We all have that first diving experience that transforms us. Whether it’s the surreal sensation of blowing your first bubbles underwater, travelling to an exotic locale or a unique encounter with marine life, it’s that initial moment – that connection to nature – that draws us into the world of scuba.

For Kevin Cook and his wife Vanessa, it started with a vacation. On holiday in Knysna on the Western Cape of South Africa, they strolled into a local tourist office to learn more about adventure activities they could partake in, and a diving opportunity quickly caught their eye. They enrolled in an open water scuba course in the Knysna lagoon area, and while descending the dive line on their way down to view an old wreck, they encountered the rare and magnificent Knysna seahorse hanging on the line:

Kevin states, “Words cannot explain the wonder of that first experience. We have been hooked ever since!”

A few years (and dive holidays) later, the couple’s passion for diving had grown and they invested money into a dive business, launching both of them on their journey to becoming scuba instructors. Initially a weekend hobby, their organization has now grown into a full-time dive business.  As their business developed, Kevin and Vanessa always kept their first dive experience, where they encountered the Knysna seahorse, in the back of their minds.  Constantly reminded and motivated by the magic of that encounter, they both understood the need to protect marine life and the environments they depend on.

Kevin and Vanessa knew they wanted to incorporate ocean conservation into their business, but where to start? Though they initially found the task overwhelming and intimidating, an introduction to Project AWARE’s programs showed them the power of small ocean conservation actions across the world contributing to improved global conditions. They began implementing Dive Against Debris™ into all open water training curriculum at their dive center, Scuba.co.za, and including Project AWARE programming as an integral part of all their dive center’s activities. In the past year alone, Scuba.co.za has conducted over 15 Dive Against Debris surveys! These activities, and all other Project AWARE programs, allow Kevin and Vanessa to openly speak about ocean conservation issues with all of their clients.

Kevin explains, “We let our clients know that they can make a difference by simply taking part in our activities… We’ve found that people long for a connection with nature and diving is truly the only experience where you feel as if you are one with the environment itself.” It’s this understanding, he says, that compels one to take action for ocean conservation.

Through Project AWARE’s Dive Against Debris program, Kevin and Vanessa feel empowered to show their guests that they can truly make a difference for underwater environments.

Join Kevin and Vanessa and Dive Against Debris today!