About Us

The PDRA is home to more than 1000 members throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.  Our members are individuals and families who enjoy scuba diving and desire to have local places in which to do so 24/7, 365 days a year.  The PDRA owns three quarries, with each facility providing changing areas, picnic shelters with tables, sanitation facilities, easy entry areas, ample parking, and other amenities. The PDRA always welcomes new members!

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PDRA

The Piedmont Diving and Rescue Association, Inc., was chartered March 11, 1963, as a non-profit organization for the promotion of skin and scuba diving. The inception of the PDRA was to be a group of member clubs with the president of each club sitting on the Board of Directors and electing a set of officers. Members at large made up the General Assembly.  There was an active volunteer rescue team associated with the organization at the time.  Thus, the name of the association which still exists to this day. Today the PDRA is no longer comprised of clubs. Everyone is either an annual member or lifetime member and the Board of Directors are elected by the General Assembly. The PDRA is split into 3 districts, North, Central, and South district. There are 3 at large voting board members from each district making up the 9 member board. The board also has 4 officers, President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All of the 13 members of the board are totally Volunteer. We are a non profit organization.

Through the years the PDRA leased a number of quarries, but ultimately the Board of Directors determined owning quarries would be more economical and would prevent losing their lease and access to quarries due to them reopening for business.  Between 1983 and 1988 all three of the current quarries were purchased.  Once the PDRA purchased the quarries, it began to pour its resources into its permanent property. The Board of Directors strive to constantly improve the quarries to keep up with the growing membership each year.

The organization is run mostly by volunteers.  The officers and the Board of Directors, all elected by the general membership, conduct the business of the PDRA.  Each quarry has a Quarry Manager and Assistant Quarry Manager to see that the property is maintained and rules are followed.

AMENITIES

• 24/7, 365 days a year access
• Aerators (no thermoclines)
• Gear-up areas
• Changing facilities
• Sanitation facilities
• Student areas
• Camping areas
• Special Events – Treasure Hunt, Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest, Swap Meet
• Parking