Scuba program introduces kids to undersea wonders

Indistinct shapes coiled and writhed under the blue waters and air bubbles wriggled their way from the depths to reach the surface and pop with a noise that can only be described as a Darth Vader hiss.

The scene is not the filming of yet another sequel to the 1997 teen horror flick "I Know What You Did Last Summer." The setting is actually a calm, peaceful backyard pool in Cape Coral.

However, the three young teens, now gliding across the pool and hoisting 40 pound tanks up to Diana Warren's hands, will have a definite edge on the rest of the students for the inevitable round of "what did you do last summer?" questions when the first day of the new school year rolls around. On top of exciting and adventurous stories of 500 pound jewfish, sunken ships and colorful coral, they will be able to flash their certified diver cards and claim bragging rights to a lifetime underwater pass accepted worldwide.

Diana Warren and her husband Bill own and operate Seahorse Scuba in South Fort Myers. A full-service dive center offering scuba lessons, dive charters and rental and retail equipment, Seahorse also offers the only diving summer camp for children in Lee County.

Back in the 1980s, kids were not included in the world of scuba diving, according to Bill Warren. Seahorse Scuba was instrumental in changing that status quo, helping to pioneer the inclusion of teens and preteens in the diving community in Southwest Florida.

"Kids would always come in to the shop and ask so many questions and want to find out about everything and that inspired her to start offering classes for children, said Diana Warren.

"That excitement and the desire to learn makes a difference," she said. "We do this all the time, but when you're diving with a kid, they are so excited and pointing at everything and it makes it new for us again. It keeps you alive."

Both the Warrens came to the sport that now consumes nearly every minute of their waking hours fairly late in life. Having owned a number of small businesses throughout his adult life, Bill jumped in with both feet when his wife found a strong affinity for the sport.

Diana took her first dive class in 1987 and said she knew she'd found something worthwhile. Excited with her new sport, Diana said it was hard to imagine being able to make money doing something so enjoyable. Always adventurous, though, she took the rigorous required courses and the six grueling tests to become a Professional Association of Diving Instructors certified scuba diving instructor. In 1989, she and Bill opened up Seahorse Scuba, and have been hooked every since, said Diana.

"It's exciting and so much fun," she said as she watched the novice divers practice their underwater breathing. "It's relaxing. You don't hear telephones, fax machines or cells and nobody is screaming at you. It's nice and peaceful."

While the enjoyment of diving is a unique and thrilling prospect, both Diana and Bill warn that the week-long camp is not all fun and games.

"It can be like a boot camp," said Bill. "This is serious, and we have safety to consider, so discipline is a very big part of the camp."

"They can be tough," agreed Michelle Sierra, 14. "But it's also a lot of fun."

Sierra regularly attends various summer camps in Lee County, and enjoyed the YMCA camp last summer, but says the scuba camp is a lot more fun and is looking forward to spending more time with her diver-certified father.

Unlike the majority of summer camps, the Seahorse camp comes complete with chores, homework and exams. Upon registration, participants are given a CD containing general information all divers must know. Daily review of this material for approximately one to two hours is required in order to pass the test given on the first day of camp, according to Bill.

"We review the material with them, and there is a chance to retake the test on the second morning if they don't make it the first time," he said. "But if they can't pass that test then camp is over for them and mom will have to figure out something else for them to do for the rest of the summer."

The following two days of the camp are spent in a swimming pool, learning the skills and techniques required for certification. On Thursday, the camp moves 70 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico. Anchoring the boat in 30 feet of water over a small reef, the beginning divers learn to apply the techniques they learned in a shallow pool to real-life diving.

The skills taught and the certification requirements are no different for a child than for an adult, according to Diana.

"It is definitely something for them to be proud of," she said. "There are a lot of adults who can't pass the test and you've got 10-year-olds out here kicking butt."

That pride, and the benefits of the camp, goes beyond passing the test, added Bill.

"This can seriously be a life changing event and can alter a child's life," he said. "The list goes on and on of people who have been blown away by this and continue to do it into adulthood."

Seeing the children of people they taught and certified as teens come in to now get their own certification is both an exciting and sometimes shocking thing, said Bill.

"It's a great thing to see them come in," he said, "but at the same time it makes me think I need to grow up and find something better to do someday — but then, I can't think of anything that could possibly be better!"

Seahorse Scuba Camp is for children ages 10 to 13. The camp starts every Monday and ends on Friday. Each day starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. This camp costs $320 per camper and includes all equipment and supplies. Campers need to bring their own lunches. There are only 6 spaces per camp Registration is required by calling 454-3111.