...THE COZUMEL ULTIMATE DIVER CHALLENGE TEAM OF 2008

ANNOUNCING THE COZUMEL ULTIMATE DIVER CHALLENGE TEAM OF 2008 :

THE WINNERS INCLUDE (TOP FIVE IN ORDER):

1. JAIME MEZO, PADI DIVER FROM COZUMEL, MX
2. KELLY PEPPEL, PADI DIVER FROM BARNESVILLE, MN
3. CECILIA RUCKER, PADI DIVER FROM CONYERS, GA
4. GUY SWENSON, PADI DIVER FROM BARNESVILLE, MN
5. KIM ROGERS, SSI DIVER FROM DENVER CO

The Ultimate Diver Team includes the following winners as well:

• Jeremy Anschel, PADI diver from Cozumel, MX
• Conrad Rucker, PADI diver from Conyers, GA
• Sarah Smith, NAUI diver from Woodland, CA
• Robert Javan, NAUI diver from Woodland, CA
• Gustavo Ortega, PADI diver from Cozumel, MX

Two and a half years ago, I began the adventure of creating the Ultimate Diver Challenge! This has truly been a long journey and challenging as well. Although I did not take the challenge -- I and my volunteers had many. The week was full of work but work that provided the opportunity for divers to show off diving skills mastered to make them the best of the best in scuba diving. Through the created challenges that were designed to test the knowledge, buoyancy, navigation and search/stress/rescue skills the divers in attendance displayed passion and precision. Various dive teams from around the United States and Mexico participated in 3 challenges over the course of three days. The top five dive teams were selected from the results of those challenges. Then, all ten divers competed individually in three challenges for the chance to earn the title of the Ultimate Diver 2008.

I can't say enough about the fun and excitement that divers displayed taking the challenges! I invite you to visit the site frequently as we are in the process of updating details surrounding next years Ultimate Diver Challenge and we invite you to join us either to take the challenge or as a fun diver and/or volunteer!

Pam Bertrand, Director