Elise Foot Puchalski (PADI rescue diver)

At age 12, Elise learned to dive at Edmonds Underwater Park. Since then, she has been studying the ocean with the eyes of a scientist and photographer. Elise loves exploring and learning about Edmonds Underwater Park! She is always excited to help new ocean explorers learn how to set up their gear and identify creatures. She hopes that by sharing her ocean experience, it will inspire others. Aside from diving, Elise plays lacrosse, runs cross country, skis, paints, and bakes awesome cookies for the Dive Team.

Favorite park species: Hooded nudibranch

PADI specialties: Dry Suit, Project Aware, Fish Identification, Enriched Air, Boat, Edmonds Underwater Park Diver

Favorite Edmonds Underwater Park memory: Diving with buddy Avery, seeing a dead lingcod with a bunch of crabs eating it, showing how the lifecycle of animals benefits the ecosystem

Dream Career: Shark researcher

Read Elise’s blog: Symbiosis in Our Underwater Backyard

“I speak up for the ocean because it is a beautiful place that I am privileged to spend time around. Not everyone gets to see it or knows how important it is. The ocean helps keep us alive and we need to protect it. ”

— Elise Foot Puchalski