40 replies to this topic

[Brinybay]

I have some comments on dive club trips.

Based on the club model, they are not to partake in the goodies - these must be spread to the group,

Ours doesn't. It's up to the trip organizer. Of course, there are always those who grumble about it, but f'em, if they don't like it, they don't have to go.

that would depend on if the club is set up as a 501-C

I think the clubs here in Dallas are all 501-C. I don't dive with the clubs here because of the club politics

One of the reasons I dive exclusively with SD is Kamala always tries to make everyone feel welcome and included in the groups activities. I've haven't had many dive club members ever ask my name at meetings, so why dive with them? Just to save a few bucks? I work hard for my vacation time and my diving time...I won't spend it with people who act like I don't even exist

I'm not sure what the legal impacts of 501-C has to do with trip organizers taking or not taking the free berths, but I would be interested in knowing specifically. I would be agin anything that dictated that a trip organizer had to pass on the bens. It's a big disincentive, IMO, because as pointed out in another post, the work and hassle is not spread out, so why should the bens be?

Our meetings are kinda like church, part of the procedure is to embarrass new-comers by asking them to stand up and introduce themselves. After that, if you want to get to know folks, go diving.

[ScubaPunk]

How many different ways can we beat this dead horse.

[shadragon]

How many different ways can we beat this dead horse.

Is it a horse or a pony???

[Moose]

>Excellent post deleted to save space<

SingleDivers Management and Staff...

I just want to say that I agree 100% with Shadragon. But I also want to say that in life, you often get what you pay for. You could call around, deal with a bunch of differeant people and companies, make all your own arrangements and save some cash, but WHY? How much is you time worth? To me, my time is WAY more important than money. I'd pay twice the price for a trip if I know that it's put together by someone that has already done it and will be there with me. That way, they already worked out the kinks and they know what's worthwihile and what is a waste. If I'm going on a trip, my time there is very limited and having someone that has experianced it with me is going to help me capitalize on the time I'm there.

Now, there is something to be said about having your own adventure also. A few years ago, a buddy of mine got married in Italy. A bunch of us took off for a month or so and just headed over there and did our own thing for most of the time. No plans, no schedules, no research. Then we all met in Florance for the wedding and shared our experainces. Then, after the wedding, we all went our own ways to check on things we missed. It was a trip to remember for sure. But it's not how I want to spend every dive trip.

In Dec, I found out that I was going to the Dominican Republic on less than 24 hour notice. When I got there, I got to do some diving, but I missed a great trip by only a few hours. Had I been with someone who knew the "lay of the land," I would have been able to do that as well.

[Seahorsewrangler]

Club or Business..doesnt matter.. I see it as opportunity or opportunities for diving and learning. I for one have made friends here that I wouldn't have found elsewhere, for that I'm grateful, but I also have been given a tremendous place to learn about many different things. Yes one has other choices when it comes to planning a dive trip, but I think the SD staff has done it's best to provide help, to get info back to those requesting it, and to make travel plans that synchronize the whole group so people aren't fighting on their own to get to where they need to be. Its too often a thankless job and I dont know how nor why they do it with so often a smile and a thank you to boot. Having said that I will say this.....

Kamala and SD staff I would like to thank you for giving me, and many others, the opportunity to dive in locations world-wide that I wouldn't have been able to do (or even think about doing) by myself. These experiences I wont forget, I've made friends that are truly awesome in their own right, but without SD it wouldn't have happened. My sincere thanks.

Jeff

[WreckWench]

Club or Business..doesnt matter.. I see it as opportunity or opportunities for diving and learning. I for one have made friends here that I wouldn't have found elsewhere, for that I'm grateful, but I also have been given a tremendous place to learn about many different things. Yes one has other choices when it comes to planning a dive trip, but I think the SD staff has done it's best to provide help, to get info back to those requesting it, and to make travel plans that synchronize the whole group so people aren't fighting on their own to get to where they need to be. Its too often a thankless job and I dont know how nor why they do it with so often a smile and a thank you to boot. Having said that I will say this.....

Kamala and SD staff I would like to thank you for giving me, and many others, the opportunity to dive in locations world-wide that I wouldn't have been able to do (or even think about doing) by myself. These experiences I wont forget, I've made friends that are truly awesome in their own right, but without SD it wouldn't have happened. My sincere thanks.

Jeff

Jeff!

Now you know the REAL reason why we do it!

[Divegirl412]

I have some comments on dive club trips.


Now extend this scenario to a dive trip, similar to what SD puts together and make sure to double, triple, quadruple the work.

I am an avid diver in the PNW. I teach scuba. I work for a local dive shop. Our dive shop offers trips. I dive almost every weekend. Do you think I lack finding dive buddies!? Simple answer is no. So why do I particpate in SD? Because SD offers dive, trip, educational, and social opportunities beyond what my shop and local area does. I have increased my international network of dive contacts, dive buddies, and friends. And, I didn't work that hard to do it - it's because of this forum and because of dive trips I've attended.

Thanks WW and SD team.

Got to say I agree with Nicolle. I travel extensively throuout the world, almost every month. While I am cost-conscious, that is not my main concern. Some of these are self-arranged dive trips, while others are non-dive trips. I do NOT have to work through SD to travel or dive!!! Yet I do, every year. Why??? For several of the reasons Nicolle outlined above. I was on the first trip to Coz before this was actually a single divers website, total newbie. Over the last three years, I have shared in several trips and learned immensely from all the friendly, excellent and generous divers that I have met on the trips. I consider many personal friends. The camaraderie, different levels of dive experience, the willingness to share etc is amazing. You know that a SD trip will always be a fun trip.

It is a very difficult process, pulling off these trips and accommodating all the different requests. And I think Kamala and Kim and all involved do a great job. And things will continue to improve since they are open-minded about listening to comments and criticism. The very few times I have disagreed with anything done, I exercised my right to choose and do what I think is best for me. And everyone has that right. But that does not detract from the fact that they are providing a great opportunity for a group of divers to meet, communicate and travel together.

Rosa

[Basslet]

I have shared in several trips and learned immensely from all the friendly, excellent and generous divers that I have met on the trips. I consider many personal friends. The camaraderie, different levels of dive experience, the willingness to share etc is amazing. You know that a SD trip will always be a fun trip.

I totally agree. But I guess I am fortunate that I've made friends, traveled with, dived with, had fun with and learned from divers I've met through a couple of other online diving communities. Hondorus, the Flower Gardens, Thailand, the Keys, and next year, Galapagos and Wakatobi are trips I've made outside SD with divers I've met online.

But I learned all about NC wreck diving from Kamala and am grateful to her and SD for an awesome trip. I'll never forget those sand tigers on the Caribsea. And I look forward to my Australia trip with SD.

[Penguin]

I haven't chimed in on this one yet but have certainly over analyzed it today!

I think the reason that the underlying structure of SD.com remains so undefined is that it serves different purposes for different people. We all have a "need" of some sort or we wouldn't be here as there would be no return on whatever investment/contribution we choose to make.

For no charge you get access to a community of great people, a community of very knowledgeable divers and access to varied opinions of divers who enjoy different types of diving. For only $25 per year, you can gain some additional features. I've made some great friends here in a very short time and get together with them regularly.

There is no requirement to membership of going on a SingleDivers.com-sponsored trip(s), yet we all have access to many. Some people appreciate the convenience of having everything planned for them and some choose to do it on their own. It is not held to secrecy that the trip leader generally exchanges time and effort in return for having their trip expenses offset. This is common to our industry. Knowing that affords each person the opportunity to either choose to support that or to make the choice of planning their own vacation. Personally, there are trips on which I would join SD and there are trips that I would plan on my own. The beauty of it all is that every member can utilize the service how/when it is advantageous to them.

Edited by Penguin, 15 April 2007 - 03:07 PM.

[ev780]

1. Thousands of members with shared interests from all over the world sharing a common passion and meeting one another via trips, events, and activities.
2. Travel discounts as the group grows that are passed onto the group whenever possible in the form of discounts, rebates and lower pricing.
3. The chance to dive with other single and buddyless divers JUST LIKE YOU so you aren't the third wheel or fifth wheel on a trip someplace. And you don't have to bring your own buddy to have a great roommate and dive buddy on SingleDivers.com
4. The chance to see who is on a trip BEFORE you commit to going.
5. The guarantee of a same sex roommate and appropriate dive buddy.
6. The chance to save money on your own travel by letting our travel specialists beat your best deal.
7. Contract savings on air passed onto our members whenever available and possible.
8. An organization that has combined the fun elements of a club and social group with the business elements needed to bring you 1-2 dive trips a month all over the world!

You know if you change the wording on #5 from 'same' to 'different' I bet the trips would sell out faster.
Just trying to be helpful...

I don't care who you are that's funny right thare!!!!

How many different ways can we beat this dead horse.

Maybe it's a Donkey?!?!?!?

Who cares what it is, it seems to work. I have not made a trip yet (life seems to keep getting in the way) but I have been watching for a while. Look at my member number. Except for one short time when it got really nasty around here it has been very cool to listen to people talk about the trips, friends, friends with benefits, romances, marriages, tawdry affairs, etc etc. Maybe someday I can get that trip done.

F.

PS

I think the Wench owes me a prize? Remember?

[Brinybay]

4. The chance to see who is on a trip BEFORE you commit to going.
5. The guarantee of a same sex roommate and appropriate dive buddy.
Now that is priceless!

If you would change #5 to "opposite" and leave #4 intact, I may be more inclined to sign up for a trip!