For Sophomore Diane Hwang, life continues to dive deeper and deeper into extraordinary waters.
With her wetsuit, diving hood and mask on, Hwang plunges into the depths of the cool waters off of Anacapa Island and reaches the seafloor, where she admires colorful sea stars and boulders.
Hwang became both Master Scuba and Enriched Air Nitrox certified by the National Association of Underwater Instructors on August 28.
At 11 years old, Hwang began to train at her parents’ NAUI dive center, Ocean Safari Scuba, to earn a Junior Scuba Diver certification, which would make her an official NAUI Scuba Diver. Her older brother Garrett Lu and the center’s instructors, including TCHS alumni Adam Keenan, Andy Rios and Thomas Templar, taught her how to dive. She was certified on August 28, 2011, the day following her 12th birthday.
“For me, it wasn’t really a question of should I do diving,” Hwang said. “It was more like my parents saying, ‘You’re old enough, learn how to dive.’”
In her history of diving memories, Hwang still recalls her first time scuba diving perfectly, as it was most significant.
“Whatever you think the ocean looks like, forget it,” Hwang said. “The first time I went scuba diving was in Anacapa, and the sea floor was covered in brittle stars with rock formations providing shelter for a large number of sea creatures like sea urchins, sea cucumbers, nudibranchs, barnacles, scallops, fish and all kinds of kelp and algae.”
Hwang completed her requirements to become an authorized Master Scuba and EANx diver when she turned 15, the legal age to be both.
To pass the Master Scuba Diver course, Hwang had to fill out a workbook, pass a written test and assist Ocean Safari’s advanced class on their trips. Because she is a Master Scuba diver, Hwang can dive in open waters without supervision. Master Scuba Diver is the highest possible rank for divers her age in NAUI, so experienced peers treat her with respect.
Along with the benefits of Master Scuba diving, Hwang’s EANx certificate permits her to dive using nitrox, a combination of nitrogen and oxygen, which helps relieve decompression sickness. Hwang attended two nitrox classes and passed another written test to receive the license.
With diving running in her veins, Hwang attends many local diving trips during her summers, which have allowed her to dive in Mexico and the Channel Islands. She considers her exploration under the Sea of Cortez in Baja, Mexico as one of her favorite diving experiences.
“The Sea of Cortez had so many sea lions, amazing formations, cool fish, turtles and sharks,” Hwang said. “That was my first time seeing a live wild shark; so no, sharks will not suddenly eat you while you’re minding your own business.”
In spite of her achievements, Hwang admits there are some downsides to diving. She credits the heavy equipment she must wear, including a weight belt and an air tank, as some tiresome factors. Seasickness adds to the list of obstacles. Nevertheless, the spectacles she sees underwater make the tough situations worthwhile.
“California’s kelp forests should be as famous as the redwood forest,” Hwang said. “The lighting turns the water a brownish orange and just swimming through feels so surreal.”
As a well-known figure in the diving industry, Hwang’s father, NAUI and Professional Association of Diving Instructors Course Director Mr. Gabriel Lu, also inspires her to continue the hobby.
Although Hwang finds diving fun, she does not see it as her future profession. She hopes to pursue her other interests in scientific fields, but she can see herself being a deck hand as a part-time job or occasionally assisting a class.
TCHS School Newspaper