OMS students submerge for new experience
An Owatonna middle school student fixes his gear ahead of resubmerging into the pool. Owatonna middle schoolers were able to dive into the shallow end and work their way into the deep end to learn the basics of scuba diving. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
Owatonna Middle School (OMS) offered a unique opportunity to students last week when the Owatonna Scuba Club came to campus to teach local youth the basics of scuba diving.
Students in OMS Health/Physical Education Teacher Amanda Flohrs’ water works class could dive into a new realm – albeit it being their school swimming pool – and check out what it’s like to breathe underwater.
“It was a good feeling, but I was a bit scared at first,” said OMS seventh-grader Danica Hager. “It was really, really fun though. Your ears just pop a little when you go from the shallow end to the deep end.”
According to Flohrs, her class had around 47 students take to the water over the course of two days from Oct. 10-11.
In order to participate, students went through two classes on land prior to being prepared to hit the pool.
Leading the diving days’ instruction for the Owatonna Scuba Club was Don, Eric and Nicole Matejcek.
Don Matejcek was one of the club’s original founders in 1963, and nowadays his grandson, Eric, and granddaughter-in-law, Nicole, are both avid members of the club.
The trio helped students assemble their gear and provided support both above and below the surface.
Divers went into the water in small groups and were given the opportunity to practice their breathing, mobility and decompression skills underwater.
Smiles were plentiful upon resurfacing, and according to Eric Matejcek, interest levels in the activity were high.
“It’s really fun to see the kids try it out and how much fun they have doing it. We’re hoping that they’ll enjoy it just as much as we do and come out and join some of our classes to be certified themselves,” said Don Matejcek.
Owatonna Scuba Club not only provided a first-hand experience for students, but they also did so for free – something that Flohrs said her and the students are extremely grateful for.
“They do this all for free. Eric took off four days of work because he has to be here for our two classroom days and two more for diving. Everyone here is doing so as a volunteer. I have no idea how to thank them for all that they do,” said Flohrs on the Owatonna Scuba Club volunteer instructors.
Time will only tell if students will dive deeper into learning about scuba, but signs are positive.
The club already had one student sign up for their certification classes from the event, and hopes are that more will follow.