MY SCUBA JOURNEY
I started my scuba journey by qualifying in September 2018, having passed my Open Water course with Ocean View.
The seed for diving was originally sown in October 1995 when I moved to Worthing with my family from Birmingham. I saw the shop in Lancing & stated that Scuba diving was something I always wanted to do. Life with a small family & work got in the way.
Early in 2018 my daughter, living in the Midlands, informed me that she was taking up Scuba diving. I informed her this was something I always wanted to do. She took this on board & my children paid for a ‘Discover Scuba Diving’ course for Mothers day, with Ocean View. I was surprised that I had to pluck up courage to do this & didn’t book it until the June. As soon as I got in the water, I knew that this was a sport that I wanted to take further.
I really got the bug
I decided to obtain my Dry Suit along with the Open Water certification After doing some research, plus it was winter, I then passed the Enriched Air course, in November.
It was at this stage I really got the bug…..to such an extent that I purchased most of my diving equipment.
Yes, like many others that have been on the same journey, I have been seen parading around the garden in full kit & yes, I mastered snorkelling skills in the bath.
My enthusiasm for scuba diving was not waning, I wanted to go further with it & decided I would like to do more courses. I wanted to go deeper & was informed I could do the Advanced course or go along the speciality route, in case I wanted to achieve Master Scuba Diver, this would mean I could still get the Advanced certification. This I decided to do, I was then set on achieving Master Scuba Diver if I could.
April 2019, I achieved certification in Peak Performance Buoyancy & Underwater Navigation (I think I find navigation one of the hardest things to do)
June 2019, I achieved DSMB.
July 2019, I certified in Deep & Wreck (didn’t think I was interested in wrecks until I did this course, now I find it fascinating).
I thought I would have a break from courses & do my Rescue in 2020. BUT, I saw there was a course in October/November….so I decided to go for it!!!
Master Scuba Diver
I therefore achieved my goal, which I am very proud of, MASTER SCUBA DIVER.
I achieved so much in 14 months.
So far I have dived at Newquay (Cornwall) The Great Barrier Reef, Byron Bay (Australia) Brighton, Maldives & Farne Islands. Inland water: Dosthill (Tamworth), NDAC, Stoney Cove, St Andrews (Kent) & obviously, Wraysbury.
So, 2020 is now with us, where will my adventure go now? I have nothing currently booked but on my ‘bucket’ list is the Red Sea, Silfra & Raja Ampat.
I intend to continue diving dry, but my eyes have been opened to warm water diving.
What’s next?
My daughter is now working towards her Instructor course. I don’t think this is for me, but you never know where else diving will take me.
I would like to thank my Husband (non-diver) for transporting me around & putting up with my only conversation of diving.
A big thanks to my instructors, Angela Phillips, Andy Langler & Ioannis Vasileiou. All the Dive Masters who help out, whom I didn’t initially know what or how much they do to assist all the students & instructors. Also all the other Ocean View staff who are helpful & willing to pass on useful information. They all do a fantastic job.
Teresa Jones
My Scuba Journey
