Ok, you'll have to forgive me, but this is a Proud Mamma post. Yesterday my 8-year-old finished his summer snorkeling course. As a reward, on the last day the instructor, Raffaele Annese, lets the kids take a tour around the bottom of the swimming pool with the whole oxygen tank getup strapped on. It is the highlight of the summer for my son. Obviously, there's nothing particularly interesting to see at the bottom of the pool, but the thrill is in being able to go down and stay down for quite some time...and to be doing it like a REAL scuba diver.
Raffaele and G. perfecting their underwater hand jive!
Back to the surface, safe and sound! I love that Raffaele gives the kids this opportunity. You have to be at least 12 to get your scuba diving license, so this is as close as G. will get to the real thing for some time. But, that doesn't make him any less enthusiastic. He's already talking about "when I do snorkeling class NEXT summer..."
Ok, you'll have to forgive me, but this is a Proud Mamma post. Yesterday my 8-year-old finished his summer snorkeling course. As a reward, on the last day the instructor, Raffaele Annese, lets the kids take a tour around the bottom of the swimming pool with the whole oxygen tank getup strapped on. It is the highlight of the summer for my son. Obviously, there's nothing particularly interesting to see at the bottom of the pool, but the thrill is in being able to go down and stay down for quite some time...and to be doing it like a REAL scuba diver.
Raffaele and G. perfecting their underwater hand jive!
Back to the surface, safe and sound! I love that Raffaele gives the kids this opportunity. You have to be at least 12 to get your scuba diving license, so this is as close as G. will get to the real thing for some time. But, that doesn't make him any less enthusiastic. He's already talking about "when I do snorkeling class NEXT summer..."
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6 comments:
Lovely photos
That sounds like a blast! I'm so grateful that my mom started me with swimming lessons when I was very young, so I never had to be afraid of it and could keep myself safe. I've never SCUBAed, but I snorkeled over some reefs in Hawaii once.
I want to be in the water WITH them! I bet your son loved that feeling of breathing underwater through the regulator. He is a lucky guy to have experienced that so young. His instructor looks like such a nice person. It's good to hear he was an inspiration to the kids! I used to lifeguard and teach snorkeling and swimming to children. I even got my scuba certification in college and went diving in the ocean. Your son is going to LOVE seeing the sea creatures in their own habitat in a few years. Can't wait to see his photo here from NEXT summer's snorkeling class.
-Kim
Seattle Daily Photo
Yes, he did love his "scuba dive" and we are so lucky to have such a nice instructor who is truly gentle and patient with the kids. The course also includes "laboratory" activities where they talk about sea plants and animals and make shell necklaces or rock pencil holders, etc.
Well now your son has something to look forward to. I like your shots - their personalities shine through.
I lived in Reno, NV (landlocked) when I took my scuba classes and I haven't been in a pool since after what I saw in there with the mask on... I much prefer the ocean! Congrats to your son!
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