I moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2004 not quite knowing what I was going to do with myself. I was accepted into the Art Institute, I knew that I loved to paint, but I didn't quite see that as my full-time deal, so I passed on that and entered Nova Southeastern University and entered into their Environmental Studies program and quickly found myself drawn to the Marine Biology Division which I transferred into as my major and kept the Environmental Studies as my Minor. I couldn't stay away from Turtles, Manatees, Dolphins, Sea life in general.

I had found a true passion. That led to Diving. I ate up every Certificate that I could attain. I went from Open Water to Rescue Diver to Dive Master in no time and landed a job with the USGS as soon as I graduated in a Sea Ecology progam where I got to study the marine ecosystem everyday. I also worked on a Turtle Research study for a time that was not only fascinating it was filled with like minded people for the first time in my career.

When we decided to move back to New York, to Long Island, I thought "Great!, there is a Marine Research Lab near by, an aquarium and loads of opportunities." I was very wrong. There were no opportunities, unless you wanted to volunteer.

Shortly, after having my son Logan, my partner became sick with Lymphoma, and I decided that I needed away to at least teach what I had learned about Marine Biology so I went back to school for my Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. I just finished! I love teaching young children but I still love the sea and being in the water as much as possible has not only been therapeutic for me but is natural and continually draws my mind to further educate myself about the land around us and that is what I find myself wanting to teach.

When my partner first became sick, I decided that I wanted to surf. Diving out here was not the same thing as in Florida and was really hard to find a dedicated buddy to go with so I got a board and started taking lessons. It did become my therapy and an outlet for me. I was back and forth from Ditch Plains to the Hospital to my son on a regular basis and I found a community that embraced me and helped me through a rough time. They also helped my family through a rough time. This is a community of truly supportive people who embrace the environment, art, education and families.

I have become quite a sufficient surfer but Paddling has become away to see the sea from up above while calm and at times meditative, so you can see what is underneath you. I am able to point out sea life from a very different perspective which I love to share with others. I have seen turtles, sting rays, seals of course (my favs), dolphins and even a whale or two depending upon where I am. I have also enjoyed learning the history of the land around us and am anxious to share that knowledge with others.

There is so much more to learn and I will keep learning it and hopefully passing on that knowledge with others since that is what I love to do - share!

Claudia Patino Tarlow

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