Four CedarBridge Academy students went from swimming with seals at the zoo to exploring the ocean around the island to secure open-water scuba diver certifications.

Eva Trott, Cayli Dowling, NiJasz Mello and Kiera Trott each earned an SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Certification through a collaborative effort by the Bermuda Zoological Society and EcoDive Bermuda.

The recognitions came after a “Try Scuba” experience in the seal pool at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo on World Ocean Open Day last month.

At the event, the students were introduced to the world of scuba diving through a three-day course led by SDI-certified instructors from EcoDive Bermuda.

The BZS said that the course was funded by the Atlantic Conservation Partnership with the generous support of the Titus Family Fund.

Students started their training in the calm, controlled environment of the seal pool at BAMZ — without the accompaniment of seals.

They practised essential diving skills and grew comfortable with the equipment.

The course continued later that week with open water dives off Elbow Beach, an exercise which gave participants the opportunity to apply their new skills in Bermuda’s marine environment.

Sam Bennett, the founder of EcoDive Bermuda, said: “One of the key goals of EcoDive is to be able to provide the community in Bermuda easier access to scuba diving so that we are able to show the larger community what the environment is like under the water.

“Being able to partner and get these young people diving and exploring their underwater world is just fantastic and it brings joy to our hearts to be able to see them have fun and enjoy themselves underwater.”

Ms Trott, a dual enrolment student who is also studying at the Bermuda College, said she was inspired to try scuba diving because of her love for marine life.

She said: “I went under and it was pretty amazing. We saw all different types of fish and coral. It was a great experience to have.”

Ms Dowling, a Grade 10 Stem [science, technology, engineering and maths] student, was initially nervous about diving into the unknown.

She explained: “I thought it was scary because there is a lot of stuff in the ocean that I don’t know of and I was kind of worried about what I would see and find. But I didn’t find anything scary and it turned out to be a nice experience.”

Mr Mello reflected on his personal growth during the course.

He said: “Some of the highlights were being down in the underwater canyons and swimming above the coral reefs.

“We also spotted a huge school of jacks. It felt good to overcome some of the skills I struggled with at first.”

Mr Bennett hopes that the programme will inspire a new generation of ocean stewards to explore the waters around Bermuda.

He said: “We want to be able to build the wider community of people that are able to explore and experience the environment here in Bermuda and what it has to offer so that people are able to see how important and impactful the marine environment is to us as an island ecosystem and island home.

“Being able to scuba dive and being able to get people to explore and experience the environment that we have here in Bermuda is key.

“You need to be able to see something to be able to understand and to be able to care for it and scuba diving is the way that we're able to assist with that.”