Young East Greenwich scuba diver looking to break record in New England

JAMESTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — An 11-year-oldfrom East Greenwich is close to becoming the youngest master scuba diver in New England.

“It feels like home, I feel comfortable in the water,” Mia DaPonte said.

DaPonte said her scuba diving passion started in kindergarten and she’s ready to perform her certification dives.

“It’s really exciting and nerve racking. I never thought I would do it when I was younger,” DaPonte added.

Her coach said he was impressed with her dedication.

“I wouldn’t have done it as a 12-year-old,” Master Scuba Diver Seamus Hastings said. “I don’t think I have the nerve that she has.”

Hastings added that New England waters are good for training.

“If you can learn to dive here and you can dive anywhere because everywhere else is clear and warm so it’s nice,” he said.

Master scuba divers are an elite group of divers ages 12 and older who have earned the rating through both significant experience and scuba training.

“I am fortunate because day one she walked in and just kind of took over,” Hastings said. “She’s smart and dedicated and did all the homework she needed to do.”

Hastings, who had been DaPonte’s coach for two years, is set to travel with Mia next week for the big test in Cozumel, Mexico.

DaPonte isn’t wasting any time; she’s taking the test on her 12th birthday, the first day she’s eligible.

“I used to think my 12th or 13th birthday would just be with friends, but this is a lot more exciting,” she said.

If DaPonte passes she’ll be one of the few 12-year-olds world-wide who have achieved this status, the second in the United States, and the first in New England, earning her the designation of New England’s youngest master scuba diver.

“I need to go more than 40 feet deep and I need to do my rescue diving,” she said.

DaPonte trains in Jamestown at the scuba lot at Fort Wetherill State Park.