High Nerves, Big Smiles, and Underwater Hoops: Wrapping Up an Epic Weekend at Lake Phoenix
There is nothing quite like watching a group of prospective divers transition from an initial “Hey, I think I’d like to learn how to scuba dive” email into fully confident, certified open water divers. This past weekend at Lake Phoenix was one for the books, packed with big logistics, major breakthroughs, and some seriously fun underwater moments.
Running the Playbook: Two Waves of Divers
With a massive crew hitting the quarry, maintaining small, focused in-water ratios was our top priority. To keep the training thorough and safe, we staggered the class into two distinct waves. Group A and Group B took turns hitting the water, giving everyone ample space to demonstrate their confined-water skills, execute crisp BWRAFs, and build real confidence without feeling rushed.
Pulling off a multi-group dive weekend is no small feat. A massive shoutout goes to Divemaster Anthony, our dedicated crew, and the supportive families on shore who kept logistics running smoothly behind the scenes.
A Tale of Two Temperatures
If you have ever dived Lake Phoenix in late summer, you know the thermocline is real. The water column gave us the ultimate exposure gear test this weekend:
- Surface to 25 Feet: A delightful, bath-like 84.7°F to 85.0°F
- 30 Feet: A comfortable 81.5°F
- 35 Feet: Plunging straight into 72.0°F
- 45 to 50 Feet: A crisp, awake-and-alert 56.3°F to 58.9°F Yeah, we didn’t go that deep
Crossing through that thermal layer is always a rush, and our divers handled the sudden chill like seasoned veterans.
Underwater Basketball and Quarry Wildlife
Between completing checkout skills, we made plenty of time to explore. We got to play a few rounds of underwater basketball – turns out maintaining neutral buoyancy while shooting hoops is the ultimate test of trim and fine-tuned control!
We were also surrounded by oodles of local freshwater fish throughout both days. In fact, a few of our students seemed to know far more about local quarry species than I do, turning our safety stops into impromptu marine biology sessions.
Pure Pride
Am I completely exhausted after running back-to-back dive groups all weekend? Heck yeah! Do I have a goofy, ear-to-ear smile because of how rewarding it was to watch my duckies succeed? Also heck yeah! Seeing divers push past initial jitters and realize, “I can actually do this!” is the absolute best part of teaching scuba.
To our newest class of divers: we are unbelievably proud of you. Remember, your journey does not stop here. You do not have to be in a class to reach out with questions about gear, dive theory, or where to travel next.
Keep exploring, keep practicing, and stay salty!
