Luka Apps, a young diver from the UK, has explored many dive sites around the world. What’s even more impressive is that he earned his Junior Master Scuba Diver™ Rating just one month after turning 12 and has already completed 100 dives. We caught up with Luka to learn more about his incredible journey and passion for diving. Here’s what he had to say.
How Did You Get Into Scuba Diving?
“My parents bought me a PADI Bubblemaker™ Program for my 9th birthday. I found it fun, exciting and I felt comfortable breathing underwater. I immediately knew this was the thing for me so started doing my PADI Seal Team® course until I could do my PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification, which I did shortly after my 10th birthday with Chen at Bandos Maldives.”
Who Is Your Favorite Dive Partner and Why?
“That’s a really tough one to answer as I have dived with many buddies and each has taught me different things.”
How Did You Go about Becoming a Junior Master Scuba Diver at Such an Early Age?
“I was really lucky that my parents and I were able to dive in amazing places two or three times a year since I did my PADI Open Water Diver certification. This gave me plenty of dives and I did various specialities along the way so, by the time of our last holiday, I only had my PADI® Deep Diver and Underwater Navigator plus PADI® Rescue Diver to do to gain my Master Scuba Diver™ rating. I was lucky enough to be able to do these a few weeks after my 12th birthday with instructor Wong Chen Yet, who I did my PADI Open Water Diver certification with.”
To Gain a PADI Master Scuba Diver Rating You Have to Complete 5 Specialities, Which Was Your Favorite?
“My favorite speciality was the PADI® – Fish Identification course, which I did with instructor Jacqui Hedley in Malta. I liked discovering new things about fish! It has helped me learn how to recognize individual species wherever I dive.”
You Recently Did Your 100th Dive – Where Has Been Your Favorite Place to Dive?
“My favorite place to dive so far has been the Maldives and in particular a dive site called Stingray City in North Male Atoll. I got to dive with massive groups of huge stingrays and gigantic moray eels of different types. On my last trip to the Maldives, I was also lucky enough to see my first ever manta ray at the Sunlight dive site.”
What Does My PADI Mean to You?
“My PADI has enabled me to explore the underwater world, see animals more clearly and to start to understand how they cooperate and interact with each other. It’s opened up future possibilities for me to become a PADI Instructor or a marine biologist. I hope to gain lots more experience before I do a PADI Divemaster internship somewhere in the world when I’m 18. There is so much to explore!”
Take the Plunge – Join the MSD Challenge
Becoming a Master Scuba Diver™ will help improve your dive skills through spending more time in the water and gain valuable knowledge through specialty courses. You will often be referred to as the ‘black belt’ of recreational diving. This rating is the pinnacle of recreational scuba diving, awarded to the most accomplished and experienced divers. It’s a journey of personal growth, enhanced safety, and commitment to the underwater world. The Master Scuba Diver™ Challenge is here to ignite your passion for diving and reward you for your dedication. Running until December 31, 2024, this contest offers an incredible opportunity for divers to earn this prestigious rating and win amazing prizes!
