Three freshly scuba certified St. Anthony High School students. Photo courtesy of Larry Berlin.

The increasingly popular ocean science class at St. Anthony High School saw its second class of student divers scuba certified recently after diving in Catalina and Laguna Beach.

Students boated out to Catalina for three dives on Saturday, Dec. 1, said Larry Berlin, who teaches the class. The next day they finished at Diver’s Cove in Laguna Beach. A total of eight students were certified.

Inaugural ocean science class at St. Anthony High proves popular with students

The scuba certification portion of the class has been made possible through a partnership with the Deep Blue SCUBA and Swim Center, which offers instructions to the students for a reduced prices. The school’s new principal Chris McGuiness served as divemaster and was assisted by two instructors to provide the underwater instructions to the students.

“Deep Blue has supported this program from the start and is a community partner of the school,” Berlin said. “Jonathan Hall and his staff made this all possible.”

A moray eel St. Anthony High School students came across during their dive in Laguna Beach where students were scuba certified. Photo courtesy of Larry Berlin.

The ocean science class began last year with only eight students who were interested in diving. Berlin said the number of students who were interested this time around grew to over 40.

The popularity of the class has been evident. Berlin previously said that despite the expansion of ocean science class to three sections there was a waiting list to get in for this school year.

Editor’s note: a previous version of this story stated that the scuba certification is free to students. In fact, students are charged a reduced fee.

Stephanie Rivera is the community engagement editor. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @StephRivera88.