Denver Magazine / Denver Magazine Summer 2008 / Swim With The Fishes

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Swim With The Fishes

Interested in summertime snorkeling or a deep-sea dive in Colorado? Denver Downtown Aquarium offers unforgettable underwater adventures for everybody ages 6 and up.

A giant sea turtle glides through the water coming close to my 10-year-old son, Ben, who is decked out in a blue wet suit, goggles and yellow breathing tube. Nearby, my 8-year-old daughter, Hannah, eyes the movement of different species as she swims face down, her finned-feet churning the water behind her.

As my children invade the habitat of moray eels, fish, turtles and even some sharks, instructors Shane Taylor and Todd Hall move beside them and coach them on their first snorkeling experience. But they are far from any ocean, instead, this is snorkeling Colorado style. This "Swim with the Fish" experience takes place in one of the huge tanks at the Denver Downtown Aquarium.

The program started in the summer of 2006 when Landry's, the parent company that owns the Aquarium, teamed up with Scott Taylor, and his son, Shane, at A1 Scuba and Travel Center in Englewood. Shane serves as manager for the public access programs at the aquarium and works alongside Hall, who is the corporate dive manager for Landry's.

"To date, we have had more than 2,500 people participate," said Scott.

The current ratio is three snorkelers to every diver who signs up. There are two ways for people to get in the tanks at the aquarium. One is the snorkeling program, which is open to any person over the age of 6 who has a desire to try. The second program allows certified divers the chance to dive in the shark tank.

"One of the most popular comment divers will tell us is being able to be in the exhibit and wave to people on the outside of the glass," said Shane. "When a diver appears, a crowd gathers around that exhibit. People are taking pictures. You definitely feel like a super star or rock star when you are in there. I have done 500 plus dives and even though it's work related, I'll never get tired of that. I love working my work day in a wet suit."

Breaking New Ground

There are only a handful of aquariums in the country that offer public snorkeling and diving; the most well known are the programs at EPCOT in Orlando, Fla. The Landry's management team had to break new ground in developing programs from scratch.

"We have evolved from ground zero on our own," said Scott. "We embraced it from the get-go. I've been doing this for 24 years, and this is probably the most incredible and unique opportunity bestowed on us. A lot of thinking and discussion have come up. We have tried to use our heads about the best way to do things."

The programs are offered year round on the weekends. The team will also set up special times during the week for groups of eight or more. When participants arrive, they are asked to sign waivers and then take a behind the scenes tour that most aquarium visitors would never have the opportunity to see. The group stops at locker rooms where participants change into swimsuits. If anyone has forgotten a towel, they have some on hand to pass out, too. The tour proceeds on to a huge freight elevator, which takes the group to the top of the tanks.

All the equipment needed to snorkel and dive is provided. The wet suits prove to be a bit tedious to put on as I help my children tug them over their legs and onto their bodies. The snorkeling outfit is complete with gloves and a head covering, fins, a facemask and an air hose.

Thrill of a Lifetime

Before getting into the water for a 30 - to 40-minute session, Shane and Todd lead the group to a tank where different varieties of sharks patrol the water below. While introducing people to the joy of snorkeling and diving, the team also feels a responsibility to educate visitors.

"Sharks get a terrible rap, but their importance to the ocean is so critical," said Shane. "Sharks help keep the ocean clean, but they are being removed from the ocean at a rate faster than they can reproduce. There are up to 73 million taken out of the sea every year because of over fishing and improper fishing techniques. It's a pretty scary fact. I get to teach people about that."

They also explain why only diving, not snorkeling, is allowed in the shark tank. "Sharks swim in patterns a lot," said Scott. "It wouldn't do for people to be free swimming around in a shark exhibit," he added.

Special Needs

Before joining A1 Scuba and Travel Center, which was started by his father-in-law in 1959, Scott worked as a physical therapist and enjoyed taking disabled patients scuba diving. He continues to work with disabled patients at the store in Englewood and continues to teach the disabled how to snorkel and dive at the aquarium.

Scott's fondest memory centers on a large Queensland Grouper in the tank, which normally turns a light color, a sign of being intimidated, when humans invade her home. "We took some disabled divers in," said Scott. "It stands out to me how inquisitive that grouper was. She seemed intrigued by them, and became brightly colored and calm."

My son, Ben, has autism, and I was concerned how he would react to the animals around him. Soon, a large turtle swam close by. I watched Ben relax in the water, and I relaxed. The staff was confident and calm with Ben, and I found myself doing something unexpected. I took my eyes off of my son and forgot where he was in the water, and I focused my camera on Hannah instead. It was a priceless experience for all of us.

Denver Downtown Aquarium

Swim With the Fish: ages 6 and up

Admission is $75 per person, which includes entrance to the aquarium, a T-shirt, complimentary parking and a voucher for a free appetizer with the purchase of dinner in the aquarium restaurant.

Dive With the Fish and Dive With the Sharks: certification required

Admission is $175 per person for either dive, which includes everything listed above with the addition of an extra wristband for a companion to enjoy the aquarium exhibits. Programs offered year round, primarily on weekends. Special times accommodated for groups of eight or more. Register (two weeks ahead) for programs: 303.561.4444 or visit aquariumrestaurants.com