Chances are good you’ll find Susan and Dan Dolezal immersed in saltwater or at Walt Disney World with their eight grandchildren. The chief nursing officer and special needs instructional assistant find their happy place with family, friends and their four fur babies.

Susan and Dan’s fun-loving personalities and enthusiasm for diving are infectious: “Traveling and diving together has expanded our views of the world and deepened the bond we are fortunate enough to share. The only thing we wish is that we would have done it sooner.”

Dan’s high school years in Florida and a trip to Mexico sparked the couple’s interest in scuba diving, but Dan and Susan didn’t fulfill their goal to become open water certified until after they moved to Florida in 2021.

Related Reading: PADI Club Member Spotlight: Karen Hartley

How does diving enhance your life?

We have experienced the underwater world, that many do not have an opportunity to see, which in and of itself is absolutely fascinating! We have traveled to locations around the world we may not have visited, if it were not for diving. The people we have met along the way are amazing and have become friends.

Why did you decide to get your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification?

The advanced open water (AOW) opens up more opportunities to visit wrecks and reefs that are in deeper waters. We did not want to be limited to 60 feet of water and many dive sites require an AOW certification. We have completed many specialty courses that have enhanced our knowledge and improved our diving skills.

What was your favorite dive experience to date?

Night diving with the majestic manta rays on the PADI Club trip to Kona, Hawaii. This is followed closely by our trip to Belize, diving the pristine beauty of Half Moon Cay and the challenge of diving the Blue Hole.

Which PADI Club benefits do you use and enjoy the most?

We are always eager to receive our print copy of Scuba Diving magazine. The articles that Candice Landau and her team create contain useful information about future dive destinations and multiple other interesting topics. We also find the ScubaLab reviews by Robby Myers extremely helpful when it is time to add more gear.

Outside of Scuba Diving magazine, we enjoy the shopping discounts with PADI vendors as that assists the scuba diving budget! Our favorite has been attending the beautiful destinations that PADI Club has coordinated.

Related Reading: A Land-and-Sea Tour of Hawaii's Big Island

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What is your favorite aspect about PADI Club trips?

Having all the planning and logistics taken care of, with knowledgeable people present if issues arise. Confidence knowing you are always with a trusted PADI dive operator. Additionally, the opportunity to meet a like-minded diverse group of people with a passion for diving.

Your advice to other couples considering getting open water certified together?

What are you waiting for? Do it! Sharing these experiences and exploring the world together has certainly enhanced our lives in so many ways.