A family goal is to provide our kids the opportunity to experience as much of the world as possible before they choose to head out on their own. Broadening young horizons with unique experiences allows growth in atypical and unique paths.
In the Exumas, we had a chance to get in the water with a group of divers during a shark feed. Teagan and JJ are both experienced divers (for their age). They have encountered sharks before, but not with this concentration. Both boys decided to participate and were both nervous and excited. As with any dive, they could end the dive if it became too intense.
Safety procedures were discussed, and we monitored both of the boys closely. It was an amazing experience to see the power and grace of the Caribbean Reef sharks maneuvering in close quarters. Interestingly, no altercations between animals were observed. In some ways, the shark behavior was more polite than some humans at a Black Friday sale :-). After the sharks departed, the boys were able to hunt on sea floor for fresh shark teeth.
After surfacing, the boys were exuberant and energized by the experience. “That was awesome, can we do it again?” were JJ’s first words. Being able to provide and share this insight into the hidden world under the waves with our children will provide a lasting memory we will all recall in the future.
This was controlled experience and designed to not associate humans with food. Feeding animals in the ocean can be a controversial subject and our concerns were discussed with the crew. They limit the food amount, shift locations on a regular basis, and use a non-interactive feeding method. The intent of this approach is to minimize impact on natural behaviors while delivering an exciting experience.