SCUBA Buddies

Hayden & Korey

After starting back in late August with their studies to become PADI Open Water Scuba Divers, the boys finished their training dives in the crisp October waters of White Star Quarry and submitted all paperwork in November to make it "official".

I had always hoped that son, Korey, would take an interest in scuba diving...after all, he was my only hope for an immediate family member buddy as the girls would NEVER be divers.  Korey had an interest in the water, in snorkeling, and had tried the Discover Scuba Diving several times over the years with friends & at resorts.  But I certainly didn't want to "push" him.  Early in the spring, as I knew his 16th birthday would be upcoming in a few months, I again mentioned that he could take the course whenever he was ready.  I even suggested that if he didn't want "Dad" to teach the course, that I would have no problem speaking with my scuba instructor colleagues to see who would be able to help.

As I look back at it, there were probably two factors that prompted Korey to one day ask, "How can I get one of those SCUBA books, Dad?"...neither of which I had any control over.  The first was during the summer when Korey came to a confined water pool session I was instructing just to watch and swim a little.  I really think this peaked his interest again and he saw the fun the student(s) were having.  The second was his buddy from school, Hayden.  Hayden had an interest, encouraged by his parents, in taking the course.  That was really all the convincing that Korey needed because now HE had a buddy his own age and not just his dad!

The boys did fine and are now both certified scuba divers!  I hope that they (we) will have many chances to dive together in the future.  Who knows, maybe it will be an avenue for new opportunities down the road for them.