34 kids between the ages of 10 and16 from the various primary and secondary schools around San Pedro received their Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Open Water Diving certification on Friday night, July 27th. The certificates came at the end of a two week summer camp offered by the San Pedro Tourist Guide Association (SPTGA) in conjunction with the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and PADI International.
At the graduation ceremony parents joined excited and enthusiastic students as they prepared to receive their certificates. Prior to the award ceremonies, Everett Anderson shared a delightful collage of photos, in the form of a movie – depicting the students’ journey to certification. Diving Instructors and Establishments were issued with special certificates of appreciation, followed by the issuing of the Certificates of Completion to the students. The program is a yearly program being offered. Following this, the kids are expected to remain active, volunteering with programs such as reef monitoring, reef surveys and mangrove reforestation.
Special thanks go out to PADI instructors: Manuel Uribio, Roberto Gonzalez, Steve Bowen, Roberto Castillo, Rudy Duran, Jody Martinez, Felipe Ancona, Adolfo Ayuso, Everette Anderson, Enes Ramirez, Phillip “Billy” Leslie and Roberto Canul.
The San Pedro Sun joins in also offering special thanks to diver operators and other individuals that contributed to making this year’s program a success: Amigos del Mar Dive Center, Caribbean Breeze, Action Divers, Chuck and Robbie’s Dive Shop, Island Divers Belize, Ramon’s Village Resort, Belize Diving Adventures, Victoria House, Tuff e Nuff Tours, Scuba School Belize, Ambergris Divers, San Pedro High School, Ecologic Divers, Belize Ocean Divers, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Hugh Parkey Belize Dive Connection, Mr. and Mrs. Gutierrez, Elvi’s Kitchen and PADI Americas.
