The fourth annual PADI Women's Dive Day is scheduled for Saturday, July 21.
Last year, over 800 events were held in 84 countries and six continents, bringing together divers from around the world. While preparations for the festivities are underway, here are some of the top reasons to actively participate in an event:
Encourage more women to dive.
Scuba diving used to be almost entirely male-dominated: over 90% of divers were male, and there wasn't much gear available for women. But little by little, we've gotten there, and now women account for nearly a third of certifications. We'd like them to account for half, and we hope Women's Dive Day can help close the gap. Each year, the event has become increasingly important, and we're asking you to help us set a new record, bringing even more people to experience the underwater world. If you can't make it to an event, you can still promote the cause by telling all your friends or reading articles about some of our amazing PADI women.
Meet new friends.
Women's Dive Day is a great opportunity to meet and connect with other divers. Since you're all at the same event, it's easier to make new connections and provides a great starting point for conversation. Many Women's Dive Day events feature specific gatherings, such as a meal, to help you connect between dives. Some events go beyond diving and offer activities like beach yoga or ocean cleanup dives, providing even more opportunities to connect. Many divers have told us they've formed some of their strongest friendships in the dive community during Women's Dive Day. And if you don't have a dive buddy, this is one of the best times to show up alone and find new people to connect with. You can find great photos from previous events in the PADI Facebook photo album.
Become actively involved in your local dive community.
Having the opportunity to travel to dive destinations is wonderful, but most of us will celebrate Women's Dive Day in our own local area. For those unfamiliar with their local area, these events offer a great opportunity to discover new things. Many divers are surprised to live near great dive sites and never knew about it. Finding a Women's Dive Day event in your area helps you connect with local dive clubs, dive sites, and PADI dive shops you've never been to. And if you dive frequently locally, you can use this opportunity to introduce others to what your area has to offer. Many attendees are new to diving or have never dived in your area. Introducing them gives you the chance to see your dive sites with new eyes and appreciate what's nearby.
You dive in!
Who turns down a chance to dive? It doesn't matter when you last went diving, we're sure you're ready for your next dive. So, gather your friends, get ready to meet new ones, and find the PADI Women's Dive Day event nearest you.
