For Immediate Release
Contact: Theresa Brown Cortez (210) 347-9383
Barbara Thompson (832) 212-1967

February 13, 2007

PIRATES' BALL SET TO FUND UPCOMING ADAPTIVE TRIP TO CAYMANS

The Dive Pirates Foundation announced the third annual Dive Pirates Ball will be held Feb. 23, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at The Aquarium downtown Houston in an effort to raise much-needed funds for equipment, gear and scuba training for the upcoming “Back to the Brac” scuba trip; a sponsored trip to Cayman Brac where those with disabilities, many of whom are recent amputees rebuilding their lives after serving their country in Iraq, complete their scuba training and dive along mainstream divers.

“The past two years have been so successful, and the Aquarium fit our Pirate and Scuba themes so well,” said Dive Pirates Foundation co-founder Barbara Thompson. “We hope to build on that success with the many sponsors who believe in giving back to not only some of our injured vets, but others who have suffered some disabling disease or accident.”

This year's major event sponsors include Acergy, ABB, Dolphin Marine International, Leigh Custom Homes, B&B Properties, Brac Reef Beach Resort, Cayman Airways, Cetco, and Key Energy Services. “We are not-for-profit, and the success of our mission depends on donations, and I couldn't thank these and all of the people who have donated their time, talents, and hard-earned money,” Thompson continued. “Even our members, those “pirates” who pay annual dues and occasionally travel together on various scuba trips, their contributions go a long way in paying for wet suits, fins, goggles, you name it so that we can offer the freedom of diving to people who may never have thought they could enjoy a mainstream sport again.”

The keynote speaker for this year's Pirates Ball is Major Daniel Gade. Now an avid “Dive Pirate,” Gade was a company commander in Korea before being transferred to Ramadi , Iraq . During his five months in Iraq he was injured twice, claiming his right leg. He spent much of 2005 in physical therapy, and in the fall of 2006 became an adaptive diver, thanks to the Dive Pirates Foundation. Gade is a graduate student studying to teach American Politics at the United States Military Academy .

“I just think it is fantastic that people want to give so much of their time, and heart and soul to help wounded soldiers get back into not only ordinary life, but extraordinary life,” said Gade. “Diving is liberating, its fun, and I'm here to help make this possible for other soldiers who've had an injury alter their life.”

Houston 's Fox News affiliate anchor Jose Griñan will serve as the master of ceremonies for a second year. Griñan agreed to M.C. the event after hosting Thompson and adaptive diver and Iraq veteran Eric Alva last year on KRIV-TV's morning show.

The “Back to the Brac” scuba trip is scheduled for May 26 – June 2, 2007 at the Brac Reef Resort in Cayman Brac. For more information about the trip, or the Pirates' Ball go to divepirates.org.

The Dive Pirates Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing Scuba Diving to persons with disabilities and joining them with the mainstream of divers. Its vision is to create a community of adaptive divers that will dive and travel in the mainstream world of scuba diving through education and overcoming obstacles.

-- DIVE PIRATES--