Cold Water, Warm Hearts: January 2026 Dive Sessions
Despite January temperatures hovering near 50°F at the surface, eleven SUDS warriors completed their first adaptive scuba sessions of the year at Virginia Beach. Cold-water proficiency is a key milestone for participants aiming to qualify for the Key Largo and Cozumel summer expeditions.
Why Winter Training Matters
Winter training builds both physical resilience and mental confidence. The contrast between cold Atlantic dives and warm Caribbean waters gives participants a meaningful challenge — exactly the kind of controlled adversity that SUDS programs are designed around. Instructors noted that participants who complete winter sessions arrive at summer dive destinations far more composed and technically prepared.
Participant Spotlight
Army Specialist (Ret.) Marcus L., who sustained a leg amputation in 2022, completed his first open-water checkout dive in January. "I didn't think I'd be doing this kind of thing again," he said. "But under the water, none of that matters. It's just you and the ocean."
What's Next
The winter cohort feeds directly into the Spring 2026 program, with advanced sessions scheduled for March at Virginia Beach and April in the Florida Keys. Applications for the Summer 2026 destinations — Key Largo, Puerto Rico, Virginia Beach, and Cozumel — open in late January.