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 Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:44 am Post subject: DOT Release | Dive Industry Honors Local Pioneers |
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Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (January 25, 2009)
DIVE INDUSTRY HONOURS LOCAL PIONEERS
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 next week, Thursday January 29, when the industry gathers together for the annual International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (ISDHF) Dinner and Induction Ceremony.
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, Environment, Investment & Commerce, Hon. Charles E. Clifford.
"Both individuals have been trailblazers in Cayman's dive industry," said the Honourable Minister. "I congratulate them for having passion and foresight and for dedicating their lives to the sport of scuba diving."
The Dinner and Induction Ceremony [took place] at Pedro St. James on Thursday January 21, 2009.
STUART FREEMAN
Stuart Freeman has dedicated 40 years to the sea and to the watersports industry. From the onset of his adulthood through to present day, Mr. Freeman has stayed true to his calling and continuously helps to protect and develop Cayman's diving industry.
In 1969, as a young man in England, Mr. Freeman started out working as a commercial diver on the Brighton Marina project and as an instructor for the Branch Diving Officer Club.
Then in 1973, he relocated to Grand Cayman and started working at the Sunset Divers Shop, where he became an instructor for the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and an advanced instructor for the British Sub Aqua Club (BSCA).
In 1983, Mr. Freeman decided to turn his passion for diving into a business and, alongside his wife Magreta, established "Eden Rock Diving
Centre" on South Church Street. The driving force behind the company's creation was that Mr. Freeman considered the Cayman Islands to have the best diving in the world and he wanted to be able to offer visitors the opportunity to share in its magnificence.
Over the business’ 26 year history, Eden Rock has become one of the most successful full-service dive shops on Grand Cayman and a highlight for many who have ventured out on a dive to the famous "Eden Rock" dive site that the business is named after.
In addition to being a successful business owner, Mr. Freeman is a past chairman of the Cayman Islands Divers, the local branch of the British Sub Aqua Club; a senior chamber operator and instructor; chairman of the Pirates Week Underwater Treasure Hunt; and a Royal Life Saving Society instructor and examiner.
Although Mr. Freeman no longer leads the dive groups, he still manages the day-to-day operations of the dive shop while his son, Roger, acts as a dive boat captain. Although diving will always hold a powerful place in Mr.
Freeman's heart it is his hope that his son will eventually take over managing Eden Rock to ensure that the Freeman family continues to bring the experience of diving to all those who seek it.
OLLEN MILLER
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.
Mr. Miller's diving career officially began in 1979 as an instructor at Bob
Soto's followed by employment at Don Foster's Dive. During this time period he was one of only three Caymanian scuba instructors on the island, despite there being some of the world's best dive sites located just offshore.
By the late 1980s Mr. Miller recognized a need for more personalized one-on-one dive operations in Grand Cayman and he decided to open his own dive shop, affectionately dubbed "Sundivers".
Mr. Miller has always placed a strong emphasis on customer service, which is why he chose to be at the helm for all aspects of his dive organization. For several years, Mr. Miller acted as both dive tour leader and boat captain, allowing him to get to know each of his guests and ensuring that they had an overall cherished experience while diving with him.
Over the years, Sundivers has grown and Mr. Miller now employs two additional dive instructors … but he still stands by the principles that led him to open up his business and he limits each dive group to eight or less persons per excursion.
In 2007, Mr. Miller expanded the company further and introduced a shore diving adventure at the Cracked Conch restaurant in West Bay. This dive operation offers access to the world famous Turtle Reef dive site and prides itself on providing personalized friendly service to all divers regardless of skill level.
Mr. Miller has lived in Grand Cayman his entire life and his nomination applauds his love of country and personal thirty year commitment to diving. "This is the first honour that I have received and I am truly thankful for the recognition," he stated. |
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Joe Stebbins, Editor
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