Open water diving, revisited.
A few nights ago at the hospital I saw a man that I had originally met while getting open water dive certified. He, unlike myself, actively goes diving. I got the certification and haven't been in the water since. Chiefly due to my lack of finances and time, I gave up on diving. My dive buddy, Chris, found bigger and better things to do, and I, having loaned my equipment (to Chris) or lost it (to the Tenn-Tom Waterway), gave up on returning to the hobby.
Every time I see Jackie, though, I want to get back into diving. He's progressed quite well in the three years since we got certified together. He has a full range of equipment, his son has become certified, he owns a boat. Me? I bought a diver tag for the front of my car. Of course, that was really all I could afford to do. Now that school's over and I've paid off a few nagging bills I can afford to start over. That is, since dumping money in my hearse has become a pipe dream. I simply cannot find anyone who is willing to work on it.
I think the only SCUBA equipment I still have are the booties that are worn underneath the fins, and possibly the fins themselves.
The first step to returning to the water is finding a refresher course. My PADI certification never expires but I've forgotten most (if not all) that I learned. I just called Southeastern Divers, Inc. and their refresher course is $75. I need to bring my mask (lost in the Tenn-Tom Waterway), snorkel (same fate) and fins. I may still have my fins, but the rest is lost forever. I propositioned my friend Chris about going to the refresher course. I'd pay for everything, he only needs to attend. He accepted the invitation. We haven't gotten to spend much time together in the last year or two, so this should be fun.
I wish Lake Mohawk would be interesting to dive, but alas, I'm sure it's not. It's man-made, and only about 50 years old. Chasing carp underwater might be fun though.
Every time I see Jackie, though, I want to get back into diving. He's progressed quite well in the three years since we got certified together. He has a full range of equipment, his son has become certified, he owns a boat. Me? I bought a diver tag for the front of my car. Of course, that was really all I could afford to do. Now that school's over and I've paid off a few nagging bills I can afford to start over. That is, since dumping money in my hearse has become a pipe dream. I simply cannot find anyone who is willing to work on it.
I think the only SCUBA equipment I still have are the booties that are worn underneath the fins, and possibly the fins themselves.
The first step to returning to the water is finding a refresher course. My PADI certification never expires but I've forgotten most (if not all) that I learned. I just called Southeastern Divers, Inc. and their refresher course is $75. I need to bring my mask (lost in the Tenn-Tom Waterway), snorkel (same fate) and fins. I may still have my fins, but the rest is lost forever. I propositioned my friend Chris about going to the refresher course. I'd pay for everything, he only needs to attend. He accepted the invitation. We haven't gotten to spend much time together in the last year or two, so this should be fun.
I wish Lake Mohawk would be interesting to dive, but alas, I'm sure it's not. It's man-made, and only about 50 years old. Chasing carp underwater might be fun though.