Class in Howard Hall's pool will instruct, certify students in scuba diving
By Elizabeth Tertadian
Diving to the depths of the sea. Coming face to face with sharks, dolphins, fish and coral. These are things typically seen on the Discovery channel, but for a few daring UP students, scuba diving is about to become their forte and the sea theirs to explore.
Beginning Sept. 23, the three-lane pool in Howard Hall will be transformed into a training ocean where students will learn to scuba dive.
Recreational Services is hosting the first of two scuba diving classes this year for students through Steve Scuba, a local diving company in Portland.
Senior Cortney Bartha is one of the students enrolled for the course. For her, the course is mainly to earn her certification.
"I really just want to be certified so I can go whenever I want," she said.
To her, the idea of learning to dive in Howard pool seems a bit odd.
"I've never dived in a pool before," she said.
True, the idea of learning to dive in little more than eight feet of water may seem a stretch, but according to Director of Recreational Services Brian Dezzani, "It's actually a good set up for that pool."
The large shallow end of Howard Pool is important so students can learn how to use the equipment before going into deeper water, he said.
Bartha has been scuba diving before at the Cayman Islands and in Mexico with her family, but has never needed a certification because they are not required in international waters.
According to her, the shops give visitors a half-hour 'crash course' and then 'throw you in.'
However in the United States, a diving certification is required. Bartha would like to explore the Great Barrier Reef and New Zealand, and ideally swim among sharks.
The course has been offered since 2001, and is held once per semester.
"People who have taken it have really enjoyed it," Dezzani said.
In the past, staff members have taken the class alongside their children, and groups of students have taken it knowing they were travelling to places like Hawaii, said Dezzani.
A scuba diving certification lasts for life, so once it's obtained renting scuba gear anywhere you travel is possible.
During the program, students will learn the basics of scuba diving: how to dive, safety procedures, and equipment use.
Each week they will apply their knowledge in the pool to get hands on experience.
After the completion of the program, those who pass and earn their diving certification will have the opportunity to do a dive off-site.
Besides being a fun activity, the class is much cheaper than others around the area. After doing her research, Bartha found that other courses cost hundreds more in comparison to the one held at UP.
There are still spaces available for anyone interested in learning how to dive.
Class begins on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 7pm, and costs $225. Sign up in Howard Hall.
