Times of the Islands Spring 2022

Spotting a Hawksbill turtle during a dive or snorkel in the Islands is a treat. Staying quiet and calm can encourage it to stay near.
Back at the shop I addressed him directly and told him
how amazing it was to see him smiling and pointing out
fish and taking charge of the dive, and the confidence
he had demonstrated. I encouraged him to nurture the
experience and get certified and assured him I would
dive with him any time. He looked at me and merely said,
“Thank you.” I encouraged his mother to keep this experience
fresh in his mind, and reiterated the difference in
the shy, withdrawn, closed-off kid above the waves, and
the excited, smiling, happy, and confident young man I
had seen on our dives. She promised me she would and
thanked me.
The day ended and I went home, but the events of the
day weighed heavy on my heart. I wondered how this kid
felt and if he would ever bloom again. I wondered if he
realized the effect that being underwater had on him. I
wondered if he knew how he had affected me.
The next morning, I was at our shop getting gear
ready for the boats and I saw two people on bicycles cutting
across the lot. It was this young man and his mother.
I was a little stunned to say the least. She approached
me and said, “He insisted on getting up at 5:00 AM and
coming down here so he could say good-bye to you.” I felt
the tears welling up and choked them back as he stepped
in front of me. He said he wanted to thank me for taking
him diving and for showing him all the amazing things
down there. He asked for my e-mail address so he could
stay in touch. I told him what an incredible young man
he was and how proud I was of him. I reminded him to
find a dive shop in his home town and get certified. They
hugged me, went on their way and my tears were free
to stream down my face. THESE are the moments that
remind us how powerful and healing is a single dose of
vitamin “Sea.”
He did get certified, keeping me informed through his
journey. He and his mother came back two years later,
and he and I went diving together. On the last dive of
his trip, he motioned for me to approach him underwater.
This young man hugged me tight, and gave me the
“Thank You” signal. My mask was again filled with happy,
proud tears. He has continued to come out of his shell
and has dreams of becoming a divemaster, and maybe
even an instructor.
The powers of the sea took this shy kid and drowned
his insecurities and self-doubt, unveiled his curiosity for
exploring, and filled him with the desire to grow. Of all the
students I have taught over the years, this young man’s
transformation remains in the forefront of my mind and
heart. Vitamin Sea had saved my life many years back . .
. and now I watched it save another.
This is Tristan’s story, and how one dose of Vitamin
Sea empowered him to bloom . . . a
56 www.timespub.tc