Dear NABS,
I wanted to send a message thanking you and all of the members of the Summit Committee for all of your efforts. If you recognize my name, it’s because I was supposed to attend this years gathering. Unfortunately, I came down with Covid a little less than two weeks before the trip. I hoped against all evidence, that I would be healthy enough to attend. Not because of the exotic location, but because of the wonderful assembly of people of color who share a love of one of my great passions in life.
A little about me, I’m a PADI divemaster and master diver with almost 300 dives in the books, but I have yet to take a trip with any other people of color (who weren’t employed at whatever wonderful destination I was at). I’m from Cleveland OH, and I’ve met a few divers of color in my area, but have never been able to coordinate a trip of any kind with them. When I found NABS on Facebook I was thrilled, especially when I saw that there were so many other divers who not only shared my enthusiasm for the water but who had surpassed my accomplishments in every way imaginable.
So, despite being unable to attend I wanted to thank you and the rest of the committee for putting together this wonderful event. Planning a dive trip for a couple of people is difficult enough as it is, you all have gone all out to make this a true event! I’m sure everyone is having a great time, and I can’t wait to participate in the future!
Please give everyone my best wishes for a wonderful week of safe, healthy and magical diving with some of the best people in the world. Looking forward to meeting everyone one day!
Sincerely,
David Payne
P.S. I was fully vaccinated and took all the precautions that I could, but still got sick. If I weren’t vaccinated, I can’t feel confident that I would’ve survived this disease. Please stay safe.
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