![#pb_rslider_caption-1-1](https://poppingrocks.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2016/03/josh_splash-1000.jpg)
![#pb_rslider_caption-1-2](https://poppingrocks.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2016/03/meghan_splash-1000.jpg)
![#pb_rslider_caption-1-3](https://poppingrocks.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2016/03/kate_splash-1000.jpg)
![#pb_rslider_caption-1-4](https://poppingrocks.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2016/03/frieder_splash-1000.jpg)
![#pb_rslider_caption-1-5 mark_splash-1000](https://poppingrocks.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2016/03/mark_splash-1000.jpg)
![#pb_rslider_caption-1-6](https://poppingrocks.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2016/03/elise_splash-1000.jpg)
![#pb_rslider_caption-1-7 darin_splash-1000](https://poppingrocks.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2016/03/darin_splash-1000.jpg)
![#pb_rslider_caption-1-8 dorsey_splash-1000](https://poppingrocks.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2016/03/dorsey_splash-1000.jpg)
There’s a first time for everything, and for a small group of people, that includes a first dive in Alvin. Rookie divers are greeted on deck with a ritual that stretches back decades: frozen shoes and a cold seawater shower. Popping Rocks 2016 had a high percentage of first-time divers, including cruise chief scientist Mark Kurz, which made for lots of cold feet and a very wet deck. (All photos by Maris Wicks, unless otherwise noted)