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 Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:12 am Post subject: Dive industry honours two |
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DIVE INDUSTRY HONOURS TWO
From the Caymanian Compass,
Wednesday 28th January, 2009 Posted: 16:05 CIT (21:05 GMT)
Two well known Caymanian dive pioneers – Stuart Freeman, owner of Eden Rock, and Ollen Miller, owner of Sundivers, will be honoured for their achievements and outstanding contributions to the sport of scuba diving this tonight at Pedro St. James.
This is when the industry gathers together for the annual International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony.
A press release noted that every year, in addition to the international inductees, the Ministry of Tourism honours Caymanians and pays tribute to the invaluable role they have played in the process which has transformed Cayman into the premier dive destination that it is today. All awards will be presented by the Minister of Tourism, Charles.
“Both individuals have been trailblazers in Cayman’s dive industry,” said the Minister. “I congratulate them for having passion and foresight and for dedicating their lives to the sport of scuba diving.”
Stuart Freeman has dedicated 40 years to the sea and to the watersports industry. From the onset of his adulthood through to the present day, Mr. Freeman has stayed true to his calling and continuously helps to protect and develop Cayman’s diving industry.
As a born Caymanian, Ollen Miller has always had an instinctual love of the sea and has been diving since the age of 13. As a young teenager he dedicated his days to the ocean and became a certified dive instructor by the age of 15. |
I decided to copy and paste this entire article in here, rather than just the usual sentence or two that pops up when we click on one of the news headlines scrolling by......
This event is a HUGE deal and wonderful tribute to my good friend, Ollen Miller, as well as to Mr. Freeman. Ollen is the owner of the new dive shop, Turtle Reef at the Cracked Conch, located below the Cracked Conch restaurant, and Mr. Freeman's property, Eden Rock has been a recommended dive shop for years.
A little history about this event........from what I have learned by reading their website, the International Scuba Hall of Fame was founded in the year 2000 by the Cayman Islands' Minister of Tourism, with the hopes of creating a link between the Cayman Islands, a premier dive destination, and a group of dedicated dive enthusiasts from all over the world. So, in 2000, they started out with a group of 17 inductees, and each year thereafter, they seem to add 4 or 5 more......among the many people in the Hall are familiar names such as Jacques Cousteau, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Lloyd Bridges, and even Cayman's own Cathy Church!
The event is always held in the Cayman Islands, and there are plans to build an actual physical Scuba Hall of Fame and Museum in the Cayman Islands, but I'm not sure where.
So, the big event is being held tonight at Pedro St. James' Castle. In addition to the induction of the new International Members, every year, two or three amazing Caymanians are honored for their contributions to the local dive industry, as well. Tonight it will be Stuart Freeman and Ollen Miller, two very deserving individuals, indeed.
Congratulations to all!!
(What I wouldn't give to see Ollen dressed up..........  )
Char |
Next Vacation : 16 Days ( Plantation Village ) Start : Feb/25/2012 End : Mar/10/2012
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FAQ
I would not be a diver today if not for Ollen. His patience and encouragement during my first diving experience(when I was scared to death 
) gave me the courage to go on and become a certified diver. I have now experienced nine wonderful seasons of diving (soon to be ten, I hope 
).