On 15 November at the 2023 DEMA Show, the Academy of Underwater Arts & Sciences honored me with the 2023 NOGI Award for Sports and Education. It was humbling to stand among diving’s many luminaries who have received NOGIs, that night as well as historically. The thanks I gave to the Academy and those sharing this moment with me seemed well received.

Some of it echos my previous Straight Talk, and many of those present encouraged me to share my words in this month’s Straight Talk:

“Good evening, I stand before you tonight graced by the support and assistance of others. The words ‘No man is an island,‘ resonate deeply with me tonight. Written in the 1600s by English poet John Donne, this speaks to our connectedness as people, all part of something larger, and a greater purpose.

I’d like to thank the Academy and all those who felt my career contributions worthy of this distinguished recognition. I am grateful to each of you. There are so many people whose knowledge, support, guidance, personas and styles offered me the opportunity to learn and grow in my life, and to whom I am deeply grateful. Simply saying ‘thank you’ seems inadequate. These include a colorful blend of colleagues, friends, parents, family, coaches, teachers, mentors, senseis, heroes, rogues, rascals, ruffians, pirates, angels, vixens, bosses, teachers, villains, rivals and antagonists. I would also like to specifically thank the diaspora of past and present PADI employees, Members, and 30 million PADI Divers across 183 countries for their support.

Author Jack London wrote, ‘The proper function of a human is to live, not to exist.’ NOGI recipients past and present, and those gathered here tonight, certainly approach life with this intention. There is so much living attached to the diving experience. As divers, we have transformed ourselves, connected with a deeper purpose and value from our immersion, and yearn to share this with others.

Diving is a reflection of our true selves – our love of encountering wild things and participation in nature. Diving heals damaged spirits and souls, and brings out the best in people. Divers travel to discover new and magical places, people, and cultures – because diving is both a great equalizer, and a great teacher.

Through the faceplates of our masks, we are afforded insights into the circle of life underwater, stunning beauty, and splendor. We watch things watching us, with the hope that they accept us as part of the waterscape. 

Like you, I dive because I love to. I love the watery environment. Diving rewards me as I seek to escape the congestion of humanity. In this way, diving is a source of rebellion and an endless source of challenge and delight. Water calls out to each of us, from the shimmer of the ‘golden hour,’ to the sounds and fragrance of the ocean. We are the lucky few who dive down into the sea, driven by a primal curiosity and a thirst to explore. 

Diving and immersion are sensory; the water wraps around us. As it does, we are task loaded in managing changes in ambient pressure, dissolved gases, currents, visibility, heat loss, gas supply, temperature, buoyancy and a buddy or student – all while keeping our calm and focus as we embrace the aquatic reality of a three-dimensional world referred to as inner space. In a word . . .  fantastic!

Diving is also humbling. Perhaps because we largely depend on our training, skills and life support to dive, we are inherently vulnerable. We can only visit for a short while, yet this part of our planet continues on its 24-hour cycle in support of us. Ironically, with 8 billion people on the industrialized planet now, the future of the world’s ocean has never been more dependent on our decisions and actions to prioritize ocean life support. Humanity and ocean are both vulnerable – both codependent. As divers we understand this and witness this codependence – it makes us a fortunate group of people, each with a choice to make.

I’m reminded of the relevance of the ‘Star Thrower’ essay written by anthropologist Loren Eiseley in 1969, and introduced to me by my late brother, Craig, in 1974. I encourage each of you to read the original essay. It has been adapted, used, and popularized many times over the decades. Perhaps you are familiar with the storyline? Paraphrasing, it goes like this:

With miles of beach and thousands of stranded starfish, a person was picking up starfish and throwing them back into the sea. ‘You can’t possibly make a difference,’ said a cynical observer. Tossing yet another starfish back into the sea, the person replied, ‘It will make a difference to this one.’

This story reminds us that no constructive difference is insignificant, and making a difference is an individual choice. Collectively, such individual actions taken by 1 billion Ocean Torchbearers can scale into positive ocean change. As Ocean Torchbearers who live to explore and protect the ocean, all of us do well to remember that what we do matters. We teach, guide, story tell and inspire divers and others to share their love for the sea. We encourage constructive individual action to make a collective difference.

Ocean Torchbearers are a growing force that will scale the power of one person exponentially across the planet. As a community, we have the capacity to set into motion a monumental and positive force for restoring and protecting the ocean, both locally and internationally.

Reflecting the spirit and actions taken in Loren Eiseley’s ‘Star Thrower’ essay, divers recently reported cutting free and releasing 169 entangled animals from marine debris during AWARE Week. That’s a big deal – saving both the animal and its potential offspring. In this way, choosing to seek adventure, explore, and steward the health of the ocean is our inspiring love story, and one which we all have the choice to share.

Reflecting on the pathway, people and experiences that got me to this podium before you tonight, I’d like close with the resounding lyrics from the Beatles song, ‘In My Life.’

There are places I’ll remember all my life, though some have changed.
Some forever, not for better; some have gone, and some remain.

All these places had their moments, with lovers and friends I still can recall.
Some are dead, and some are living, in my life I’ve loved them all.

Thank you all for this honor and for your kind attention.”

Sincerely,

Drew Richardson
President & CEO

The post Straight Talk from PADI CEO: There’s So Much Living Attached to Diving appeared first on PADI Pros.

President’s Desk, Drew Richardson, PADI CEO, president messagePADI Pros