Wednesday, November 7, 2007

I have 3 World Records in the 2008 Diving Almanac and Yearbook!

Wow! Great News! I just got back from the annual DEMA (Diving Equipment and Marketing Association) Show in Florida. This is the third year in a row for me to attend (I've been a total of 5 times now). I had a great time as always. The show was held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, 2007. There were close to 11,000 divers and exhibitors there. I saw lots of cool things and many friends from the industry. I was also fortunate enough to have some personal time with my two sisters, my niece and my beloved grandmother. It was just fantastic.

One of the highlights of the show for me was the recognition I received from Jeffrey Gallant, Editor-in-Chief of the 2008 Diving Almanac and Yearbook. This year marked the second publishing of his annual book. It has been called "...the best single reference book ever published for divers" (Undercurrent) and "...truly the most complete diving reference in the world" (Zendive).

I'm very thrilled to announce that I have Three World Records in the 2008 edition of this awesome book!

Record # 326: Most Continuous Bubble Rings in a Row on a Single Breath of Air... 34 Rings! I did that in St. Thomas, USVI on June 27th, 1989. I still have a video of me performing that too! It wasn't easy, I'll tell you that much. You see, I have this special trick I do with my tongue....

Record # 330: Most "Shaka" Diver Signs...165 and counting. Actually, I now have over 200 different versions of a "Shaka". I'm writing a book about them. Do you have any new ones for me to add in?

Record # 331: Thickest Log Book... My Maui Logbook is quite impressive (to me at least). It's over 33 inches tall and takes ten three-ring-binders to hold it all together. I've been keeping every dive I've made on Maui in this book. To date I have over 3,150 dives logged! I never thought I would rack up that many in ten years but the book proves I did! Sure makes me feel good when I look through it. Lots of great memories and friends in that book. In one of my older posts here I have a photo of me and my logbook. Check it out!

This years trip to the DEMA Show was just great. I'm already planning on heading back next year....it's in Las Vegas!! Woo Hoo! Check out the 2008 Diving Almanac and Yearbook at www.divingalmanac.com. If you're into SCUBA, this is a great book to own!