For people with physical disabilities, mobility limitations, or chronic conditions, the underwater world offers something rarely found on land: the complete freedom of weightlessness. Minnesota nonprofit Free-Daptive Divers is bringing that experience to the Twin Cities with an Adaptive Try-SCUBA event on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Brooklyn Center Community Pool.
Breaking barriers beneath the surface
Founded on the belief that diving focuses on ability rather than disability, Free-Daptive Divers provides safe, accessible scuba experiences for individuals with adaptive needs, disabled veterans, and adaptive athletes. In the water, gravity recedes, relieving pressure on joints, easing spasticity, and allowing divers to move freely in three dimensions.
Led by divemasters and instructors certified through organizations such as the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA), the group pairs adaptive gear and personalized dive techniques with trained dive buddies. The organization’s goal is to remove recreational barriers, foster independence, and build a supportive community for divers and their families.
What to expect at Try-SCUBA
The Try-SCUBA program serves as a low-pressure, introductory dive designed to let first-time participants discover the sensation of breathing underwater. It is not a formal certification course, but an accessible, guided introduction. Participants receive dedicated, close-ratio assistance from experienced adaptive divers and dive buddies. After an orientation and gear fitting, divers enter the heated pool to practice breathing through a regulator, adjust buoyancy, and explore underwater movement at their own pace. All necessary scuba gear—including tanks, regulators, masks, and specialized adaptive equipment—is provided; participants only need to bring a swimsuit and a towel.
Event & registration details
- Date & Time: Saturday, October 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Location: Brooklyn Center Community Pool, 6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center
- Cost: $25 non-refundable participation fee per diver
Because safety is the top priority, all participants must submit completed activity forms, liability releases, and a medical provider approval form prior to the event. (Medical forms signed by a physician within one year of the event date are accepted.)
Diver roster spots are strictly limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To request medical paperwork, submit payment, or reserve a slot, email Rick at [email protected]. Participants are also reminded to bring a hard copy of their completed paperwork to the pool on the day of the event.
