DIVING WORLD MAURITIUS AU ROYAUME DE LA PLONGÉE Diving World is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The four diving centres, founded by François Besson, the director, and his wife Christelle, an underwater photographer, are all located in Beachcomber resorts and have introduced over 5,000 people to diving. The owners’ passion for diving remains undimmed. Diving World fête ses trente ans. Les quatre centres de plongée, fondés par François Besson, directeur, et son épouse Christelle, photographe sous-marin, installés dans les resorts Beachcomber, totalisent plus de 5 000 baptêmes. Une passion qui demeure intacte. BY FANNY RIVA — PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANNE-EMMANUELLE THION AND CHRISTELLE BESSON The first breath under water is the most important. It decides whether you fall in love with diving or not. That’s why we have made introductory dives our speciality,” explains François, an expert and highly experienced diver. Excellent equipment, ideal diving conditions, PADI-qualified instructors and gleaming boats: here, professionalism is the watchword that guarantees the ultimate experience. AN INTRODUCTORY DIVE WITH COMPLETE PEACE OF MIND Today’s the big day. A combination of apprehension and excitement. Half immersed in the sea-blue swimming pool, fully kitted out (bottle, wetsuit, weight belt, stabilising jacket, fins and mask), your body slips under the water. You instinctively hold your breath before breathing in through the regulator for the first time. It’s a miracle – the air flows and quickly calms your heart rate. Then a small flap of the fins, hands held together in front of you to stabilise your forward movement and the body relaxes and feels at home in the water. Beforehand, David, our instructor, explained a few basic rules: how to breathe, how to empty water out of your mask, communicate under water and remove weight for resurfacing. And rule number one: watch out for your companions as well as yourself. After the introductory session, we head for the shore. The crystal-clear waters of the lagoon open and close in silence. The world splits in two and delivers us into an area of stunning beauty. FOR THEIR SMILES “I never tire of the amazed looks in the eyes of students when they see the myriad of fishes, a turtle or the colourful gorgonian coral,” says François, his enthusiasm plain to see. “Their smiles are the best reward.” Over an hour flashes by in a few seconds. We are back on the surface, stunned into silence by this shared moment in a secret world. For experienced divers, Diving World Mauritius leads fully secure and environmentally- “ First dive at the Diving World Mauritius School at Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa. Baptême de plongée à l’école Diving World Mauritius du Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa.
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