Thomas Peyton

Screws & Hammers in the Galapagos

13 May 202617 October 2018 by Tom Peyton

Kids Scuba diving, Galapagos, Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton, Family Scuba Diving Vacations, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving, diving with seals

A few screws and a heap of hammers diving after spinal surgery in the Galapagos

During the summer of 2017, I noticed that my back was curving, and the curve worsened quickly—I started to get shorter! Initially, we thought it would be fine, but as more people commented on my condition, we checked my spine. The diagnosis was severe: I had a 60-degree scoliosis and needed an operation urgently to prevent further deterioration. The procedure involved breaking my back, straightening it, and securing it with two titanium screws in each vertebra, along with two cobalt chrome rods to maintain the alignment. The removed bone fragments were processed into a pulp and then reinserted as a bone graft to fuse the spine at 10 levels. I thought, “Wow, that’s quite the operation!” But I wondered how I could continue diving with a fragile back like this.

Thanks to the incredible team at Boston Children’s Hospital, I successfully underwent a ten-hour surgery. During my post-operative visit, Dr. Hresko reassured me, saying, “You’re not fragile, Zeb—you are screwed together with titanium!” At that moment, I felt confident that I could dive again.

Margo is always right

As a regular participant in Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton was the most natural person to consult. She has taken numerous children and adults with special needs diving, so I was sure she would have a plan! Margo herself had undergone back surgery, but was still an outstanding diver, so I knew I was in good hands. She assured me that diving was still possible and implemented a few special handling instructions for my situation, which was highly beneficial (she’s always right!).

First, my dad suggested I learn to dive sidemount to reduce pressure on my spine. Honestly, I think he was also interested in advancing his diving skills into a more technical area! Margo arranged for my dad and me to go to Grand Cayman to take a PADI sidemount course with DiveTech. Although it felt unusual to dive this way, it was interesting, but I found the extra hassle of managing two tanks cumbersome. I appreciated learning the technique, but wanted to feel normal again.

Once I was comfortable with sidemount diving, we decided to book a trip to the Galapagos. Margo got the necessary approvals—this was essential since sidemount diving had been banned on the liveaboards. She communicated with the crew and management of Galapagos Sky, who were incredibly accommodating and made a notable exception for me. As the trip approached, I felt my back getting stronger, and I resumed my workouts at the gym. I reached a point where I was ready to try regular diving again. After a brief dive using a standard tank close to home, I was ecstatic to discover how magical it felt to be underwater again, as I had in the past, without the anxiety of navigating different systems.

Diving in the Galapagos

We were all set for the Galapagos, and I was thrilled to dive using a regular central cylinder. The crew of the Galapagos Sky catered to all my needs. Margo chartered the entire boat for my family and three others, which allowed her to customize everything for my success. We selected our dive sites, received assistance for easier entry and exit, and had our private guides.

I appreciated that the staff noticed my significant scar down my back; it was humbling for me—a fit young man with a six-pack—to have to ask for help. The crew helped me step down into the Panga without my gear, then passed my equipment to me and assisted in getting me ready. This arrangement meant I didn’t have to carry my gear or navigate steps while suited up. After a short ride to the dive site, everyone else back-rolled into the water, while I side-rolled to minimize stress on my back.

“I can’t see that turtle through the wall of hammerheads.”

And wow, was it worth it! The underwater life was beyond amazing. We encountered schools of hammerhead sharks on every dive—there were so many that at times I wanted to say, “Seriously, I can’t see that turtle through the wall of hammerheads; could you move aside a bit?” Then there were the majestic whale sharks, gracefully gliding through the water without a sound; these gentle giants seemed just as curious about us as we were about them. I also had the incredible experience of diving with large oceanic wild dolphins. Although I had seen them playing at the surface many times, I had never had the opportunity to swim underwater with them while diving.

Loving the seals

One of my all-time favorites was the seals. They appear so “clumsy” on land but are full of grace, fun, and frolicking underwater. They loved to play in my bubbles, do tricks around us, sneak up on us, and even try to get us to join in the fun. We also encountered marine iguanas, red-lipped batfish, huge bait balls of fish, and an astonishing variety of birds. There was a sense of peace every evening as we moored overlooking Darwin’s Arch and the surrounding islands. The orange glow of volcanoes on the horizon, the gentle lapping of the waves, and the delightful aroma of meals prepared by the crew created a wonderful atmosphere. There were so many photos to take and experiences to cherish. Sharks were plentiful and abundant; Galapagos sharks, silkies, hammerheads, and other reef sharks were present on every dive.

“The experience of a lifetime.”

As Margo always said, “The experience of a lifetime.” I feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity, thanks to the collaboration of Margo Peyton, the owner of Kids Sea Camp, Fraser Purdon from Scubapro, my parents, and many others who worked together to ensure my safety during this trip. I am incredibly thankful to all of you for making this experience possible.

If anyone has similar experiences or concerns, please get in touch with me. Scoliosis is surprisingly common, and I’m happy to help. Kids Sea Camp is a wonderful place where families of all abilities and disabilities can dive together. I love them so much!

By Zebedee Wakely, Kids Sea Camp, PADI Master Diver

Grandmother uses KSC for quality family time

13 May 202625 September 2018 by Tom Peyton

Grandmother divers, family dive vacations, kids sea camp

Discovering Kids Sea Camp is a real gift to my family

My two adult sons, Danny and Chris, are divers, and they convinced me, 25 years ago, to become a PADI-certified diver. When they married their wives, Celenie and Stela, they also joined the adventures and became divers. Over the years, I had made taking dive trips with my sons and their wives a top priority for quality family time.

When my grandkids came along, much to my sadness, the family dive trips came to an end. Then one day, as I was thumbing through Scuba Diving Magazine, dreaming of taking dive adventures with my grandkids, I discovered Kids Sea Camp.

I immediately called and shared my find with my sons, and suggested we start taking family dive trips again. They were all for it, and in 2013, we were off on our first trip — to Palau Royal Resort and diving with Sam’s Tours and Kids Sea Camp.

The grandkids were 3, 7, 7 & 10. Benjamin, Sophia, and Hunter started SASY with Margo, while Jackson, at age 10, joined the PADI Jr. Open Water Diver class. We, the adult kids, felt like we had gone to heaven. We enjoyed diving during the days while the kids had fun learning with other kids. It was absolutely PERFECT for everyone! There are times set when adults and kids dive or snorkel together, too. Because of owner Margo Peyton’s expertise, instructor training, and perfect safety record with kids, she is granted a special waiver to dive in the ocean with PADI Seal Team kids aged 8 & 9 worldwide.

Kids Sea Camp in Fiji

We have traveled with Kids Sea Camp to Fiji, where the kids had run of the entire resort, and while Benji was still in SASY, Hunter and Sophia advanced to the PADI Seal Team classes. We had lots of interaction with the local people, and everyone on staff was not only helpful, warm, and hospitable but also genuinely interested in our experience. When we were leaving Fiji, my grandkids were crying and hugging the very special people they had come to know and love. Hunter even said (while sobbing), “How can I possibly leave these people?” You know your grandkids have had a life-changing experience when their emotional reactions are so intense, and they don’t want to leave.

In the summer of 2017, we traveled to Kids Sea Camp Philippines with Sea Explorers. My second grandson, Hunter, became a PADI Jr diver and joined Jackson diving with the other certified kids. We now have 3 generations of divers in our family, diving together.

It seemed impossible to top Palau or Fiji, but Margo & Tom managed to do it yet again. As always. The Pura Vida Homes resort was luxurious, and the staff and service were nothing short of excellent. I had a torn ankle tendon prior to the trip, and a divemaster was always right there on the ladder to help me take off my equipment and hand it up. The Banka boats were the coolest and most spacious dive boats I have ever been on.

Whale sharks in Oslob

We all went to Oslob Island, where we swam and dove with EIGHT whale sharks!! An absolutely mind-blowing experience and a memory created that we, as a family, will never, ever forget. How many families get to have an experience like that?

Each trip is better than the last. Kids Sea Camp sets the bar high with dive operators. Margo runs her trips with expert organization, safety, and professionalism. I love the many interesting and fun outings, events, and activities planned for us to enjoy as a family, out of the water.

All of our trips have been, as the MasterCard commercial says, “priceless.”

I know for absolute certainty that our next trip will be another amazing adventure filled with precious family time, diving, and unforgettable memories.

Sophia and Benji are next to get certified, then we will all be a family of divers again. Owners Margo & Tom Peyton provide a very personal experience, from planning your trip to assisting you every step along the way. Tom and Margo arrange visits to local schools or villages, provide special-needs care and special-occasion surprises, give educational presentations, and so much great family time.

In Palau, Margo set up a spectacular helicopter ride over the Rock Islands for us. The result of all the personal service is why we keep coming back! It’s impossible to put into words how these unique family dive adventures have bonded our family and created memories for me with my grandkids that will last them a lifetime.

We have experienced fascinating cultures and explored new worlds so very different than our own. Each of these trips has expanded our knowledge, appreciation, acceptance, and love of people from all over the world. At the end of each trip, Margo Peyton and Brad Holland have left us memories to last a lifetime, documented in their photo gallery on www.familydivers.com.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Tom and Margo, Peyton, for creating Kids Sea Camp, the gift of being able to dive and travel with my kids and grandkids.

Story by Vicki Singley

Fiji changes a young adult’s perspective on life at Kids Sea Camp

14 May 202625 September 2018 by Tom Peyton

I see my life differently because of Kids Sea Camp

I took a trip with my family to Kids Sea Camp at Beqa Lagoon Resort in Fiji, an island in the middle of the Pacific. My life has been pretty different since that amazing experience.

Before my trip to Fiji, I had no clue we were going to visit a village inhabited by what I would consider poverty-stricken families, and a school that didn’t have enough notebooks, pencils, or basic supplies for its children. I thought we were just going to be scuba diving, but meeting those children who did not have the most basic things I have in my life hit me hard.

I realized that what we view as problems in our society, not having a girlfriend, not being invited to that party, are drastically different than their problems, which are much more real and significant. They spend time worrying about where the next meal will come from, hoping for medical treatment when sick, and about getting through the jungle safely when walking to school. The experiences I had in Fiji made me realize how fortunate I am, and to appreciate the little things I never gave much thought to.

Fijians, smiling and singing

When I heard my dad, sister, and I were traveling to the Fijian Islands, I didn’t know exactly what to expect. Learning that the islands are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, I pictured a chain of islands full of luscious jungles, lots of sunshine, and warm blue water. To say that my experience was so different from that picture would be an understatement. When we arrived at the boat to take us to our island, the rain was falling so hard it felt like pellets against my skin. Big waves didn’t help either, surf splashing onto our boat, soaking our clothes. Yet when we arrived on the island of Beqa, the locals and staff from the dive resort were smiling and singing; they helped us off the boat and gave out hot beverages.

Bula to everyone

Already, I was learning how friendly the Fijian people were. They taught me some basic words in the native language: “Bula,” meaning hello, and “Moce,” meaning goodbye. I thought at the beginning of the week that the weather was so important, but later I realized that the people of Fiji left the strongest mark.

While the diving was truly amazing and all the other kids at Sea Camp were awesome, getting to know the local inhabitants meant much more in the long run. Every day, we dove at least twice before returning to the resort for lunch. After that, we would usually play soccer or volleyball with the staff and villagers. When the locals came, I realized they were very different from us outwardly but much the same on the inside.

Villagers welcomed us with open arms

Some kids would show up in torn-up shirts and shorts with all kinds of stains that looked like they’d been there for weeks or months. After a couple of days, we started to get to know the staff and villagers better. Every day, we would walk to their villages, and they would smile, cheek to cheek, and welcome us with the traditional greeting of “Bula”.

Fijian poverty hit me very hard

It was the 4th day when we entered the village of Ravi Ravi in Fiji. Fijian poverty hit me very hard. I saw families with four or more children, as well as adults, living in huts and tiny shacks. To this day, that picture has never left my mind. Instead of being sad, I saw the villagers happy as can be, doing their hard daily work. I couldn’t even imagine living like that. Seeing them living with almost nothing and being as happy as they were made me realize how my everyday problems are nothing compared to theirs.

The next day, we visited a school, and that left the most lasting impression. Many of us brought donations and school supplies for the students. As we walked past the village and into the jungle, the trees grew larger, and the path grew more rugged and untamed. Finally, as we hiked up the last hill, the school came into view. Kids were playing on what was supposed to be their playground. The dirt playground consisted of a basketball hoop made from a wooden bucket and tree leaves, attached to a large tree branch, and two cardboard swings, also hanging from a tree.

The school

The inside of the classrooms was also impactful. As we walked inside, I saw what kids use every day for school: notebooks, pencils, and markers. The big difference between ours was that each classroom just had a few pencils, notebooks, and markers, so three kids had to share one pencil, marker, and notebook. I had never thought of a lack of materials in schools. If we don’t have them, we simply go out and buy whatever we need. Those kids did not have this opportunity. I know the materials that Kids Sea Camp arranges for the school help them, but deep inside, I feel like we could have done so much more.

Still so good and happy

I feel like I changed for the better after my journey to Fiji with Kids Sea Camp to dive and learn about the Fijian people. I realize how many little things we have that others don’t. Those little things aren’t little at all to kids in Fiji and elsewhere around the world. I can’t even imagine waking up every day and walking 35 minutes through the jungle to go to school. I will never forget the kids at the school with no windows, no floors, and no books, yet still so good-natured and happy.

My takeaway from my trip is that the little things in life matter most, and that family is important. While diving with sharks was an amazing experience, my most lasting and important impression was to appreciate how fortunate I am, not to take basic things for granted, and to realize that I have a responsibility to reach out and help others who are less fortunate.

A meaningful vacation

I would like to thank my family, especially my father, for helping me see such a contrast in the world. And a special thanks to Tom, Margo Peyton, and Kids Sea Camp for creating such a meaningful vacation. I can’t wait to experience our next family adventure with KSC in the Philippines this summer.

By Liam Sallee, age 14

Liam, his sister Eliza, and their father, Skip, will be attending their 8th Kids Sea Camp week this year in the Philippines. Liam has almost 100 dives.

Moments that last a lifetime in Cayman Brac

13 May 202618 August 2018 by Tom Peyton

Cayman Bra dive trips, Kids Sea Camp, Kids Scuba, Family Scuba Diving Adventures, Margo Peyton, Family Dive Adventures, Scuba Diving

Kids Sea Camp making a lifetime of memories in the Cayman Brac

By Evan Groth

Cayman Brac Reef Resort: Sharing moments of dazzling Caribbean sunsets, salty sea breezes, and night skies brimming with stars brings me nostalgia found only in the best of memories. These memories are of my first Kids Sea Camp adventure spent in Cayman Brac. Every day was spent to its fullest, and every moment was full of friendship, adventure, and peace of mind.

The underwater world is filled with silence, mystery, and grace. Throughout my first ocean dives, I discovered what keeps bringing divers back under the waves. Strange colors and the alien movements and fish patterns lure the mind into a state of serenity and Zen. Weightlessness and silence filled only with the most foreign sounds envelop you in a trance and give you the impression of a stranger in a strange world. Everything is shrouded in mystery, and nature feels as powerful as it should be. These feelings lure divers into the underwater world, but Kids Sea Camp offers even more. (See The Cayman Islands Gallery)

The president and founder of Kids Sea Camp, Margo Peyton, did the impossible by taking something perfect and making it more remarkable. I arrived at the 2018 Cayman Brac week excited but a little nervous. Most of the guests had traveled to Kids Sea Camp weeks together for years and I thought I would be the stranger among them. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The atmosphere was the most welcoming I had ever felt traveling, and within a day or two, I felt like I was longtime friends with almost all the guests at the resort. When people say that Kids Sea Camp is one great family, it means it’s a place where you can bond with those around you faster than you thought possible. Not for a moment did I feel like an outsider, and I got to experience diving at its maximum capacity.

I dove thrice daily, starting as a PADI Open Water Diver. The instruction and care provided by the staff were unmatched, and throughout the week I achieved my PADI Advanced Open Water and PADI Rescue Diver certifications. As a diver, I grew much faster than I thought possible in such a brief time, and despite my rigorous training schedule, I didn’t feel rushed or stressed at all. I did my training and certification with other people my age all while making unforgettable friends and memories.

Kids Sea Camp changes diving from an underwater safari to an undersea fantasy world. The limit is what you can come up with. Every dive has the sightseeing and sea creatures you expect, but Kids Sea Camp adds a twist. At the end of the dives before safety stops, everyone plays around as kids should. Sandy bottoms lead to filming underwater lightsaber fights. Finger wrestling tournaments, underwater acrobatics shows, and bubble ring contests are common. When we get old we stop playing as much, but playing underwater feels like playing in space, something to try no matter your age.

I guess I am saying that Kids Sea Camp has something for everyone. Whether you seek tranquility, thrill, sharks, or the sparks of new friendships. Despite only being able to see each other for one week a year, it is clear all those on Kids Sea Camp are close and love each other like family. Becoming a part of that family has been an honor for me, and I already can’t wait for next summer. I work for Kids Sea Camp as a part-time summer employee trying to become an instructor. As a 19-year-old college student, I have the best job in the world. Margo and Tom gave me an opportunity I could never have dreamed of years ago. To travel the world diving with amazing people, there isn’t much more I could ask for.

If you are considering going to Kids Sea Camp for the first time, I can highly recommend it. There is nothing quite like it in the diving industry because it’s not just a company—it’s a family. It’s a place for kids to learn to dive and fall in love with the Ocean. You will remember your Cayman Brac KSC week forever.

Kids Sea Camp Palau 2018

12 August 2018 by Tom Peyton

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Perfection is easily desired but rarely achieved on vacation

14 May 20261 August 2018 by Tom Peyton

I rarely write letters of recommendation

Dear Margo, I rarely write letters of recommendation, I hate the constant solicitation from Amazon to write reviews, but it is with great pleasure that I write this note to you. First, thank you for sharing your wonderful husband with us here at our first Pacific Kids Sea Camp trip, especially at this time. Tom Peyton is warm and generous and made our first days at Kids’ Sea Camp Palau a very pleasant affair.

Making the effort to be perfect in Palau

Rarely have I seen so many people work so hard to make a vacation work well for my family. I know that some look for perfection in such vacations; I do not. I look for effort. Perfection is easily desired but rarely achieved. Sincere effort is rarely made and is usually driven by rules, not the heart. Only one can be achieved, and it takes a lot of hard work. Your choice of resorts around the world is, in my opinion, excellent. I can’t turn around without finding one of your staff waiting to see what I want and to try to make my vacation better. Your people are good at what they do and are sincere in their friendships. It is great just being around them.

Josh is wonderful

This brings me to Josh Comay. The number of fun and sometimes serious conversations my family has shared with these two warm and funny people will leave an impact that we will take home with us. Their concern for our stay isn’t lip service; it is from the heart. I know that I’ve already written this, but I can’t state it firmly enough. Tom may have told you that I have an overboard sense of humor. It takes stamina and patience to deal with it at times. Josh took it in and gave back in equal measure, something that takes courage and a great sense of humor. I am grateful for that and their friendship. That brings us to time spent. I came on this trip with the notion that I would learn a bit about underwater photography. (See KSC gallery)

Instead, I learned a great deal, including a good bit about my above-water photography. I am a practiced amateur at above-water shooting. The conversations I’ve had with Josh have given me great insight into shooting at depth, but they’ve also made me rethink a number of things about my picture-taking in general. His effort there was quite high and is much appreciated. In fact, the time he spent teaching me was extensive and pleasant. I will forever carry a warm spot for Nudibranchs in my heart due to conversations with Tom.

Teaching my children

The kids I have coached and refereed in youth soccer. Finding staff, people who understand children and teaching, and getting good outcomes, is tough. In my opinion, American culture has forgotten that teachers are a valuable asset in the emotional and external development of our children. We only want kids to learn what we want them to learn, forgetting that other thinking and opinion is good for them. I have been impressed by the efforts to teach my kids about the oceans, about being in the marine environment, and about our obligations to take care of that resource. Most of all, your staff’s efforts to teach my kids to behave carefully while scuba diving are greatly appreciated.

My brother-in-law is a huge WWII fan. In part, we came to Palau so he could visit and experience the WWII history here. The recognition by your folks was important to him, and it has led to numerous discussions on how to make that part of his vacation as fulfilling as possible. I will end by thanking you for your efforts on behalf of my family and for making my holiday most enjoyable.

With Regards, Lyle O. Ross, Husband of Alice Chen and father of Auden and Emerson Chen

What is the difference between BPI and Air2 on a BCD?

4 June 202628 July 2018 by Tom Peyton

How do I know which BCD is right for me?

Going hoseless or a full-on regulator system, in some cases, the kids or your buddy run out of air. Best for divers who have a regulator with a first stage, the second stage (primary), and the octopus. The octopus is a backup to handoff. In cases, the kids or your buddy run out or are low on air. I recommend this setup for parents diving with kids, or for a Buddy you know is not efficient with air consumption. I also recommend this BCD setup if you are a rescue diver or if you’re a PADI dive pro. For two reasons, really, because it should have a bright yellow hose, easily recognizable to someone needing it, or in a bit of panic, more noticeable, so they do not have to search too hard or accidentally grab your primary.

The Air 2 is the best for easy diving

Also, the octopus is a longer hose, so you do not have that person you’re helping on top of you. The Air2 is great for recreational divers who have no one else to worry about and feel the likelihood of needing it is nil. I say this because Air2 is a substitute in the event of an out-of-air situation for your primary. So with an Air2. You do not need an additional, long, cumbersome hose (octopus) on your scuba gear. You can streamline and enjoy the first and second stages only on your reg. The Air2 is a regulator attached to the very short hose that has to be bent and curved up into your mouth for you to use, and your primary would then be handed off to the person in need. It’s heavier and less comfortable in your mouth when assisting someone.

The Air2 I feel is best for streamlined ease of diving and can be complemented with the addition of an air integrated computer system, such as the ScubaPro G2 quick release, G2, or Aladin wrist computers that include a small transmitter that attaches to your first stage, eliminating the need for hoses, depth, and air gauges, and even include a digital compass. So you are then practically hoseless, lightweight, and streamlined.

A Hoseless BCD is freeing

I do use the hoseless setup when Tom and I have the rare opportunity to go diving and not be responsible for anyone but each other. It’s very freeing. Having said that, being the avid diver that I am, I have a tendency to be on the more cautious side. Even with that setup, I have a redundant air gauge attached. Tom and I have both experienced short interruptions in the transmitter signal during our dives. Someone’s strobes can cause it, and some cameras with Wi-Fi can, like SeaLife cameras and Ikelite video lights.

Also getting close to other divers with similar devices. I will say, this only lasts an instant and can be resolved by moving a few feet away from the interference. The light and camera interference I have found to be resolved by switching the hands I hold them in and moving the issue-causing device a little further away from the receiver. For example, if your receiver is worn on your left side with the computer on your left wrist, the camera or strobe causing the issue can be held in the right hand.

So make your BCD decision based on your needs, your buddy’s needs, your preferred level of comfort, and your budget. Gauges and BPI are the least expensive options.

I have used Scubapro for 35 years and stand by it for kids and adults. Scubapro recreational BCs generally only need to be serviced once every two years.

My favorite BCDs

My favorite BCDs are the Hydro-BPI, GO-BCD-air 2 for comfort and back support, and the Lighthawk for traveling light. All have integrated weight options; for younger kids, the Rebel or the Glide X. All Pros, the Hydro Pro comes with two harnesses for pockets or streamlined for simple use with no pockets.

President of Kids Sea Camp & Family Dive Adventures, Margo Peyton, PADI MSDT Elite Instructor, 57474

Scuba Dive

We dive through our lives in the same routine

not adventuring or exploring anything

Then all at once, the wind unfurls

we dive into a separate world

A world of rhythm a home to fish

a place of peace for those who wish

and me a guest a mere spectator

who’ll just take pictures to look at later

I grab my reg, check my mask, it’s clean

And I cover my pasty white face with sunscreen

I dive into an ocean of coral and sea,

might see a nurse shark if I’m really lucky

But the dives weren’t the real thing that made this trip neat

It’s the divers, the staff, and the friends that I meet

Because I think that the dives would be a huge bore

Without friends to come with you to help you explore

By: Matthew Boney