10 meters deep...

Olivia getting the skill

The day began with an unexpected gift. Just a few hundred meters from the dive club, a group of dolphins appeared, cutting through the calm surface as if to welcome the Ambassadeurs du Lagon to their world. For all the young participants, it was a first — a fleeting encounter filled with wonder, laughter, and wide-eyed amazement. Sometimes nature speaks first, and in that moment, it said everything. When we take the time to look, our planet truly is extraordinary. The smiles, the shouts of joy, and the stunned faces of these young divers said more than words ever could about the connection between humans and the sea, once the meeting finally happens.

Youngs with Learning by example.

Then came the dive. Ten meters below the surface — their very first Level 1 session. On the program: descent along a rope, mask clearing, regulator recovery, buoyancy control with the BCD… and above all, the thrill of discovering the underwater world together, in teams of four. Out of ten participants, three struggled a bit with ear equalization, while the others quickly found their rhythm. What impressed most, seen from behind the camera, was the natural ease of the girls — serene, focused, graceful — even though most of them had never really swum or dived before. Confidence was taking shape, quietly, and that confidence will go far beyond diving or the protection of the lagoon.

First 10 meters deep!!

Much of this calm came from the instructors. The Abalone team brought exactly what was needed: patience, trust, serenity. The way they moved, the tone of their voice, the quiet gestures that seem simple but mean everything — all of it created a safe space. A good instructor doesn’t just teach; he transmits. He passes on an attitude, a balance, a way of breathing underwater that shapes the diver as much as the dive itself. Today, that transmission was in full flow.

Starting to encounter life on the reef

When the group surfaced, the energy had shifted. Smiles everywhere. Pride glowing in each face. Even those who felt less confident found their place, drawn back into the shared joy of the moment. Bonds had been formed — underwater handshakes, a pat on the shoulder, high-fives mid-descent. Back on the boat, everyone was still laughing, replaying the encounter with the dolphins, and already dreaming of the next dive. The lagoon had done its magic: ten young people, a little braver, a little prouder, and forever changed by what they had just discovered.