Amyjo Hales contacted Scuba Diver after seeing our Facebook post regarding Case Studies of young divers for The Next Generation, and quite rightly her and husband Kareem thought their son Luca deserved a slot in the magazine.
“Our son started snorkelling at just three years old and has been diving from eight years old, starting with the PADI Bubblemaker and SEAL Team, and every birthday he completes a course, which means now at the age of 12 he is a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver with over 150 dives,” she said.
“He has been recognised by PADI for his efforts and his membership as a keen young diver, and he was made a PADI Ambassadiver because of his true charisma and passion for diving. He receives a huge amount of support from PADI Regional Manager Ahmed Sayed, who regularly meets up with Luca, follows his progress and gives him great support and encouragement.
“With a father who is a PADI instructor and myself a manager within a diving centre, the diving is in his veins, and he has joined us on board the dive boat many times encouraging people to dive.
“Luca has been in numerous TV commercials and is the marketing face of Pyramids Diving Centre in Sharm el Sheikh.
“He speaks fluent English and Arabic and is well known in Sharm for his friendly character and outgoing personality – he really is a credit to the diving world.”
She continued: “Luca is enroute to becoming a Junior Master Scuba Diver, having just completed his EFR course with PADI Course Director Yahya Khiry last month, and will continue with his specialty courses this summer.
“He is aiming to be an instructor as soon as he is old enough to do so, and then continue onto being a Course Director. He has set his target and will not rest until he reaches it – pretty impressive for a 12-year-old!
“As parents, Kareem and I are overwhelmed by the amount of love and support Luca receives from everyone and everywhere, we are immensely proud of him and are sure he will take scuba diving into the next generation.”
