There are certainly plenty of course options for students these days and for a group of students from Hutt Valley High School keen to join the Royal New Zealand Navy the opportunity to complete their PADI Open Water Diver Course was too good to pass up.
After collecting their packs and doing their homework (well some of it) they met at school each Thursday to go over the theory before heading to the pool.
After 3 weeks they were keen to head to the sea for their first open water divers. Unfortunately the visibility wasn’t great but their skills were and they did get to see moki, blue cod and some cray at the Taputeranga Marine Reserve in Island Bay.
This week the weather meant we returned to Island Bay but the conditions were much better which resulted in some much happier and now certified divers! Along with the usual reef species, and some large blue cod and moki we also saw a hagfish.
The divers are now looking forward to next weeks fun dives where they can put all their new skills into practice – and where we won’t make them take of their masks again!!