Diving against odds is Mogappair man’s forte

A swimmer, Justin came to know about scuba diving facilities in Chennai through his brother. “My brother introduced me to Aravind Tharunsri of Temple Adventures. We met and he understood the challenges that came with my condition. Tharunsri had been to Dubai to train as a scuba trainer for people with disabilities. 

Once he was back, we figured out a time to start the training session, which went on for four days. The first two sessions were the classroom sessions. On the third day, we practised in a controlled environment in a swimming pool on theECR and on the fourth day, we headed to the sea,” he said.

The only way to communicate underwater is through sign language. “I was given all the materials at home. We had had sessions on the technicalities already,” he said, adding, “I un-learnt and re-learnt everything.” 

When the day of reckoning came, he found himself amid the serene underwater life but nothing else mattered to him. “We went 8 km off Neelankarai where there is lot of sea life. I went up to 17 metres deep and I could see the fish and the mystical life. I now understand why the experience is romanticised in books and movies. I did the diving twice,” Justin said. However, his dreams do not end here.

“I want to do my second dive in Puducherry, where I am told, one can find coral reefs and, of course, my ultimate adventure destination will be Australia,” Justin said.