Author Bio: Branon Edwards
Branon was born on Labor Day, 01 September 1969, in Alexandria, Virginia and grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He learned to swim at the age of 2 and has always felt more at home in the water than on land.
He received his first PADI certification at age 13 (Junior Scuba). His elder brother had been certified several years earlier. Branon had helped his brother study for the exam and often watched his brother in class from the back of the room. Photographs of coral reefs, fish, and aquatic life inspired a lifelong passion for diving. His first certification was a birthday present from his parents. He and his brother logged many dives together on the Florida coast. His family spent several weekends per month in the Florida Keys during lobster season each year, though most of their lobstering was done while freediving from a 12-foot jonboat.
Branon finished high school and college in North Carolina graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a minor in Biology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Branon completed his PADI Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver certifications as a physical education elective in college. He also served as Vice President of the university’s scuba club. He completed his PADI Divemaster certification in January 2003.
Branon has dived on reefs and wrecks in Florida and North Carolina and is an avid spearfisherman. His favorite dive sites currently include the Dry Tortugas and the Middle Keys. Some of his favorite diving is done under a full moon just after midnight.
In his professional life, Branon is a non-profit fundraiser. He works as the District Director for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Southwest Florida. When he can, he volunteers on a shark-tagging project with Rookery Bay National Estuarine Reserve in Naples, Florida and sails his Morgan 22 sloop, Santa Fe in the Gulf of Mexico. Branon also serves as the president of the Naples Parrot Head Club and is active in other community service.
Branon Edwards's Articles
The Perfect Dive Boat - Somebody Else's
Eleuthera and Harbour Island Bahamas -- Part II
Eleuthera and Harbour Island Bahamas -- Part I
Our World-Underwater Scholarship SocietyŽ Announces 2003 Scholars
Zena Holloway, U/W Photographer
