37 replies to this topic

[Scuba_Dad]

This year was a banner year. I managed to log 138 dives and 90+ hours of bottom time. I certified 124 students from Open Water to DM. Teaching is was I do in the evenings. I have a paying job during the daytime.

My most memorable trip was to Utila. I think I found heaven... that place was great.

Training wise... the most interesting class I took was the Handcap Scuba Association (HSA) Instructor course. It taught me a lot about my skills, and a lot about working with the handicapped.

For 2009, I'm hoping to get more personal dives in for me, and more dives in with my kids instead of with students. Nothing against students, but... my kids didn't get to dive as much as I would have liked. I'm also looking forward to working with disabled veterans and teaching them how to dive. Trips? We're still in the planning stages for a June family trip. This year, we're taking the kids on my diving vacations and my wife's vegging vacation...

[uwfan]

2008...what a great year for diving!!

Ending a 12 year surface interval....diving with my sister and LDS in Curacao....then....

Diving Dry Tortugas with SD on the Spree, meeting a great group of people and getting thoroughly immersed in everything diving again...making my 50th dive and beginning to learn how to control my bouyancy

Diving the end of the year with SD on the Wind Dancer with a great bunch of people and completing my deep and night dive specialties...seeing rays for the first time and plenty of lobsters!

All while planning for my next SD trip!!

[JimG]

In 2008 I said goodbye to an old friend and hello to (what I hope will be) a new one.

I have been a YMCA instructor since 1994, and have never taught for any other diving agency. As many of you are aware, YMCA ceased offering SCUBA certs at the end of 2008, and so I had to find a new agency to teach under. After careful consideration of all the pros and cons, I decided to switch to PADI (i.e. I drank the "other" Kool-Aid ). I did a Crossover during the first couple weeks of December, and completed my IE in Key Largo on Dec 14. So I am now PADI Instructor #241411.

I started my first PADI class this week, and so far it is going pretty well. I've had to make a number of adjustments to what I am doing and how, but the change has not been as drastic as I thought it might be.

On the diving front, I ran six cert trips to south Florida (four in the Keys and two in Boynton Beach). This the first time I have ever done six trips in a single calendar year. I also eased myself back into cave diving after something of a layoff. I made my first ever trip to a DEMA show in Las Vegas (have been to DEMA before, just not in "Vegas, baby!"). I taught eight OW courses, a couple of Advanced and Nitrox courses, a Rescue course, and numerous CPR and DAN courses.

So all in all, 2008 was a pretty eventful and productive year for me, and I am looking forward to the rest of 2009.

-JimG

[Racer184]

I accomplished a lot in 2008. Started two profitable websites (and a few more that might never be).

Restricting my report to the subject of diving; I became a PADI Dive Master.

[Bubbles]

I celebrated my 100th dive on our first dive in Curacao on November 9th!!!

[Divegirl412]

Only 42 dives in 2008. But considering that only 2 of those were in San Diego, I guess that is not so bad!!!
I managed to dive Cancun and the cenotes, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, San Diego (Yukon wreck), Bali and Wakatobi. Got drysuit certified, and plan to dive more overall and definitely more in San Diego over the next year. Starting 2009 well diving in Belize, considering Galapagos with SD, and will have to plan other dive trips in between!! Will definitely hit my 200th dive this year and hope to become a proficient drysuit diver.

[DiverBabs]

Looking back, 2008 was a great year for me & I count by blessing everyday! (all except for the draining retirement account!)

Foremost, my family is happy and healthy and that just means the world to me.

My job (knock on wood it will stay that way), is going well and I truly enjoy it and the people I work with as well.

As for diving… it was an exceptional year for me…. Some work situations allowed me to take some extra time off so I took full advantage and traveled when I could. I racked up over 150 dives this year (including my local dives) which is a personal record for me. Trips included:

Jan – Bahamas (SD)
Feb – Coz
March – Utila (SD)
May – Bonaire (SD)
June – Belize
July – Keys Krawl & Dry Tortugas (SD)
Sept – Bahamas Dolphin Trip (SD)
Dec – Cozumel

I’m afraid 2009 won’t involve nearly as much travel for me, but I look forward to another great year of diving with lots of wonderful friends!!

I wish you all the very best for 2009!! Good Health, Safe Dives & Loads of Fun!!!!

[WreckWench]

Only 42 dives in 2008. But considering that only 2 of those were in San Diego, I guess that is not so bad!!!
I managed to dive Cancun and the cenotes, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, San Diego (Yukon wreck), Bali and Wakatobi. Got drysuit certified, and plan to dive more overall and definitely more in San Diego over the next year. Starting 2009 well diving in Belize, considering Galapagos with SD, and will have to plan other dive trips in between!! Will definitely hit my 200th dive this year and hope to become a proficient drysuit diver.

Girlfriend...that is awesome....you HAVE to do your 200th dive with me! And I HAVE to be your buddy!

Well ok...that is if you'll let me be your buddy!