Scuba diving scholarship opens up a whole new world for Saskatchewan woman

“I’m very adventurous and very interested in travel, so that seemed like something that would fit with my lifestyle and stuff that I want to pursue,” 2023 scholarship winner Lauren Demyen said.

Published Mar 10, 2024 • Last updated 8 hours ago • 3 minute read

Lauren Demyen, last year’s recipient of the Saskatchewan Underwater Council’s scuba diving scholarship, demonstrates her gear at the U of R Kinesiology building pool on Friday, March 8, 2024 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post

Lauren Demyen had never scuba dived before applying for the Saskatchewan Underwater Council‘s (SUC) Dive Scholarship Program last year after seeing an advertisement for it online.

“I’m very adventurous and very interested in travel, so that seemed like something that would fit with my lifestyle and stuff that I want to pursue,” she said during an interview on Thursday.

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Receiving one of last year’s scholarships has opened up a new world of underwater exploration for Demyen. As an open water certified diver, she has a new priority when she goes on vacation.

Demyen and her partner were recently invited to go to The Philippines. With a warm ocean and a variety of interesting fish, she said it would be a huge bucket list diving spot for her.

“Even in Saskatchewan I’m very interested in finding new dive sites and going out in the lakes,” she said, adding a few of the main dive sites in the province that she’s heard of are Lake Diefenbaker, Lovering Lake, and Whiteswan Lake.

When she’s not finding different dive sites, she is practising at the University of Regina swimming pool with other members of Regina Scuba and Snorkel Club. She said there are usually around six to 12 members there, and often games to play with hula-hoops or speed stack cups.

“It’s very peaceful and even a meditative thing to come to the pool here,” she said. “I like just swimming around really, it’s just a really neat experience being in a pool and being able to stay under the water that long.”

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Demyen wants to continue taking training courses in the future, particularly to learn about diving in the winter.

SUC president Chris Peterson was introduced to scuba diving in 2011, and quickly became hooked. He is now an active dive master, one step below instructor. He said he helped form the Regina Scuba and Snorkel Club out of boredom during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peterson said while scuba diving is exciting, the cost of training — which is around $600 to $800 — can be a financial barrier for some. Former SUC members came up with the idea to create the Dive Scholarship Program, but it was “put on the back burner” until last year.

“This scholarship idea has been floating around for the last couple of years, and we finally launched it last year and I think it was pretty successful,” he said. “We had 25 to 30 applicants, so this is our second year and we hope even more people will be going for it this year.”

There are two $750 scholarships available for Saskatchewan residents between the ages of 16 and 25. One winner will be chosen from northern Saskatchewan and one from the southern part of the province.

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The winners will receive scuba diving instruction in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert or North Battleford. Winners who reside outside of these centres will have their travel and accommodation costs covered.

Peterson said the training is typically spread out to five one-hour sessions, and concludes with four open water dives using similar skills learned in the pool.

“Things are a little different out there,” he said. “There are currents, and it’s a little deeper and sometimes the visibility is a little different.”

Those interested in applying must complete an online submission form and a short essay or a video highlighting their interest in scuba diving. The deadline to apply is March 30.

Scuba gear at the U of R Kinesiology building pool on Friday, March 8, 2024 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post

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