BY ANGELA SMITH

For the past two years, a group of women have gathered from throughout the Viera community, but they don’t meet to discuss the latest book they’ve read or to trade recipes – they meet to exchange their love for the underwater world.

What began as a simple Meetup.com group to find local women who enjoy scuba diving, is now a club of 15 to 20 women — the SeaDragons Scuba Girls.

When Rockledge resident Lori Heinssen began attending meetings she didn’t know much about her husband’s favorite hobby, much less how to swim underwater with 20 to 50 pounds on her back. But within a short period of time that changed.
“I actually got into diving, not that I wanted to, but my husband felt like it should be on my bucket list,” she said. “But before I knew it, I’m certified and I’m joining a club before I’m even a diver. But the real reason is because of the women and if it weren’t for them I would not be diving and I would still be afraid.”

For many of the scuba enthusiasts, it’s a fun opportunity; for others, it’s about seeing the world from a different perspective where the possibilities seem as endless as the depths of the ocean.

“I like all aspects of diving, but because I’m a more experienced diver, one of my favorite things about it is introducing new divers because they have a sort of newness and that’s sort of infectious,” said SeaDragons member Ide Belau, a diving photojournalist. “Best of all — there weren’t many women diving and now we have a lot of girls diving and there’s always a buddy to go with and that’s the best thing about joining the club.”
Diving trips are naturally a vital aspect of the club. Normally, trips away are held in and around the West Palm Beach coast. However, they have travelled farther on some occasions. Although diving is obviously at the heart of the club, their activities extend to more than just monthly meetings and group trips.

“When we’re not diving we’ll go to the Loggerhead Marine Life Center and lend a hand or support organizations in the Keys,” said Julia Ignacek, SeaDragons organizer. “Overall it’s the camaraderie and coming together to enjoy diving and marine conservation.”
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