SWIMMING FOR FITNESS: Woman swims with sharks, whales, stingrays for healthy living

ReporterNews: SWIMMING FOR FITNESS: Woman swims with sharks, whales, stingrays for healthy living

Lorraine Wilson is as much at home below the deep waters of Honduras, Mexico, Australia or the Bahamas as she is in dry West Texas.

As well she should be: Wilson, 56, an associate professor of exercise science, health, and nutrition at Abilene Christian University, is a master scuba diver and instructor.

Although Wilson spent her early years in California, Washington, and Michigan — where there was lots of water — she took to scuba diving only after moving to Abilene.

Wilson was on a college swimming team in Michigan, where she swam the 200- and 500-yard freestyle.

She said she'd wanted to dive when she was younger but didn't have the opportunity — or the money — to do so.

"I started scuba diving in 1985 after coming to Abilene," Wilson said. "I started out at Lake Possum Kingdom."

Wilson started the ACU scuba diving course in 1988.

Now she teaches scuba diving and swimming not only to ACU students, but to others as well. She and her husband, J. Wilson, own The Dive Spot Inc., 1701 Lytle Trail,and travel to various locations around the world, leading students and others on diving or snorkeling expeditions.

She touted the health benefits of diving. In addition to diving often, Wilson said she walks laps, does cardio exercises and swims.

"Scuba diving is something that most people can do," she said. "They can exercise in the water even if they might not be able to do much on land."

She said people with physical disabilities often feel right at home exercising in the water.

Wilson said that people not only find enjoyment in diving, but they get a good workout — both mental and physical.

"We prepare students to serve and lead through the development of healthful lifestyles," she said.

When students begin their training, there are a lot of requirements involving safety and procedures. This year, the students are using the pool at McMurry University for training because the ACU pool is undergoing renovations. Wilson also takes students to the warm springs of Balmorhea State Park for diving as well.

Other divers, both students and non-students, can join Wilson and her team for dives, but they must undergo training, she said.

Lauren Newman, 20, a senior at ACU, is a beginner in scuba diving has already completed her classroom work for the course and will be among the students going to Balmorhea sometime in the spring.

Newman said her dream was to scuba dive someday in the Caribbean.

"My dad is a certified scuba diver," she said. "I have done snorkeling in Florida, so I already know it is fun as well as good exercise for me."

Wilson said diving also is a great stress reliever.

"It just makes you smile to see the marine life," she said.

Diving also offers other benefits, including the opportunity to explore. Wilson said scuba diving opened a whole new world for her — the accomplished photographer has photos of giant sharks, stingrays and whales as well as smaller marine life.

Wilson said one of the thrills of scuba diving is seeing marine life in their own habitat.

"We watch sharks and other marine life feast on a giant chumsicle," Wilson said. "It is a big bunch of fish heads or other meat frozen like a Popsicle."

Wilson said her scuba diving has helped her rescue a part of history in Matagorda Bay for the Texas Historical Commission when she helped excavate one of French explorer La Salle's ships, La Belle, a few years ago. The ship sank off the coast of Texas in 1686. Wilson said only artifacts were recovered, as much the ship was gone.

"I got to hold a leather shoe, pottery, jewelry, guns and a rope that had come from the ship," Wilson said. "It was really something to see."