Local Grand Bahama Diver Enters the Women Diver’s Hall of Fame
The Women Divers Hall Of Fame welcomed 10 new members to their elite fold at a recent event held in New Jersey. Among the newest inductees was Grand Bahama’s very own diver, Cristina Zenato, of UNEXSO. Pictured is Cristina (right) receiving her WDHOF certificate.
(Photo courtesy of Eddy Raphael, Unexso)
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The Women Divers Hall
Of Fame welcomed 10 new members to their elite fold at a recent event
held in New Jersey. Among the newest inductees was Grand Bahama’s
very own diver, Cristina Zenato.
Cristina became the
latest member of this prestigious group of elite women divers, accredited
for their pioneering and unique skills in the scuba diving community
and global oceanic conservation efforts. Cristina began diving with
Underwater Explorer’s Society (UNEXSO) in 1995 and is now the Dive
Team Manager at the internationally famous dive operation.
Cristina is one of
only a handful of shark-feeders in the world as well as a cave diving
instructor who leads specially trained divers into little-known realms
that are not only underwater but under terra firma as well. Many
magazines have chronicled her adventures including
Advanced Diver
,
Rebreather World
,
and
Earth Illustrated
to name a few. In addition, she's listed in
the
International Legends
of Diving
and is an
SSI (Scuba Schools International) Platinum
Pro
. She has also been featured
in movies; documentaries and a real local favourite TV show “Shark
Week.”
Taming and Saving Sharks in The Bahamas
Hall of Fame diver, Cristina Zenato is one of only a handful of shark-feeders in the world as well as a cave diving instructor who leads specially trained divers into little-known realms that are not only underwater but under terra firma as well. Cristina is currently the Dive Team Manager at Underwater Explorer’s Society in Grand Bahama and is completing the mapping of Ben’s Cave for the Bahama’s National Trust. (Photo courtesy of Eddy Raphael, Unexso)
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“It was a great
honour to be nominated and inducted, especially because I enter an elite
circle of women who have been my inspiration for years,” said Cristina.
She continues to serve as a guide and inspiration for young Bahamians
on Grand Bahama Island and beyond with dive training, shark conservation,
and awareness presentations. “This honour is now helping me
assist in fundraising efforts to heighten ocean conservation efforts.
This weekend I will travel to LA to present at a fundraising event to
help efforts to save our oceans.”
At the 35th
WDHOF celebrations honours were also given to Céline Cousteau, granddaughter
of world famous diver Jacque Cousteau, who Cristina got to share time
with. “I was in awe, standing shoulder to shoulder with
the leaders in our industry. They were so welcoming and I am just
amazed to have had the privilege to meet them and now to work with them.”
There are currently one hundred and forty-six members in the Women Divers
Hall of Fame, hailing from twenty-nine U.S. states and territories and
eleven countries worldwide.
Currently, Cristina
is busy mapping Ben’s Cave for the Bahamas National Trust and has
also begun two explorations of caverns located underneath the Hawksbill
creek area. “Cristina has long been a role model for many young
women who have joined the dive community, and her efforts have been
duly recognized,” noted Linda Osborne, General Manager of UNEXSO.
“Our entire staff is in awe of this honour and her continued efforts
to take care of our Bahamian waters.”
