TAKE A DIVE

Now’s the perfect time to get in the water.

// BY CYNTHIA MCFARLAND

Many sports and recreational activities su ered in 2020 due to Covid-19 shutdowns. Scuba diving wasn’t one of them. Think about it. Participants are wearing masks, breathing puri ed air and in an underwater environment removed from threat of respiratory viruses. Not to mention, having a blast.

“Our business doubled last year, and it looks like we will even surpass that this year,” observes Bill Foote, owner of Ocala Dive Center, who’s been a certi ed diver since 1971. “The pandemic turned out to be better for business than I thought it would, and business this year is considerably better than last year,” adds Craig Clark, owner of Aquatic Center of Ocala and a diving instructor since 1999.

Originally the acronym for “self-contained underwater breathing apparatus,” SCUBA is now an actual word. The sport has come a long way since 1959 when the YMCA organized the rst national scuba diving training program in the United States.

“The television series Sea Hunt, lmed here at Silver Springs, brought scuba into the living rooms of America and was a turning point for the dive industry,” says Clark, noting that it was his inspiration to get into the sport. WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Many scuba classes require students to be at least 12 years old. For minors, it’s strongly recommended that a parent be already certi ed or take the class at the same time.

There’s no upper age limit, but you do have to ll out a statement of health. Conditions like asthma, epilepsy and some heart conditions are deal breakers, as they would make diving too risky.

In addition to being comfortable in the

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ROCK FORMATIONS, water, you should be a better than average swimmer—able to tread water for 10 minutes,

CAVERNS AND A VARIETY OF swim 200 yards without stopping and

AQUATIC LIFE. swim underwater for 50 feet while holding your breath.

TAKE A CLASS

Depending on the class and instructor, you can typically obtain your basic scuba certi cation in about 30 to 40 hours.

Classes are broken down into academics and time in the water, rst in a pool and then at open water dive sites.

“Most everyone uses online academic materials now, which is about ve to six hours of online training,” explains Foote. “This streamlines the course, and you can do it on your schedule.”

“You’ll get an online ebook when you register for class, and we’ll go over the material in class before you rst get in the pool,” notes Clark. “Then we take what you’ve learned to open water sites.”

Beyond the physical lessons, a class teaches you the science and physiological aspects of diving, as well as safety techniques and how to respond in the event of an emergency.

Expect to spend approximately 10 to 12 hours in a pool setting before the instructor takes you to open water. Fortunately, the Ocala area is blessed with an abundance of springfed locations for this training.

Aquatic Center of Ocala classes usually head to Blue Grotto or Devil’s Den for their rst dive open water dive experience. Ocala Dive Center takes students to the Rainbow River for their rst open dives and then to another area spring, rotating between Blue Grotto, Troy Springs, Blue Springs or Ginnie Springs.

You’ll typically have four open water dives on two di erent days (two dives per day), with each dive lasting about one hour.

To obtain certi cation, you must pass the academic portion of the test and satisfactorily complete a minimum of four open water dives under supervision of your instructor.

DOLLARS & CENTS

Expect to spend about $300 to $400 for a beginner’s class and another $300 to 400 for personal equipment.

“Personal equipment” includes mask, ns, booties and snorkel, all of which are uniquely tted to your size and shape. Since the advent of Covid-19, many people now add a wetsuit to that list, so they don’t have to rent one. The instructor provides air tanks, regulator, buoyancy device (BD) and instrumentation (pressure gauge, computer and compass) to use during classes.

Fees for open water sites aren’t included in class cost and can be $40 or more per site.

When you’re ready to buy your own equipment, the average price for scuba gear runs in the neighborhood of $2,500.

DIVING HAVEN

People come from all over the world to dive Florida’s waters. Within a one-hour drive of Marion County, divers will nd well over 20 springs with crystal-clear water, ancient rock formations, caverns and a variety of aquatic life.

We also have the world’s largest arti cial reef, The USS Oriskany, a decommissioned aircraft carrier that was intentionally sunk in May 2006 south of Pensacola. “The “Mighty O,” as it’s known by divers, has become one of the country’s most popular dive sites.

Connecting with a local dive shop can introduce you to diving opportunities around Florida and even in international waters.

If you’ve toyed with the idea of learning to scuba dive, there’s no better time to get in the water.

Learn more // aquaticcenterocala.com // ocaladive.com