Zelda Norden is a scuba diving instructor and landmine clearing expert who has traveled around the world. She has since started her own scuba diving school, Active Scuba, in South Africa. One of her first trainees is Tucker Beckett, a paraplegic who loves outdoor sports. Zelda helps Tucker complete his scuba certification by adapting the training for his disability. Scuba diving provides an opportunity for those with disabilities to experience underwater worlds in a way not possible on land.

1. Sporting Leisure
Sink or Swim
Z
elda Norden qualified as a scuba
diving instructor at the age of 18
and earned a diploma in Sports
Marketing and Psychology at the
Pretoria Technikon. She has also
completed a landmine clearing course!
For two months of the year, Zelda
would travel to remote, war-torn
countries like Afghanistan, Sudan and
Iraq with the UN where she would
educate local people about the dangers
of land mines and how to deal with
them. The rest of the year she spent
travelling to some of the most exotic
and interesting locations in the world,
teaching scuba diving in places like the
Comoros, Amman in Jordan and the
Cayman Islands.
On her travels she dipped into the to
divergent disciplines of handicap
scuba diving and the Zen-like art of
free diving with a breath-hold time of
4:40 minutes (world record 9:30
minutes). She qualified as a
Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA)
instructor and began teaching handi- In October 2007 Zelda returned to popped up and spat out the regulator,
capped tourists how to scuba dive. South Africa and launched Active his grin was wider than Moon River.
Over four thousand HSA instructors, Scuba (www.activescuba.co.za) at What is the attraction of scuba div-
assistants and divers in 46 countries Midstream Estates in Midrand where ing? It’s as close as you can get to visit-
are dedicated to improving the physical she has exclusive access to the two ing a mysterious, new world without
and social wellbeing of people with half-Olympic-sized swimming pools leaving planet Earth. Floating free in
disabilities via scuba diving. at the Midstream College Campus three dimensional space above
The basic HSA course is called the (1.5m and 3m deep). rainbow-coloured corals and marine
Open Water Certificate and suits a One of her first trainees is Tucker animals is unforgettable and addictive.
person with almost any disability, Beckett, a 28-year-old paraplegic from And there’s very little to stop people
including paraplegic, quadriplegic, Pretoria. Tucker loves outdoor life and with all kinds of disabilities from
amputee and mild cerebral palsy. sports, including archery, bow hunting, enjoying the adrenaline rush of
Depending on the disability, a diver cycling and playing wheelchair venturing below the ocean and
will be designated into one of three basketball for the Blade Runners team. exploring Neptune’s garden.
levels of proficiency: After completing the pool session Want to get mushy in Mozambique?
• The Level A diver is quite mobile fitness test (a 10 minute float and 200m Join Zelda in February for a Valentine’s
with one able-bodied “dive buddy”. swim), Zelda put Tucker in a buoyancy Bus Trip to Guinjata Resort? R7200 gets
• A Level B diver is less mobile with compensator vest with a 12-litre air you seven days dinner, bed and
two able-bodied dive buddies. cylinder, slipped a mask over his face breakfast; a return bus trip; and 5 dives
• The Level C diver must dive with and gave him the regulator. She bled (2 Manta Reef dives and 3 local Reef
two dive buddies, one of which must some air from the BC until Tucker’s dives). Non divers also welcome.
be certified in diver rescue. head was a foot underwater. The If you would like to learn more about
For people who want to “buddy” regulator gurgled as he exhaled. For a the trip to Mozambique, how to scuba
their Level A, B or C diving family and minute he twirled around, scanning dive or would like to sponsor
friends there is a Dive Buddy Course the far corners of the clear blue pool, equipment or training for disabled
and there is also the HSA Instructor no doubt imagining dolphins, whales, divers contact Zelda on 084 858 1025 or
Training Course. lost treasures and mermaids! When he email zelda@activescuba.co.za.
Rehabilitation
MUELMED
Centre
MEDI-CLINIC The Muelmed Medi-Clinic Rehabilitation Centre offers Facilities
Private hospital
acute functional rehabilitation to patients disabled after • Specially adapted unit to address the needs of
spinal cord injuries, traumatic head injuries, strokes patients during the rehabilitation process
and other disabling conditions such as total or partial • Fully equipped gymnasium
577 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083 limb amputation and post-surgical joint replacement • Counseling services
T 012 440 0600 • F 012 341 2910 rehabilitation. The aim of the rehabilitation centre is to • Radiology department including MR scanning facilities
www.muelmedmc.co.za • www.mediclinic.co.za
12 rolling inspiration November/December 2008
For career opportunities visit
support patients to reach their maximum independence • Experienced therapists, nurses and specialists in spinal
http://careers.mediclinic.com after these disabling injuries. and neuro rehabilitation
rolling inspiration nov dec.indd12 12 11/14/08 4:31:28 PM