(2-minute read)
Next stop, Grand Bahama, Bahamas! I was able to stay with Cristina Zenato and Kewin Lorenzen for a week and focus on sharks, underwater photography, and a little bit of cavern diving!
Growing up, I always enjoyed watching ocean documentaries or reading books about everything in the ocean. However, what I remember enjoying the most, was learning anything about sharks! Sharks play incredibly important roles when it comes to maintaining balance in marine ecosystems, bringing in money to coastal communities, and even advancing the medical field. These animals are just so cool, they have always been my favorite!
Finally being able to dive and strictly focus on seeing these animals was an amazing opportunity, and a bit of me living out my childhood dreams. I have been on a handful of dives where I have seen sharks nearby or skittishly swimming away, but having sharks literally surround me was a whole other experience.
This is yet another “sharky” opportunity that has me feeling like I am going in the right direction when it comes to exploring my interests. Right now one of the biggest ways I want to continue to interact with these animals is scientifically. I want to further understand their behaviors, their physiology, and even learn more about the uses of eDNA to better monitor sharks (environmental DNA – DNA that is released from an organism into the environment, source).
During my time here I was also able to explore a bit of Grand Bahama by visiting a nearby beach and even taking a day to go diving in a cavern!
Still feeling a bit new to the world of diving, I originally felt unsettled about the idea of diving in a cavern. (I can probably attribute my love for horror movies to that). However, as soon as I saw how gorgeous Ben’s Cave was on the inside, the crystal clear water, and how the sun rays shone through, I was eager to hop in.
In the cave I was able to practice my photography skills, see stalagmites and stalactites, and even swim through a halocline (a distinct separation of salt and fresh water). It was such a fun and gorgeous day of diving!
Overall, I had an amazing week and after hitting different milestones and experiencing all kinds of new “firsts,” I am now on my way to the next thing!
Thank you so much to Cristina Zenato, People of the Water, and Kewin Lorenzen for a fantastic week of sharks, conversation, and amazing dives!!
Thank you to the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society and our sponsor Rolex for making this scholarship experience a possibility. I would also like to thank Reef Photo and Video, Nauticam and Light and Motion for my underwater camera setup as well as Aqualung, Fourth Element, Suunto, Halcyon, and DUI for my diving equipment.
