Did you know that, according to a Divers Alert Network (DAN) study, African Americans make up 5-8% of certified scuba divers worldwide? This statistic shows the individuality and uniqueness of my journey to love the ocean, a journey that was influenced by my father. I began training to dive when I was 12 years old. Initially, I was skeptical, influenced by the stereotypical “dangers of the ocean” stories that many 12-year-olds might have heard.    

During the first year, my father and his friend trained me to dive with quizzes,  knowledge reviews, and pool practice sessions. I developed several skills, including air management, mask clearing, and fin techniques, through my textbooks. Each section of the textbook was followed by mini exams that helped solidify my understanding. Over time, I grew to love it, and scuba diving became one of my favorite hobbies.

 The final requirement before becoming a certified PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) scuba diver was diving in the dark, cold waters of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania dive was a dive to demonstrate mastery of the skills I practiced throughout the year. I remember the water being extremely cold, and barely being able to see a thing. The situation wasn’t ideal, but I knew that it was going to be worth it in the long run. After passing all the tests and criteria, I became a certified scuba diver at the age of 13 and was able to venture out into the ocean. 

Every few months, we would be off on our next trip, whether it was the blue holes in the  Florida Keys or the sparkly clear currents of the Caribbean. As we continued on more scuba diving adventures along the coast, my bond with my dad deepened significantly. Not only did each dive show us the wonders of the ocean, but they also gave us moments to connect and share our experiences. The shared excitement of the sight of marine life, the overcoming of fears,  and the new environments strengthened our relationships in ways far beyond just diving. A few memorable experiences were my dives in Cairo, Egypt, and Andros Island, Bahamas. Around mid-November 2024, I traveled to Cairo to complete my advanced PADI  (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certification. The advanced certification further deepened my experiences, as it literally allowed me to be able to go deeper into the ocean. An advanced open water certification qualifies you to dive up to 100 feet, compared to the initial certification that only allowed diving to a depth of 60 feet. One of my requirements for this certification was a night dive. It was my first time diving in the dark, and at first, it was quite frightening. The ocean looked completely different at night, and I could only see where my flashlight was pointing. The ocean at night felt like an entirely different world. But what gave me comfort was knowing my dad was right there with me. We had already grown so much closer through scuba diving, and in that moment, having him by my side meant everything. I trusted him completely, and that trust helped me move past the fear. The dive turned out to be one of my most unforgettable experiences. 

One thing I’ve always loved about diving in the ocean is the quiet. Whenever I descend beneath the surface, all the sounds above disappear. People assume scuba diving is scary, but in fact, I feel relaxed. The silence underwater feels peaceful, like the ocean is giving me time and space to slow down and reflect. I’ve had moments underwater where I’ve seen huge sea turtles, manatees, stingrays, and animals as large as whale sharks, and these encounters and experiences stay with me forever. Overall, diving gave me a newfound appreciation and love for the ocean. More importantly, the sport gave me a sense of community with my dad, and the other divers I met along the way.