NEWS
WHO SAID MERMAIDS DON’T EXIST? Speaking of my own experiences with scuba diver training, it wasn’t until I was on my PADI Divemaster course in 2012 that I had a female Instructor. After hundreds of boat trips, in multiple countries, it is still common to find myself as one of a few female divers. However, as a female dive instructor in a male dominated industry, it is exhilarating to know there is an ever-growing number of women in the scuba diving business. From the inspirational Dottie Frazier, the first female Scuba Instructor in 1955 and legendary Oceanographer, Dr. Sylvia Earle, to Gemma Smith, the first women ever to dive the world famous Antikythera Shipwreck, there are a growing number of global icons for women to follow in the diving world. We have become pioneers in all aspects of the diving industry, from instructors, to scientists, technical divers, oceanographers, filmmakers, marine biologists and environmental scientists; achievements spanning 70 years. The list of influential women in diving is so large, it is difficult to mention everyone in this one article. In the UAE alone, we have myself and Michela Colella, PADI Course Directors and multiple female divers supporting the diving industry and our environment.To mention just a few, I’ve worked with Hannah Campbell, PADI Instructor and Project Manager of a Marine Sanctuary, Yanni Smith and Erika Hoonhout both PADI Instructors and Environmental Scientists, and Annie Halloran, PADI Instructor and currently studying to become a Marine Biologist. There are now multiple platforms empowering and educating women in diving. ‘Girls That Scuba’, run by Sarah Richard now has nearly 55,000 followers/users; it’s the largest community of female scuba divers in the world. With the introduction of ‘PADI Ladies Day’ in 2015, scuba divers from around the world have come together to celebrate women in diving, share their love for the ocean and encourage others to get involved. Last year there were around 900 PADI Ladies Day events in 85 countries. This year we celebrate women in diving by running two events on PADI Ladies Day on Saturday the 21st of July. At Divers Down Fujairah, we will be running a Ladies ‘Pool Party’ including a scuba refresher and pleasure dives for those that are looking to get back into diving, or the Discover Scuba Diving experience for those that wish to try diving. In Dubai, I will be hosting a social evening for women in the UAE. Event plans are still to be confirmed. If you are interested in joining us either in Fujairah or Dubai, please email me: Nicola.l@ diversdownuae.com 16
DIVERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT | JUNE 2018
