A fixture in the Daytona Beach area, Don Bouer has one of the most unusual takes on just about anything water related. He’s a master of aquatics, spending decades protecting swimmers & tourists in one of the busiest beaches in Florida, which also happens to be the home of the shark attack capital of the world, New Smyrna Beach (Ponce Inlet). It’s also known as a dangerous area for swimmers due to the currents, waves, rip tides and tidal changes, combined with such a high number of annual visitors.
Don teaches scuba diving, swimming, and seems to know someone everywhere we turn. He’s eccentric, fun, full of energy and his positive outlook on the world around him is beyond contagious. You can’t help but have a good time and feel like there’s something good about everyone and everything after spending just a few hours with him.
His answers are reliably atypical, and even his (casual) independent scuba instruction company name is called “Aquatic Alternative”. He teaches private scuba lessons at both his customers’ and his own pace, and isn't afraid to take whatever time is needed.
Don answers questions ranging from swim tests, teaching scuba on the knees, backplate and wing, and peeing in the wetsuit. He also drops his opinion on why scuba diving has been so male dominated (although changing for the better), and of course just about anything else you’d wanna know.
At 77 years old at the time of this interview, he finally tells us exactly what he’s looking forward to the most (and it’s worth the wait).
Don is a people person, and just flat out a fun human being to be around. He was one of the first-ever interviews on this show, so I HAD to pay my respects and see what he’s been up to for the last 2.5 years.
Just before filming, we had an unexpected move to the ocean beachfront. So apologies for the wind noise…I got rid of some of it, but hopefully doesn’t detract too much!
Don can be contacted at https://www.instagram.com/bouerdon/
Or
https://www.facebook.com/don.bouer
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Kenny Dyal is the host of The Scuba Diving Podcast:
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