TAMPA - Gigi Suszynski and her father Nick Suszynski stood on the deck above the steps of the mammoth salt-water tank.
Sporting diving wetsuits, they strapped on oxygen tasks and donned masks. Yet as father and daughter prepared to brave the chilling 74-degree Florida Aquarium waters on July 10, they carried more than the needed tools for a dive.
Gigi, 9, brought with her the dreams of a marine biologist career she first started harboring three years ago. Nick toted the paternal responsibility of nurturing those dreams.
Every loving parent can relate. Whether a child aspires to be a doctor, a lawyer or president of the United States, moms and dads search for ways to enhance those goals with encouraging doses of reality. Swimming with sharks may seem a bit extreme, but the Suszynskis had made up their mind to literally dive into the world of ocean exploration.
As Gigi entered the water and began to shiver, Nick gave his daughter a comforting hug.
"Thanks dad," she smiled confidently.
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In 2015, Gigi, then 6, walked into her father's bedroom at their Carrollwood home and revealed her audacious plan to be a marine biologist.
"It wasn't a surprise when she told me," Suszynski said. "Gigi is the kind of young girl that when she puts her mind to something, she fully accomplishes it."
She enhanced her decision with uncommon confidence and a declarative first step.
"Dad, I want to swim with the sharks."
Gigi had set her sights on frolicking with the ferocious looking tiger sharks that cruise the aquarium's crystal-clear waters.
But there was one problem. The aquarium's minimum age requirement for its "Swim with the Sharks" program is 9.
So she waited.
A rising fourth grader at Tampa's Villa Madonna Catholic School, she didn't let a day slip past her ninth birthday to take the plunge. She seized the opportunity to get her first hands-on experience as a gift. Nick could have watched from the other side of the glass, but came along to offer self-assurance.
It's an experience that rates a bit higher than the traditional father-daughter dance.
"Gigi had been dreaming of this day for the last three years," Nick Suszynski said, "and I knew it would be a great birthday opportunity."
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"Swimming with the Sharks," which has been in operation since 2002, is a premier program at the aquarium. The personalized, and highly supervised scuba and snorkel experience gives guests a unique aquatic adventure. Scuba certification is not required.
The program allows guests age 9 and over to swim underwater alongside more than 1,000 fish. The cost is $110 per swimmer.
"Here at the aquarium, we have a responsibility to help promote and educate the next generation on the beauty and importance of the environment," said Roger Germann, Florida Aquarium CEO and president. "Our job is to bring dreams to reality by investing in the future of our children, especially young women like Gigi.
"We are so proud she chose the aquarium to experience first-hand her future hopes and dreams."
Dive master Spencer Taylor said they divide the experience into two segments.
"After a complete run down of the safety rules, we introduce them to the equipment and allow them to go into the shallow side of the habitat and get used to the rainbow-colored fish swimming around them," Davis said. "Once they are acclimated, we let them experience the beauty of the underwater environment for about 10 minutes. Next, they travel to the other side of the tank where the sharks are swimming."
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Taylor and fellow dive master Nonalee Davis, who both have 15 years of experience, met the Susynskis at the staging deck.
Both father and daughter started the dive with a bit of tentativeness. Within a minute, however, both calmly propelled themselves through the illuminated water like seasoned divers.
As they swam, they seemed to blend with all the different and unique species of fish.
After a few minutes, they returned to the original staging deck. Taylor took charge with instructions on going into the deepest side where all three would encounter the larger, scarier-looking fish, steeling themselves in the waters with a long guiding pole.
Gigi and Nick latched onto the pole. Taylor positioned himself in the middle, guiding father and daughter through a maze of underwater beauty. Moray eels, great barracuda and two Tiger sharks swam within arm's reach.
As they moved through the water, a stingray, with its extra wide wing span seemed to fly above their heads. A large green sea turtle named Flip spun past them as if he was an old friend.
Gigi released one of her hands to reach out to Flip to say hello.
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Experts would say Nick Suszynski, a father of four, implemented an important ritual in fulfilling Gigi's dream. It's important for moms and dads to understand the interests of their children and foster them.
"If a child sees themselves performing their dream, they can achieve it," said Gwen Hanner, a licensed mental health counselor based in Tampa. "But it must come with parental or teacher support and they must have a shared vision.
"The greatest gift they can give any child is to say, 'I believe in you.'"
However, it's equally important for parents not to cross the boundary into unrealistic expectations or unreasonable demands. Katie Hurley, a child and adolescent psychotherapist, told Psychology Today that when parents "support instead of push," it allows kids, "to find their passions and interests and follow their own paths toward success and happiness."
As Gigi's time in the tank came to an end, it appeared she had found her path. She returned to the deck, stood up, removed her gear, gave her father a high-five and a hug, and confirmed her joy.
"That was amazing, and a little scary too."
Contact Mike Merino at hillsnews@tampabay.com.
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