SWODA's diverse member base means that the club gets some of the province's most experienced divers. With over 50 years of combined experience among our executive members alone, you can be assured that SWODA knows the ropes when it comes to diving. Our passionate executive is always trying to improve the club and ensure that our members have great dive opportunities and experiences.
| Terry Burr -- President | |
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| I started diving in 2008 and have completed between 200 and 250 dives to date. In Ontario my dives have ranged from Tobermory to Cardinal and points in between. I have also dove in Cozumel Mexico (dessert diving), Port Sanilac Michigan and Gilboa Ohio.
In 2010 I was fortunate enough to knock off the second last dive from my original bucket list by diving U352 in North Carolina. The only wreck left on the original list is the elusive Wexford, although it is right here in our back yard I can’t seem to check it off. |
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I have met a lot of great people over this short time span. I am currently a member and serve on the executive of both the SWODA and Sarnia Underwater Clubs. This upcoming year I hope to meet new people and would like to wish happiness and safe diving for all, especially those who are moving away or moving on and won’t have the pleasure of my constant scrutiny and never ending blah-blah (ha-ha-ha)!
Contact Terry @ president@swoda.ca |
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| Marlyn Smith -- Vice President | |
| I got started with snorkeling in Cuba... which was the biggest "WOW" ever. I came home from that trip, looked through the Yellow Pages (ya, I just dated myself again), enrolled in a SCUBA class and then... the rest, as they say, is history. Over 2000 plus dives and 23 year later, I still love to get a dive in anywhere and anytime.
I have been with SWODA from the early years, as well as being on every level of executive over the years. I love this club: It is a great place to find dive buddies and have fun! I am so looking forward to 2011, our Club's 25th Anniversary and planning to make this another great dive season, YET AGAIN! Contact Mar @ vicepresident@swoda.ca |
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| Derek Causarano -- Treasurer & Webmaster | |
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When I was a lifeguard at the YMCA, I wanted to learn how to dive. I would watch the divers from the surface of the water and think about how interesting it must be down there. Years later, I finally got myself into an Open Water Course and I haven't looked back! I haven’t been diving for very long… In fact, I only started diving in 2010! But what a ride it has been: I’ve seen Shipwrecks in Tobermory & the Caribbean, Coral Reefs in the Bahamas and went drifting through the St. Clair and Niagara Rivers! Not bad for someone who just started diving, eh?
I’m looking forward to taking a Basic Nitrox Course in the 2011 season and, hopefully, getting myself onto Blackbeard's this year (Fingers Crossed!). Otherwise, I’m just going to meet new people, get in and dive wherever & whenever I can and keep exploring! Contact Derek @ treasurer@swoda.ca |
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| Karen Causarano -- Secretary | |
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My name is Karen Causarano and I will be the 2011 SWODA Secretary. I started diving February 2010 and have since completed my open water and advanced certifications. I started diving with my husband because we had been on several cruises and noticed diving as an option on each of them, and thought it would be fun to try, since we both like being in the water. Our first dives were in the Caribbean, but when we got back we were introduced to cold water diving from Gilboa, to Tobermory, Sarnia, Sherkston, and Fort Erie. Every time there was something new. Can’t wait to get diving again, learning something new and meeting everyone out there!
Contact Karen @ secretary@swoda.ca |
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| Steve Brandow -- Director/Trips & Events | |
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I have been a certified diver for 12 years and have logged 100’s of dive in the Great Lakes. I have been assisting Mar with classes for about 4 years and completed my Divemaster last year. I have also completed my TDI Advanced Nitrox, and plan on taking the Decompression Procedures and Cavern/Cave courses in the near future. I have dove the St. Lawrence Seaway, Kingston, Tobermory, Pt. Sanilac, St. Clair River, North Carolina, Gilboa quarry, and Long Point and down south I have dove in Aruba (a lot), Cozumel, Blackbeard’s, Cuba, Jamaica, Barbados and Bonaire. I like to get away at least once a year to do some Caribbean diving but would still rather dive the amazing wrecks here at home.
My Favorite wrecks are: the Munson, the Keystorm, the Arabia, & the Comet. |
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Contact Steve @ events@swoda.ca |
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| Bob Ste.-Croix -- Director/25th Anniversary Celebration | |
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I started diving in 2006 but didn't actually get certified until about 2008-09.
My favorite place to dive? Let's see... I think I can narrow it down to one word: EVERYWHERE! One day, I hope to be an instructor, I already have a great mentor! Contact Bob @ 25thanniversary@swoda.ca |
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| Michelle Ste.-Croix -- Director/Member Education & Meetings | |
| I started diving in 2008 because I figured "if I can't beat him, join him". It took me a while to say "I love this sport", but now I can say "Wow I love this sport!" - Thanks to those who were patient with me (you know who you are). I have dove in Cozumel (a lot), Grand Turk, Honduras, Grand Cayman, Barbados, Bahamas, Tobemory, and Gilboa. This brings me to my other favourite past time, travelling. It is great that the two go hand in hand. I do prefer warm salt water diving, however, I do hope to get some cold water diving in this year. Looking forward to a great season.
Contact Michelle @ education@swoda.ca |
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| Sheila Bender -- Director/Promotions | |
| Hey Hey! I have been diving since 1998; 11 years of cold water diving. This past year, I finally got into some warm water diving in India and on a live-board in the Bahamas. I have been diving several areas around Ontario, cold salty Quebec and as far east as Gros Morne National Park in New Foundland, down into Massachutes and Ohio. I am rescue certified and plan to start working on my dive master. I have NAS level 1 and a past member of Save Ontario Shipwrecks (S.O.S). I have 450 logged dives and look forward to the next underwater adventure. I have met a lot of divers and new friends over the years and share the same passion with the rest of the executive and I am excited to be a part of a successful 25th season.
Contact Sheila @ promotions@swoda.ca |
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| Jenn Dickenson -- Director/Newsletter | |
| Howdy! My name is Jenn Dickenson and I’ve been diving since 2009. I finished my advanced open-water course in 2010 and would like to continue moving forward with my courses. I’ve been diving (a lot) in Tobermory, North Carolina, Sarnia, Fort Erie and soon the WORLD! I had always wanted to learn to SCUBA dive and once I did my open-water, I was hooked! I work as a condominium manager for Dickenson Management. I enjoy all the watersports I’ve ever done (except Kite tubing, that hurt…) and until recently, rode a motorcycle. I hope to get back into the water as early as possible in 2011 and look forward to seeing you all out on the water! Fins up!
Contact Jenn @ newsletter@swoda.ca |
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