After years of lurking from the sidelines I realized I would never have my answer until we actually did it, so last year we dove in head first and got B-Corp certified to hopefully learn new ideas on how to make Waterlust better. This article is an overview of what our experience was like and my personal, unfiltered perspective on B-Corp certification.

Until recently, I had only ever encountered oysters on the a la carte section of eloquent restaurant menus I couldn’t afford to dine at, and had never considered them to be an organism of any huge importance. However, after getting up close and personal with the native oysters and seeing them in their natural setting, my view completely changed.

Do you know how much live coral we have on the Great Barrier Reef? What about in the Red Sea, Indonesia, or the Belize Barrier Reef? No? Well, that’s not surprising because scientists can’t tell you the answer to that either. That might sound crazy, but we don’t know these answers for very good reasons.

Join me, Dr. Carl Polypson, a coral who lives off the coast of Florida, on a fascinating journey through my complex life cycle. Despite forming the largest living structures on Earth, me and my coral brethren all started as tiny, microscopic organisms, just drifting along in the vast ocean, barely noticeable to the naked eye. But don't just take my word for it, let me take you on an adventure through my incredible story. 

Most of us visiting the Bimini Biological Field Station during this trip are not professional scientists or certified conservationists. We’re just regular people wanting to learn more about the ocean, specifically the sharks calling it home.

Even if you’ve never stepped a toe into the ocean in your life, you’ve probably benefited from coral reefs in a number of ways. EVERYONE – not just ocean lovers, but all of us – have a stake in protecting these vitally important ecosystems.

Anyone who has been paying attention knows that our oceans are in trouble. Sea levels are rising, as are sea surface temperatures. Combine that with the issues of ocean acidification, plastic pollution, and overfishing, and you have a perfect storm of threats facing our oceans. Many ocean advocates, conservationists, and scientists are looking for ways to protect our oceans. Marine conservation is essential to the survival of our oceans as we know them, but when conservation efforts are exclusive or fail to consider all voices, they are doomed to fail. 

My years chasing waves have taught me a lot about why I am attracted to surfing and what I’m trying to get out of it. If I could sit down with my teenage self, I’d share some insight in hopes of helping guide his journey. But alas, time travel is still not a thing, so the next best I can do is put the pen to the page and share some thoughts that may help you! 

Ever heard a rumor about SCUBA diving and thought to yourself, "is that really true?" You shouldn't dive while menstruating. You have to be young and fit to dive. You can't dive if you've had COVID-19. And the sharks, don't get us started about the sharks! One of the most powerful tools we humans have to separate fact from fiction is science, and we're thrilled to have Elena Vivaldo on the blog this week debunking 10 common scuba diving myths!

It’s nearly noon on a warm June day. I am on the small, tropical Indonesian island I call home. I have water bottles, knee braces, fruit, and a GoPro. In 5 minutes I will start walking. For 24 hours. Nonstop. I’m nervous. I’m excited. I can hear the waves pounding on the beach nearby. I’m not sure what the next day will bring, but there’s no turning back now. Only forward. Soon there is a countdown: 5…4…3….2….1. Then “The Walk” begins.

Peering over the side of MV Predator, the water beckons a deep inviting azure blue, every ripple on every wave reflecting the rays of the sun in tiny bursts of light that appear to be synchronized by nature.  The visibility is marvelous, the kind that causes you to involuntarily smile ear to ear like a giddy fool.  Focusing intently, I concentrate on reaching my gaze all the way down, down, down.  The topside sounds fall away, time stands still and now they appear: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven… the dark grey silhouettes move silently in the depths, and the sight of them is simply mesmerizing.

The line is set. Holding onto it, I try not to think about what I am about to do. A clip is painfully attached to my nose, tight as possible to keep the water out. Waves cover my face as I float on my back and I inhale deeply. I close my eyes and focus on my breathing. Slowly my fears of the unknown future dissolve, like clouds in the sky just before the sunrise. I take my last breath of air and dive into the deep blue.

My hands were sweating and visibly shaking as I stared out into the oncoming waves and the rising sun just peeking through the horizon. How did I agree to go on a snorkeling trip when I knew full well I had never swum off the beach past my waist. Measuring 5’2, that wasn’t very deep at all. But there I was, putting myself in situations for the sole purpose of growth, a promise I had made to myself years prior.

With expertise in scientific dive instruction and a master’s degree in leadership, I’m going to share my strategy to inspire students in hopes that you can apply it to whatever educational setting you’re in. Just how it takes three components to light a fire, it takes three elements to light up students’ passion for the material...

Amy’s life has always been full of medical challenges. It started with migraines at age 2, and progressed to issues with her eyes, bones, brain, and skin. Though doctors were unable to find a diagnosis that would explain it all, they knew she had some type of syndrome that was likely genetic. Amy took her physical disabilities in stride, never complaining about what she could not do; always looking for her next adventure.