Well, I grew up on the water in Crystal River Florida. At that time we did not have malls or even shopping centers, no McDonald's or Burger King, we had one stoplight! Everything was about the water. My house was directly across from the now famous Three Sisters Spring. Since the bay wraps around the town, turning sixteen and getting a drivers liscence was not a big deal, we could go everywhere by boat. I had been swimming and snorkeling as long as I remember, and some of my friends had some old scuba gear. I would borrow and beg to get enough gear to go diving. I love nature, and I love the water. When I was very young there were many men in the springs filming manatees. I could not believe all the equipment they had. That is where it started for me, one thing led to another and I found out I had to be certified. Now I have been teaching for more than 25 years, and I still love the water.