"Why I Dive" - Female Perspectives in Honor of Women's Dive Day

Even though we wrapped up the celebration of PADI Women’s Dive Day last week, we want to continue to amplify female voices and perspectives within the dive community. The Kyalami Family is proud to employ strong female divemasters that do an amazing job taking care of our guests both above and below the water. Check out each of their stories on what motivates them to dive.

Sarah Brown dives to honor the memory of her dad who loved spending time underwater.

You may recognize Sarah’s cheerful smile and helpful hand from up on deck, but she is also one of our newly certified DMs. When asked what motivates her to continue her dive journey, Sarah shared: “Not only is diving a part of who I am today but it embodies the love and life of my father. I dive because it helps me reflect and recall all of the good memories I made with my father underwater before his passing. I dive in dedication to my father to continue his legacy. Not only do I love the ocean but I am deeply connected to the water and waves. With each new day, new waves bring all sorts of opportunities, ideas and peace to my life. I find balance and am able to center my inner mind through the healing and spiritual journey that surrounds me while diving. It is the one place I can think about my father and know that I am fully engulfed in his loving presence.”

Meme dives to stay grounded and loves sharing this perspective with others through teaching.

Next we caught up with Meme Edwards, instructor extraordinaire, dive guide and head of our conservation programs. Meme had a busy week teaching scuba camp to some youngsters but took the time to share: “I dive to breathe and spend time in nature. Diving brings me peace, clarity and shows me the bigger picture in life. I then teach to share that we aren’t stuck where we are and there’s another perspective and a whole new world we never thought of right around us.”

Grace hopes to teach her son to be respectful of nature and the ocean, along with modelling a life of exploration and adventure!

Our resident photographer and private dive guide Grace shared: “I dive for several reasons. Being a corporate manager of a rather large team comes with its fair share of stressors. Each time I return to the water I am renewed with a sense of peace and calm. Re-energizing myself in nature allows me to show up better for my team and family at both work and home. Another reason I dive is to show my 8 year old son that anything is possible and that life should be full of adventure and exploration. His favorite question to ask after I get home from a dive is: ‘Mama, did you see a hammerhead today?’ He is a shark lover and I hope he will be my dive buddy in a few short years. Lastly, I choose to take a camera with me on my dives so I can share the magic of this world that so few get to experience. My hope is to inspire others to be more curious and care about what they can’t see so we can all work together to protect what we love.”

Susan loves sharing her love of the ocean with our guests - here she is seen on her safety stop after a thrilling wreck dive in Jupiter.

Susan Papes is a south Florida native and a local diving legend. In addition to keeping our shop orderly and clean, she is one of our divemasters, she is also a 200 ton captain, a school teacher, a mother and an overall amazing person. We are so lucky to have her on the team!

When we asked her why she dives, Susan shared: ”I have been diving in Palm beach county since I was a teenager and find joy in rediscovering the same wrecks and reefs over and over! I love exploring the colorful and silent underwater world that is right in our backyard. It gives me the opportunity for breathtaking and fun adventures to share with our guests.”

Sydney, another one of our divemasters and our resident scientist has been diving since she was 14 years old. A budding interest in marine biology is what encouraged her to begin exploring the sea, and it’s this passion for science and discovery that keeps her motivated today. She shared with us that she wants to dedicate her life to spending time underwater, and sharing those ecosystems with others.

Sydney shared: “Since starting at Kyalami over a year ago now, I have been fortunate to spend more time in the water on these beautiful reefs than I ever have before. There’s no question this is what I was meant to do: sharing the well preserved reefs and awe inspiring megafauna of jupiter and west palm with fellow divers has been a blessing.”

Sydney continued to tell us that diving for her “is a meditation, my happy place, and so, so addicting and rewarding. As divers we are blessed to see a section of our ocean planet not many are able to. Protecting, conserving, and sharing the beauty of the under water world is the best way to live.”

We couldn’t agree more, Sydney!

Let’s keep the conversation going - we want to hear from YOU! What inspires you to dive? What’s you “WHY?” Share in the comments, we would love to know.