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Disabled persons can now dive at Sandals Jamaica

Published:Sunday | September 25, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Sandals Water Sports Director Michael Clarke (right), along with Mark Rausch (second right), course instructor for the Handicap Scuba Association, posing with scuba instructors from Sandals Grande Riviera. - Contributed
Mark Rausch (centre), course instructor for the Handicap Scuba Association, going through his paces while conducting a course for instructors at Sandals Grande Riviera.
A diver at Sandals Grande Riviera simulating instructing a disabled diver during a certification course conducted by the Handicap Scuba Association.
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Persons with disabilities who wish to enjoy the magnificence of Jamaica's underwater world are now able to do so at Sandals and Beaches resorts in Jamaica.

Scuba instructors at the hotel chain's resorts in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril were recently certified at seminars conducted by the Handicap Scuba Association (HSA) from the United States of America.

This could now result in an increase in visitors to the island, with Jamaica tapping a previously untapped market for tourism as a large number of disabled persons are interested in diving in the Jamaica waters, but weren't able to do so previously.

"We are really happy to work with the HSA to provide training for our instructors and allowing us to provide this service to persons with disabilities," noted Michael Clarke, Sandals' water sports director.

Clarke explained that there is a large number of persons with disabilities who are certified divers and also novices who also want to learn and "we are now happy to be able to accommodate them. Our instructors enjoyed learning this new skill and are eager to be a part of this exciting new era".

Mark Rausch, HSA course director, who conducted the certification courses, said, "It's a tremendous opportunity for me to be in Jamaica and working with the team, they are professionals and were excited to learn the new skills."

Rausch noted: "Jamaica is such a wonderful diving destination and I have worked with so many divers in the United States who would love to come here and dive. Well, now they can come to Sandals and Beaches Resorts and do so. I am pleased with the attitude of the divers who I worked with, they were very receptive to the techniques I taught them and embraced the training."