- April 26, 2024
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The Foundation Academy Dive Club hosted its first official club dive Saturday, Sept. 18, in Palm Beach.
According to Brad Haywood, founder of the club and dive master, the club seeks to provide students with a recreational club to enjoy scuba diving while also helping students to understand everyone is called by God to steward and protect the world He has provided.
The club provides students with scuba diving training and experiences to encourage further exploration of diving and the ocean. It also will give participants opportunities to participate in service projects to allow them to put their passion into action.
"The club is a great social outlet to bring together people of all experiences that have a mutual love for diving," he said.
The club began right before the COVID-19 pandemic and helped nine students obtain their diving certifications.
The club currently has 11 active student members, although parents are also frequently involved.
Through the club, an additional 19 people are set to hopefully earn their certifications this weekend through Try Scuba, where students put on gear and practice the basics in a 12-foot pool with supervision.
After members are certified, Haywood works to organize trips, such as the most recent one to Palm Beach. Four of the club members did a two-tank reef dive, and the members even saw a six-foot lemon shark, as well as other marine wildlife like fish, eels, squid and more.
Haywood said the work done in the club would not be possible without The Scuba Gym, which aims to bring scuba diving to a family level.
"From a logistics and development perspective, David and Kim Lawrence have really helped me as we have started gaining traction with the club," Haywood said. "They also have a passion for working with special needs children and adults, which is awesome."
The club looks forward to having more dive trips in the future.
For more information, those interested can contact Brad Haywood at [email protected].
