Scuba Santa

As I've mentioned here on my About page, one of my hobbies outside of writing is that I am an avid scuba diver. I've loved swimming since I was old enough to fit into swimmies (aka "water wings") and snorkeling is the next best thing to having to hold your breath underwater.

The next step after snorkeling is scuba diving and when I was younger, I'd always wanted to try it, but just never had the opportunity.

I finally got to try scuba diving with my husband in Cozumel, Mexico back in 2012. It was absolutely amazing and I was hooked! After that, I got my Open Water certification in 2014. Since then, I've continued my scuba education by adding to my collection of diving certifications.

My favorite place to dive is where I was certified in Cozumel, Mexico. But what's a landlocked mermaid to do in central PA? There are several aquariums within driving distance of where I live, as well as a few quarries that are open in the summer months. However, diving regularly when you live in an ocean-free state and can't travel to the Caribbean on your weekends can be tricky.

In 2016, my husband and I applied and were accepted into the diver volunteer program at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey. Since then, we've been dutifully going there every other Sunday, all year long. The volunteer divers perform tasks like maintenance and guest presentations in the large Ocean Realm tank.

And this time of year, an extra special guest makes regular appearances at the aquarium: Scuba Santa! A scuba elf dives with Scuba Santa and they both entertain the guests and pose for pictures.

Here is Jolly the scuba elf from this year:

Happy Holidays everyone and may Scuba Santa be good to you and yours this year!