Alpha 2 & Tango 2, Day 3: A Bight of Fun at Norman Island
Written by Powell Forshaw
Edited by Meredith Evridge
This Tuesday morning started for our adventurous crew at 7:00 with a tasty breakfast buffet. We indulged in an array of cereals, yogurts and bagels. After a speedy breakfast cleanup to one of our favorite pump-up playlists, we applied sunscreen, filled our Sail Caribbean Nalgenes, and headed ashore. Our Open Water divers had their training while their non-diving counterparts joined for a helipad hike to the top of Norman Island. It was a short but steep hike, which felt excellent on our legs. We played Where the Wind Blows and Oh Captain, My Captain, which were some really funny group games. The group was comfortable and participating in everything, much to the counselors’ delight!
Down on the beach, post hike, some favorite games ensued including spike ball, soccer and beach lacrosse. A frisbee was being tossed around and some of us relaxed in the shallow waters or up at the cafe with a refreshing drink. We also had a blast tubing and wakeboarding outside the mooring field. By 11:30 we were sunned out and ready to head back to boats to hydrate and reapply sunscreen. The divers rejoined their home boats as well. After lunch, we prepared for our fish ID lesson and snorkel of the Indians which were only a shore motor outside of the Bight. We sent the divers back ashore to continue their work with their amazing instructors, who gave great feedback about this group’s interest in the PADI lessons! Asking several of the kids how diving went, they gave smiles in return and said they were excited to be able to explore the sea and see things that they wouldn’t normally see!
The Indians had an amazing amount of sea life from baby sharks to coral to turtles, all displaying a spectacular show of color. There were several underwater cameras that captured our cool experience in the azure waters. Some of us got to take the Colgates out for a spin in the channel. Before long, it was time for some refreshing boat showers and dinner prep of teriyaki chicken and a healthy array of veggies. We devoured it all. After dinner clean, we dressed up and headed ashore for the ice cream social. Most of us got ice cream and drinks before dancing and limboing until it was time to go back to boats. We concluded our day with a boat clean followed by a debrief of our day during boat meeting.
