RWU Scuba Club Dives into Expansion with New Courses and Advanced Training

November 3, 2026By Sofia Pierro '27

Members of RWU's Scuba Club prepare to descend into Narragansett Bay to complete the final step in their Advanced Open Water (OW) scuba certification. Image Credit: Sofia Pierro '27

NEWPORT, R.I. - As daylight faded at Fort Adams State Park, members of Roger Williams University Scuba Club gathered along the shoreline, checking tanks and dive lights before descending into Narragansett Bay. Hours later, after navigating the dark waters, seniors Antonio Gonzalez and Christian Douglas, along with club advisor and Adjunct Business Professor Christopher Drance, completed the final step in completing their Advanced Open Water (OW) scuba certification. This dive was the last of their three-day course, which included daily dives at Fort Wetherill in Jamestown, R.I. in mid-September.

According to Kevin Quinlan, owner of East Bay Dive Center, the advanced class was added in response to a growing demand for dives, along with a third Open Water class. The advanced course allows students to build upon their Open Water certification offered each fall and reflects the club's growth.

"The e-board this year has been very encouraging and effective," said Drance.

Part of the advanced scuba course included a nighttime dive at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, R.I.

Club President Ansley Hanus, a Criminal Justice major and Political Science minor from Mattituck, N.Y., credits increased student participation in part to funding from Student Programs, Leadership, and Orientation (SPLO). Hanus believes the funding has made the sport more accessible by reducing costs and expanding opportunities for students to explore the underwater world. This is particularly enticing to Marine Biology majors, such as Gonzalez and Douglas, but also for students who simply enjoy diving.

For Douglas, a senior from West Haven, Conn., who is pursuing a minor in Aquarium Science, and Gonzalez, a senior from Butler, N.J., who is pursuing a minor in Aquaculture, they saw this as an opportunity to further immerse themselves into their studies.

"The more you know about something the more you want to protect it," said Douglas.

During the advanced course, instructor Mark Bessette led Drance, Gonzalez, and Douglas through night diving, underwater navigation, search and recovery techniques, deep-water diving and rescue skills.

Quinlan and Bessette share responsibility for preparing and leading dives for the Open Water courses, usually splitting students into two groups. This year, however, growing demand required them to offer a third class. The additional advanced course resulted in four divers earning certifications, while about three dozen other students completed their Open Water certifications throughout October.

"I feel like we are growing our footprint, we're getting more students involved and students are sharing their interest in the course with their friends," said Quinlan.

Gonzalez said his biggest challenge was feeling prepared after the online coursework but, support from the team helped him build confidence.

When asked about his favorite part about teaching the advanced course, Bessette responded, "The excitement of the students. Antonio was the most excited student I've ever seen. He was completely blown away by what the water was like at 75-foot depth…. Seeing the excitement makes me realize how much I took it for granted."

Gonzalez said his biggest challenge was feeling prepared after moving quickly through the online coursework. However, support from the instructional team helped him build confidence throughout the dives.

"How open and helpful the instructors were really helped me gain confidence back," Gonzalez said.

With the advanced course returning for the first time in seven years and three Open Water sessions completed by Halloween weekend, the RWU Scuba Club hopes to build on this momentum and offer more opportunities for students in the spring.