Jared Funk is Canada’s pride for being one of the country’s best low-point players in rugby for the past decade.

The Paralympic champion has five medals in the Paralympic Major Games and is showing no signs of stopping.

The Paralympic champion has five medals in the Paralympic Major Games and is showing no signs of stopping.

Besides his inspiring life and passion for the sport, Funk always wanted to experience scuba diving. What used to be a dream now became a reality after the rugby star has made it his mission to excel in the underwater sport.

“It’s freeing,” Funk said. “You’re open there, you’re in the water floating around and you can do whatever you want.”

Of course, the dream doesn’t come without its obstacles.

“I called a couple of different dive centers and none of them really had good answers for me,” he explained. Afterward, he got in touch with Winnipeg’s Blue Oasis Dive Centre.

“I’ll never forget our first conversation over the phone,” recalled Jason Herlick, owner of Blue Oasis. “Cause he’s like, ‘I’m interested in learning to scuba dive but there’s a little problem’. ‘I’m like, and that is?’ He’s like, ‘I’m in a wheelchair’. I’m like, ‘I’m down for it’.”

It took a lot of effort to get Funk safely and comfortably underwater. They had to search for a buoyancy vest to help him roll him over on his back so he could breathe. They also had to find special paddles that are meant to help him move through the water with his forearms instead of his legs.

The best part? It worked!

“I’m always used to stressful situations, playing the game,” Funk said. “It was an easy transition to when you’re in the water, just don’t panic, and just breathe.”

We wish Jared Funk the best of luck! We wouldn’t be surprised if he’ll win a medal for this one too.

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