Staff Interview with Gary Ward

What inspired you to found Caribbean Reef Buddy?

I've seen many changes to our marine-scape over the past 30 years as a diver. In the past five years we've seen much more being written and filmed which has created an awareness in the public consciousness that if we want to preserve this environment we cannot rely on governments or corporations to do it for us. We have to do something, however small, ourselves.

I saw in 2014 an opportunity to establish CRB and to bring to a new generation of divers an opportunity to work with dive and marine science professionals to work on projects which add value to the local environment by increasing awareness of the current conditions, but also on what we can all do. Over this period we've been involved in some fantastic projects, and met some truly amazing young people too. Being able to pass on my experience to them has been motivational and inspiring, and through CRB I can have greater confidence that the youth of today will do something about protecting our planet.

Describe a typical day at work.

During the program, a typical day starts at about 7am. We take over the dive shop in Hillsborough for the project period and so each day we need to set everything up for CRB. By 8 we start to see the volunteers arriving, and we run through the briefings and get the equipment set up. We'll either be training or participating on the project. Either way we'll probably be in the water. We get the boat out for our first in-water session by 9am.

Returning for a spot of lunch, we clear away all of our equipment and start the afternoon off with some analysis - what did we see? what did we do?. We might also be doing some debriefs with the volunteers and team. The afternoon is also used a lot for theory development as we move through the projects.

As the day winds down, a beer or a rum punch is a great way to progress into dinner. We'll join the volunteers for dinner a couple of times a week. We like the whole small team social side of things too. But I tend to leave them alone when they want to head out to the bars, as they don't want 'ScubaDad' cramping their style.

Why do you do what you do?

Because I love it! I'm fortunate enough to have had a career where I worked for 25 years and earned pretty good money. I hated the career, but it paid the bills and afforded me the opportunity to now be able to do something that I love.

What is your favorite part of your job?

The look on the face of a new diver as they see the underwater world for the first time. The look on the face of an experienced diver when they see the marine-scape the way I see it for the first time too...  Both are priceless!

How do you use your education and international background in your current role?

I've been involved in training and education for nearly 20 years, and as a dive pro for the last 10.  I'm not a scientist, nor do I pretend to be one, but what I can do is break down some fairly complicated processes and make delivering them fun. Try my rescue diver course if you want proof!

We also have a balancing act to play here in the islands. On one hand, we're experienced and well educated and have the opportunity to collect data and analyse it. On the other hand we're foreigners in a region where foreigners have exploited people aggressively in the past. So we have to work closely with the community to bring them with us on the journey as opposed to being perceived as 'telling' them what they must do. This is the biggest challenge, but also the most rewarding aspect when it works.

What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?

Most challenges come about from people miss-understanding each other. Whether it be our approach, our motives or things that we have said. Therefore the key to overcoming these issues comes in two parts.

The first is to accept that there are only two things in the world that you can control. The first is YOUR thoughts and the second is YOUR actions. Outside of this you have no control (but can perhaps influence).

The second is to accept that people may not see things as you do, so it is important to communicate well, communicate clearly and have patience with people who are not comprehending what you're saying or doing. If you're able to communicate with someone in a manner which resonated with them, and you can bring them with you, most challenges become great opportunities.

What are some current projects you are working on?

I'm leading the project for coral regeneration. We have a small nursery here in Carriacou where we're growing new coral heads. The project involves a lot of diving in the nursery as we tend for our little babies and eventually plant them back on the reefs.

I'm also one of the instructors setting up the apex predator monitoring project, which is really exciting! We know we have sharks in the water, but because Man is their greatest threat, we don't see them in the water. Capturing them on video and seeing them in the habitat is thrilling.

What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?

Relax! Listen, and most importantly enjoy.  

While the program is an educational one, where you will have the opportunity to learn a huge amount about our marine environment and about coral conservation, it’s also an experiential program. The experience you'll gain is about science and diving, but it’s also about different cultures and different ways of living or seeing things. It’s really good to make sure you gain the most from your experience by relaxing into it, listening to what your instructors, your fellow volunteers, and the people around you have to say, and enjoying the opportunity to soak it all in.

Oh, and be careful with the over-proof rum! It bites!

What makes Caribbean Reef Buddy special?

It’s a combination of the people and the unique nature of the island. The projects we're supporting are being run by other people all over the world. CRB is unique in the way that the people here care. Not only care for the projects and the marine environment, but also care for you. They care that you're having a great time. They care that you're developing and learning lots.  They care that you want to contribute to the success of the program.

The island is also unique in the Caribbean. Whilst its not mud huts and shanty towns, it is a largely undeveloped island. We have no mass tourism, no shopping malls and no cruise ship terminals. We're the authentic Caribbean as it was perhaps 40 years ago. Grenada and Carriacou are also blessed with the warmest and most friendly people you could hope to meet.  The local pastime is called Liming - which basically involves sitting in the shade of a Walnut tree and passing the time of day with your friends...  That’s a standard of living I aspire to!

Why should someone choose Caribbean Reef Budy over competitors?

A combination of the team we've assembled here in Carriacou. The experience, the professionalism, and the diligence too. None of our team are here "just for the season", as we've been together for a few years now and are committed to the projects we're working with you to deliver. If you're considering another organisation as them how long their team have been together and involved!

More importantly though is the diversity and flexibility of the approach we have developed. The team is an excellent balance of professional educators and marine biologists. This means we have the experience to make sure we can deliver the program in a way which makes sense to you, and which means you can leave here with a deep appreciation for what we're doing and know you made a profound difference. This is why so many volunteers come back.

What do you hope participants take away from your programs?

The main thing we hope that we can take away is that each of us can make a difference. It may feel small and futile now. But if enough people make a small change, it doesn't take long for it to be massive!

We are part of a network of organisations committed to coral regeneration globally. There are nearly 2,000 organisations participating. Whilst CRB's coral nursery is currently quite small, we might be able to plant 100 new healthy heads of coral each year. If every organisation in the network plants 100 new healthy coral heads each year, this means 200,000 new corals are planted each year!  And as the nurseries grow and more organisations join, this number will continue to grow.

What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?

Do it!  

I was one of those people who left college and got into a career. I worked hard and got the mortgage, the car and everything else that society says is what we should do. I wished however that I'd taken a year or two out to travel and discover a little more about myself and the world around me.

If you have that opportunity, take it with both hands as it will likely change your perspective and life forever.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful Travel? To me this is the notion that travel has a purpose and that you gain something from the journey you're making. Sometimes we want to get away and just sit by a pool for 10 days. The purpose is to recharge and relax, but it hasn't got any meaning to it. Now whenever I travel I try to learn something new. Whether it be about the destination or about a new activity. Being active and learning something new keeps the world a fascinating place.