WOMEN who love scuba diving can now join a club exclusively created for them. Called Dive Divas Fanclub (DDFC), it is also a place to meet other women divers, plan dives or simply organise family outings together.

“Women divers need not do it alone. By joining this club, they can have fun, share knowledge, expertise and go scuba diving together,” says Ness Puvanes, one of two siblings who founded Malaysia International Dive Expo (Mide).

“Our aim is to get more women divers. We promote recreational diving among women, provide educational opportunities, facilitate skills development, support marine environmental awareness in the dive community and its various related activities,” adds Puvanes.

With the existence of DDFC, it is hoped that each member will become a role model and an ambassador for future generations of women divers, as well as instill values of awareness towards the ocean and its environment.

“We strongly believe that scuba diving can bring people of all backgrounds together and create a bond with a common interest,” says Puvanes.

Those interested should attend the club’s soft launch on July 7-8 at Dive Divas Fanclub lounge, Hall 3, Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, at 2pm. It is one of the programmes lined up for the annual Mide show at the same venue from July 6-8 which covers just about everything related to diving, from dive shops, destinations and ocean conservation to encouraging people to take up the sport.

At the launch, the club membership card will be introduced. Card holders are entitled to discounts at participating merchants. DDFC has also organised a talk and presentation on diving, entrepreneurship, conservation dive and online business.

“We will also introduce the new club image, run a lucky draw and hold talks by representatives of Ocean Knights Dive Art Centre, Gaia Discovery and SoScuba.com Pte Ltd.”

Radio listeners can also catch an interview with Asha Gill of Capital FM on June 26 at 10.30am. On the show, Puvanes will talk about the club.

What are the benefits of joining this club? Plenty. Members get to attend organised seminars and workshops, participate in ocean conservation dive and reef clean-up and get a 10 per cent discount on Mide catalogue of premium items available at its online shop. There’s also free admission to the annual Mide show and the club’s annual gathering during the show.

Members are also eligible to take part in Dive Divas contest, receive exclusive merchandise such as T-shirts and accessories, and special subscription rate for Asian Divers Magazine (six issues).

Meanwhile, the club has lined up a host of activities this year such as the Dive Divas Conservation Dive 2012 in August, Online Contest Drive (October), Workshop on Coral Reef Building (November) and Dive Divas online social gathering in December.

Membership is open to all certified women divers aged 20 and above. You can register online at its website or at any of its official gatherings.

Details at divedivas.mide.com.my or facebook.com/divedivas.