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Ten-year-old Georgia Faid has just become Bahrain’s youngest certified diver.
The St Christopher’s school pupil has completed a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Junior Open Water Diver course at the Bahrain Yacht Club.
“Most 10-year-olds don’t have the understanding of the physics and physiology of diving,” said PADI course director Robin Bugeja, “but this kid was so devoted she got 100 per cent in her final exam.
“There’s a special kid’s programme called PADI Seal Team for eight-to-12-year-olds which is a pool-only certification, but she didn’t want to do it, she wanted to do the sea dives.
“I asked her why she wanted to do this course and she said she had tried so many things and always given up but with this she was determined to dig her heals in and succeed. In fact, she excelled.”
Georgia completed four open dives, five pool dives, five academic seminars, a 200-metre swimming assessment, a 10-minute survival float and a three-hour examination to qualify.
The delighted schoolgirl said: “I cried when I found out I had passed. Ever since I was five I wanted to be a marine biologist so I was so happy when my parents gave me the PADI course as a birthday present.
“The dives were amazing. We went to a ship wreck and it was phenomenal. One day there were big currents and I was really scared. I thought I was drifting off to Saudi Arabia!
“It was really hard work but Robin is the best teacher.”
Georgia’s mother Tracey, of Hamala, said: “Georgia was determined to do it. She loves anything to do with the sea and said after her first dive that it was the best day of her life.
“I’ve just started my PADI and I had no idea how difficult and technical it is. I’m sure Georgia will upstage me!”
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By -RdS-
editor@gulfweekly.com
