SCUBAPRO CELEBRATES WOMEN’S DIVE DAY IN AN INTERVIEW WITH CRISTINA ZENATO
Johnson Outdoors encourages inclusion within their family of brands and ScubaPro is creating an environment that showcases that value. In the world of diving there is a history of trailblazing women that have entered the underwater world and made it possible for the next generation of women to see what is possible. One of the most iconic and influential of those women is Dottie Frazier.
In 1955, Frazier became the first female dive instructor in the United States and also played a part in creating the first wetsuit patterns designed specifically for women. In 2019 she was awarded the Historical Diving Society’s Diving Pioneer Award which stands as an exclamation point beside her Hall of Fame induction in 2000. Dottie, now 98 years old, is inspiring and impacting women in the world of diving to this day.
Currently there is another female diver trailblazing with ambition, passion and drive. She was inspired by the examples set before her by women like Dottie Frazier. She is one of the most recognized diving professionals of the last 25 years and an ambassador of ScubaPro - Cristina Zenato. Please click the link to see her full bio on her website. https://cristinazenato.com/
Zenato is a member of PADI and spends the majority of her time between two underwater worlds, the world of Sharks and the world of underwater caves. Cristina was influenced by yet another powerful female diver and pioneer in the world of scuba diving, Dr Eugenie Clark, otherwise referred to as the “Shark Lady.” Clark is known for her research on shark behavior and is an authority on Marine Biology.
In 2011 Zenato was inducted into the Women’s Diver Hall of Fame for her accolades in the sport and of all of the many organizations with which she is involved—the Women’s Diver Hall of Fame is her favorite.
Zenato - "It’s a bunch of super excited, extremely incredible, A-Type women in all fields who are trailblazing for everyone else. The best part of this group is that they celebrate you and acknowledge you and then ten minutes later they’re like ‘OK. Now, how are you going to pay this forward?’”
This summer be sure to mark your calendars for the most celebrated day of scuba diving in the world, Women’s Dive Day. For the seventh year in a row PADI, (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) will be hosting an international event that inspires the globe into action. On July 17th 2021, over 4000 events spanning 183 countries and six continents will be held—each with the capacity to change thousands of lives forever.
We asked Cristina how important it was to have a day like Women’s Dive Day.
Zenato – “I think women’s dive day is bringing us all together. Most of the time there might be one or two women of the 15 passengers on the boat but on women’s dive day, all of sudden the boat is filled with 15 women. Women have the realization ‘I’m not standing alone’, there are actually a lot of women that I can share and identify with.
“It’s a place where women are allowed to ask every single question that perhaps, if it were in a mixed group, men might not be able to relate. It is good for women to talk about women issues to find that you are not alone and that you can rely on other women.”
Women’s Dive day brings women together from all corners of the globe, from different backgrounds, cultures and communities. It’s a celebration of women and the ocean that raises awareness for a variety of different causes that include; breast cancer, women’s shelters, oceanic conservation, and underwater cleanups. This is also a day where some will take their very first breaths underwater and begin their own personal journey as female divers.
Zenato – “It is very important for me that there is a representation of women, not only in this industry, but in all industries and sports, to show other women that are not familiar or that are not exposed to it, that this is actually possible.”
For all of you women out there who are considering diving, whether it be recreational or professional, let Womens Dive Day be an event that ignites your path forward and allows women like Cristina Zenato, Eugenie Clark, and Dottie Frazier help show you the way.
Zenato – “Do not be discouraged by the first or second dismissal and go out there and look for people that you can relate to—find someone you can identify with. Don’t expect quick results and just stay with it until you realize that you do have the capabilities and the power to do it.”
Johnson outdoors is proud of the work that Cristina Zenato has been doing in the world of diving and sustainability as well as opening the door for women. The world is changing by the day and as long as we have people like Zenato we have faith that our planet will be a better place tomorrow than it is today.