NAUI Diversity Scholarship: Hannah Hayes’ Bonaire Journey
We are proud to introduce our recent NAUI Diversity Scholarship recipient, Hannah Hayes. As part of her Instructor Training Course, Hannah traveled to Bonaire where she gained invaluable hands-on teaching experience under the guidance of NAUI Instructor Camille Ofelia (NAUI #63111).
In her own words below, Hannah shares how this journey challenged her, inspired her, and solidified her passion for teaching divers with patience, adaptability, and care. Her story reflects the very heart of NAUI’s mission—empowering individuals to grow not only as divers but as confident leaders in life.
You can follow Hannah’s diving journey and future adventures here:
Teaching in Bonaire: Lessons Above and Below the Surface
By: Hannah Hayes, NAUI Diversity Scholarship Recipient
I was nervous leading up to my arrival in Bonaire. This was going to be a real-life experience, leading an Open Water class with the oversight of NAUI Instructor Camille Ofelia. I had reviewed the Open Water materials and created a set plan for each day of the course, all packed in a nice one-inch binder with each daily agenda, objectives, skills, and dive tables slipped into waterproof sleeves.
As a more seasoned instructor could have predicted, those plans soon went out the window as my group of three Open Water students embarked on their first dives in the Caribbean Sea.
I had a set plan for the skills we were going to cover within the first two certification dives. We got all of the students geared up and into the water. It was their first Open Water dive, and some students were beaming with excitement, while a few were more on the nervous side. I had my slate prepped with the dive plan and had thoroughly briefed them on the skills we were going to cover. But after we descended and began our first training dive, I realized things don’t always go as planned. We got through only half of what I intended that day. I hadn’t fully accounted for common challenges, trouble equalizing, managing buoyancy, and adjusting to current, all of which are tough hurdles for beginners. That first dive was a learning experience for everyone, including me.
But that’s when the magic started.
By the third dive, I could already see a shift. Nervousness gave way to curiosity. Struggle turned into small victories. When my students surfaced, grinning and wide-eyed, I felt a deep pride. I was watching them grow, not just as divers, but as confident, capable individuals.
I had one diver, on the other hand, who needed a little more help. He was struggling with the amount of task loading from equalizing, maintaining proper trim, and understanding buoyancy control was overwhelming at first. Through building trust and communication with this student, he was able to fully grasp these essential skills. He finished the course feeling confident and determined to improve his skills to eventually a NAUI Advanced Open Water diver. He gave me the highest compliment by saying I was going to be a great instructor and thanking me for my patience. I was more than happy to help this student, and at the end of this course, it reminded me why I love teaching. It transforms people’s lives and gives them the confidence to know they are more than capable of overcoming their obstacles and achieving their goals. I am so thankful I got to be a part of the team that helped him achieve his goal.
I’m incredibly grateful to the NAUI Diversity Scholarship for funding this pivotal part of my Instructor Training Course. This experience gave me the confidence to move forward and the clarity that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. I am so proud of my students and all that they accomplished during their time in Bonaire.
Camille was a fantastic instructor, and she has impacted my development immensely. Watching how she handled students underwater, adjusted her approach based on conditions, and led with calm authority that taught me lessons I’ll carry into every class I teach. This trip wasn’t just about checking off skills or completing a course. It was about learning to adapt, support, lead and discovering the kind of instructor I want to become.
Thank you, Hannah!
A huge thank you to Hannah for taking the time to share her story with the NAUI community. We are excited to see the impact she will continue to make as she grows in her career as a NAUI Professional.
Interested in shaping the next generation of divers? Learn more about the NAUI Diversity Scholarship and discover how you can apply or support future recipients.
