12 replies to this topic

[divrgal]

I just moved to Florida (Lakeland) with my son who will be sixteen soon. I had visions of diving most weekends when I moved to Florida. My son's only dive was a crummy, cattle car style, DSD dive with rotten viz. Needless to say he is just not that excited about diving. That makes things a little tough since I am currently working towards my Divemaster cert.

Being single with no family in the area, I can't just go off and dive for the weekend and leave my son at home. I would love to find other Florida divers with teens, to dive with. Anybody game?

[ScubaDadMiami]

Welcome to the club! My daughter used to love to free dive, and I was so excited when she told me that she wanted to start scuba.

I think we did two dives together after her certification dives. That was the end of that phase. No more diving of any kind after that.

I still keep her card around . . . just in case. (She would have to do some training before returning to the open water even if she decided to get back to it again.) Her last dive: five years ago.

[ScubaGypsy]

I usually go to the Florida springs between Christmas and New Years with my 3 sons (ages 16, 14 and 12) and am hoping to do so this year. I'm thinking of going over to Ginny springs as they restrict the youngest age for diving there to 12 so now we will all be able to join in. Alternatively a trip to Crystal springs is also alot of fun as we have been there two other times.

I also have been going down to the Keys for their April vacation for the past two years but might try and go over to the Bahamas this year if I can financially swing it. Right now though it is likely that I will go back to the Keys.

My boys would love to have another diving buddy their own age to join us!

[Walter]

I have a dive buddy in Lakeland with two certified teenage sons. Tonight, I'll send her contact info to you. If you don't get it, remind me.

[divrgal]

I usually go to the Florida springs between Christmas and New Years with my 3 sons (ages 16, 14 and 12) and am hoping to do so this year. I'm thinking of going over to Ginny springs as they restrict the youngest age for diving there to 12 so now we will all be able to join in. Alternatively a trip to Crystal springs is also alot of fun as we have been there two other times.

I also have been going down to the Keys for their April vacation for the past two years but might try and go over to the Bahamas this year if I can financially swing it. Right now though it is likely that I will go back to the Keys.

My boys would love to have another diving buddy their own age to join us!

[color=#FF0000] Let me know when it gets a little closer to time and maybe be we can schedule a dive. Thanks!

[divrgal]

I have a dive buddy in Lakeland with two certified teenage sons. Tonight, I'll send her contact info to you. If you don't get it, remind me.

That sounds perfect!! I really appreciate it.

[Walter]

Small problem, you can't receive PMs here. Send me an e-mail through aol. My screen name there is Waterknife. I'll respond with Ann's contact info.

[NCCaveDiver]

Welcome to the club! My daughter used to love to free dive, and I was so excited when she told me that she wanted to start scuba.

I think we did two dives together after her certification dives. That was the end of that phase. No more diving of any kind after that.

I still keep her card around . . . just in case. (She would have to do some training before returning to the open water even if she decided to get back to it again.) Her last dive: five years ago.

Send her my way - I'll get her back interested in going down

[PerroneFord]

For the LOVE OF GOD!

Keep her away from that double hose you got Jordan.

[ScubaDadMiami]

Welcome to the club! My daughter used to love to free dive, and I was so excited when she told me that she wanted to start scuba.

I think we did two dives together after her certification dives. That was the end of that phase. No more diving of any kind after that.

I still keep her card around . . . just in case. (She would have to do some training before returning to the open water even if she decided to get back to it again.) Her last dive: five years ago.

Send her my way - I'll get her back interested in going down

She's too young for you. Besides, I already know you well enough . . . .

[WreckWench]

Small problem, you can't receive PMs here. Send me an e-mail through aol. My screen name there is Waterknife. I'll respond with Ann's contact info.

Or she can simply upgrade to Premier Member via our site for $25 a year which she can get back via membership discounts on travel and merchandise. Here is the info on how to upgrade here!

Plus we'd love for her to keep the discussion about diving with kids or teens on the open site. It will help others find us as well as bring this topic more exposure and therefore more interest!

Thanks for starting such a great topic! kamala

[Walter]

Or she can simply upgrade to Premier Member

She did.

[JimG]

divrgal, I feel your pain. My wife and I got certified when our children were still young (all were under 10), and for many years we had to balance the problem of "diving with children". Our kids are all grown now (ages 23, 20, and 17), so it's become less of an issue over the years.

Our two older boys are both certified - the oldest one really likes diving, and went on several trips with us when he was in his teens. Our middle child enjoys diving also, but he gets really seasick, and the pleasure he gets from diving doesn't make up for the misery of being on a boat. We tried freshwater diving with him, but he didn't like the cold or having to wear all the neoprene. So he basically doesn't dive. Our youngest has taken the class, but has yet to do his checkout dives.

If your son is interested in diving with other teens, then you might see if there is a Boy Scout Venture Crew in your area that does SCUBA diving. Venturing is a Scouting program for young adults (ages 14-20) that revolves around some "adventure" activity such as SCUBA, backpacking, rock climbing, etc. That might put you in touch with some other diving families, and I'm sure they would love to have a "diving mom" working with the group (especially one who is also a DM). The greater Tampa area is bound to have a Crew that specializes in SCUBA.

Good luck with your search. Diving is a really great "family friendly" activity, and I'm sure your son will appreciate that you are spending that time with him. I know mine did.

(And before anybody asks, my wife had to give up diving about five years ago due to some health-related issues. I am hoping that she will take it up again sometime, but until that happens, I guess I am MBBL).

Edited by JimG, 10 October 2006 - 02:32 PM.