Caribbean's Only Black-Owned Dive Shop Celebrates International Women’s Dive Day 2024

Cruzan Adventure Divers marks historic milestone in St. Croix, honors female divers, and prepares for grand opening under new ownership in December 2024; celebrates growth from 6 to 25 divers since 2017 and inspires youth involvement in diving

ST. CROIX — International Women’s Dive Day 2024 was celebrated with great enthusiasm on Saturday on St. Croix. The event marked a significant milestone for Cruzan Adventure Divers, formerly known as Adventures in Diving Stx, as they prepare for the grand opening of their dive shop under new management in December 2024.

The shop officially came under the ownership of four Black partners – Willie Ross, Dwayne Johnson, Leon Cawell, and Jimmy Warren – on June 25, 2024, making it the only Black-owned dive shop in the Caribbean.

The history of International Women’s Dive Day on St. Croix dates back to 2017 when it started with just six women divers. Willie Ross, one of the owners, expressed his excitement about the event and the future of the dive shop. “It is still sinking in. Many years I have been dreaming of this,” Ross said. “I enjoy diving, and I’ve had the pleasure and benefit of diving all over the world in places such as Thailand, Maldives, and Palau. To call St. Croix home and dive here in a business capacity is awesome.” Ross, who has been diving for over 20 years, mostly as a recreational diver, has spent the last five years as an instructor in a professional capacity. He is now moving forward as a dive shop owner with a goal to “get more youth involved in diving, letting them know that anything is possible and always reach for your goal.”