The Texas Gulf Coast Council of Dive Clubs (TGCC) is a non-profit organization of diving clubs that seeks to promote the safe recreational sport of scuba diving. TGCC member clubs participate in shared activities, learning events, and recreational activities in an effort to promote club participation among new and experienced divers in scuba diving. TGCC is also the sponsor of TrashFest, one of the nations oldest aquatic clean-up projects, after which many other activities have been modeled.
JOIN TGCC TODAY!!!
JOIN TGCC TODAY!!!
Scholarship applications deadline - June 25, 2008
Posted 04/2008
One of the ways that TGCC gives back to the community is through the Michael Szewczyk college scholarship award. In 2007, TGCC awarded $1000 college scholarships to Kristen Roberts (representing HUC) and Alice McDonald (attending Texas A&M University and representing CHUM Club). Congratulations to both of them. In 2008, TGCC also intends to award two $1000 college scholarships. This year graduate students are now invited to apply.
The applicant or a parent/grandparent/guardian must be an individual member of TGCC or a qualified member of a member dive club. The application deadline is June 25, 2008 and applications will be reviewed in July. For further details and to apply see the 2008 TGCC Scholarship Application form.
TGCC Awards Banquet 2008
The 2008 TGCC Awards Banquet was a feast for kings! Check out the review and photos.
Trashfest 2007
TrashFest '07 was a resounding success! We had perfect weather and 294 participants on 42 teams. All told, we weighed in 4353 lbs of trash from the river, and counted another 7215 cans, plus 229 shoes and sunglasses. The participation figure is a record for this decade, and the shoes and sunglasses number was the highest count in 10 years!
A BIG thank-you to everyone who played a part in this year's TrashFest - the volunteers who put in countless (unpaid!) hours, the sponsors who were extremely generous, and all of the participants who turned out and made it a fantastic TrashFest. Be sure to check out the 2007 Photo Gallery.
We're looking forward to TrashFest '08. Mark your calendars - it'll be on Oct 4, 2008
A BIG thank-you to everyone who played a part in this year's TrashFest - the volunteers who put in countless (unpaid!) hours, the sponsors who were extremely generous, and all of the participants who turned out and made it a fantastic TrashFest. Be sure to check out the 2007 Photo Gallery.
We're looking forward to TrashFest '08. Mark your calendars - it'll be on Oct 4, 2008
Trashfest T-shirt contest winner
Amy Lipp, a local graphic designer, submitted the winning entry for the new Trashfest T-shirt logo. Congratulations, Amy! These are really nice looking shirts.
TPWD funding
Texas Parks & Wildlife Deptartment (TPWD) funding and accounting of the Artificial Reef Fund (ARF) has been a concern of our member dive clubs for some time now. We have encouraged divers to be pro-active in sending letters and petitions concerning the Artificial Reef Program. Our concern is ensuring that the monies allocated for artificial reefs are being used wisely towards that purpose. Therefore, we have been politically active both publicly and behind the scenes to seek a full accounting of these funds. Last month, this Houston Chronicle article outlines how state parks are funded and notes that the state legislature is expected to increase state park funding soon. But it also describes a scathing report recently released by the state auditor on how TPWD manages it's finances. More recently, TGCC 2nd Vice-President George Clark sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee and Senate Natural Resources Committee requesting a full accounting from TPWD of both the Sports Fish Restoration Act (SFRA) and the Artificial Reef Fund (ARF) for the past 5 years. We will keep you update on this issue and continue to encourage you to write letters and petitions to both elected and appointed representatives.
Keep up with your scuba diving community with these additional News Links.
Club Listings...
An excellent way to become more involved in the diving community, meet fellow dive buddies, and learn new skills is to join a local dive club. Many divers are members of multiple clubs. Visit our member club websites listed below for more information on their membership, meetings, news, and events. Add your club listing today!
Full Member Listings: Associate Member Listings: