Every brain is beautifully unique, processing attention, energy, and focus in its own way. That's why I was thrilled when a mate of mine, whose PADI Open Water course I had the privilege of teaching through SCUBADIVESWIM, reached out to ask if his two boys could experience a discovery scuba dive.
We found a wonderful opportunity at Gingin Aquatic Centre, which offered a fantastic deal for a couple of hours of pool time. The morning greeted us with sunshine and a gentle breeze, and the facilities were clean, welcoming, and perfectly set up for what would become a truly special experience.
I arrived early to prepare the gear, tanks, BCDs, regulators, and weights, while the boys brought their own personal equipment. Once everyone arrived, we began our two-hour adventure with a friendly chat about the equipment: how we compress the air we breathe into tanks, how regulators work, and the importance of properly prepping our masks.
When everyone felt comfortable, we made our way to the shallow end. I helped the boys get kitted up and secured to their tanks. With masks and regulators in place, they gently placed their faces in the water and began blowing bubbles, effortlessly and naturally. Their confidence grew even more as they knelt in the shallow end and successfully completed their regulator clearing and mask clearing drills.
These two were an absolute joy to teach. Any concerns about attention or focus simply melted away underwater. Once the essential skills were mastered, we spent the next hour simply having fun, testing buoyancy by swimming through weighted hoops, discovering objects on the pool floor, and sharing smiles when their dad joined us for a dive.
Both Mother and Father visibly moved by how focused and engaged both boys were throughout the entire experience. It was a powerful moment, proof that the right setting can unlock potential we didn't even know was there.
A job well done, indeed, by two remarkable young divers.
