Many compare the COVID pandemic to a storm, and in many ways, that’s a good metaphor. A storm is dark, and it rises, falls and rises again before it passes. It wanders, hits some places harder and leaves other places sooner than others. As it drags on, we grow impatient for the sun. Part of why we love the diving lifestyle is that we love sunshine on our faces and water over our heads. It heals us –mind, body and soul.

Yet amid a storm’s darkness, the bright spots stand out, and one of those was this year’s Women’s Dive Day. For the sixth year in a row, divers came together (virtually and physically, as appropriate) in Australia, Bonaire, Curacao, Egypt, Cayman Islands, Thailand, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mauritius, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tanzania, UAE and the United States – just to name a few – to engage the female side of their local dive communities and give back to the ocean.

One might think that COVID would have suppressed turnout and engagement for this year’s Women’s Dive Day, but actually it was the opposite. Women’s Dive Day dominated PADI’s social content as the entire dive industry celebrated heroines of all ages and cultures who have inspired millions of us through contributions reaching back decades through to present day. More than 2300 #padiwomensdiveday and #padiwomen social media posts (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) accumulated 50 million+ impressions and 275,000+ engagements. Outside of diving mainstream media event coverage (like this one) reached more than 10 million people.

Obviously, this year was a bit different than in years past – in some places we met online, and in others we got together wearing face coverings, observing distancing and applying other protocols. Local divers rallied in place of travelling divers in areas that usually support dive tourism, including a fundraiser to fight breast cancer. The point is, pandemic aside, Women’s Dive Day happened – some of the most inspirational people in my life have been formidable and passionate women who are pillars, leaders, influencers and matriarchs, and by turning out in force this year, they demonstrated these qualities. Supported by dive centers, dive pros and divers of 2020 Women’s Dive Day demonstrated the strength, tenacity and perseverance that women bring to our common purpose of seeking adventure and saving the ocean.

Watching this event unfold was nothing short of inspirational. Check out just a few of the Women’s Dive Day events from around the world. Seeing what you and your fellow PADI professionals did to unite, engage and inspire the dive community through this annual event is as uplifting as it is inspiring. Thank you for being part of the PADI family, for your part in and support of Women’s Dive Day, and leading the movement to seek adventure and save the ocean.

Good diving and best wishes,

Drew Richardson
President & CEO PADI Worldwide

The post Accolades for Women’s Dive Day 2020 appeared first on PADI Pros.

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