Dive Experience Impacts Students
Students in the TIDES 1 club returned from their open water diving in the Cayman Islands recently and reflected on how their training and experience has impacted their lives.
Students in the TIDES 1 club returned from their open water diving in the Cayman Islands recently and reflected on how their training and experience has impacted their lives.
Describe the TIDES 1 training program and some of the things you learned.
Cate Corry (8): I learned how to regulate my breathing, buoyancy, emergency skills, equipment set up, etc. I learned about coral and marine wildlife.
Sara Burke (8): We learned all the necessary information to dive safely and successfully. We learned how to properly set up and take apart all the dive equipment and we practiced at two pool dives in Boulder.
Describe how you felt before your first dive.
Wells Hatcher (7): I felt a little bit nervous because of my tank but after I got into the water it was really fun and I felt safe.
Quentin Labbett (7): I felt excited to dive for the first time and also nervous to go in the ocean where some cool marine creatures live. I liked that right when I jumped in I saw a whole new world.
Describe how you felt about diving by the end of the trip.
Kate Kechriotis (8): At the end of the Grand Cayman trip I was so confident with diving. We did things I never thought were possible for me but I’m glad I did it because now I’m a certified open water diver.
Sophie Alijani (7): There was no way I could have imagined what it would feel like to be underwater. As soon as I descended I was instantly calmed. All my fears melted away once my head was submerged. I was also so surprised by what I saw. It was beautiful and overwhelming.
Describe a few highlights of the club and/or trip.
Alex Geldzahler (7): The highlights of this trip are immeasurable. I personally loved seeing a white spotted eagle ray, and my favorite dive was the USS Kittiwake. It was like seeing a ghost of a ship.
Scarlett Wiedenmayer (7): Highlights were definitely seeing ocean life such as rays, turtles and lots of cool fish. Rum Point was also very fun because we saw sting rays and a lion fish. I was fun jumping off the boat between dives and enjoying the water and sun with friends.
How has the TIDES 1 experience impacted you personally or academically?
Max Jordan (8): This has impacted me to put more effort into my capstone project and to try to help people and plants all over the world.
Alexandra Hatzidakis (7): The TIDES 1 experience has motivated me to be more present in helping reduce waste in my community. Seeing such beautiful water without trash inspired me to preserve the world’s oceans, and to find a way to reduce plastic and other waste.
Do you hope to keep diving in the future?
Reid McCarty (7): Yes, because it is such an interesting and diverse ecosystem and there is so much to explore.
Naomi Gillis (8): TIDES has encouraged me to continue diving in the future. I had so much fun and it was an amazing experience I would love to repeat. I will also encourage many other people to do TIDES.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
