Kids all around the world are taking on more activities and exploring where most have never been before. Scuba diving is one of them. Did you know that kids can get their Jr. Open Water Certification at the age of 10? 10 years old!! So many are taking on the challenge and becoming ambassadors for the underwater world. Caryl is one of them, and here is her story.
Caryl is 14 years old and has been diving since she was 10. She completed her Jr. Open Water Certification during the Vancouver Diving Locker Kids Scuba camp and has been diving ever since. She has gone on to complete her PADI Drysuit Specialty Certification all the way to Junior PADI Rescue Diver. The girl is an absolute Rockstar. She has been diving consistently over the past 2 years and learning many skills along the way. That’s why we thought it would be great to interview Q&A style with one of our junior divers, and get their perspective on their diving experiences. Here we go!
Eventually, after a few David Attenborough documentaries, and some trips near the coast, I realized I fell in love with the ocean.
What made you want to get into scuba diving?
Throughout my life, I have always been interested in animals and the environment. I find nature beautiful, healing and phenomenal. Eventually, after a few David Attenborough documentaries, and some trips near the coast, I realized I fell in love with the ocean. The concept of a seemingly infinite habitat, where the coolest and most unique wildlife lived, was surreal and ‘mind-blowing’ to me. Because of my new-found interest in marine biology, my father began scouring the internet for programs I would be interested in. He came across a kid’s summer scuba camp that really excited and interested me. I signed up, and haven’t stopped diving since!
What is your favorite part of diving?
My favorite part of diving, would of course be seeing the wildlife. I love looking at big things like fish and local octopus, but also smaller things that go without notice, like comb jellies that flash rainbow under your light. I think seeing wildlife gives me hope for our ocean’s future, and a reason to protect it. In addition, I love the diving community. There are always friendly and helpful divers, both at a dive shop and dive location. In general, the dive community is always willing to help and offer advice. Additionally, I love seeing different interests in divers. Some love looking down at the sand and the small creatures it holds. Others enjoy looking for small plankton, or at the rock walls and crevasses we descend. I find it interesting to know what different divers look for underwater because every diver is unique.
I think seeing wildlife gives me hope for our ocean’s future, and a reason to protect it.
How many dives do you have?
I have done 28 dives so far but I hope to do more in the future, when I am less busy with school and extra-curriculars.
What are your diving goals?
My diving goal is to become a scientific diver. I want to scuba dive as a part of my lifelong dream job – being a marine biologist. In order to achieve this, I think I need to work on my buoyancy, air consumption and navigation skills. I think scuba diving will be a large asset for me when researching the oceans and its inhabitants.
What was your biggest challenge to overcome diving?
To be honest, my biggest challenge to overcome while diving was worry and anxiety. Because of my age, I am still in school, so I am not able to dive as frequently as I’d like. I often have large gaps between my dives, meaning I would get worried about forgetting specific procedures or protocols that would make my dive safer. I would get anxious the night before a dive, when in reality, I would enjoy every moment of every dive I’ve done. Eventually, I got more confident in myself, my diving and my performance underwater, and realized I was able to overcome these time gaps. I have to thank my parents and instructor (Makenna Larocque) for supporting me throughout my dive career.
What is your favorite buddy check acronym?
I remember during the summer junior open water diver camp, at Diving Locker, my classmates came up with an acronym during class. I still remember and use it to this day and use it the most often:
BCD Weights Releases Air Final Ok
Bears With Rabies Aren't Fun
What is the coolest thing you have seen underwater?
The coolest thing I have seen while out on a dive was a spotted ratfish at the surface of the water! I remember how cool the fish looked, as if it came from a movie.
What Would you like to see?
I really want to dive with sea lions. They seem so fun and cool. The way sea lions swim and play looks so effortless and graceful, plus their huge eyes are always curious.
Do you see diving as a part of your future as an adult?
As I said earlier, my dream would be to incorporate diving with my (hopeful) marine biology career. I think diving would be a good way to monitor marine life and learn about our unexplored oceans. If diving gives people the passion to take care of the ocean, as I know occurs often, then I want to be a part of that too.
What advice would you give kids wanting to learn to scuba dive?
To the kids who want to learn how to scuba dive, I would say they need to focus on balance. Balance, in many aspects, is essential to diving, especially if you’re young. I think kids need to find a balance between them being confident and pushing their limits/fears, but also remaining safe and being comfortable in calling off a dive. Kids should also balance their diving life with their personal life. It’s important to remember to put things like school, health and your future, in order of priority. People, especially young divers, should remember that diving will always be there for them. It's something to take comfort in.
Balance, in many aspects, is essential to diving, especially if you’re young. I think kids need to find a balance between them being confident and pushing their limits/fears, but also remaining safe
If you could travel anywhere to dive, where would you go?
I dream of diving in the Maldives one day. I love the idea of diving in blue water, because of the clarity and warmth. I also think the animals that live in the tropics are very colorful and enjoyable to look at. Ever since I saw a YouTube video about a resort right on the water, in the Maldives, that’s become my dream spot.
What is your favorite piece of dive gear that you own?
My favorite piece of gear I own right now, would probably be my Scubapro Nova Fins. I know it sounds weird, but I love the color and the fact I can identify myself in videos. My bright pink fins stand out, and I can tell who is who.
If you could Own any piece of dive gear now, what would it be?
If I could get any piece of dive gear right now, it would be an underwater drone. I think drones would be useful in photography and documentation. Lastly, drones are useful if you don’t want to get wet, because they can go deeper and last longer than a scuba diver, yet you can still see footage from underwater. It would be a cool way to technologically level up my diving.
If you could tell your past self anything when you were learning to dive what would it be?
If I could tell my past self anything when I was learning to dive, it would be to not worry. Had I known how caring and watchful the instructors would be during the kids summer camp course, I wouldn’t have worried as much about how scary scuba diving seemed. I also didn’t realize how fun it would be, and how amazing it is to be underwater. If I knew how safe and beautiful the sport of scuba diving is, I wouldn’t have worried myself to sleep over issues I learned how to solve during the course. Being scared is important to stay safe, but overly worrying is unhealthy.
What other hobbies do you have other than diving?
I do have other hobbies, outside of diving. I love to play badminton, read, write, doodle and learn new and random things on the internet. I love science and English, and often try to connect the 2. Lastly, I am also a sea cadet and volunteer at a salmon hatchery.
Thank you for answering all my questions, is there anything you would like to add?
I think everyone should inevitably dive for themselves, so I hope that kids reading this realize they should dive to move closer to their own personal goals, and the number 1 priority when diving is remaining safe.
-Caryl
We are incredibly proud of Caryl and her accomplishments in the diving world. She is only 14 years old and has done so much. We look forward to seeing what she can do next and the bright future ahead of her.
Caryl taught us it is important not only as a kid diver but ALL divers should make safety a priority. But it is also important to have fun and enjoy the under water world too.
LET'S GO DIVING!
