Our First Decade in Review

Article by Tim Babcock

As we head into our 10th year in existence, let's take a moment to reflect on the growth of our group. We’ve come quite a distance from our modest beginnings among the abalone laden kelp beds of northern California. As far as we’ve come, perhaps what is most most amazing is just how much we’ve stayed the same.

As you may or may not be aware, it all began in Northern California as a loose collective of abalone divers, liars and Otis the Town Drunk wannabes. The early gatherings were held in Point Arena and consisted of diving and consuming abalone (along with an alarming quantity of beer, wine and spirits). Of our early ancestors, our illustrious president, Kevin Krause, is the only survivor whose membership has remained continuous, an achievement that speaks volumes for his dedication, if not his liver...

Our circle of long timers includes: Tom Colgrove, Jim Ferrell, Chris French, Wayne Gathright, Aaron Grijalva, Joel Jerome, Andy Johnson, Kevin Krause, Don Lombardi, Sr., Don Lombardi, Jr., Dave Stout, David A. Stout, Tim Tyler, John Vogeley, Joe Shisler, Dick Snuffer, Steve Worthen, and myself. We’ve only been keeping records for the past three, so forgive me if I’ve missed a few of you.

We were once an extended networking group of environmental industry professionals. While many of our current members still have careers in this field, we are fast becoming a minority. Today our ranks include individuals of widely differing backgrounds and careers.

When it comes down to it, we’re all about having a good time and doing a good thing for people who need it, and we’ve been doing just that.

How did we turn the corner from a casual bunch of California abalone divers to a growing benevolent organization with membership from over a dozen US states as well as a few from countries outside our borders? We all appreciate getting together to enjoy our various outdoor activities, but that doesn’t explain it in full. The common threads that have unified us as a group are the desire to conserve the resources that we enjoy, the ability to compete in a friendly low pressure atmosphere, and the willingness to give back to those less fortunate in the places where we gather.

From my viewpoint, I think we’ve done darned well over our first decade. I used to think of us a group that had the flat out best times together. It’s more than that now. In addition to the fun and camaraderie, we’re now an organization with which I can honestly say I’m proud to be associated. Above all, the spirit of fun and good will that saw us into the 90’s remains intact as we enter the new millennium, an accomplishment that we should aspire to continue with each new year.