What it's really all about

Eric, now 13, in Indonesia

60ºF in Ohio on a December day?  What a great opportunity to take advantage of the clear waters and great viz that come only with (in this state) fifty degree water.  So, a few days ago, I sent out a general email to my list of scuba buddies and past students in an attempt to find a partner willing to dive the NW Ohio quarries on December 1st.

Having a few replies of "brrrrr" & others cursing me and my DUI drysuit, I had little luck.  However, I did get a short, and in the end, inspiring letter  from a parent of two boys--then 11 yrs. old--who I certified as junior open water divers two years ago.  The few lines mentioned that the boys now have approximately 50 dives under their belts including Curacao, Belize, and 23 dives in Indonesia, and that they were both doing well.

     Doing well?  23 dives in Indonesia??  My first reaction was what the *#@&%$!!*.   Belize, Curacao, Indonesia at age 13?  These are dive Meccas to which even some of the most experienced divers have not traveled.  But after the moment of disbelief and, I must admit, jealousy diminished, I had a different feeling.  Wow!  How awesome!  Awesome that they have parents who enrolled them into an open water scuba diving class.  Awesome that these barely-teenage-boys have had the educational experience of travel, thanks to their parents.  Awesome that they have had the opportunity to visit and dive in the waters of the great oceans and seas that cover our planet.  Awesome that at such a young age, they are seeing sites that will, no doubt, shape & influence them as they become adults.  And, awesome that I had just a small part in helping them to achieve certification at age 11 so that they could know more about the other 70-75% of our Earth.  Awesome!

DEMA 2012

While I have yet to attend one of the DEMA pro shows, I have it on my mental calendar to attend...some day.  These industry trade shows are open to professional divers and those whose business involve the diving industry.  The Las Vegas show that recently took place appears to have been a success.  For more info, check out www.demashow.com and check out the DEMA show 2012 links.  Maybe we can go next year??

DEMA SHOW 2012
WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!

DEMA Show 2012 saw four fantastic show days with thousands of people flooding the aisles of the exhibit hall which features hundreds of exhibits all dedicated to the diving, action watersports and travel industries. Mark your calendars for DEMA Show 2013, November 6-9 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

With A Little Help From My Friends

Busy schedules tend to get in the way of our fun.  Family events, work, and more always can be conflicts when trying to plan for diving...and Roger's situation was no different.  Regardless, we finally got him finished with his OW training dives...but not without some of my own drama.

Summer & fall colds and allergies, well, just plan suck.  I had my share of plugged sinuses and ears this fall, too.  So, when one of my adult student's schedule was clear, my ears weren't.  A BIG THANK YOU to fellow instructors Bob Stover & Vince Frodl for helping to get my (?) student certified.  Without their assistance, Roger might have been diving New Years Day!

Three More...

Al

The real reason that the class of nine started earlier this winter was because of the persistence of Al Fulton.  What started out as Al & a buddy wanting to get certified, turned into 5 dives..then 7...then 9.  Even after I had closed enrollment, I had another call or two for the course at the Bucyrus YMCA.

Kevin, Duane, and Glen

While the weather wasn't the best and the water was certainly far from warm--in the low 60's--these three toughed it out on a Friday and Saturday to finish their certification.  Happy Diving!

Me

Round One

Father & daughter divers

 The weather at White Star Quarry was great for this May weekend--some even ending up with sunburn after these two days of OW certification dives.  But the chilly water, hovering in the low 60's, made these newly certified divers happy to have their 7mm full wetsuits!  Congratulations to Lewis, Sabrina, & Keith.

Lewis gearing up

Open Water Divers Practice @ CCHS

Want to have a great time AND learn a new skill?  Here are just a few of our dive students from the most recent class.  Check out all the photos above on the 2012 photos page!  I can't wait for a few more weeks when we will be finishing their certifications at White Star Quarry!

James Cameron Dives to Bottom of the Pacific

7 mile dive...deeper than Mt. Everest turned upside down!!

ScubaFest 2012

Inflatable 'scuba man' inside hotel lobby

ScubaFest 2012 in Dublin, Ohio was another good time this year!  It is always good to see old friends and acquaintances, and to meet new people who share the same interests and passions.

This year, again, my family accompanied me to the event.  While our son, Korey, is the only other certified diver in the family, the girls don't mind coming along for a weekend get away at the hotel, either!  The buffet breakfast was a bonus, too!

Friday evening started with a meet-n-greet and special presentation of the key-note speaker, Daniel J. Lenihan.  Mr. Lenihan has been a archaeologic diver with the U.S. National Parks system for decades, and spoke on some of his adventures.  I also attended a session by Dr. Andrea Grottoli of the Ohio State University, who is doing research on the corals of our world...and what we can expect to happen to them in the future.  After the sessions, I had a chance to meet up with a few dive buddies as we caught up with each other while enjoying a few after-diving-beverages.

Scott & Linda from GLHS/MAST

Saturday was a full day of various presentations, visits to the exhibit hall to see all the vendors and learning more about all things diving...from regulators to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix), to nautical archaeology in Ohio...and more!  Really, too much to recap in this short blog.  The evening was capped off with the annual banquet, the announcement of the Ohio Regional photo contest winners (winning a week-long live aboard trip!!), and good fun with friends.

My weekend ended with a PADI Member Forum meeting Sunday AM for dive professionals, a brief stop into the MAST member meeting and some more visits to the exhibit booths with the family.  I even won a small Ikelite mini c-lite for my diving this summer from one of the booths!  Thank you, David Hass, for the prize and for being at ScubaFest!

2012 SCUBA goals...What are yours?

Please click the above link and tell me what scuba classes you are hoping to take this year!

Happy 2012

This time a year ago, I was diving with friends at White Star Quarry; and that was the plan again for 2012.  While I received several invites to ring in the New Year with some diving, hot chocolate, kerosene heaters, and fellowship, the slight fluid and "full feeling" in my ears told me that it would be best not to force the issue.  I really did miss going out for the day with Bob, Scott, Rich, and others, but the day was not a loss due to the New Year's Eve & New Year's Day family visit from our college-aged daughter.

Despite the missed dives, I am at least thinking about diving as some of my Christmas gifts will show.  Coated lead weights & clip weights, check (√).  Just missing water.