ficarra
          Secretary                     -         Robert Shearer
          Treasurer                     -         Steve McCutcheon

Program for November 3

RICH LADISKY:

  Symphony of Indo-Pacific Nudibranchs

Rich has been a featured speaker at Beneath the Sea for seven years, as well as numerous times for our club.  He presents seminars for dive shows, civic groups, clubs, and has been part of the explorer series at Talcott Mountain Science Center. He currently travels for various companies as an underwater photo-journalist. His work and adventures have appeared in many periodicals, the latest being Scuba Diving Magazine, Parade Magazine, and the Hartford Courant Travel Section. His next project is one man gallery show in Boca Raton, FL.

He began diving for lobsters and wrecks in New England in 1981 and, shortly after, decided to join his passion for photography with his love of diving.

Eventually, he started visiting exotic places 4 to 6 weeks at a time, for both land and underwater photography. 

Rich is into his 33rd year as a Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security in CT.  He was in the ill-fated Teacher in Space program.

Rich has used his radio license to communicate with the cosmonauts on Mir and the astronauts on both the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.  He has taught photography, instructs ballroom dancing, and dances both ballroom and Argentine Tango with his wife. 

This program, “Symphony of Indo-Pacific Nudibranchs"  was put together specifically at the request of the national dive/photography convention for showing this past March.  It is about the butterflies of the ocean called nudibranchs.  These are tiny creatures with dazzling color displays that sit openly on corals, daring predators to eat them. Come and find out why most do not take up the challenge.  Most of the presentation is done as slides set to music.

Sea you there?

Glada Blench
VP of Programs
programs@usadiveclub.com

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My apologies for missing the September Board meeting and the October General meeting. And thanks to Glada for hosting those two meetings for me.  Also, thanks to Bob for the outstanding job he did with the lobster pot at the October meeting. And even though I have not seen it, “Thank You” Julie for the fine job on the new Promotions bulletin board which will be on display at all future USA meetings. Word on the street is that it is beautiful, I cannot wait to see it.

My goal is to never miss a meeting, but I had already made a couple of commitments before I was drafted as your President.  I was off doing what we are here to do, diving and socializing, what we do best. Be glad to tell you about if you ask.  I missed two years of diving and I ask your indulgence if I try to catch up.

On another note, I hear complaints and issues from time to time and I try to listen and do what I can to resolve them, so feel free to come to me any time if you feel you have an issue with me or anything else that may need the board attention.  The most recent complaint was about the 12 month time limit for local dive coupons. Way back when I was President the first time, we decided that we should not strictly enforce that rule. So, over the years, what few expired coupons came across were just honored and everyone was happy. However, in the last year or so, someone decided to start enforcing the time rule, but seems like that change did not get passed on to you. The first time some of you found out about it was when you showed up on the boat and your coupon was rejected. And rightly so, some of you were upset. So here is what has happened. At the last board meeting, at which I was not present, it was decided by the board that the 12 month rule would be strictly enforced. My apologizes to each of you, I had hoped to influence that to a more equitable solution. My bad for missing the meeting. Anyway, the deed is done, the majority has spoken, and now you know the rest of the story. Let me know your thoughts on this decision please. My commitment was that at least I would let you all know the policy.

I will not miss the next board meeting or the general meeting and hope to see you there,

So, if you MISS IT, YOU WILL MISS it,

Thanks for your support and attendance

Larry Townsend

Your President for 2011

president@usadiveclub.com

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Local Diving

October seemed to be a quiet month for diving. Our October 15th dive with Diversity unfortunately was canceled as it was forecasted for 3-5 foot seas the night before. Fortunately living in South Florida, we can be more selective of our dive trips in regards to the weather. Even though it turned out to be only 2/3 ft seas, there was no sun and the winds did pick up by mid morning causing the seas to be 3-5 ft. So we did after all make the right decision.

Our October 26 Halloween pumpkin carving, & haunted wreck event is scheduled after my deadline for report submittal to the Newsletter. So the Halloween dive report will be forthcoming in the December newsletter. Hope everyone enjoyed Halloween and didn’t eat too much candy. I know John had his share of snickers.

FOR A LIST OF UP COMING DIVES, CLICK HERE FOR USA’s ‘LOCAL DIVING’ PAGE.

Kathy & John Ficarra
VP’s of Local Diving
localdiving@usadiveclub.com

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Social Activities

Greetings from USA’s Social Butterflies.

Most everyone knows by now there is going to be a big party in November. Under Sea Adventurers is 40 years old and there is an anniversary and reunion celebration being planned.    

The Social Butterflies have been working diligently, with current members and previous members, to locate and invite all of those wonderful people who made this club what it is today.

Check out the details below and make your reservations soon.  The party date is just around the corner.

Saturday Evening, November 12, 2011 @ 7:00 PM

USA’s
 40^th Anniversary
and
Reunion Party

Those were the days my friend
We thought they’d never end

Come reminisce with your buddies at this special
RUBY anniversary and reunion
Browse through all of USA’s scrapbooks
and enjoy the ongoing slideshow
of the old and new days

We want people to come out of the woodwork

This will be Candid Camera at its best

Ellie’s 50’s Diner 2410 North Federal Highway Delray Beach Flamingo Room   $37.00 Members $39.00 Non-Members

Get dressed up
Black Tie Optional (for the guys)
After “5” Cocktail dresses (for the gals)

Buffet dinner and dancing to live DJ
Cash Bar   -  Door Prizes   -   Entertainment
Free Parking

Checks payable to Under Sea Adventurers
Payment due upon sign-up

Coming from out of town?
Not a problem
Plenty of great places to stay in Delray Beach

For party reservations
Contact USA’s Social Butterflies
 social@usadiveclub.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Triskaidekaphobia
(A morbid fear of the number 13)

 Not us, we’re USAers!

 Put your fears aside and join us for our
13^{th
Cool & Breezy}
Adopt-A-Street

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Want to get to know some fellow
USA Dive Club members?
That’s easy.  Just sign up for this event.

Participating in USA’s Adopt-A-Street program is the easiest way to meet people.  Mark your calendar for our next quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup in Deerfield Beach, scheduled to take place on Sunday morning, November 6th, at 9:00 AM.  Early birds may wish to join LT’s Breakfast Club, 7:00 AM, at the nearby Cracker Barrel.

After the cleanup, we’ll have our group lunch at Muddy Waters Restaurant and Raw Bar located just a short distance from USA’s Adopt-A-Street site.

The Adopt-A-Street program gives us the opportunity to keep our streets clean and have a great time doing it. It’s a fact that, sooner or later, much of the trash on our streets finds its way into Florida’s canals and waters offshore. This is our way of helping the environment.

Every little bit helps so please sign up at the next dive club meeting. If you can't make the meeting, call or email the Social Butterflies at Social@usadiveclub.com.

Watch future newsletters and emails for additional information on all planned USA Dive Club activities. Our social events are open to all USA club members and their guests.  So, why wait?

Sign up for a social event, get to know your fellow USAers, and let the fun begin!

A USA Dive Club thought.

It’s not about the event.
It’s about the camaraderie of being with people we know and enjoy.

Future social events include:

• Nov 6 (Sunday) –  Adopt-A-Street followed by lunch at Muddy Waters, Deerfield Beach
• Nov 12 (Saturday) – USA’s 40th Anniversary Party & Reunion at Ellie’s 50’s Diner, Delray Beach
• Dec 1 (Thursday) – USA’s Not-to-be-Missed Holiday Pot Luck Party

DINNER BEFORE THE MEETING:

Pick up your favorite meal, e.g., a sub, sandwich or pizza at your local Publix, Subway or Papa Johns and join USA’s Social Butterflies in the Newport Café located in the Best Western Deerfield Beach Hotel & Suites @ 6:00 pm.  If you’d like to bring something from home, that’s OK, too.

Everyone seems to enjoy the atmosphere and camaraderie. 

Try it... you’ll like it! C’mon down and we’ll save y’all a seat.

Clare Anthon & Julie Manhold
VP’s of Social Events
social@usadiveclub.com

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Hospitality Hut

Greetings from USA’s Hospitality Hut.

USAers have sure been lucky this summer.  Water temps have been very enjoyable for diving (unfortunately, not so good for the reefs).

The Under Sea Adventurers Dive Club has also been fortunate to welcome many guests and new members.

 At the October 6th general meeting, two first-time guests were introduced.

USAers welcomed Annette Bouvier. She was a guest of new USA member Mark McAlpin.  Annette was recently certified in Ft. Lauderdale.

USA member Jay Gillespie invited Don Seals.  Don is an Advanced Open Water diver, also certified in Ft. Lauderdale.  He has applied for USA Dive Club membership, so please extend a warm welcome when you see Don at the November 3rd general membership meeting.

A warm welcome and thank you is extended our newcomers and returning guests.

Why not visit our home page www.usadiveclub.com and click on the calendar button to keep up to date on all the diving and non-diving scheduled activities. You may also take a look at the photo gallery and see all the fun we have.

Happy diving to you all.



Clare Anthon & Julie Manhold
Hospitality Coordinators
hospitality@usadiveclub.com

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Membership

By now, all USA Dive Club members have received USA’s 3rd quarterly Membership Directory.

For your personal privacy, use of the Membership Directory is restricted exclusively for USA Dive Club members and may not be used for solicitation.

If you haven’t already done so, please verify personal information.  Email addresses, street addresses and phone numbers change frequently.  Please look carefully and, if you find any discrepancies, notify me at Membership@usadiveclub.com.

If you lose your copy, or simply need extra copies, click here.

At USA’s most recent board meeting, new member applicant Don Seals was approved as a USA Dive Club member, increasing the membership to 128. 

Don will receive his New Member Packet at USA’s November 3rd general meeting.  Please give him a warm welcome.

At the October 6th general meeting, Brett Eagan, Mark McAlpin and Nate Mysen were present to receive their New Member Packets.

Member Rick Brohammer II, who lives in Decatur, Georgia, received his packet while on the USA’s overseas trip to Saba. 

If your USA Dive Club membership has expired, and you wish to renew your membership, simply submit a New Member Application, along with appropriate pro-rated membership dues, and a $10 New Member Initiation Fee.

Under USA’s newly revised Dive Trip Guidelines, trip priority is established based on‘current continuous years’ of USA Dive Club membership.  Therefore, it is important for members to renew their dive club membership annually, without a break in membership.

Encourage friends and fellow divers to join USAers for all club activities.  Folks don’t need to be USA members to participate in USA Dive Club functions. Guests are always welcome if a USA member accompanies them.

People interested in joining the USA Dive Club will find membership applications available by clicking on the link appearing below.

MEMBERSHIP PACKET

Questions?  Click here to contact Membership Coordinator Julie Manhold by e-mail.
 

Warm diving regards,

Julie Manhold
Membership Coordinator
membership@usadiveclub.com

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Promotions

Hi y’all from the Promotions Desk of USA Dive Club.

USA’s Lobster Pot 50/50 winners have been taking home over  $50 cash at monthly dive club meetings.

That’s a better return on your hard-earned money than most banks offer.

Each month we offer a variety of Lobster Pot prizes, many donated by South Florida dive shops.

Congratulations to all our Lobster Pot winners.  Be sure and drop in to see our local dive shops who support us and say ‘Thanks’.

October Lobster Pot Winners 50/50 Lobster Pot $74 - Nils $20 local dive coupon - Kurt $20 local dive coupon - Kathy $25 Store Coupon from Force-E - Patrice $25 Store Coupon from Force-E - Jay Dive Care Kit Force-E - Joe SeaDrops from Force-E - Annette Rattle Stick from Force-E - Clare Misc Dive Pkg from Robert Shearer - Eunice DAN luggage tags - Allen

If you did not contribute, then you could not have won!

Our 50/50 Lobster Pot has grown to levels unheard of in the history of the USA Dive Club.  This is good news for the winners and for our dive club.  I thank you and the club thanks you.  Let’s keep it up!

And, as I always say, ‘If U miss it, U will miss it!

Larry Townsend
Promotions Coordinator
promotions@usadiveclub.com

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Overseas Diving

 USA Dive Club Overseas Diving program
2012

Exotic Trip Announcement: July 5-22, 2012 Philippines:
Atmosphere Resort: Dumaguette/Negros
Siren Liveaboard: Southern Visayas:
Dumaguete, Apo, Siquijor/Balicasag, Cabilao, (Bohol)/Cebu

The standard trip (7 nights on land and 7 nights on the boat) starts on July 5; we will be at the resort from July 7-14; the boat will pick us up next to the resort and we will take a 7 night one way cruise, ending up in Mactan/Cebu Saturday. Early Sunday 7/22, morning we will fly out and we will be back in Florida the same afternoon. (date-line!). The land based part of the trip is offered with a non diving option, too. Schedule wise, the trip can be either compressed or extended:

          5 nights (3 diving days); departing Saturday July 7
          7 nights (5 diving days); departing Thursday July 5
          10 nights (8 diving days); departing Monday July 2

The Atmosphere resort is a new upscale resort that comes highly recommended. The resort is located at Dumaguete on Negros Island.

See their online material here:
http://www.Atmosphereresorts.com

Included:

          7 nights Atmosphere Dumaguete in a Suite, double occupancy
          Meals, soft drinks, coffee, tea, transfers, internet, and tax included
          5 days of unlimited boat diving
          1 day trip to Apo Island
          Marine park fee, tanks, weights, and belts included
          Transfers
          One day-trip on the Island (we later have to pick which one)

Not-Included:

          Excess baggage fees, juices, smoothies, alcoholic beverages,
          Dive rental gear, dive insurance, travel insurance
          Nitrox ($20/day), extra Apo trip ($20); spa-fees

Our friends Mike & Deb, just came back from Atmosphere and liked the place
Carol has sent around a testimonial that “Apo Island is one of the places to go”

Siren is a relatively new upscale fleet; this is our first club trip with Siren – on Philippines Siren.

http://worldwidediveandsail.com/ourboats/sy-philippinesiren.html

http://worldwidediveandsail.com/liveaboard-diving/3/174.html

This liveaboard trip is on Cebu’s East side. The boat dates are July 14-21. The maps are only for reference (our trip is custom: 7 nights), most days, 4 dives a day. Click here for more information.

We will start our diving at Apo Island. We will tailor the remaining days of diving later.

Predicted Average Water Temperatures: 83F – 88F (29-31C). Note that we dive a full 6 days including all Friday. We fly out an hour past midnight on Sunday morning

Included:

          All foods & accommodations during the cruise
          Tea, (real) Coffee from our espresso machine, fruit juice, soft drinks & beer
          Approximately 23 dives, including up to 3 night dives
          Free Nitrox fill for those who are certified Nitrox divers
          Most dive equipment rental is free (Except dive computer & underwater torch)
               Please note that our rental wetsuits are 3mm shorties. If you tend to feel
               the cold easily it's advisable to bring your own 5mm long wetsuit.
          Marine Park & port fee

We fly in and out of Cebu on Korean Air from Atlanta via Seoul. We are in the process of locking down the airfare, well within our budget (with room to cover both the land based transfer and the two hotel stays). We arrive in Cebu, late pm, sleep in a hotel and take a bus/van to the resort: No more airports, no more security lines, no domestic luggage fees

Included:

          All tips on the trip elements
          All transfers
          Airport Departure Taxes, Marine Park fees

Not Included:

          Hotel in Cebu for an overnight stay on arrival and the “day hotel” outbound,                        from noon to 11pm
          Hotel in Cebu for early arrival for the Siren only option (it is not recommended                    to arrive the day the boat leaves

Deposit is $250-500, dependent on your option. Please note the new priority and guest policy.  (click here for current overseas trip guidelines).

The boat only and land only options are offered on a space available basis, only

The main package, comprising 7 days on land and 7 days on  boat, and (conservatively priced) airfare from FLL, looks like $6,200 (This price is condition on the assumption of total airfare from FLL of no more than $2100).

Click here for trip registration form.  Options/prices are shown below

Nils Jacobsen
Trip Lead & VP overseas diving
overseasdiving@usadiveclub.com

(Our trip is 7 nights, 6 full dive days, from Dauin via Apo to Mactan)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  USA Dive Club Overseas Diving program
2011

USA DIVE CLUB REVISITS LITTLE CAYMAN, JUNE 2011

For trip report click here

SABA/ST.KITTS, OCTOBER 2011

USAers Return from a Liveaboard Dive Vacation Aboard the

 Caribbean Explorer II

By Julie Manhold

On Saturday morning, October 8, 2011, 17 USAers and one guest gathered at the Miami International Airport with acute anticipation of what was ahead.

After the group photo, it was time to board the awaiting 757 jet and, in less than three hours, the plane landed on the island of St. Maarten.

Three minivans were provided, and the 30-minute ride to the dive boat was delightful.

The crew of the Caribbean Explorer II (CEX II) took charge and all of our bags were on the boat in no time

Special thanks to Frank for guarding our belongings until everyone was aboard the boat.

The crew handled our group quite efficiently.  Two by two, they escorted us to our cabins for a complete cabin briefing. The cabins were smaller than anticipated however, in a day or two most of us learned how to maneuver without bumping into each other.

Normally dinner would have been served at this time.  Due to adverse weather conditions expected in St. Maarten, Capt. JF Chabot decided to make the 3½-hour transit to Saba before dinner.  Choppy seas had a few of us feeling queasy.  Those ‘Mal de Mer’ sufferers soon felt better once the boat arrived at Saba and moored for the night.

The food was excellent by any standard.  Chef Sarah Dauphinee was especially sensitive to special dietary requests.  The menu was so diversified that meals were never served twice. Chef Sarah prepared three full meals each day along with warm snacks between dives. A turkey dinner with all the trimmings was enjoyed on Thursday evening.  All week our night divers were offered hot chocolate, served with a side of Kaluha and/or Baileys Irish Crème.

Before our group commenced diving, Divemaster Dave ‘Tuna’ Tunnicliff provided a comprehensive briefing relating to boat and diving operations.  The daily dive profile consisted of two morning dives, two afternoon dives and one night dive.  Diving in Saba’s National Marine Park is unlike anything in South Florida.  The color and hue of Saba’s underwater volcanic rock formations is surprisingly beautiful and the marine life is prolific. Turtles felt comfortable around divers, permitting us to watch them move about their undersea environment.  Saba’s dive sights included Ladder Labyrinth (Yeah), Customs House Reef, Diamond Rock, Man-O-War Shoals, Torren’s Point, Tent Wall, Big Rock Market Reef and the very popular Eye of the Needle, an underwater pinnacle with a summit 90 feet beneath the surface.

Early Wednesday morning, the CEX II made the 3-hour transit from Saba to the island of St. Kitts, our final destination.

Wednesday evening, just before dinner, the ghouls and goblins appeared for a full moon, impromptu costume contest. 

Participants were encouraged to utilize anything on the boat, or in their rooms, to create their   costumes.

Winners included Marie the Witch, Eve the Pirate Girl, and Clare and Martha as the Lone Night Divers.

Each won a gift certificate usable in the ship’s boatique.

On our last day in Saba, our group  participated in a land tour. 

Charismatic island tour guides transported us in two minivans.  Narrow winding roads led upward into the mountains. 

We stopped several times to enjoy Saba’s beautiful scenery, including the island’s airport that boasts the shortest commercial runway in the world. 

There was time to take a rainforest nature walk down to the little village and do some serious shopping.

St. Kitts dive sites included Paradise Reef, Anchors Aweigh, Old Road Bay, the Corinthian Wreck, Monkey Shoals and the River Taw Wreck.  River Taw was a small wreck with huge amounts of marine life. The wreck seemed to be a comfortable place in the sand where indigenous sea critters gathered for a conference. It was truly amazing. 

After Friday’s two morning dives, our group participated in a land tour of St. Kitts.   Again we were introduced to two native islanders who cheerfully escorted the divers on an excursion featuring a visit to the Caribelle Batik Factory and Brimstone Hill Fortress, a National Park on St. Kitts.

Later that same evening, our group caught taxis into the town of Basseterre for an ‘al fresco’ dinner at the popular St. Kitts nightspot, Shiggidy Shack. This perfect day ended with live entertainment and a beautiful night on the beach.

By 8:30 am Saturday morning, our packed luggage was loaded onto the dock.  While crewmembers monitored our belongings, a group of fourteen walked to town.  Street map in hand, Nils deftly led us to the Pelican Mall, an older shopping plaza where locals sold their wares.  This location provided refuge from crowds of tourists disembarking from a huge cruise ship that docked earlier Saturday morning. Street vendors were abundant as we strolled through the market place.  For a special treat, we strolled through a local grocery store, searching for bottled water.  The massive farmers market was full of locals selling fruit harvested from backyard trees. 

Some of us met for lunch at the Ballahoo Restaurant located in the center of town. This was our last chance to sit and reminisce about our week aboard the Caribbean Explorer II.

By 12:30 pm, taxis transported us to the airport for a direct flight back to Miami. Sad to leave a beautiful part of the world, I thought to myself “That’s okay… it’s always nice to come home to paradise”.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nils Jacobsen
VP Overseas Diving
overseasdiving@usadiveclub.com

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USA Calendar

• Wednesday, Nov 2 - Saturday, Nov 5 - DEMA
  Orlando, FL
   
• Thursday, Nov 3rd - Regular Monthly meeting @ 7:30 pm
  Best Western Deerfield Hotel & Suites
  1050 E Newport Center Drive
  Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
   
• Sunday, Nov 6th - Adopt-A-Street @ 9:00 am
  Natura Blvd
  Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
   
• Thursday, Nov 10th - USA Board Meeting @ 7:00 pm
  The Ficarra’s
   
• Saturday, Nov 12 - 40th Anniversary and Reunion Party @7:00 pm
  Ellie’s 50’s Diner
  2410 North Federal Highway
  Delray Beach, FL
  Flamingo Room
   
• Saturday, Nov 19 - USA local dive - @  8:00am
  Two tank Drift Dive with Starfish Enterprise out of Boynton Beach.
  www.idivestarfish.com
   

                Click on USA’s calendar to view all future events.

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Contact Information

Under Sea Adventurers Dive Club web site: www.usadiveclub.com

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at:

Best Western Deerfield Beach Hotel & Suites
1050 E. Newport Center Drive, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
BYO Dinner:  6:00; Social: 7:00 pm; Meeting: 7:30 pm

Board of Directors

Elected Officers - Title	Name	E-Mail Address
President	Larry Townsend	president@usadiveclub.com
VP of Programs	Glada Blench	programs@usadiveclub.com
VP of OS Diving	Nils Jacobsen	overseasdiving@usadiveclub.com
VP of Social Events	Clare Anthon Julie Manhold	social@usadiveclub.com
VP of Local Diving	John Ficarra Kathy Ficarra	localdiving@usadiveclub.com
Secretary	Robert Shearer	secretary@usadiveclub.com
Treasurer	Steve McCutcheon	treasurer@usadiveclub.com
Appointees - Title	Name	E-Mail Address
Audio/Video Coordinator	Roman Boszko	avguy@usadiveclub.com
OS Dive Accountant	Ronnie Farr	diveaccountant@usadiveclub.com
Membership Coordinator	Julie Manhold	membership@usadiveclub.com
Hospitality Coordinator	Clare Anthon Julie Manhold	hospitality@usadiveclub.com
Photographer/Scrapbook	Eva Tomas	awards@usadiveclub.com
Promotions	Larry Townsend	promotions@usadiveclub.com
Safety Coordinator	Paul Molinari	safety@usadiveclub.com
Newsletter/Webmaster	Bob Young Phebe Young	newsletter@usadiveclub.com

Membership Dues - $40 yearly; $70 for married USA Dive Club member couples

Download the Membership Packet from our website

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