While many can say that they have scuba-dived once or twice on their summer vacation trip to Hawaii, few can say they have taken the sport to another continent–let alone three. Sophomore Jacob Rowland has a strong passion for scuba diving and travels all over the world to fuel his interest. 

Rowland was introduced to the sport through his dad and his older brother. He and his family lived overseas for seven years and got to travel often. Rowland got to scuba dive for the first time earlier than most–and in a more glamorous setting than most. 

“When I was 11, I went to Mauritius, an island near Africa, which is where I scuba-dived for the very first time,” Rowland said. 

Despite having just tried it out, the sport of scuba diving immediately resonated with Rowland and drove him to continue to improve his skills. After honing his physical condition and mental capability to become certified, Rowland became permitted to explore the different waters across the world on his own.

“You need to be at least 13 to get certified, so being 11, I was mostly working with a trainer. Once I hit 13, I got my certification, and now I can dive on my own,” Rowland said. 

Being certified approves the diver’s ability to utilize diving equipment properly as well as validates that the diver possesses the necessary skills to handle various diving situations. There are different types of diving certifications specific to a person’s interest. 

“There are other kinds of diving like freediving, where you don’t have any breathing equipment, but I prefer regular scuba diving,” Rowland said. 

Where freediving provides limitless freedom fueled by running adrenaline of the spontaneity of the moment, Rowland prefers to relish in the vast depths now visible to him underwater. 

“Being outside, looking into the water, you can’t see much,” Rowland said, “but once you’re scuba diving, you can see so many cool things, like sunken structures and many beautiful sea creatures.”

While scuba diving is typically seen as a less intensive sport than freediving, there are still difficulties scuba divers go through that those with no experience may overlook. 

“Exploring different waters while scuba diving is incredible, but you must be able to control your breathing and conserve your air,” Rowland said. 

If anyone knows that, it’s Rowland. Rowland has been able to add loads of experiences to his personal résumé of all the places he has been to and scuba-dived in. 

“When I lived overseas, my family and I got to consistently travel every six months,” Rowland said. “I’ve gotten to travel all over the place: Greece, Thailand, Vietnam, and Mozambique, just to name a few.

Rowland is aware of the numerous opportunities he has had throughout his life and possesses his fair share of fond memories as well as favorite locations to scuba dive. 

“My favorite place to scuba dive is probably Greece for its crystal-clear waters,” Rowland said. 

Compared to the average high schooler, Rowland has been able to see many amazing things most high schoolers may never get to see. Scuba diving has given Rowland a multitude of valuable experiences. 

“I was able to explore a shipwreck while scuba diving in Thailand,” Rowland said. 

With so much experience, Rowland explained how he is able to pursue his interests in different countries around the world. For one, Rowland and his family do not travel with their personal diving equipment. 

“It’s relatively easy to scuba dive in so many different places. You just need to be able to find a scuba shop to rent gear, and then you’re good to go,” Rowland said. 

With such a great interest in scuba diving now, there is no doubt Rowland will take this sport and his passion for it with him in the future. 

“My parents have been really supportive of me and my passion,” Rowland said. “I hope to scuba dive in college and perhaps get a degree in marine biology.”