No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to present our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
Our neighbor of the week is Cheyenne Guinan, who is a dive instructor with Tilden’s Scuba Center in Marathon. She loves working on the water and the lifestyle that comes with it.
CHEYENNE GUINAN
Dive instructor, Tilden’s Scuba Center
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here? I’ve been in the Keys for three years now. My journey began when I visited on spring break with three of my best friends from home, and I immediately fell in love with the serene waters and laid-back lifestyle. My friends insisted that I return home, although I just wanted to stay. So, I headed back, but three weeks later I packed up my car and made the move down to Marathon, all on my own.
What do you do for fun in the Keys and why do you love living here? A vast majority of my time is spent on or near the water. I enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, paddle boarding, boating and working on my tan at the beach. When the weather is less than ideal, I love to play pickleball and take full advantage of happy hour with friends.
If you were a boat, what part would you be and why? Quite frankly, I’d probably be the macerator pump. It’s not the most glamorous part, but it’s definitely essential. Maybe it’s because I’m a good listener, but I often find myself dealing with everyone’s, well, crap.
Describe the best underwater adventure you’ve ever had. I’d have to say my best underwater adventure was in the Bahamas and hammerhead sharks were everywhere. It was the most surreal experience, seeing these big sharks move so effortlessly and so gracefully.
If your life was a movie what would the title be and who would play you? My life in movie form would probably be called “Coastal Cowgirl,” blending country grit with coastal freedom. It would star Sydney Sweeney of course, because she’s not only bubbly and funny but seems to be unapologetically herself.
If you were to create a holiday, what would it be and how would people celebrate it? I would create a day where people are encouraged to learn something new about a hobby, career or passion that they may find interesting, but have never really had the opportunity or means to ask or learn about it. It would be called the Day of Curiosity.
What is the most embarrassing song on your playlist and when would you proudly play it? My music taste changes daily and covers all kinds of genres, but if I had to pick it would be “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.
What’s one thing people don’t know about you? Growing up in a small country town in Pennsylvania, I was raised hunting and fishing from a young age – which is something I still do today, but in a different way. These days, instead of hunting deer, duck or turkey, I’ve traded it for spearfishing and lobstering.
Know someone who would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?” Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
