Save Our Seas Marine Explorer Club has begun

Most people look forward to Fridays – some of us more than others! There are eleven children at Capricorn Primary School who are looking forward to Fridays more than ever though. They’ve had their first taste of something new and exciting, and are counting the days until the next Friday. These youngsters are the first to literally take the plunge into a new initiative – the Save Our Seas Marine Explorer Club.

The Marine Explorer Club is providing the opportunity for each of the participants to learn to skin dive, while learning more about the ocean life on their doorstep. Capricorn Primary serves the community of Vrygrond (meaning “Free Ground”), an informal settlement about fifteen minutes walk from the shores of world renowned False Bay. Despite living so close to the beach, these children seldom get the opportunity to enjoy the water and learn about the extraordinary life in the Bay. During the next six weeks, our pioneer group of Marine Explorers will work towards obtaining their PADI skin diver certificate, possibly their first step towards a life-long, caring relationship with the oceans.

We are all extremely fortunate to have the support of Pisces Divers – who have sponsored the instruction, P.A.D.I. – who have sponsored the course certification and U.C.T. Underwater Club – whose members have volunteered to support the kids in the water. Reef Wetsuits have also been very supportive in giving us fantastic deals on wetsuits to keep our marine explorers warm. During the first meeting of the group two Fridays ago, the excitement really started building up. This was the first time that instructors, volunteers and participants met to share expectations and information. This first meeting was also the time to try on wetsuits, masks and fins – once everyone had managed to squeeze into their gear, holding back a stampede towards the ocean wasn’t easy. But if ever the old advice “look before you leap” applies, it’s with our young marine explorers, and so we had to reign in our enthusiasm for the following week.

So last Friday, all geared up and bursting with enthusiasm for our first diving experience, we took to the water of Dalebrook tidal pool. Once the initial excited frenzy and resulting washing machine water had subsided, Carel Van der Colff from Pisces Divers led the instruction, ably supported by divers from the U.C.T. Underwater Club. By the end of the two hour session, it was amazing to see how many of the kids, who at first were quite uncomfortable with using the gear, had settled into calmly floating around, watching out for small fish and other marine curiosities. The Marine Explorers had begun their journey, and next Friday could not come soon enough.