50+ year old divers

[odblnt]

Just thought I'd update my status.

Now 63 years old, collecting Social Security, and spending it on dive education and equipment. Currently the island's oldest Divemaster Candidate. Just passed swim, snorkel, equipment exchange and tread (float) this week.

I discovered that being old and buoyant is a good thing for that last test.

Working the boat with Open Water students this afternoon and tomorrow.

 

[j yaeger]

passion at any age is a good thing to show!!
working with students keeps ya young
you've found your own fountain of youth!
congrats on going pro decision
worth the work
have fun
yaeg

 

[AleksaS]

It is the good think then you can do some interesting things when You become older. Scuba diving is like a drug, you can't stop scuba diving

 

[WOODBUTCHER]

Just got home from relocating the dive boat to a new mooring spot after the dock got repaired. 1-2 FEET VIZ. in the harbor here IN hawaii due to west swell. 53 Years old and got my Dive Master last summer. The youngsters at the shop cannot seem to find the anchor line unless the Viz is 40 feet or better let alone try to undue the saftey wire and unschakel the chains to move the mooring anchor and set it all up again in low Viz. It might take me an extra minute or so but it is done and no one got hurt. Older is better when it needs to get done right the first time.

 

[Seastarson]

Back side of 50, Diving Daily, and "Scooting" around the island!!



GREETINGS from ST. Kitts! This March 9th, this Pisces will turn 57, and I'll have been here in St. Kitts for two years teaching and guiding folks from around the world. With now over 3,000 dives, I still dive just about 6 days a week, (we are closed on Saturdays) and sometimes as many as 4-5 times a day. Usually, it's 2-4 dives and/or snorkeling trip with about 30 cruise ship folks.

In 2009, I decided I'd had enough after 30 years in Dallas as a Financial Planner for AMEX and an instructor. I've been blessed to have dived all over the world, including several visits to Micronesia, Indonesia, Australia, of course, Mexico and all over the Caribbean. Since selling my house, my stuff, my car, my kids, and loaning out my wonderful German Shepherd and making the BIG LEAP to move to St. Kitts, it's been quite an adventure!!

I love the diving here, and now have some 'pet' critters, including "Susannah", a large yellow-tail snapper that follows me around like a lost puppy. Most of the fish at one site realize I sometimes carry bread in my BCD, and they are always pecking at my pocket or gazing into my mask as if to ask, "where is it "Ms. pink mask"? LOL.

Taking new divers, old divers, families of divers, cruise ship visitors, or vacationers out diving nearly daily has not yet gotten old at all. It HAS been a challenge being a white woman in basically a black man's culture down here, but I'm a tough ol' bird, and all I have to do is submerse, and the rest of the world melts away.

Some people go down, look around, and come back up. I come up, look around, and go back down!

I hope to see you down here someday... No changes of islands planned as of yet, but who knows what the tide may bring, eh?
If you're coming to St. Kitts, give me a shout out at Kenneth's Dive Center...
As for age, I believe it's a matter of attitude, and divers, for the most part, seem to have very good ones! CHEERS!


PS: I love my new motorcycle helmet! Pink Butterflies and on the back in "Harley" style, it says "Genuine Scuba Diver"... (If you can call a Yamaha 50cc a motorcycle!! Hey, it gets me to the marina and store...and that's all I need!!...)

 

[JFolkes]

I am 54 and from Calgary, Canada.
Currently have my AOW, Nitrox and Drysuit certs.
Fave dive shop is Aquasport Scuba in Calgary.
Dive all over the Caribbean when I can although mostly in the Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel areas these days.
Also get my fresh water diving in at mountain lakes in the Banff area. Hope to do dive off of the west coast Canada this spring.

 

[Q1988]

57 plus a few weeks. Trying to keep my new years resolution age must be lest than water temperature in F. Certified since 1975, OW, nitrox, sidemount, drysuite, working on advanced nitrox. Over 400 dives. Like fresh and salt. Carabean and Great Lakes/ St. Lawrence.

 

[AevnsGrandpa]

Well I just hit it a few months ago so I guess I now qualify!
Live in Illinois, dive mainly in Illinois but want to do more elsewhere. been able to dive in Florida, California and Hawaii.
My dive shop is Midwest Diving Specialist
Wet since 2003!!
Advanced Open Water

See ya'

Jeff

 

[agilis]

I'll be 70 in a few weeks, have been scuba diving regularly since my early 20s, initially self-taught (with an Aqual Lung manual), certified in 1972, have dived many many places. I was tempted to write "I forgot" after the series of questions, but I forgot to do that. Old certification card as basic open water that I refuse to part with because the picture is of me at 29, and I kinda like it. I'm mostly a warm water diver, NJ inlets, Florida and the Caribbean, though I used to dive Wreck Valley years ago. I'm more cautious these days because of nitrogen retention statistics, thogh I'm still stronger, more agile and in better shape than many people half my age that I share dive boats with in the Caribbean and Florida. Better looking too. My favorite shop is Aardvark Scuba in Brick, NJ. Next month I'll get my Nitrox certification there which I'll use as an extra safety hedge, not to stay down longer.

 

[SolarStorm]

Just joined the 50+ group last year. My wife says I have to grow up now
From St. Albert, AB, Canada
We make 1 or 2 winter trips to the Caribbean each year. Never dove locally except the pool.
Actually use a 2 different shops here in town depending on the need.