ScubaFest 2012

Inflatable 'scuba man' inside hotel lobby

ScubaFest 2012 in Dublin, Ohio was another good time this year!  It is always good to see old friends and acquaintances, and to meet new people who share the same interests and passions.

This year, again, my family accompanied me to the event.  While our son, Korey, is the only other certified diver in the family, the girls don't mind coming along for a weekend get away at the hotel, either!  The buffet breakfast was a bonus, too!

Friday evening started with a meet-n-greet and special presentation of the key-note speaker, Daniel J. Lenihan.  Mr. Lenihan has been a archaeologic diver with the U.S. National Parks system for decades, and spoke on some of his adventures.  I also attended a session by Dr. Andrea Grottoli of the Ohio State University, who is doing research on the corals of our world...and what we can expect to happen to them in the future.  After the sessions, I had a chance to meet up with a few dive buddies as we caught up with each other while enjoying a few after-diving-beverages.

Scott & Linda from GLHS/MAST

Saturday was a full day of various presentations, visits to the exhibit hall to see all the vendors and learning more about all things diving...from regulators to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix), to nautical archaeology in Ohio...and more!  Really, too much to recap in this short blog.  The evening was capped off with the annual banquet, the announcement of the Ohio Regional photo contest winners (winning a week-long live aboard trip!!), and good fun with friends.

My weekend ended with a PADI Member Forum meeting Sunday AM for dive professionals, a brief stop into the MAST member meeting and some more visits to the exhibit booths with the family.  I even won a small Ikelite mini c-lite for my diving this summer from one of the booths!  Thank you, David Hass, for the prize and for being at ScubaFest!