Tigertales

By Sheri Wieseman

Staff Writer

Hanging out in the cafeteria and walking around the mall are no longer the only places for Broward College students to spend their time. Wouldn’t it be nice to go kayaking and windsurfing between calculus and biology? Seems like a comical idea, huh? What if these activities were free for BC students? Now they are.

Tigertail is the place for students to go to fulfill their water sports need. Everything from canoeing to rope climbing is offered and all activities are free for BC students. If students are looking for more intense learning sessions, they can choose to take part in a course. These courses are all one elective credit hour classes and are open to all levels.

The scuba course was designed in the early 2000’s and has grown to become an eight-week class. Students learn the fundamentals of scuba diving, such as snorkeling and safe diving. The class, which meets once a week, spends half their time in the classroom learning from ‘how-to’ videos, and half the time in the water. Divers can become certified with a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Open-Water Certificate by the end of the course. The length of the course is scheduled so that the four-hour class time is “just perfect... enough that you stay interested,” said Jon Groover, Senior Water Sports Coordinator.

The idea that Tigertail should have a scuba program was inspired by the lake’s rolling topography. World Water Sports is adjacent to Tigertail’s location and they help the program by lending out gear. Groover also thought up the idea to rent out the lake to other instructors in the area. This helps bring in more revenue to invest in the programs offered. Tigertail was able to acquire 15 sets of scuba gear and a compressor for the oxygen tanks with this money. Learning to scuba dive is an amazing opportunity.
“You become the anemone of the ocean,” said Groover.

Besides teaching open-water diving, the program offers confined water dives. This means learning skills in the safety of a pool. The pool is built into the lake inside of the existing dock. It has an eclosed shallow end that is 4 feet deep and the deep end of the pool is 10 feet deep. The lake also has a $100,000 dock.

Other activities and courses available are kayaking, sailing and windsurfing. There are also a multitude of other skill-based classes, such as underwater photography, basic lifesaving and a technical series of classes helpful to firefighters. Many courses are certified by PADI. Tigertail is an ideal learning location because it has its own private lake and the students are “not going to run into million dollar yachts,” said Groover.

The ropes course is another popular amenity for visitors. A group of at least 10 people can have an adventure-filled day working as a team for a common goal. Tigertail hosts many corporate events, which lets employees get out of the office. They work on their “interaction with each other, weaknesses and needs and get comfortable talking to each other,” said Groover. Once a month there is an Open Challenge Day for everyone to participate, and admission is free for BC students.

Another attribute of Tigertail is the adventure trips which last anywhere from day trips to five day getaway trips. The scuba trip costs $200, which includes food, lodging and boat trips. Anyone is welcomed on the trips, though participation in at least one course is suggested. The only test required is a swim test. There is also a surfing trip during the summer and Spring Break trips are also popular. Lake Placid, the Keys and Ocala National Forest are popular spots.
Michaela McGuire, a sailing and windsurfing teaching assistant, says her favorite aspect of Tigertail is “the multitude of different people... many different cultures,” She says the adventure trips are one of the greatest features of Tigertail. During the canoe trips to Blue Springs, it is not too uncommon to spot manatees. Students can “see all kinds of wildlife,” said McGuire. Tigertail “wants everyone to have fun and put a smile on their faces,” added McGuire.

Lensey Knox, 18, just started participating in the water sports courses. “Everyone should try it,” said Knox, “It’s different, something new.” Deanna Wall, 23, trained in lifeguarding at Tigertail and loves the adventure trips to the Keys. Once students start coming to Tigertail, they end up “being here everyday,” said Wall. “We are one big happy family.”

Tigertail is an alternative way to spend your day off and a way to learn new skills in water sports. Come on your next day off to dive to the lowest depth and discover a statue of Poseidon, or try your hand at rope climbing. Groover says Tigertail is “your facility, feel free to use it.”
For more information, students can visit the Tigertail website at www.broward.edu/watersports/ or call (954) 201-4500.