Dip with sharks takes pluck, $150

For a fee, the Florida Aquarium is welcoming certified divers to test the waters.

By BABITA PERSAUD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 21, 2002

TAMPA -- June Dunn held her Nikon near the aquarium glass.

"Oh, there he is in the cage," she said, as her husband, Martin, a retired science teacher, was lowered into the Florida Aquarium's shark tank Friday.

Inside the 125,000-gallon tank, her husband, in a wet suit and purple air pipe, gave the okay signal. He swam out of the large yellow cage, fins flapping in the 77-degree tank.

Around him: 10 sharks, the biggest 8 feet long, including a sand tiger with five rows of teeth.

"I would never do this," she said, watching her husband explore behind some rocks in the tank. "I don't have the guts for it."

The first public dive of the Florida Aquarium's new exhibit, Dive With Sharks, went off without incident Friday. The water didn't turn crimson. Sharks didn't chomp on guest divers, who paid $150 for the experience. The audience didn't run in panic, as in Jaws when fins were spotted from the beach.

In fact, the first two divers in the tank described the experience as "calming."

"It was really peaceful being down there with them," said Brian Redeker, as he stepped out of the tank and lifted his dive mask from his face. "I had a good time down there."

His heart did not race. There was no adrenaline rush. He was not scared.

"I'd do it again," said the 32-year-old Palm Harbor resident, a certified diver for two years.

Dunn, who used to teach marine biology in New York and is a veteran diver, called the experience "fabulous."

"I saw a nurse shark scratching himself on the pebbles," said Dunn, 58. "I've never seen that behavior before. It is just wonderful being in the water with them."

He opened his hand, showing a serrated shark's tooth found among the rocks in the tank. A souvenir, he said, closing his palm.

Dive With Sharks continues this weekend for certified divers who have registered with the aquarium. Dive times are 10 a.m., 1 p.m and 4 p.m. The exhibit officially opens Jan. 3.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright