
After several years not being able to meet due to the pandemic this summer members of the Denver Adaptive Divers met at the Crestmoor Community Association pavilion as part of their 6th Annual Celebration.
The August 27th event featured emcee Doug Wulf with keynote speaker Justin Batchelder, a Dietetic Technician and a Precision Nutrition certified coach.
Denver Adaptive Divers (DAD) is a SCUBA diving training program that provides Open Water Diver certification to people with a variety of disabilities. The non-profit provides the opportunity for people with various disabilities to discover the freedom of movement under the water through SCUBA diving. DAD works with people with various disabilities, including but not limited to spinal cord injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, amputees, visually and hearing impaired.

Zoe Rollins won the drawing for a new Mares regulator
On hand were several board members and co-founders John Sherman and Janine Melberg tending to last-minute details. High school student Zoe Rollins was the drawing winner for a brand new Mares scuba regulator. A regulator- typically costing hundreds of dollars– delivers a smooth flow of air from the oxygen tank, thus making breathing as easy underwater as it is on the surface. For wordsmiths, English majors and other trivia aficionados the word “scuba” is an acronym for: Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.
In his bio keynote speaker Batchelder says he enjoys helping people reach their full potential.
“I help clients discover their underlying motives and goals and assist with developing a plan to meet those goals,” he said. ” I work with clients not only as a coach but as a guide, and a support system that regularly corresponds with positive and helpful messages to help them realize their goals.”

DAD Co-Founder and Executive Director John Sherman announced the event program
DAD provides support, education, specialized training in adaptive scuba diving, and dive travel to qualified individuals with physical disabilities to enable them to become an integral part of the sport of scuba diving.
Denver Adaptive Divers was founded in 1961 by one of the first pioneers in the scuba business and the store has become one of the largest in Colorado. Their simple but impactful mission is to take local members from the mountains to the sea through education, travel, and retail support for all things scuba, snorkeling, freediving, and swimming.
In 2009, the current ownership took the helm at Denver Divers and decided to bring the love of the ocean and water to the younger generation by founding the Swim School of Denver. Built on a foundation of survival techniques and a gentle approach, the Swim School of Denver has become an integral part of Denver Adaptive Divers who strive to bring the best experience possible in swimming, scuba, snorkeling, and freediving.
For more information email DAD at: scuba@denverdivers.com
- Program for the evening
- Deb and Eric Nelson
- Members were able to meet again in person after years
- A beautiful buffet for summer
- The reception was held at the Crestmoor Community Association
- One of many silent auction items
- A colorful quilt emblazoned with the DAD logo
- Brian Schaaf, Pshamek Zach
- Inspecting the silent auction items
- Bobby and Eulene Wagner
- Pat Sheehan, Jeanette Doolittle
- Vince and Jamie Phelan, Stacey Folk, Craig Hilton
- Cocktail hour was a big hit in the open-air pavilion at the Crestmoor Community Association
- Kate Mulberg, Mark Mulberg with Grace Doepker
- More than 200 attended this year’s event
- Silent Auction items were a huge success
- Guests enjoyed a quiet evening complete with a sunset
- Denver Adaptive Divers was founded in 1961
- Denver Adaptive Divers oversees scuba programs for the disabled community
- More than 200 members, guests enjoyed the late Saturday afternoon event
- Mindy Francis, Kim Riley
- The pavilion at Crestmoor was the perfect spot for a summer event
- Ray Brienza, Ella Bloch
- Enjoying the buffet
- Melissa and Jeannette Blair
- Two smiles for the camera
- Uli Berg gets a staged pose with Service Dog Leo
- Uli Berg coaxing Leo to smile
- Uli Berg with Service Dog Leo
- Ingrid Underwood, Emilly Kays, Ted Kays, Ray Brienza
- The Denver Adaptive Divers non-profit was founded in 1961 and features diver training and a swim school
- Service Dog Leo waits patiently for his owner Uli Berg
- Karrun and Wayne Brienza with Suzanne Dahlberg
- Keynote Speaker Justin Batchelder held a Q&A session with guests as part of the program
- Keynote Speaker Justin Batchelder with Dave
- Keynote Speaker Justin Batchelder is a Dietetic Technician and a Precision Nutrition certified coach.
- Mo and Doug Wulf
- Co-Founder, Director and Secretary Janine Melberg with emcee Doug Wulf
- Members gathered together in person after a couple of years spent online
- The buffet was a huge hit with guests
- Dinner is served
- Silent Auction items attracted many bidders
- Guests enjoyed a meal at the Crestmoor Community Association pavilion