Diving DAN Internet

By The street – PR Newswire

PADI, the world’s largest diver training organization, today announced its ” Countdown to 20 Million” campaign, which will award a fantastic trip to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to the diver who receives the 20 millionth PADI scuba certification.  PADI has been tracking certifications and will announce the winner after this goal has been reached.

“It is incredible to see what started as an idea by Ralph Erickson and John Cronin nearly 45 years ago, has grown into ‘the way the world learns to dive,'” says Brian Cronin, chief executive officer for PADI Worldwide.  “The fact that PADI is nearing its 20 millionth certification is a testament to the power and wisdom of their vision, as well as the talent and dedication of PADI Instructors across the globe.  We are proud that this organization has been able to introduce people to new life changing experiences through diving, and we look forward to the next 20 million.”

The diver to receive PADI’s 20 millionth certification will win an all-expenses paid trip for two to explore natural wonder of the world, the Great Barrier Reef, and other local attractions such as the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, courtesy of Tourism Queensland.  Dive excursions out to the Great Barrier Reef will be provided by MV Spirit of Freedom, which includes a three-day, three-night liveaboard adventure to iconic dive sites such as Cod Hole and the stunning Ribbon Reefs.  In addition, the PADI Instructor to issue the 20 millionth diver certification and the affiliated dive center or resort will each receive a trip to Australia.

A “Countdown to 20 Million Certifications” counter has launched on the PADI website that provides daily updates as the organization approaches this achievement, which they expect to reach by late September.  The promotion applies to both new and experienced divers who obtain any level of scuba certification at one of the more than 6,000 PADI Dive Centers or Resorts worldwide.  Visit www.padi.com for the most up-to-date countdown number and to find the nearest PADI dive location.

About PADI

PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is the world’s largest diver training organization, with more than 135,000 trained PADI Professionals dedicated to introducing new divers to the thrill of scuba diving and enhancing the skills of experienced divers through its 6,000 dive centers and resorts worldwide.  PADI Members obtain close to 1,000,000 certifications worldwide each year, advancing and encouraging the exploration of the ocean, while maintaining the highest industry standards for dive training, safety and customer service.  For more information, visit www.padi.com.

By NewsCore – News.com.au

PRINCE William continued to win hearts in Australia Sunday as the second in line to the throne visited parts of the nation’s north-east, suggesting he may be back in Australia in a matter of weeks.

More than 2,000 locals from the flood-devastated town of Grantham, 62 miles (100km) west of Queensland state capital Brisbane, braved rain squalls and mud underfoot to see the future King, The Australian reported.

“I will have to come back, maybe we’ll have a honeymoon in Cairns?” he said to cheers from the crowd.

“I love scuba diving, I have always wanted to dive the barrier reef,” he told Tania Moore, who emigrated to Australia from Winchester ten years ago and had lined up in the balmy evening to meet the Prince.

“It’s much nicer down here, the weather at home is dreadful.

William met privately with families of those who had died when an “inland tsunami” tore through the Lockyer Valley on Jan. 10, destroying dozens of homes. Many of the 35 known dead from the state’s devastating floods were from Grantham.

The prince had earlier visited Ipswich, where he visited West Moreton Anglican College and met with locals.

“He’s been putting smiles on people’s faces, he’s really been reaching out to people,” Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale told AFP of a visit which has been viewed as a public relations success.

Later Sunday he attended a country music concert in Toowoomba before traveling to Brisbane for a AU$500 -a-head fund-raiser for disaster victims, Sky News Australia reported.

Prince William is to marry fiancee Kate Middleton on Apr. 29 at London’s Westminister Abbey.

The popular prince — minus his bride-to-be — is on a three-day tour of disaster zones across Australia that were hit by both floodwaters and Cyclone Yasi, following an emotional visit to quake-hit New Zealand.

Despite the warm reception he has received Down Under, Australian prime minister Julia Gillard restated her belief Sunday that Australia — a former British colony — should become a republic.

“Inevitably, we will continue to debate and work through when this nation wants to become a republic,” she told Sky News Australia.

“It’s not a debate at the forefront of our national conversations at the moment, but I believe it will return.”

Australians chose not to become a republic in a 1999 referendum, but the issue remains contentious, AFP reported.

“I’m not going to make any date predictions on either the ascension to the throne of Prince William or the date of this nation becoming a republic,” Gillard said.

The prince wraps up his visit on Monday in Victoria, another region hit by floods this year.