Membership blog

I would like to introduce our newest member, Peter Bolton. He is a bit new to diving with about 10 logged dives. He was on Zoom for one of the past General Meetings and we hope to meet him when we can start up in person meetings. We have started a new membership committee of Julie Manhold, Alan Fuerman, Clare Anthon, and myself to review membership applications for a more efficient review. This will eliminate the month long wait for applicants to hear back after a board meeting.

New inquiries keep coming in. Our website is getting notices and hopefully the flyers in the dive shops too.

Hello fellow divers. I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful weather we're having, albeit a bit chilly at times. I have been doing a little bit of local diving to support the charters but it is cool now, 72-74 degree water temperatures. It takes more than one layer of wetsuit this time of year. Visibility has been very good due to no rain and runoff. I see our flyers in Force-E Pompano and hope it generates interest for more members. I have had an inquiry or two during this non-gathering time.

Happy Bubbling,
Stephanie

Hello Members and visitors,

Welcome to the USA Dive Club in 2021.  We look forward to seeing each other this year!  And club dives and club trips etc.   When we resume our in person general meetings remember to bring a friend to enjoy our speakers and social activities.  In the mean time please continue to attend our zoom meetings and support this very special club.  If you want to join, please download our membership application and send to club membership.  You will find this information on the home page.   Cheers to a new and better year to come.   Eunice & Stephanie

Hello Dive Club Members and Visitors,

You may ask how can we run a club during a pandemic.  It takes volunteers who work behind the scenes to arrange for speakers on Zoom, process new membership applications electronically as well as collect dues electronically.  Speaking of dues......your dues will NOT be due January 1 for 2021 under the current circumstances but we are accepting donations to keep our basic services in operation. Please use Zelle to send donations to treasurer@usadiveclub.org. Thank you.

While the club will not have sponsored dives during this time,  members are going diving together on local dive boats and getting together in small groups outside for other activities.  Stay in touch and stay safe.  

Eunice & Stephanie

Hello November Divers,

We have made it through another hurricane season unscathed.  Wish I could say the same about the pandemic.  Hopefully you all have been safe and well.

Fall is here and the winds are shifting. Several dives have been canceled due to sea conditions but the water temperature is still 81 and the lobsters are out there. We've had 4 new members since the pandemic started but looking forward to meeting in person again and meeting our new members face to face.

I have seen a few underwater pictures of you diving at a grouper gathering and at the Blue Heron bridge.  Several of our members took off for a kayak trip that covered some of the Central Florida Springs & rivers.   Staying in touch with the club virtually and exploring the outdoors are safe and rewarding activities.  Keep wearing your masks and join us for our online meetings.  Best wishes, Eunice & Stephanie your volunteer membership coordinators.

Happy October Divers!

Thank you all who voted to update our bylaws making our club operations easier for all concerned.  Be sure to attend the October 1st General Meeting Virtually and you are welcome to attend the Board Meeting on October 8th.  

We have been diving on a non-official club basis, just dive friends getting together on local dive boats which are only allowing half the occupants. Other members have put together a lengthy kayak trip in north central FL with other friends participating when they can for the next three weeks.  

Don't forget that newly certified divers (in the past 12 months) can join our club for free!!  Our dues are $50 a year later.

Remember you still need to wear your masks.  Stay well.

Eunice & Stephanie, Membership Chairs

Hello Two Masked Members,

Here is an update on the local dive charters.  They are in business and several members are making reservations and diving together.  The rules are that masks and social distance is required while loading & unloading and between dives and it costs a little more.  That is because the boats are only taking half the number of people.  Divers report the water temperature is around 81 degrees and visibility has a minimum of 50 feels.  So make your reservations soon.  

Please feel free to invite guests to our Zoom meetings.  Make sure that they register with the meeting and you as their sponsor need to tell Roger so he can recognize their phone number.

Thank you all for sticking with your dive club through the months of Zoom meetings and stay-at-home orders.  Please wear your masks and wash your hands so we can finish this year in a healthier place.

Stephanie & Eunice

Hello Members from the Membership desk.  Our club continues virtual meetings to keep everyone safe. Please stay tuned to our Zoom meetings and be aware that someday we will meet in person again.

In the mean time hopefully you are doing your best to contain this deadly virus so we can one day safely greet each other in person.

Members continue "unofficial club" diving with local vendors who are themselves meeting local health guidelines.   Our next general meeting is July 9th so come join us "virtually" on Zoom.  Stay safe,  Eunice & Stephanie.

Month number 3 of staying at home has passed and finally some establishments are opening up.  The dive boat "Loggerhead" took 10 divers out in May with masks on before suiting up. Four of our members were on board.  Laura reported approximately 60 feet visibility.  She captured one shovel nosed lobster and several lion fish.  Other sea critters spotted were morays, one turtle, a single squid and a very different and rare file fish.  This was not an "official" club dive but that does not stop our members from enjoying the diving again.  We have one new member application from Alison Hodges from Hood River, Oregon.  Welcome aboard Alison!  She was on the aborted Fiji trip earlier this year and met our trip members.  Bear with us as we continue remote meetings until clearance is given for larger groups.  Stay well. Regards, Your membership chairs:  Eunice & Stephanie

If you live in Broward or Miami-Dade we are now  "staying at home" going on 6 weeks. Many of us are rediscovering old hobbies, learning new ones, spoiling our pets and/or drinking more than usual.  There are wonderful creative works online.  If you have not already seen Jimmy Fallon,  Sting & The Roots rendition of "Don't Stand So Close to Me", it is worth the search.  Another awesome work by the cast of Hamilton on Zoom for a little girl whose broadway tickets were cancelled is wonderful.  

But still there is a great deal of suffering and angst at homes and businesses. Positive stories abound with volunteers at food banks,  animal shelters and health care facilities.   We are torn between staying well and risk returning to work.  Let's hope we get over the curve by the end of April and see next steps put in place in May.  Stay safe and well and informed.  Best wishes,  Stephanie and Eunice (your volunteer membership chairs)