Women’s Dive Day
A Note from our CEO on Women's Dive Day
Hello Fellow Divers and Happy Women's Dive Day to the female contingent out there, of which I am proud to be a part. Over the past year, I have joined some women's scuba group forums and have truly enjoyed the frankness, encouragement and education in the posts. We cannot ignore that women have different bodies and have different concerns than men when diving. SCUBA gear fits us differently and thankfully, many manufacturers have recognized this and have produced better-fitting BCDs and wetsuits to accommodate the female body. Women have unique concerns about harassment when diving and fortunately, both women and men are speaking up and reporting offenders to the appropriate authorities and we all should have zero tolerance for this behavior. Finally, women often have a harder time finding a dive buddy and these forums have provided an opportunity to meet other women in your area who want to meet up and dive! I have seen several dive charters advertising a Women's Dive Day celebratory dive trip -- this is awesome! I hope that each of you has the opportunity to meet up and dive with your favorite dive buddy on Women's Dive Day and any other day you can get out on the water!
7 of the Most Inspirational Women in Diving
Dottie Frazier will always be remembered as the pioneer for women in diving. Holding the titles of first female freediving and spearfishing athlete, first female scuba instructor, and first woman to own a dive shop (among many other firsts), Dottie knew all too well that “Being underwater does things to your spirit” and we couldn’t agree more. Did you know that Dottie Frazier also pioneered women’s wetsuit designs? Thank you, Dottie, for taking the first challenge, at 6 years old, to retrieve that coffee pot from the ocean floor freediving 15 feet for your Dad. And thank you to all the men in her life who encouraged and supported her along the way.We stand in awe and are inspired. Anything is possible.
The Shark Lady, Dr. Eugenie Clark, is another inspirational woman who has left her mark on the world of diving. An Ichthyologist who gained worldwide recognition as the scientific authority on fish, Dr. Clark wrote three books and about 160 scientific papers focused on sharks, fish, and the ocean. Having received many honors, awards, and medals, sharks and their behavior were Dr. Clark’s passion. She even founded what is now Mote Marine Laboratory so she could devote more time to shark research. Having conducted 72 deep submersible dives, this Shark Lady lives on in our hearts and every time we see a shark on a dive, we think of her. Having gone on a dive to celebrate her 92nd birthday, it’s no wonder Dr. Clark continues to inspire so many.
Dr. Sylvia Earle, known as Her Deepness, says that diving regularly is the secret to her vitality. A marine biologist who’s forged the way in attaining knowledge about our oceans and marine life, including walking on the ocean floor at 1,250 feet below the surface for 2 ½ hours, Dr. Earle has absolutely earned the title Her Deepness. Receiving more than 100 national and international honors and an Explorer-in-Residence for National Geographic, Dr Earle continues her work to protect the oceans through Mission Blue. Our hats off to this scientist, engineer, teacher, and explorer who knows that divers are best positioned to champion and protect the oceans.
A tech diver who set the bar in cave diving, Jill Heinerth is one lady diver that leaves us in awe. This record holding cave diver, explorer, filmmaker, and author has devoted her life to advocating for the oceans. Recipient of numerous awards, Jill was the first person to dive into the iceberg caves of Antarctica. Her work with numerous scientists led to her team assisting with a 3D mapping project below the surface. As humble as the day is long, Jill continues to explore and inspire.
Shirley Lee is the first woman of color to receive a scuba diving certification. Born an athlete, she already had a natural love for the water and enjoyed working as a lifeguard in her youth. Once scuba diving found her, she was hooked. Shirley has logged over 1,000 dives all over the world and is a founding member of The National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS). Shirley has mentored, trained, and inspired numerous divers over the years.
Lotte Baierl Hass, also known as the first lady of diving, was the first underwater model. Learning to operate a closed circuit rebreather in the water, Lotte was the only female crew member on the filming of Adventure in the Red Sea. Co-producing films and co-writing many books about the ocean, Lotte left her mark on the world of diving and inspires us to keep our fears in check and adventure on.
Zale Parry was the first woman to go below 200 feet, first woman president of the Underwater Photographic Society, did dives for every studio in Hollywood, and is known for her work on the first civilian hyperbaric chamber. Thank you, Zale, for blazing the path and for your part in making diving a little safer for us all. Having received numerous awards for all of her work, Zale encourages everyone to experience the underwater world.
Dive Gear for Dive Gals
When women like Dottie Frazier started diving, they had to contend with ill fitting dive gear that didn’t take a woman’s curves into account. It’s no surprise that Dottie went to work designing the first women’s wetsuit and drysuit. Before long, she was designing wetsuits for men and women. Even though it was a vast improvement, the lack of give and stretch left room for advancements.
Today, we’re lucky to have a wide selection of dive gear designed for men, women, and children. From wetsuits and BCDs to masks and fins that fit the different frames and deliver a much more comfortable dive experience for all.
If it weren’t for the ladies mentioned above as well as thousands of other amazing women working to make scuba diving a sport for everyone, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
The Future of Diving
With a bright future, the sport of diving along with all the dive gear continue to evolve with advancements in technology, materials, and fabrics. Across the globe, women are making their mark in the world of diving, and we’re watching, learning, and listening.
Having a female CEO and women in management positions throughout the company, Divers Direct clearly supports women in diving. We’re looking forward to seeing the impact the next group of inspirational women have on diving, dive gear, our oceans, and the ocean dwellers.
Happy Women's Dive Day!