This year, we welcomed a bunch of new members to Calamari. One of these new members is Laura. During our introduction period, she got to learn the ins and outs of our diving association, and she has written a short text about her experience getting to know us.

Joining GBD Calamari during the intro period was like diving straight into a community of adventurous, like-minded people—literally! New members quickly bonded, whether they were just starting their journey toward their first diving certification or already licensed divers eager to get in more underwater time. But honestly, the real magic of the intro period happened on land, where we got to know each other through Calamari’s legendary welcome events.

The "eat and greet" was the perfect icebreaker, allowing new members to meet all the different committees of the association. Each committee shared what being part of their team entailed, giving members a taste of how they could get involved. Food was served at each house, providing a delicious tour of flavors, while each association had its own unique activity to add some extra fun to the mix. One of the most memorable activities was the toilet bowl race hosted by the science committee. In this competition, we had to find the most efficient way to race around the block while either sitting or lying on a toilet bowl mounted on wheels. It was hilariously challenging and brought out everyone's creative problem-solving skills—not to mention some serious laughs as teams strategized their way to victory.

The (totally terrifying) gotcha game kept us on our toes throughout, adding an element of surprise and hilarity to every event. "Nudie night" was unforgettable as everyone brought out their creative side, sculpting their own nudibranch out of polymer clay. Some members even made entire underwater clay families, complete with other sea creatures, which made for an impressive display of creativity and personality.

And the grand finale? The epic end party, where the theme was bioluminescence. People went all out, using neon paints to create glowing, vibrant designs that fit the theme perfectly. It was a night of dance, music, and celebration of the friendships and memories we’d made in just a few weeks. By the end of the intro period, GBD Calamari wasn’t just a diving club—it was a group of friends ready for all the underwater and on-land adventures ahead.