22 replies to this topic

[weescot]

Like Tammy, I discovered diving in my mid 40's and it was not planned. Several unconnected influences that led me to take up the sport.

Firstly, the Taliban. I left an 8 month contract in Afghanistan after only 8 weeks, after we got shot at leaving Wardak, a province neighbouring Kabul. I had 8 weeks pay in my pocket and no plans, so headed to Asia.

Secondly, my brother - he lived in Singapore at the time so I "based" myself there as I traveled through Thailand and Malaysia

Finally, the limited English of a tour operator in KL who sold me a 5 day package at a "resort" on Redang Island. When I got there I discovered it was a dive centre and there was little else to do. So I learnt to dive!

Having said all that I have not dived for 6 months, but only because I have discovered triathlon. Got fed up of not being able to run for a bus anymore, my clothes being tight and feeling like I should have more energy. Two Sprint triathlons under my belt now (including a VERY windy and hot one last weekend). But back underwater next weekend and looking forward to seeing the benefits with my air consumption.

[WreckWench]

Sheena...you will be AMAZED at your air consumption...just keep the breathing very slow and methodical! Great to see you back again... we've missed you! kamala

[BigBen]

Hello all!
I was going into my senior year of high school and we were on a family trip in Hawaii. I always loved the water and decided it was time to take the next plunge after snorkeling. I immediately fell in love with the sport. I live in NY so diving is nothing compared to diving the tropics, but any day in the water is a good day.

[scubajunkie6]

I got certified back in the mid 80's as a P.E. class in college, and had problems finding a buddy. Ten years later, my fiancee got certified, so I bought all my gear, got married, went to Little Cayman for the honeymoon. My hubby didn't like scuba diving after all, and became my ex (for various other reasons of course). Found some new dive buddies through a college friend (go figure) and haven't stopped since.
When I started dating again, going on scuba diving trips was high on my "mandatory list". So, he got scuba certified, he bought his gear, we got married, and diving is indeed part of our annual vacations.

[ReelDiver]

Millions of years ago before I made landfall for the first time I lived in the ocean but over thousands of years my fins became limbs and I eventually got this breathing air thing down and learned to walk up-right.

Actually, I was working as a rock climbing instructor / guide and one of my customers was the daughter of the owner of a LDS. I took her climbing in West Virginia and as thanks he certified me. That was 2.5 years ago and 300 dives and one awesome c-card collection later here I am.

[georoc01]

Mine was a friend of mine who agreed to go on a cruise with me if I would do a discovery dive with her at one of the stops. So while in the grand caymans, I tried it.

[Hipshot]

When I was growing up in Rye, NY, I used to love checking out the creatures at Rye Beach. I remember having an old yellow plastic mask and "flippers." I used to watch tv shows like "Assignment Underwater," "The Aquanauts," and, of course, "Sea Hunt." This interest grew, and by the time I was a freshman or a sophomore in high school, I knew that I wanted to be an oceanographer or marine biologist.

I was 16 when I was certified, which in 1969 was a bit of a rarity to have someone that young get trained in diving. My instructor was noneother than Buster ("Flash Gordon," "Tarzan") Crabbe, who also lived in Rye.

Rick



Not all those who wander are lost - J.R. Tolkien

[EuroDiver]

Watching Sea Hunt On TV as a kid