Back in December 2024, I had the chance to do something seriously cool — I got Avelo certified! Thanks to an invite from Mrs. Katie Cooper with Shoultz Scuba and NAUI, I spent a weekend diving at the Blue Grotto in Florida and got to try out one of the most unique scuba systems out there.

And honestly? I’m kind of obsessed.

So, What Is the Avelo System?

If you’ve never heard of Avelo, here’s the quick version: it’s a totally different way to manage buoyancy underwater. Instead of filling and dumping air in a BCD all the time (you know the drill), the Avelo system uses a Hydrotank that actually works with water to help you stay neutrally buoyant — without all the constant adjusting.

The result? It feels like flying underwater. Seriously. I felt way more in control, my trim was spot-on, and I could just focus on the dive instead of fiddling with gear. It was smooth, easy, and a lot of fun.

The Course Experience

I’ve got to give a huge shoutout to the instructors. Mrs Katie Cooper of Shoultz Scuba and Mr Terrance Tysell Sr. of NAUI. As a team they were super helpful, patient, and really good at explaining both the “how” and the “why” of the system. They made everything feel approachable, even though it was a totally new setup for me.

The written test was no problem thanks to how clearly they laid everything out. They took the time to go over the skills and standards multiple times, so by the time I sat down to take the test, I felt really prepared. No stress, just a great learning experience.

Diving Blue Grotto with Avelo

If you’ve ever been to Blue Grotto, you know how beautiful and clear it is — the perfect place to try out something new. Once I was underwater with the Avelo system, I could instantly feel the difference. Everything felt lighter, more natural. I wasn’t constantly adjusting my buoyancy or messing with my trim. I was just… diving. And loving it. I found myself wanting to play and glide and just wanting to test the limits of the system but because I was on training and competency dives I had to keep it reigned in.

Can I Dive It Again, Please?

I would 100% love to dive with Avelo again. One weekday wasn’t nearly enough. It’s the kind of system that makes you want to get back in the water as soon as possible, just to play with it more and see how much smoother your dives can be.

If you’re even a little bit curious about Avelo, I totally recommend checking it out — especially if you can train with the crew at Shoultz Scuba. They made the whole experience fun, easy, and unforgettable.

Trust me, this is the future of diving… I’m in…..But wont be getting rid of all my other equipment any time soon as I love collecting and learning new ways to dive with any and all equipment.