Retired New Jersey High School Teacher Wins Florida Keys Dive Vacation
Florida Keys -- A retired high school teacher, who began diving in the 1970s, won a Florida Keys dive vacation in the Drive and Dive Contest sponsored by the Keys Association of Dive Operators (KADO) and "Scuba Diving" magazine.
Carol Cohen of Freehold, N.J., was elated with the prize after her name was drawn Tuesday from about 3,500 entries at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center in Key West.
"I never won anything... this is great," said Cohen, 60, who was introduced to scuba diving on her second date with Saul "Sonny" Cohen, the man who became her husband and long-term dive buddy. "In '72 I was certified, and last year I dove 19 times."
The couple's interest in underwater exploration has continued throughout their relationship. The Cohens went diving on their honeymoon, saw their two sons become certified divers as teenagers and have taken numerous trips -- including several to the Keys -- to indulge their passion for the sport.
Carol Cohen was scouting for potential new dive destinations as she attended the Beneath the Sea consumer dive show held in March in Secaucus, N.J., and entered the Drive and Dive Contest at the Florida Keys pavilion.
"We are delighted a true dive enthusiast won the contest," said Cece Roycraft, chairperson of the Florida Keys tourism council's dive marketing advisory committee.
As well as at Beneath The Sea, dive aficionados also entered the contest at Chicago's Our World Underwater consumer dive show and on-line at the "Scuba Diving" magazine Web site, www.ScubaDiving.com.
The prize of a one-week vacation package for two includes lodging throughout the Florida Keys, a complimentary rental car, rental dive tanks for two in each of the Keys' five regions, a full set of ScubaPro dive equipment to use and own, admission for two to the Florida Keys History of Diving Museum in Islamorada and a VIP tour for two of the Keys Eco-Discovery Center.
The Eco-Discovery Center showcases the Keys' upland and underwater habitats with an emphasis on North America's only living contiguous barrier coral reef, a dive Mecca that parallels the island chain.
"Carol Cohen is in for a great dive vacation because no other destination allows you to roam and explore quite like the Florida Keys," said Keith Phillips, executive editor of "Scuba Diving." "The drive-to convenience of the islands, its world-famous reefs and fascinating shipwrecks make it a favorite of our readers."
Phillips added that the publication's June issue includes a feature on the island chain titled "Secrets of the Florida Keys," with exclusive bonus content on the Keys offered to users of www.ScubaDiving.com at www.scubadiving.com/bonus_florida_keys_2007.
"We're delighted the winner has previously visited the Keys," said Harold Wheeler, director of the Florida Keys tourism council. "We look forward to having her dive the Keys again in her new ScubaPro diving equipment.
"The council was pleased to work with KADO and 'Scuba Diving' magazine who offered this promotion," he added.
More details on Florida Keys dive vacations are available at >www.fla-keys.com.
Florida Keys -- A retired high school teacher, who began diving in the 1970s, won a Florida Keys dive vacation in the Drive and Dive Contest sponsored by the Keys Association of Dive Operators (KADO) and "Scuba Diving" magazine.
Carol Cohen of Freehold, N.J., was elated with the prize after her name was drawn Tuesday from about 3,500 entries at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center in Key West.
"I never won anything... this is great," said Cohen, 60, who was introduced to scuba diving on her second date with Saul "Sonny" Cohen, the man who became her husband and long-term dive buddy. "In '72 I was certified, and last year I dove 19 times."
The couple's interest in underwater exploration has continued throughout their relationship. The Cohens went diving on their honeymoon, saw their two sons become certified divers as teenagers and have taken numerous trips -- including several to the Keys -- to indulge their passion for the sport.
Carol Cohen was scouting for potential new dive destinations as she attended the Beneath the Sea consumer dive show held in March in Secaucus, N.J., and entered the Drive and Dive Contest at the Florida Keys pavilion.
"We are delighted a true dive enthusiast won the contest," said Cece Roycraft, chairperson of the Florida Keys tourism council's dive marketing advisory committee.
As well as at Beneath The Sea, dive aficionados also entered the contest at Chicago's Our World Underwater consumer dive show and on-line at the "Scuba Diving" magazine Web site, www.ScubaDiving.com.
The prize of a one-week vacation package for two includes lodging throughout the Florida Keys, a complimentary rental car, rental dive tanks for two in each of the Keys' five regions, a full set of ScubaPro dive equipment to use and own, admission for two to the Florida Keys History of Diving Museum in Islamorada and a VIP tour for two of the Keys Eco-Discovery Center.
The Eco-Discovery Center showcases the Keys' upland and underwater habitats with an emphasis on North America's only living contiguous barrier coral reef, a dive Mecca that parallels the island chain.
"Carol Cohen is in for a great dive vacation because no other destination allows you to roam and explore quite like the Florida Keys," said Keith Phillips, executive editor of "Scuba Diving." "The drive-to convenience of the islands, its world-famous reefs and fascinating shipwrecks make it a favorite of our readers."
Phillips added that the publication's June issue includes a feature on the island chain titled "Secrets of the Florida Keys," with exclusive bonus content on the Keys offered to users of www.ScubaDiving.com at www.scubadiving.com/bonus_florida_keys_2007.
"We're delighted the winner has previously visited the Keys," said Harold Wheeler, director of the Florida Keys tourism council. "We look forward to having her dive the Keys again in her new ScubaPro diving equipment.
"The council was pleased to work with KADO and 'Scuba Diving' magazine who offered this promotion," he added.
More details on Florida Keys dive vacations are available at >www.fla-keys.com.
