Mark Richardson
Divemaster - EFR Instructor

Napoleon Dynamite may have wanted to be a Liger, but I always wanted to be a dolphin.  Maybe too many episodes of Flipper, or just the simple fact I was more at peace underwater.

While other kids who wanted to fly were jumping off roofs with umbrellas, I was trying to get to the bottom of the pool with my head in the air pocket formed by an upside down bucket or trying to suck air through a garden hose.  Of course all attempts failed miserably.  Then that magic day came when my mom bought me a mask and snorkel!  I was in heaven.  Forget swimming or the diving board, when we went to the pool my face was in the water snorkeling. 

About that same time Lloyd Bridges' Sea Hunt went into syndication on KTVT Channel 11.  No more Slam Bang Theater for this boy! Soon I discovered Kirk Douglas and his adventures 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and of course followed Richard Baseheart and his Voyage To The Bottom of the Sea.  I may not ever become a dolphin, but there were people living underwater and so could I.  Sure it was silly kid stuff.  I probably just had coping issues with the "real world".  It didn't become a true passion or calling until my magical living room "Color" Curtis Mathis bright me images of the life and work of Jacques Cousteau and the awesome crew of the great Calypso.  Suddenly it became real and possible.  All my friends, when asked what they wanted to become never said what I did... "I wanted to be a marine biologist".  That dream lived for several years.  Plans were made to study at Texas A&M Galveston!  All I had to do was get through Jr. & Sr. High School. 

My life was set until my sweet Grandmother decided to ignore the "M" rating and took me to see the movie Jaws.  Why wouldn't she? She knew my passion for the sea -- Possibly the worst experience ever.  Dreams smashed.  From that moment on, I was determined to spend my underwater time in freshwater.  Fast forward 30 years.  With several Shark Weeks under my belt I was ready for salt water.  While on a cruise we snorkeled in Jamaica and again on Grand Cayman.  I saw firsthand the beauty and wonder I had dreamed of as a kid.  It was awesome.  I took off my gear and sat beside my wife.  She saw the joy and peace in my face and smiled.  I told her I wish I could find a way to make a living underwater - she said "Do it!".  Upon arriving home, I obtained my Open Water Certification that winter at We B Divin' and it was "game on" from there. I love diving.  I may not be making a living underwater, but occasionally I get to live there.