My life has always been intricately linked to the ocean. From my early days of surfing, the sea has been my constant companion and source of inspiration. I spent part of my youth in Hawaii, living with my Aunt and Uncle, but the challenge of finding a job there led me to return to the mainland. It was then I made a promise to myself: to become a scuba instructor and return to the islands.My quest took an unexpected turn in Biloxi, Mississippi, where I stumbled upon Club Caribbean Dive & Travel. This discovery was a turning point in my life. I took my first open water scuba diving lesson there, inviting my dad to be my dive buddy. This experience, beginning with our first class and pool session on June 27, 1999, blossomed into the best father-son adventure ever, completely hooking me to the underwater world.My father used his scuba certification to become a rescue diver for the sheriff's department, a path that filled him with purpose. My journey, however, continued in another direction. Hungry to learn more, I dove deeper into my scuba education, driven by my dream. I even approached the dive shop owner, Billy, offering to work for free on weekends just to learn the ropes of the business. He told me he only hired dive masters, so that's exactly what I became, putting my return to Hawaii on hold. I started working full time at the dive shop, eventually becoming a certified instructor on October 1, 2000.My passion didn't stop there. I earned seven specialties, from search and recovery to Nitrox Instruction, and by July 10, 2001, I had achieved the rank of Master Scuba Diver Trainer, after teaching numerous open water students. I also hold certifications as a Dan O2 Instructor and Medic First Aid Instructor.The dive shop opened doors to globe-trotting adventures, leading us to the underwater wonders of Honduras, Belize, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. But then, Hurricane Katrina struck, a maelstrom that scattered us and closed a chapter in my life.Years after stepping away from the dive business, my love for the ocean remained undiminished. I discovered Florida's shipwreck trail, a fascinating initiative to boost tourism with a passport system for visiting multiple wreck sites. This rekindled my passion and led me to write a book about these underwater adventures. I'm also bringing these experiences to life through a YouTube channel, showcasing the actual wrecks and sharing my love for the ocean with a wider audience.So here I am, ready to share my story, the depths of my experiences, and my unwavering love for the ocean with you.Read more about this authorRead less about this author