ERROL DUPLESSIS Male Hampton, VA United States: Like

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Can African Americans Swim Well Enough to Save Themselves?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Tracey Friley May 2, 2011. 72 Replies 1 Like

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ERROL DUPLESSIS's Events

Diversity in Aquatics Convention

August 8, 2013 at 7pm to August 11, 2013 at 12pm – Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
3 Comments 13 Likes

Welcome, Errol Duplessis

Latest Activity

ERROL DUPLESSIS posted photos

Feb 26

ERROL DUPLESSIS left a comment for RH

"Take scuba lessons from a PADI affiliated dive shop in NYC, then join the Aquatic Voyagers Scuba Club."

Jan 14

RH left a comment for ERROL DUPLESSIS

"oh. ok. I'm from NYC and i wanted to do this over the summer when I out of class. It's still something I want to do though."

Jan 13

ERROL DUPLESSIS left a comment for RH

"We are doing a Discover Scuba Diving actiivity at the Hopewell Community Center swimming pool on Saturday, January 26, 2013 starting at 9:00 a.m. If you live within 50 miles of Hopewell, VA, it may be worth your while - it is a free…"

Jan 3

RH left a comment for ERROL DUPLESSIS

"Hey how do I sign up to start scuba diving where you are at? I would like to experience that."

Jan 3

ERROL DUPLESSIS commented on DAP News's blog post Lia Neal: A Journey in the Making

"You will be an inspiration to many girls for generations to come."

Aug 28, 2012

ERROL DUPLESSIS updated their profile

Aug 28, 2012

ERROL DUPLESSIS and RH are now friends

Aug 27, 2012

Profile Information

Relationship Status:: Married

About Me:: I am a master scuba diving trainer with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. I am also the CEO and principal owner of Lake Rawlings, a scuba & camping park located in Brunswick County, Virginia. With a few friends and relatives, we transformed a hole in the ground into the most visible and viable inland scuba park in the entire mid-Atlantic region. Last year, in spite of a sagging economy, we attracted over 15,000 scuba divers to our scuba park. I am also a retired college professor. I served 21 glorious years at Hampton University as the Director of Aquatics. While there, I was able to expand the level of professional aquatic courses, to include WSI/LGI and scuba diving courses, and also gave counseling advice to assist students in forming a scuba club called the Underwater Explorers Club. The scuba club took annual scuba diving trips during spring break to the Florida springs & keys, or to Bimini in the Bahamas, and during the fall, to the off-shore wrecks of North Carolina and other close-by locations. I enjoy teaching scuba diving to people who are comfortable in water, and swimming to people who need to know this skill for their enjoyment of water sport activities, or to save themselves in the event of an emergency. By circumstance and opportunity, I have probably introduced and or certified more African-American men and women into scuba diving than any scuba instructor, active or inactive, in the United States of America.

I have traveled to Europe (London,UK; Paris, France and Zurich, Switzerland), West Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, Peru and Brazil. As a dive leader, I have led expeditions to the Florida springs and keys, the Bahamas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Barbados, BWI, Bermuda, Bonaire, the North Carolina shipwrecks, Bon Terre Mines (Missouri), Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy, the Channel Islands of California and Cape Verde, Africa. I have dived all coastlines of the United States, and was once the divemaster for the New England Aquarium Dive Club of Boston, MA from 1978-1980.

I am happily married to Laurel Tucker Duplessis (48 years on April 4th, 2012). Laurel's nativity was in the Bronx, NY, and my nativity was in New Orleans, LA. We have two adult children, Lauren who lives in Memphis, TN, with her boys, and Arem Khari who lives in New York City (both are divers), with his family. We are blessed with five wonderful grandchildren (four grandsons and one very, very adorable and lovable granddaughter), and they are all future divers of America. And God willing, I am already looking forward to the day when I will be their first scuba instructor.

Website:: http://www.LakeRawlings.com

Aquatic Interest:: Competitive Swimming, Recreational Swimming, Lifeguarding, Swim Lessons, Scuba, Diving

ERROL DUPLESSIS's Photos

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At 5:05pm on January 13, 2013, RH said…: oh. ok. I'm from NYC and i wanted to do this over the summer when I out of class. It's still something I want to do though.

At 1:36am on January 3, 2013, RH said…: Hey how do I sign up to start scuba diving where you are at? I would like to experience that.

At 5:44pm on March 17, 2012, Shaun Anderson said…: Thanks Errol, Great game....good to see them doing well. FYI..DAP should have some exciting announcements coming soon.

At 10:46am on October 20, 2011, Rebecca Wear Robinson said…: Thank you Errol. And my brother is in Ohio - I'm going to forward him the link to your company - I know he'd be interested! And great photos!!!!

At 4:31pm on October 19, 2011, Rebecca Wear Robinson said…: Errol, You have such an amazing background! I wish I could connect you with my brother - also an avid diver! Rebecca

At 3:39pm on September 7, 2011, Naimah Fuller said…: Errol, first thank you so much for your response to my call for support. To answer your question regarding the urgency at this time to raise funds for my documentary. I am raising "completion funds". Up until now I have been the sole financier of my documentary. To keep costs affordable, and to keep the project moving, I have worn all the hats associated with producing the project, including researcher, writer, producer, director, videographer, lighting, sound, and now I am sitting in the editors chair. As I approach the completion of the project, as much as I would like to be able to continue doing everything myself, which would relieve me of having to ask for support, I am going to need the services of other professionals to have a complete product in my hand. Those costs include color corrections and sound sweetening for the master, that requires another pair of editor eyes, and a sound tech, a studio. Also DVD authoring and duplication, sound doctoring and mixing. I could give you a complete laundry list, but hopefully this gives you an idea of the urgency. Thank you so much for your interest.

Blessings Naimah

Here's the link to my fund raising campaign site.

I hope the information there inspires you to make a donation to my cause

http://www.indiegogo.com/HOME-THE-GREAT-MIGRATION-OF-THE-21ST-CENTURY?a=162165&i=addr.

At 9:03pm on August 29, 2011, Donald R. Victorian said…: Errol...my wife is an alumnist of SU. We have many connections with SU as a result. I am an alumnist of USL, Lafayette,La.

Did you have any storm related issues as a result of recent storm activity on the eastern shore? Hope all is fine with you.

Be well,

DRV

At 1:46pm on June 6, 2011, Roland J. White Sr. said…: Got your message and comment. I will be back later with more about Morgan's Swim Teams, outstanding coaches and swimmers.

At 10:11pm on May 17, 2011, Norm Seavers said…: Errol,

I live just west of Fort Lauderdale so the tri clubs here schedule open water swim sessions that work well.(I am a member of the Broward Barracuda's Tri Club) But as in your situation lakes here also are used for training as well as sprint distance tri races. So yes, to answer your question, a lake is fine for open water swimming as long as the water quality is acceptable and of course you might have to break out the wetsuits until the temperature comes up. Hope that helps.

At 1:47pm on May 17, 2011, Naimah Fuller said…: Errol thank you so much for your encouraging words. I really appreciate the advice. I will follow it and report my success. And thank you for making me a friend. Love your photographs, and your beautiful family. Many blessings. ~ Naimah