Lianna

When Lianna started High School she came to me and asked if she could become a diver. Seeing this as a good way to make sure she kept up her grades I made her a deal. If she kept at least a 90% average in all her classes for the whole school year than I would not only enroll her in a class at the shop, but get her a set of gear as well.

Ed was starting a class in mid March and Lianna was pulling mid 90's in all her classes, so I enrolled her in the class. She did the entire classroom & pool work along with her school load and enjoyed it 110%.

In mid May we went to Dutch Springs for her Open Water Check Out Dives. I was also doing a advanced class so it worked out well. Ed told me after he finished up with her group that she was a natural and that she did better than the other kids her age in the group.

In June when her final report card came, much to my surprise she had gotten a 89 in her French class she had been taking French since middle school and enjoyed it. When I told her that she had broken the deal she became upset, but her mother told me in no short words that if I wanted to go away any more I have better change the deal to a overall 90% for the year.

Since then, she had been diving with me here in New York as well as North and South Florida and Cozumel. We're planning a winter trip in early 2009 to the South Caribbean to welcome in the New Year.

Dylan

While in Middle School. I had taken Dylan & Fern to The Beneath the Sea Show in New Jersey. They were doing a Discover Scuba Diving expo where kids could try Scuba under a control environment; he wanted to try, so we signed him up. He donned a wet suit and went into the pool for 15 minutes of fun. We took some photos of him wearing his wetsuit and they took some under the water as well.

When he started High School I offered him the same deal as I did Lianna, keep the 90% average and become a certified diver. As of now, he turned down the offer. He's happy with his Karate and being in the Boy Scouts. His goal is to earn his First Degree or Shodan Black Belt in Karate by the fall of 2009 and earn his Eagle Scout Rank well before his 18^th Birthday.

Fern

I have offered Fern the chance to become a Diver many times. She always has said no and only enjoying swimming and snorkeling when we are away. When the shop will hold a get together she will attend and enjoy herself. Most the time she will end sitting with the other non-diving wife and talk over how much we spend on diving or what are we planning to do next.

When the family was on vacation in Cozumel in 2004, Dylan & Fern did try SNUBA off the dock. While they were hook to a hose and walking in the sand, Lianna and I were swimming around them having some fun.