The District Administration of Cuddalore has kicked off a scuba diving camp for top students from government schools. The 12-day program, happening in Puducherry, offers hands-on training in scuba diving, kayaking, and free diving for 27 students who did well in their Plus Two exams .
Launched last week at Temple Adventures, the camp focuses on students from underprivileged backgrounds, aiming to keep them engaged during summer break. Sibi Adhithya Senthil Kumar, one of the organizers,pointed out that many government school students, especially from rural areas,miss out on such opportunities. “We want to introduce them to new possibilities,” he said,stressing the goal of boosting confidence and teaching valuable skills.
The program covers scuba diving techniques,ocean ecosystem awareness, and emergency response skills. Students will learn about dive gear,practice in confined waters, and take part in open water sessions. They’ll also spend six days on surfing and kayaking,all while learning about ocean conservation and sustainable fishing .
Participants will explore different career paths through workshops on non-traditional jobs, broadening their options. “This initiative mainly targets students in Class 10, Plus One,and Plus Two,” Kumar noted. camp aims to instill environmental responsibility and leadership skills,getting students ready for potential careers in marine and water-related fields .
At first, many students were skeptical, especially about their swimming skills. But the training was designed for beginners, with the first day focused on survival swimming and floating. As they advanced, students practiced in controlled settings before tackling more challenging environments,like surfing at Serenity Beach and kayaking at a private island.
Mr. Thivagar,director of Temple Adventures,stressed the value of this training, saying scuba diving can be both an adventure sport and career option. Students are also learning to be Emergency First Responders, picking up CPR, first aid,and emergency protocols. As they gear up for deep dives,participants will earn PADI certification,which could lead to job opportunities and adventures.
For Nitish Kumar,a Plus Two topper from the Government Model School in Cuddalore, this experience has been life-changing. “It was my first time seeing the ocean up close. We learned how to use the scuba gear before heading into the sea at depth of 12 feet,” he said. program has mixed learning with excitement, including kayaking training and emergency response lessons.
This initiative aims to boost students' skills while fostering environmental stewardship and personal growth. As the camp continues,students are set to gain experiences that could influence their futures.
