It was a great honor to have had Gregor Hodgson executive director of Reef Check (www.ReefCheck.org) and his group sponsored by Malibu Rum for their orientation to the Reef Check program. The group arrived Tuesday and without delay started the program with an orientation to the course and Puerto Galera. There were a few that need snorkeling lessons (given by Divemaster, Richard George) and after their practice session were out for their first look at the reefs of Puerto Galera. Everyone was blown away with the life they encountered and the coral reefs they found over their three-day event. There were five people so excited they continued with a discover scuba and all vowed to carry on with an Open Water course as soon as they arrived back in the US. The party’s continued into the night with Malibu paraphernalia covering the Point bar and lots of fun with cocktail competitions sponsored by Malibu rum. Some of the cocktails invented over the time they were here would be most welcome in any self respecting cocktail bar, anywhere in the world and yes, you can try one or two of them the next time your here at the Point. Many thanks to Reef Check, the wonderful people from Malibu, (Lisa, Jeffery, Pamela & Avil) Malibu Rum and all the participants, we all had a great time. Stand by for the next Reef Check course to be held here by Gregor Hodgson, October 11th to 18th. If you have any interest in knowing how you can help preserve the reefs and participate in the philosophies behind Reef Check, conservation, research and education, don’t miss this opportunity to meet Gregor and do something for our environment. Gregor holds a PhD in marine science and has a wealth of information that can only help us all understand what we can do to be proactive in preserving our coral reefs around the world. 
The whole Reef Check group enjoying their final night at Allan’s place before heading off to tuck into curry night at El Galleon
Some of the Reef Check group got giddy about taking the plunge and “Discovering Scuba”. Congratulations Lisa Mccann, Avril Nuinez, Andrew Philips, Diana Vilibert, and Bryan Abras who all enjoyed their “down” time.
It’s not everyday that someone gets a shirt from us with 1000 dives on it. Congratulations to Nigel Barker who hit the magic number here this week with Josh and Sue folks
Willy's Bauters 500th Dive was celebrated in fine style with Josh,Tony Vermeulen, Evelyne Vanoverberghe, and Frederique Desle
Isabelle Strauss did her Open Water course with Kjell and she did a fantastic job. She was like a fish to water and made teaching a pleasure for her instructor. On her final dive she removed, replaced and cleared her mask while hovering, and that is not easy to do. We look forward to see her back her soon for her Advanced course. Well done Isabelle.
One member from the Reef Check group, William Keith, found out while he was snorkelling that the reef was so interesting he decided to do a Discover Scuba Dive. William and Kjell went to Monkey Beach and had a very nice dive. At one point he scared Kjell when he started to chase after a Titan Trigger fish, instead of swimming away from it. Maybe he didn’t know that he should stay away from them this time of year as it is mating season and Titan Trigger fish enjoy chasing divers once in a while. They made it safely back to Asia Divers and The Point Bar for a well earned celebration beer!
